​In 2015, when I was just 11 years old, I was already a highly active child with a passion for sports. I regularly participated in a variety of athletic events including 100m sprints, high jump, long jump, hurdles, and relay races. In addition to my love for sports, I was also a dedicated dancer and basketball player outside of school, enjoying the camaraderie and teamwork that came with being part of a group.

 

During one of my dance classes, while I was stretching, my teacher approached me with a shocked expression and asked how long I had been suffering from scoliosis. I was in a standing position with my hands on the floor, bending my back at the time. Unfamiliar with the term, I asked my teacher what it meant. She assured me not to worry and said she would discuss the matter with my mother after the class.

After the dance class ended, my teacher accompanied me to meet my mum and repeated the question about scoliosis. My mum was bewildered and had no idea what scoliosis was, assuming it to be some kind of skin rash. My teacher pointed out that while I was stretching, she noticed that my back was uneven, with one shoulder blade protruding and the outline of my spine appearing curved.

 

From that moment on, we began to schedule appointments with a paediatric orthopaedic surgeon and my journey with scoliosis began.

 

Following several CT scans and MRI's, we discovered that the curvature of my spine had reached 75 degrees in my upper back and 65 degrees in my lower back, which ruled out the possibility of using a back brace to correct it. Consequently, surgery was the most viable alternative in my scenario, requiring the placement of two titanium rods and numerous screws to realign my spine accurately. We attempted to brace ourselves for the impending spinal fusion, despite having limited knowledge of when the procedure would take place.

 

In 2016, at the age of 12, I had a scheduled surgery on July 26th. We arrived at the Royal Children’s Hospital at 6am and I was taken to the operating theatre at 9am. The surgery lasted 8 hours and had some complications due to the severity of my spinal curves and twisted ribs, which put pressure on my heart and lungs. The surgeons attempted to realign my rib cage, but this put dangerous stress on my spinal cord, risking paralysis from the waist down. As a result, they halted the correction of my rib cage.

 

After the operation was completed, the medical team conducted several tests to evaluate the reflexes in my legs. At that time, I did not exhibit any response. However, since I was still unconscious, it was uncertain whether I would wake up with any leg movement. Nevertheless, upon waking up, I surprised everyone by moving around from head to toe. The surgery was highly successful in correcting the curvature of my spine, and the only noticeable sign was the scar down the centre of my back.

 

I was hospitalized for a week after the surgery, but due to the strong pain medication, I have limited memory of the first few days. Additionally, my vision was impaired, likely due to the dilation of my pupils, swelling of my face, and cloudiness in my head. Fortunately, these side effects dissipated within a few days, and I was taken off morphine to allow my body to adjust to the changes. My recovery began the day after the surgery, and it primarily involved relearning basic activities such as standing up and sitting down, gradually increasing the distance of my walks, and practicing sitting up straight for longer periods, which could initially cause discomfort.

 

From my personal experience, the most challenging and excruciating aspects of recovery were relearning how to walk while maintaining balance, adjusting to sitting upright with good posture, and dealing with leg cramps that would occur from lying in bed for prolonged periods of time without moving. However, I discovered ways to cope with these painful aspects of recovery. I found that taking frequent walks, even during the night, helped alleviate the leg cramps. Persistence during recovery is key, and it significantly reduces the amount of pain experienced. Although I became frustrated towards the end of the week and longed to go home, I reminded myself of the importance of staying calm and maintaining a positive attitude, which ultimately made the recovery process more manageable.

 

The sensation of being discharged from the hospital is still fresh in my memory, and I can confidently say that it was one of the most gratifying experiences I have ever had. There's nothing more comforting than returning to one's own room, enveloped by everything and everyone that makes you feel secure.

 

Initially, I was advised to take 8 weeks off from school, but I returned 2 weeks earlier than expected. During my recovery, I dedicated most of my time to resting and taking frequent walks, gradually increasing the distance each time. It was also essential for me to learn how to perform daily tasks, as the inability to bend could make things challenging. However, I eventually discovered ways to tie my shoes and pick up objects from the floor that worked best for me.

 

Day by day, recovery became easier, and my back pain decreased greatly. Later that year, I returned to school, dance, and basketball. Although there were some restrictions, playing sports was beneficial for me. It not only helped my mental health after undergoing such a drastic change, but also assisted me in regaining my physical fitness abilities.

 

Presently, it has been almost 7 years since my surgery, and I am happy to report that I am free of any back pain. I can stand for extended periods of 6-9 hours without experiencing any discomfort. Furthermore, I am always finding innovative ways to work within the constraints of my spinal fusion.

 

Being diagnosed with scoliosis can be a daunting and overwhelming experience, but in my case, it has taught me to develop resilience, determination, and has pushed me to become a stronger version of myself both mentally and physically.