Hello Darla ! I'm back as promised. Let's start with a new chapter since I think "The Girl with Scoliosis" doesn't suit me anymore. It's like"Err.. Fera, stop calling yourself a girl." Okay T^T
Well, I will begin to flashback to June 2016. I went to Kuala Lumpur with my mom to have my first consultation with Prof. Kwan Mun Keong at UMSC (University Malaya Specialist Centre). I remembered I've ever told you that I visited a spine specialist in my city (Medan), dr. Otman Siregar at Columbia Asia Hospital. Dr. Otman told me that my curve was very severe and I got to have surgery, but not with him. He suggested me to PPUM (Pusat Perubatan Universiti Malaya). I did some research about it. I also met a friend, named Susan. She is a Malaysian who has been through scoliosis surgery with Prof. Kwan at UMSC. From her, I know that PPUM provides service for Malaysian only, or they called it 'Rumah Sakit Kerajaan'. UMSC is the private wing of PPUM. Mostly, the doctors are same. I also did some research about Prof. Kwan and was introduced by ci Susan to some fellow scoliosers who have undergone the surgery with Prof. Kwan. One of them I got closer with is Joce. I found out that they are still doing well even after surgery like nothing happened. With a lot of consideration, I went to KL to see Prof. Kwan.
I brought my latest X-Ray with me (which was taken in 2013). When we entered the consultation room, Prof. Kwan asked me some questions like "Since when my scoliosis began to occur", "what health problems I have" and so on. Prof. Kwan looked very worried once he saw my X-Ray. He did some physical check, like checking the stiffness of my spine, asking me to bend. Prof. Kwan gave us a short briefing about scoliosis (type, cause, treatment, etc). He also gave us a handbook of scoliosis. One in English version for me and one Chinese version for Mom. He told me that I need to have surgery a.s.a.p, no more postponing because it can get worse and worse. My risk will be 10%. If I waited and waited again, the curve might increased and the risk would get higher. It would be the case which most doctors avoid to take. I might end up losing the chance to have surgery if it was too risky. Not having surgery means my curve would keep increasing and affect my organs. Prof. Kwan also asked me to do some exercises for at least 2 months before my surgery. The exercise was to strengthen my back and make my back less stiff. The less stiff my back, the greater correction and easier my surgery will be. I didn't do any X-Ray there since Prof. Kwan said it was unnecessary. I would have my X-Ray on the day before my surgery. In addition, prior to surgery, I had to pass several tests, such as RFT, Echo, MRI and CT Scan. If I didn't pass one of the test, I might not be able to have surgery since it's too risky. The tests was held a day before my surgery. I was told the detailed of my surgery and the cost. I was given a folder and a handbook which describes what-to-do before and after surgery.
We flew back to Medan with a lot of things in mind. Mom was still worried about the ideas of surgery although she said she has agreed about it. However, she thought deeply about what Prof. Kwan said. It's about my future with this curvy spine. She thought about the risk, the cost, my life after surgery, and so on. I'm sorry, Mom. I'm really sorry. Rather than me, you must have much more worries than me. I'm so sorry for making you to go through that hard time.
P.S. For anyone who is struggling with scoliosis, please do feel free to email me (fera_leole@hotmail.com). You can ask for detailed information or simply sharing. I really welcome both ^^
P.S. For anyone who is struggling with scoliosis, please do feel free to email me (fera_leole@hotmail.com). You can ask for detailed information or simply sharing. I really welcome both ^^
