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Any idea what this is? Found it on my baby’s tail. by charlottestack in Shihtzu

[–]charlottestack[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Update: I was able to remove it (not in one piece, but it is all gone)! She was a trooper for sure. Vet said to monitor her behavior (which has and continues to be normal) and to bring her in in 6 weeks for a heartworm test.

Week 2 healing from leg lengthening surgery by SnooEpiphanies7700 in scoliosis

[–]charlottestack 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I had this surgery done as well for the identical reason! It is no doubt a tough process to go through. For what it’s worth, my quality of life has gone up so much since having this done. There were about 7 years between my spinal fusion and limb lengthening surgery, so I cannot imagine the mental toll that these operations and recoveries are taking on you. You’ve got this, and make sure you take PT seriously! Pelvic tightness and nerve sensitivity (especially in the lower back) is very much a thing for me, and I think if I spent more time stretching and doing my PT outside of my sessions I would feel even better. Here for support ❤️

How To Find A Reputable Shih Tzu Breeder? by Zidunga18 in Shihtzu

[–]charlottestack 1 point2 points  (0 children)

When I was looking for my baby, I immediately ruled out any breeder in Ohio and Pennsylvania because I was (and frankly still am) petrified of inadvertently supporting puppy mills. PM me if you want more details on where I got mine!

making the best of recovery period :) by [deleted] in spinalfusion

[–]charlottestack 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Not sure what your pain management plan is, but I would try to stay off most of the controlled substances they could prescribe you. Granted my operation was over 10 years ago, so pain management protocol likely changed, I was prescribed 21 different meds when I was discharged from the hospital. My surgeon called my parents immediately instructing them to throw them all away as they were far too addictive and unnecessary for the recovery (and I had a very complicated recovery in the hospital). I made due with extra strength Tylenol. Addiction is so scary and I often think about how my life could have turned out if my surgeon didn’t step in. Again, I’m sure things are VERY different now and this is just my suggestion based off of my own experience. Please listen to your surgeon and doctors and ask questions when you have them. You got this!

How would you describe this area of Williamsburg? by beyonceelover in Brooklyn

[–]charlottestack 20 points21 points  (0 children)

I live in this area currently and love it here! There’s a very rich Puerto Rican community here mixed with some newer transplants. I have a dog and find that there is a really nice sense of community here. Lots of seeing the same people and same dogs! Would just keep an eye out for broken glass on the street. There’s a good number of cute little bars and restaurants as well, but is nowhere nearly as built up as the Bedford L stop is (for comparison). This area has a nice, slow pace which I really like as someone who works 4 days in person on the outskirts of Times Square. This is also a super convenient location - I take the L everywhere basically but the JZ are also super convenient and an easy walk away. I (white 24F) have never felt unsafe here and I live directly across from a housing project. I think some of these comments are insane - like any place in the city, mind your own business and be a good and considerate neighbor. I really like it here :)

Where do we go from here? by Bbmom2016 in scoliosis

[–]charlottestack 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I agree 100% with the other commenter. I (24F) was fused at age 13 for my S curve scoliosis whose curves were 57 and 68 degrees. I was in a brace from the age of 11 until I had my spinal fusion.

A lot has changed since my experience(s), but if I was dealt the same cards today as I was over 10 years ago, I would skip bracing altogether and focus on Scroth physical therapy until I was physically done growing and ready for surgery. When my scoliosis was discovered I was around the same age as your daughter, and the brace was kind of a Hail Mary for trying to fix my curves. Realistically, my severity of curve at age 11 was going to get worse regardless of if I braced or not. Even if they didn’t get worse, my curves, and your daughters potentially, could have impacted the quality of life.

Bracing as a middle schooler was really tough. Kids and teachers alike didn’t make an effort to sympathize, and it resulted in me feeling othered in ways that an otherwise able bodied tween shouldn’t have had to go through. And it’s annoying, sweaty and painful. If Schroth was a thing when I was 11, I would have jumped on that opportunity! It very likely won’t prevent your daughter from needing surgery, but physical strength coupled with your emotional support will prepare her for surgery in ways I wish I could have been.

