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HI!
I hope you like your pillow! Trust me; this pillow will come in very handy during your stay at Children’s Hospital. How do I know? Well, aside from the obvious fact that this pillow is unbelievably comfy and cute, I have gone through your same experience. In July 2005, I had a much needed spinal fusion surgery preformed by Dr. Newton on the day after my 13th birthday. Because of this, I got many of my get-well presents and birthday presents at once. One of them was a bright pink squishy pillow from my grandma like the one you have. I knew it would be something comfortable that I could lie on, but at the time I really didn’t care about what pillows were in my hospital room, because there were so many other, bigger thoughts going through my head. I am sure they are going through your head, too! For one thing I was nervous. I mean, really nervous. I had never had any type of surgery in my life before, and spinal fusion is a huge operation to begin with. I was also scared. I was worried about things from how badly it would hurt to how the surgery would change my life. I was also kind of bummed, with the no sports rule for a year (I liked to play volleyball and soccer, and I loved swimming and playing in the ocean!). I’m also a really huge thrill-seeker so it stunk that I couldn’t go on roller-coasters for a year. But looking back, I wish I hadn’t worried as much. Obviously, it is impossible not to worry about these kinds of things. But in all honesty, things weren’t as horrible as I imagined.
To start off, I really don’t even remember that much about being at the hospital, until the last few days of my week-long stay. In fact, the nurses gave me a medicine that made it so that I couldn’t remember being wheeled into the operating room or what it even looked like. After the surgery, I vaguely remember the recovery room and my hospital room. I recall family coming to see me and a few of my friends visiting (a day or so after the surgery). The worst part of the first and second day was that I was very thirsty and was only allowed to suck on ice cubes for the first night (then again, I think it was the first night, but I was very out of it). On a better note though, I don’t remember the pain. I remember I was in pain, but I don’t remember when or how it felt. So in that case, you won’t have to ever think about it again!
However, I do remember other things. After a couple days passed, I was getting back into the swing of things. On the second day, the nurses had me sit up for the very first time. It was extremely hard and uncomfortable, but luckily the nurses were so kind and patient. Throughout my stay, all my nurses were very sweet and genuinely wanted to help me. That’s why I at least felt some motivation to sit up. After I finally did, my family was very proud and so were my friend and her mom that were visiting me then. Some things they ask you to do are difficult, but you will feel so accomplished when you do something new.
By Thursday I was walking all around. I still walked very slowly with some back pain, but I was walking and that was all that mattered to me! Because of all the medication I received, the back pain was not as bad as I expected; sometimes I barely noticed it. I kept my mind off any pain I had by walking around, reading magazines, watching movies, or talking with my family, friends or my roommate. She was my age and had the same surgery I did, only a few hours before mine. It was great to share a room with such as nice girl that was going through the same experience as I. Who knows, you might have a cool roommate, too!
Anyway, along with telling you what it is like to have scoliosis surgery, I also wanted to give you this pillow. I wanted you to have it so you could feel a little bit more “at home” in your unfamiliar hospital bed and room, and I know my pillow made me more comfortable. But more importantly, I wanted to send you a little something to remind you that many people are thinking of you and will help you through everything, every step of the way. In this tiny heart I am sending you some love to tell you that you are not alone and so many other kids (and adults!) have gone through this surgery! We made it through and feel better now than we ever did, and so will you!
Good Luck,
McKenna
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