Patient Ambassador Program – Back to Normal… 

I would definitely recommend Dr. Francis. He is truly a blessing and works hard to fulfilling the calling that God has placed on his life – Giving his patients a pain free life.

A. (Stephanie): I believe that scoliosis and the degree of severity certain conditions can reach is often overlooked or undermined by the public. I am comfortable with sharing my experience with scoliosis to the public because I hope one day people will see scoliosis as a major condition that affects many people. I hope by sharing my experience that I can bring more recognition to this condition. All of my friends know I was treated for scoliosis, and can also see what a positive impact surgery has had on me.

Q. Describe what you felt when you found out that your daughter had scoliosis? Describe the support that you provided for your daughter from diagnosis to surgery and post surgery.

A. (Linda Crowe): When Stephanie was first told she had scoliosis, it was said to us almost like it was no big deal; that everyone had some curve to their spine. Matter of fact, I was told I had scoliosis when I was young, and my daughter Alanna was told the same thing. I figured since nothing happened to me or Alanna, Stephanie would be fine as well. Over the next few years we all noticed that Stephanie’s waist line was much more indented on one side than the other. Next, it became apparent something was wrong with her hips as well. As a young girl, she became very self-conscious of the way her body was developing. At that point we went to see an orthopedic doctor who barely looked at Stephanie’s back, but came to the conclusion there was nothing we could do but live with it. We were not satisfied with his lack of concern, so we asked Stephanie’s pediatrician who she would recommend. That is when we were given Dr. Richard Francis’ name. From the moment we met Dr. Francis, we knew we were in the right place. He genuinely cared about Stephanie, answered ALL of my questions, and spoke to us knowledgeably, with authority in his field. The first set of X-rays and the MRI results showed a 26 degree curvature. Dr. Francis did not seem overly concerned, but wanted to monitor her condition every six months or so. The next visit documented an increasing curvature degree. Over the next 2 months Stephanie’s curvature rapidly became much worse. Her back, waist, and hips were actually deformed to the naked eye. The pain became worse and even stopped her from doing a lot of daily activities. We went back to see Dr. Francis again for another set of X-rays. I will never forget seeing those films on the screen next to her original films. Her curve was horrible! He measured how bad her curve had become and told us we can no longer monitor her. She needed to have this surgically corrected. All of us knew just by looking at Stephanie’s body that surgery was needed, but that did not make it any easier at all. The need did not take away any of the fear. At first her dad and I tried to talk to her about all the positives; what a great doctor she has, how her body would go back to looking and feeling normal, how she could wear the clothes she has been avoiding, how she could go to pool parties without embarrassment, dance without pain etc… At first Stephanie hid her fears much better than I did. She agreed with everything we were saying, but inside was more frightened then I think any of us will ever know. As the surgery approached, more and more conversations were had about how scared she really was. Many nights were spent in tears after reading other girl’s scoliosis horror stories on the internet. I tried my best to help Stephanie work through her fears and all her mixed emotions. I took her to the hospital that morning for surgery and she seemed to be in good spirits, almost relieved the time was finally here. Everyone at the surgery center was so welcoming to me and extremely nice to Stephanie. Dr. Francis came to speak to us that morning; just his presence put us at ease. We laughed so hard while putting on her compression stockings. We joked with each other to pass the time, knowing the time we had feared was at hand. It seemed like we waited for hours, and then all of a sudden the nurse came to get Stephanie for surgery. I quickly had to hug her, kiss her, and say good-bye while they rolled her bed away. Stephanie was being taken away for spinal surgery, and I was going alone to wait for her for hours and hours. I watched television, I worried about Stephanie, I read emails, I worried about Stephanie, I walked outside and I walked inside, I ate lunch, I worried about Stephanie, I read magazines, I worried about Stephanie. It seemed like it was taking so very long, longer than I thought it would. Everyone in the waiting room seemed concerned about Stephanie, or maybe they were concerned about me. I will never forget seeing Dr. Francis walking so quickly around the corner. I thought, “Oh there he is! Finally! Why is he in such a hurry, what is wrong?” I think my heart fell out of place at that moment. I stood up and braced myself for my worst nightmare. He came up to me and grabbed both of my hands in his. He looked me in my eyes and said “She is fine, you can relax! She is fine.”

Q. How did scoliosis affect your daily activities, interactions with friends and physical activities?

A. (Stephanie): Scoliosis affected me not only physically but mentally as well. I was involved in a dance team in the years before my surgery and found it hard to execute certain moves. I also had severe back pain everyday which made it hard for me to dance. Eventually I had to stop dancing. Mentally, scoliosis ruined me. I was embarrassed of how my body looked. I lost all self-confidence I had and never truly felt pretty in my own skin. I didn’t wear tight fitting clothing and missed many pool parties or beach days because I was embarrassed of my uneven figure and was afraid of what people might think. I let scoliosis define me and affect everything I did.