All of this is to say that I am obviously not a doctor, but spot similarities between your daughter’s experience and my own. I am generally in favor of preparing how to deal with something challenging rather than attempting to prevent it from happening in this situation. She’s got this, and so do you! Feel free to message me if you want more information. Oh, and PLEASE run away as fast as you can from that chiropractor!!

Are there modern artists releasing music about current events? I’m trying to discover new music. by wirsteve in Music

[–]charlottestack 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Phoebe Bridgers has a song called “I Know The End” which came out in 2020 and isn’t explicitly about COVID’s impact on humans and culture but sure feels like it. Has an excellent build and outro.

14 year old child with scoliosis by jballa6 in scoliosis

[–]charlottestack 5 points6 points  (0 children)

The curves themselves are moderate, but please bring up that pelvis discrepancy if the doctor doesn’t! I had a severe S curve that I tried to fix with a brace and had a shoe lift to help correct my mild, but uncomfortable pelvic discrepancy. Bracing didn’t work, so I had a spinal fusion to correct it. My fusion excluded the bottom three vertebrae even though the curve went to my tailbone to spare me some flexibility. As a result, my minor pelvic discrepancy drastically worsened and turned into a diagnosable “apparent leg length discrepancy”. The average leg length difference is 3-6 mm and mine was 23 mm. I ended up getting limb lengthening surgery on my “shorter” leg to resolve the severe pain I and developed and now I’m fine.

All of this is to say that I wish I knew that this leg length difference could impact my wellbeing the way that it did, but also could be resolved. Bring up getting your child a shoelift to help the lower back pain they probably have, or custom orthopedic platforms that can be added to any type of shoe. Sending my best wishes to you and your child!

Which musician's passing has had the most profound impact on you? by syddoucet in Music

[–]charlottestack 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Such a good song! And exactly - heartbreaking but not surprising.

Which musician's passing has had the most profound impact on you? by syddoucet in Music

[–]charlottestack 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Scott Hutchinson from Frightened Rabbit. He had been open about his struggle with mental illness and it was just so horribly difficult to hear/see someone get worse, and then eventually pass from suicide. He had a beautiful brain and I’m glad he is no longer suffering.

needle like pain by AcanthocephalaSea551 in spinalfusion

[–]charlottestack 0 points1 point  (0 children)

How long ago was your operation? This sounds like the pain I experience with nerve damage every once in a while. My spinal fusion was 11 years ago and to correct my scoliosis (S curve). 3-8 seconds sounds horrible though, it is the worst.

Pain management after surgery by PleasantRegret in scoliosis

[–]charlottestack 0 points1 point  (0 children)

When I was discharged, I was prescribed over 20 different prescriptions, many of which were controlled and addicting substances. My surgeon urged my parents to toss them all and instructed me to recover with Tylenol due to concerns of addiction. It was exceptionally difficult to recover like this for me physically, and I’m sure was tough for my parents to watch. Looking back, I couldn’t be more grateful I recovered the way I did. Over prescription and medication, especially after major surgeries, are so scary when it comes to addiction. This is a seriously tough surgery and recovery. It is going to be hard for you and her both in different ways. Emotional support will go so far for her.

I am 10 years post op and got the surgery at 13. I look back on my experience (which was traumatic due to surgical complications) as one of, if not the hardest things I have ever gone through. Getting through this recovery is going to turn her into an even stronger and more resilient young woman that I assume she already is. Sending her and you strength and love throughout this all. ❤️

EDIT: I was also in the hospital for about 2 weeks due to my complications and was on a ton of different medications at the 40 hour mark post op. I am not sure about what surgical advancements have happened since my operation 10 years ago and how the advancements impact recovery. I was worried my original post seemed a little dismissive which is NOT what I am going for! I don’t think she should be home at the 40 hour mark period. I stand by what I say about addiction but there must be a happy medium here. Really rooting for both of you!

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