Surgeries: Been there, done that.

I've had a fair share of surgeries and hospital visits in my life, none of them having to do with injuries since I've never broken a bone in my body. These surgeries have to do with the complications that come with scoliosis.

Surgery numero uno: My first surgery was in first grade, when I was about 7 years old. I was excited and nervous at the same time because I thought I was pretty special going into the hospital. My parents were there the whole time, making the process a lot easier and less scary. The purpose of the surgery was to install a metal rod onto my spine so it would stop growing because it was growing at a severe curve. If my spine continued growing like it was, my neck would eventually be pushed forward and I wouldn't be able to do things I am able to now. So the only option was to stop the growth of my spine. The surgery was a necessity. I obviously don't remember much about this surgery because it was so long ago.
This is my sleepy little self after the surgery.

Surgery numero dos: This was a minor surgery to install my halo, which is quite the story. See other post about that.

Surgery numero tres: This surgery was to remove the rod in my spine. I was in 3rd grade, about 9 years old. It was rather painless, minus the whole ripping the bandages off the scar and healing process.

Surgery numero cuatro: This was another minor surgery to remove my halo.

Surgery numero cinco: This was around 5th grade when I got my first kidney stone, which is also another story which I will write about in another post.

Surgery numero seis: This also involves my first kidney stone.

Surgery numero siete: This surgery's after math was painful. In this operation, I had some ribs cut out of my back, in attempt to reduce the rib hump. Originally, my family and I had thought the rib hump would be completely removed and I would have a flat, normal back. About 2 weeks before the surgery, we realized it would only change the size minorly but decided I still wanted to go through with it and get the best results possible. I was in 6th grade and appearances are obviously important to a teenage girl and I wanted to blend in as much as possible. So I had the surgery and it all went well. Having ribs removed is clearly  painful, especially in recovering. I had to wear a brace for 3 months that went from my underarms to my waist and it was painful because it pressed on the sore spot where my ribs were cut out. I stayed home from school for most of the 3 months because it was too painful for me to sit in school for 8 hours a day with my brace. The end result we got wasn't as good as we were hoping for but we did all we could and hoped for the best.

Surgery numero ocho: This was also for a kidney stone to get the stint installed.

Surgery numero nueve: This was to get the stint removed.

I'd say I'm an expert on surgeries and hospitals by now which is why I want to be a pediatric nurse. To help kids that are in the position I was once in.