Caroline Baxter
Tell your nephew good luck with the surgery. I had spinal fusion surgery 5 years ago, at the age of thirteen. Chances are your nephew is suprprised and anxious about the idea of such a major surgery. I certainly was! He probably needs some encouragement that it really is the right thing to do. It is true that the surgery is very painful. That is difficult to hear, but if he gets used to the idea beforehand it will be better. To be honest, although having that surgery was a hard experience, recovery seems so quick and you forget the pain very soon. Remind him that it will make him a stronger person, because it will. One thing i want to let him know is something i was unclear about before my surgery. I was under the impression that after i was fully recovered from the surgery i would be back to normal and everything would be the same. That is not exactly true. I can't bend except at the waist. It does limit mobility a bit, especially at first. However, the spine is at its stiffest right after the surgery. I remember it being so tight that when i stood up i was actually leaning back a little bit. When i came home from the hospital, I remember being upset at how flat and unnatural my back looked. That does not last; as the healing takes place the spine regains its natural front to back curve. Spinal surgery is a very difficult thing to go through and i wish him the best of luck with a quick recovery. Email me back if you have any other questions and i will do my best to be of help.