It’s been four years since I had those three surgeries. Hard to believe, I know, but four years have gone by and I’m thankful for every day.
I’m now a sophomore in high school and I’m sixteen, and I’m still taking honors classes and of course, band. I’m in the upper level band at my school, where normally only juniors and seniors are, but I’m one of a few sophomores in it (I think there’s like six or seven of us, and there’s a few freshmen as well). I’ve survived two marching band seasons now, and it’s not as hard for me to do as I thought it would be. Some practices it’s fairly easy and I get through hours without pain, and some are hard and I have to sit down after an hour and a half because of lower back pain. My band friends are always supportive and make sure I’m okay and that I sit down, drink some water, and take some Advil. Marching band is definitely a different experience and the performances are so different than concert band, but I love it. The number of people I’ve met and become close with is amazing, and I’m friends with people in all grades. I’m also on the school newspaper, and that’s super fun too. Several of my band friends are in it with me, and I’ve become friends with others as well.
The last time I went to the doctor for my back was in March for my yearly follow-up, and Dr. C told me I didn’t need to come back for two years (when I’m seventeen). Whatever kidney problems I dealt with in sixth and seventh grade are gone, and no one would really guess, from looking at me, that I have scoli. I still have a leg length difference, which effects the way I stand and walk, but it’s not super noticeable. I haven’t grown all that much, obviously since I can’t, except for in my legs. Since they measured after surgery, I’ve grown an inch and a half, maybe two inches.
From now on, I don’t plan on posting much. I’m not dealing with huge after-surgery effects like I dealt with even three years ago, and I’m fairly healthy and normal now. Thank you to everyone who has been there for me through it all–it really means the world to me.
If any of you are out there reading this because you’re dealing with what I dealt with, I know you’ll get through it. It’s tough, I know, but you have to be strong and get to the other side. Once you do, you’ll feel so much better. My twelve days in the hospital–and the five months after–were hard. I wanted to give up at times, but I’m glad I didn’t. My grandpa’s friend, who unfortunately passed recently, wrote messages to my grandpa a lot about how brave I was and how inspiring it was how I was dealing with everything at such a young age. I know anyone who goes through it like I did can be that way as well. Looking back, dealing with it in the way that I did has changed who I am as a person. When dealing with problems today, I know I can do it because of what I’ve been through. Nothing I’ve ever done is as hard as that was, but I’m thankful that I made it, and I know you can too.
With love,
Titanium Girl