By Saylor Spears
Comparable to how I was determined to physically take my challenging first steps following my spinal fusion surgery at the age of 13, I have been determined in overcoming obstacles in order to take strides in my journey of personal healthcare advocacy.
As a child and into my adolescence, I had annual physicals prior to the start of every school year, as well as yearly health evaluations performed by my physical education teacher. These evaluations included spinal examinations designed to detect scoliosis. I trusted those health professionals to provide me with accurate medical information and diagnoses.
I experienced a major growth spurt at the end of seventh grade, growing three inches taller and moving up two shoe sizes in a matter of months. Gradually, family members began to notice that my right shoulder was lower than my left shoulder. I vividly remember my family members telling me, “Saylor, stand up straight.” I remember trying to correct my posture, but soon after, I was told to stand up straight. These comments began to increase in frequency; however, I had no other symptoms. Still, during my yearly health evaluations, I was reassured that my health and body functioning were normal.
Concern regarding my posture continued, so we decided to seek the care of a chiropractor when I was 12. After multiple visits, the chiropractor agreed to my mother’s request for a spinal X-ray, which displayed a 53-degree curvature in my lower spine and a 45-degree curvature in my upper spine. The normal range for spinal curvature range zero to 15 degrees. The chiropractor recommended various methods to correct my scoliosis, including shoe inserts and physical adjustments, which did not improve my curvatures. The chiropractor did not recommend surgery due to my age and the intensity of the procedure. Filled with uncertainty and seeing no improvements, we searched for additional professional opinions to enhance our understanding of this abnormality. I was eager to advocate for and take control over my personal health decisions.
After weeks of researching specialists and careful consideration, I arrived at the UF Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine Institute to attend my consultation with Dr. Laurel Blakemore, an exceptional orthopedic surgeon.
Dr. Blakemore was an answered prayer. Sitting by my side in the consultation room, she thoroughly explained the information to us, answered every question and provided us with a solution. I was officially diagnosed by Dr. Blakemore with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. The term “idiopathic” means that there is no certain cause for this condition. Idiopathic scoliosis is typically found during a school screening or a pediatric appointment. Even though I had these services yearly, concerns were never expressed.
It all finally made sense: This diagnosis perfectly encapsulated much of what I experienced. I was highly encouraged by Dr. Blakemore to undergo spinal fusion surgery as soon as possible. Spinal fusion is the most commonly recommended surgery for children with severe scoliosis, indicated by a spinal curve of 45 degrees or higher. The surgery would be intense and complex, lasting for eight hours under anesthesia as a young adolescent. There was a great possibility that I could be paralyzed if any nerves were damaged during the surgery. However, the strong likelihood that my spinal curves would only worsen as I aged, likely causing serious health complications in the future, was the deciding factor for me.
The confident presence that Dr. Blakemore exuded and her surgical experience was very reassuring. Her passion in leading me toward a healthier future was evident. After much deliberation with myself, my parents and Dr. Blakemore, I underwent spinal fusion surgery when I was 13. As I was taken to the operating room, I felt an overwhelming sense of peace and had faith in the abilities of the surgical team surrounding me. I was beyond grateful for the diverse team of healthcare providers that made me feel comforted and safe in the face of such a scary surgery. Titanium rods and screws were placed along my spine to fix the curvature. The curvatures were reduced to 12 degrees — an astonishing improvement. There was also an unexpected benefit of the surgery. X-rays showed my organs were compacted and not positioned correctly prior to the surgery. Afterward, my organs and muscles shifted to the proper positioning, which likely improved my breathing capabilities and asthma. The recovery period after surgery was intense. I had to learn how to walk again. Activities of daily living, like sitting down on the toilet or showering myself, were challenging and exhausting. I knew my path to recovery would be difficult, but with each step I took alongside my support system, I was filled with the hope of a healthier future and the determination to overcome adversity for the opportunity to share my story of God’s faithfulness with others.
Throughout my journey, I noticed gaps in the system and quality of care I received. There were many missed opportunities during my childhood and adolescence for professionals across sectors to intervene preventatively. If they had done so, my condition may not have grown as advanced as it did, and I might have not needed surgery. In my experiences with Dr. Blakemore, the neurosurgeons, the anesthesiologist and the nursing staff, I witnessed firsthand the value of multidisciplinary collaboration across specialties and the positive impact it had on the quality of care I received.
I hope my personal journey encourages you to advocate for your own health, ask questions and seek out information to feel confident throughout your health decision-making process. Be your own champion for your personal health journey.
Saylor Spears is a third-year public health major.
“My Public Health Story” essays originated from an assignment on public health storytelling for a public health messaging and dissemination course led by Gaia Zori, Ph.D., M.P.H., coordinator for the social and behavioral sciences and public health practice concentrations in the Master of Public Health program.