Q. What treatments did you have before surgery? (Bracing, monitoring, etc)

A. (Stephanie): I was told I had scoliosis when I was in sixth grade, but that everyone has a slight curve to their spine and it was nothing to worry about. Four years later I went to my doctor for a physical and was told I needed to see someone for my scoliosis. I was referred to Spine Associates by my doctor, but saw 2 doctors closer to my home before I saw Dr. Francis. Both doctors told me the same thing; that I was not a candidate for surgery and because I was done growing I wouldn’t need a brace. I was also told to come back in six months to monitor my condition. Wanting another opinion I decided to see Dr. Francis. He was unlike any other doctor I met. From the moment he assessed my condition I knew I could trust him. The way he carries himself and is passionate about his practice is why I chose him to be my doctor. I can’t say enough good things about Dr. Francis. He recommended I do physical therapy twice a week to strengthen my muscles. It was about a year from my first visit that I found out I had to get spine surgery.

Q. Did another doctor have you wear a brace, how did it affect your daily life?

A. (Stephanie): Although I saw two doctors before Dr. Francis I never had to wear a brace until after my surgery. Because braces work with your body as you’re growing I was not prescribed one due to the fact I was already done growing.

Q. Tell me what you understand as far as the surgery that was performed to correct your scoliosis.

A. (Stephanie): What I understand as far as the surgery I had was that it corrects deformities and deviations in spines by fusing rods, screws, and wires into the spine. Till this day just thinking about there being screws and rods in my back freaks me out, but it’s so incredible. Spinal fusion is a major surgery that takes hours to complete. My surgery was done on the lumbar part of my spine. My surgery helped me to have confidence and also alleviated my back pain which I had every day before I was operated on.

Q. What was your recovery like?

A. (Stephanie): My recovery was probably one of the hardest times of my life. It also used to be very difficult for me to talk about because I would just start crying. Now looking back, it is one of the proudest moments of my life, and it showed me how incredibly strong I am. I was in the hospital 5 days after my surgery. I had to walk and move even when it felt like I would never be able to bend my back again. I had to have an IV in at all times and my blood taken every shift change which led to many blown veins, black and blue bruises from my wrists to my elbows, and many tears. When I was released to go home I had a very bad reaction to the anesthesia which lead to four emergency room visits. I was also allergic to the glue on the steri-strips, and that resulted in a red puffy rash all over my incision. I also became dehydrated and weak during this time. It was about 2 ½ weeks before I started to feel better and about a month before I was completely myself again. During that time I had to wear a brace and a stem belt. I remember saying to my mom exactly one month after my surgery “Look how far I’ve come. I’m so proud of myself.” Now almost six months post-op I can truly say that everything I went through to get where I am today was so worth it.

Q. Are you satisfied with the results of your procedure? Are you satisfied with Dr. Francis and hospital staff?

A. (Stephanie): I am beyond satisfied with my procedure. I, through spinal fusion, became myself again. I got my confidence back sand I feel so beautiful even with a scar running down the length of my back. I’m so much stronger now and so relieved. I remember crying as I left my last post-op appointment with Dr. Francis because I was so happy, relieved, and thankful. Dr. Francis and his staff exceeded every expectation I had. I wouldn’t have wanted anyone else to perform such a major surgery on me. It’s no wonder Spine Associates have received so many honors and rave reviews. I’m almost speechless in the sense that I have so many good things I want to say about Dr. Francis that I often end up saying “I can’t say enough good things about him.” Dr. Francis is by far the most professional, driven, and dedicated person I’ve met, and I’m beyond grateful to have had him perform such a surgery on me.

Q. Are you and your parents comfortable having TV crew videotape you at home or participating in an activity? What are your interests, activities and hobbies? Looking for something you are passionate about and scoliosis made it difficult for you to enjoy or pursue that passion.

A. (Stephanie): I am comfortable with being recorded at my home or doing activities. My interest and activities include working with kids, dancing, and fashion. I have a part time job at a school where I teach kindergartners. I love children and can still pick them up and run around and play with them even after my surgery. Although I never rejoined the dance team at my school, due to my surgery interfering with try-outs I still have a passion for dance. I also love fashion and clothing. Before my surgery I could never wear what I wanted because my body was so deformed. Now I can confidently wear the clothes that I want without feeling embarrassed.

Q. What advice would you or your parents give other children, adolescents and parents about treatment for scoliosis?

A. (Stephanie): I would advise other people not to take scoliosis lightly and to do all that they can from the moment a curve is present. If surgery is needed I would tell them that they shouldn’t be mad or upset because many conditions and diseases can’t be cured like scoliosis. Also, that they have to be strong because the time before and after the surgery is hard, but that it will be so worth it. There is a light at the end of the tunnel for everything and that with scoliosis when you finally reach the light it is one of most beautiful and fulfilling things ever.

Less than one week after her surgery, she was able to travel back to her home in Trinidad. Michelle reports complete resolution of her pain and continues to refer friends and colleagues in her home country to Dr. Francis.