Its been a long haul!

I was diagnosed with Idiopathic Scoliosis when I was about 14, I had a slight hump on my right shoulder blade and mum wasn't happy with it.  Before diagnosis I had been to the Doctors and seen various other Doctors at hospital every 6 months from the age of 11.  The Doctors back then and in Dorking, hadn't seen anything like it before and watched it develop til they realised that it was quite common in girls and sent me to Queen Mary's hospital for children in Carshalton.  It was an hour drive from home and in late 70's quite a trek!  

My consultant was quite scary and after a few visits I was put in a Boston Brace which was like wearing plastic body armour. At the front, it came up to just under my tiny (back then they were) boobs, up under my right armpit, down the front over my hips and straight across my pubic bone. At the back, it went down to the top of my buttocks.  Some days, if I wasn't careful I would pinch my arse between the bottom of the brace and seat causing blood blisters.  I also remember one day walking into a door and catching my left boob between the brace and door causing a nasty cut.  If I search, I can still see the scar, but it's not so easy now the boobs have got so much bigger!

I wore that brace til I was nearly 18 and I assume that it worked! It became like a second skin, it didn't stop me from doing anything, riding bikes, canoeing, working in Robert Dyas, I could even do cartwheels and handstands in it, although very clumsily! I was climbing trees and having fun.  I have to confess I didn't really listen to what the consultant said, ever. Although I do remember something about surgery but I never had it, so I can only assume my mother refused it.

I'm 48 now, and I have had various osteopath/chiropractic/physio appointments over the years, especially when it got really stiff and painful, but the best I ever felt was when I was pregnant.  I was told it was because the bones in the pelvic region loosen up making the pain lessen.  I had 4 amazing pregnancies from the physical side, not from the pregnancy side, but that had nothing to do with the scoliosis, just how I carried boys.  I have 3 gorgeous kids and the story about my second born will be something for another day.

As I said scoliosis didn't stop me from doing anything, to the point that I became a Zumba instructor and loved every minute of it, zumbering for about 6 hours a week, teaching and being a student, but that was my downfall.  I ignored the pain I could feel in my lower back, the crunching sound I could hear and feel when I rotated and thrust my pelvis and hips in all directions.  I ignored the pain in my knees which were compensating for the pain in my back and I continued to zumba. Two and a half years later while instructing with a friend my back 'went'.  4 June 2013.  I remember it well. I had to come off stage and let my friend finish the class. My zumba days were over!