Reflective Essay: The Importance Of Back Surgery

Life was going to dramatically change as the nurses rolled me into the operating room. Back surgery is an invasive operation as it is, but imagine it in the eyes of a thirteen-year-old girl. The surgeons explained the procedure as a spinal fusion, with titanium rods placed along both sides of my spine for stability. This procedure would correct my scoliosis. Afterward, the pain was more than anyone should endure. I was not allowed to twist or bend, and I was unable to dress myself, or leave the house alone. This was difficult to accept, as I didn’t want to become dependent upon others.

At first, this seemed like a good excuse! I could miss gym class, or I could miss school, and I wouldn’t be required to carry heavy textbooks! This could have been used for my benefit. However, I was never the type of person to use excuses to avoid my responsibilities. In fact, I pushed my body before it was ready. This type of back surgery required me to wear a full torso back brace for the first six weeks. When I removed it to take showers, I endured substantial pain from the lack of back support. However, one day, I decided I had enough of the limitations. The brace came off as I no longer wanted to depend on it, and I never wore it again. This has been a metaphor for my entire life. Pain does not hold me back in life, and I will never let any other adversity hold me back either.
I’ve always felt a little voice inside my head telling me that I’m special and that there is a worthy plan for my life. I was not about to let this surgery suppress that voice. I went back to my daily routine, even though it was difficult. Studying was a struggle because it was a challenge to find a comfortable position which didn’t cause pain. There were times when I didn’t feel like studying, but I was determined to keep