9 months ago tomorrow I underwent the biggest surgery and the hardest time of my life. If you need a little background…I’ve written twice before about my scoliosis and the decision to have spinal fusion surgery. You can find those here and here.

What I haven’t done, until now, is show you the pictures. So here they are: the good, the bad and the ugly. To tell you the truth though, I really don’t see ugly. I am so high on gratitude that I made it through and that I’m still healing. Most days I feel unstoppable.

I had the surgery April 14, 2015 and was off all medications (pain or otherwise) by 11 weeks 6 days post-op. Not that I was counting or anything. Not too shabby for someone who had 2 rods and 32 screws put in her back.

before

after

after

after

after

before surgery

the incision

80 staples

highly medicated

sitting up

figuring out the brace

hardest walk of my life

First EXCRUCIATING steps!

Before/ 3wks/ 1 month post-op

2 months post-op

creative shaving tool

See that rose? I felt glad I was alive to see it!

Mother’s Day 2015 (1 month post-op)

“Never Give Up!”