Anna’s Story

Site created on May 13, 2019

Four years ago at the age of 20 I started having intense, stabbing, back pain. It was sharp and out of nowhere. I went into my local urgent care, was diagnosed with muscle spasms, and sent on my way. By that following week I wasn't any better so I scheduled an appointment with Twin Cities Orthopedics to see a spine specialist. He happened to be a spine surgeon who specialized in spinal deformities, and told me that he wanted to order X-Rays and MRI's.  After the imaging came back, he told me that I have what is called Scheuermann's Disease.  He told me that the so-called curve in my spine that I had probably had since early middle school wasn't bad posture at all, but a spinal deformity much like scoliosis. It was genetic. At that time the curve in my spine measured around 63 degrees, which was causing disc degeneration in my spine due to the unnatural curvature, as well as arthritis, and compressed nerves which was most likely the cause for pain. As far as the spinal cord goes, it seemed to be healthy, but contained a Syringomyelia, which is a fluid filled cyst in the middle of my spinal cord. He explained that this is also something that is seen in babies and young children. He didn't think see that this cyst was harmful to me, and shouldn't be causing pain. He explained that Scheuermann's Disease is a juvenile disorder,  which means it usually develops in children, as they are growing. Because of this, measures are taken early on as soon as the curve is detected, and surgery at Shriner's Hospital for deformed children is the normal course of action. Due to my late onset of pain, there was no way growing up for my parents to  know that the curve in my spine was anything other than bad posture for a typical middle schooler. Unfortunately we got to it too late, and now it was causing immense amounts of pain. He told me that it was progressive, but there wasn't much he could do, because surgery would be too risky, and he couldn't guarantee a good outcome, due to the fact that I could be paraplegic if the slightest thing went wrong in surgery.  So I went on my way terrified. I was referred to physical therapist after physical therapist, and sought out dozens of other doctors, pain doctors, therapists, and finally a surgeon from Mayo Clinic who also specializes in my condition.  No one could offer me there help. Not even the surgeon from Mayo Clinic would accept me as a surgical candidate. He suggested that I live a healthy lifestyle, and stay active, as well as learn how to manage pain. So I did my best to manage the horrible pain day to day, and have ended up here. Four years later and still in pain that increases every year, but I am hanging on by the grace of God, and stronger in my walk with God than ever before. The pain has taken a lot from me. Friendships, opportunities, weddings, birthday parties, vacations, and important life events.


A few months back I decided to reach out to the University of Minnesota as "one last resort." I felt a nudge to do so, and felt Gods hand guiding me. I got in for a consultation with the Professor of Orthopedic Surgery, who coincidentally specializes in my condition as well as other spinal deformities in children and adults. He took one look at my most recent scans (CAT, X-RAY, etc.) and looked at me and asked: "Why hasn't anyone offered to do surgery for you?" I told him that any surgeon I had seen prior has simply told me it was too risky, and that they couldn't guarantee a good outcome. He looked at me and said "I can fix this." That was the most monumentous moment in my life thus far. The moment that could change the course of my life as I knew it, and I was so thankful to my heavenly father for bringing me exactly what I needed, after waiting four long, hard years. He said my curve now measured closer to 70 degrees, so it was time to do something, as the condition would only progress and start to affect other areas of my spine, rather than just my thoracic spine (middle of your spine).


My surgeon had explained that the previous surgeons I had seen, had most likely denied me as a surgical candidate because a surgeons motto is "do no harm," and if a surgeon is unconfident in his or her own capabilities they pass up the opportunity if they see the slightest chance at anything going potentially wrong. He assured me that he does this everyday, and out of the rarity of my condition (only 4% of the population has it) he does about one of these specific surgeries every month, and that he had been a surgeon at The U of M since 2008. He also did his residency at Shriner's Hospital, the medical facilities where most cases of juvenile Scheuermann's Disease are treated with surgery. I felt that I was in qualified, skilled, and confident hands. The very best hands I could have been in. 


My surgery was scheduled  with my surgeon and the help of one of the best Neurosurgeons at the University of Minnesota. Together they were the dream team that was going to take on my surgery together! I was thrilled and ready for a change. I had big dreams and goals for my life that didn't include pain everyday that wasn't even allowing me to sit anymore.


I believed that God taught me to wait in His timing, and to trust in him for the past four years of my life. I also believe that while in that waiting period, God brought me to the point where I realized that I needed Him EVERYDAY. My faith grew, and it could move mountains! I also believe that He could have been saving the perfect surgeons for me in His perfect timing. I can't wait to see what amazing things God has in store for my future. I trust Him completely because His plans are far greater than any I could ever have for myself!


I have also learned the importance in fighting for yourself. If someone shoots you down or denies you, keep searching, and don't take no for an answer because I promise that there will ALWAYS be someone with the skill and capabilities to help you, at some point, somewhere. KEEP FIGHTING.


ONWARD AND UPWARD!
Anna Landaal

Newest Update

May 27, 2019- Recovery

Journal entry by Anna Landaal —

Hi friends and family! Its Anna here,

I wanted to make a post about how my recovery has been almost two weeks post-op, and almost a week out of the hospital. 

For the past two weeks I have been resting and sleeping a lot. Honestly, I don't remember much about my week in the hospital other than that I was in MASSIVE amounts of pain, and was on lots of medication. I remember my favorite nurses, and doctors, I remember restless nights writhing in pain, and I also remember some moments with family and boyfriend laughing. 

I have been doing very well considering that I had just undergone a major surgery. I am not taking naps anymore throughout the day, but try to sleep in during the morning. This is major progress, although nights are still the hardest as I wake up every hour to take a different medication, and to re-position myself in bed or have an ice pack placed under my back, which takes a lot of effort and maneuvering. I am also cut down to half doses on my major medications, which is also progress. Ever since I got home, I have been going for slow ten minute walks on my treadmill after laying down for a long period of time due to spasms and uncomfortability after being in one position for too long.  

The hardest part other than pain and constant upper back spasms is that I can't bend or twist (rotate my body) and I have to keep my shoulders in-line with my hip and foot at all times, due to the fact that my spine needs to fuse properly on its own, so I am limited with my mobility. The fusing period could take anywhere from a few months months to a year depending on my bodies healing and recovery. But once the fusing period begins I will be able to bend and move more freely again. The mobility is hard because I have to log roll in and out of my bed, I can't just twist or sit up or bend freely anymore due to the surgeons restrictions, so this stops me from being able to put my shoes on or bend down to put my socks on, or even go to the bathroom on my own. This is extremely hard, but am so unbelievably thankful for the help and support of my mom, dad, and boyfriend Taylor who help me around the clock with the littlest things. I couldn't imagine not having them by my side. I am so incredibly thankful and blessed. My mom has been my rock. This morning my brother told me that when I woke up in the ICU after surgery I was in hysterics crying and screaming out of pain and no one could get me to calm down. No doctor, no nurse, no one. But they decided to let my mom in the room, and all she did was hold my hand and I stopped crying, and became dead silent. He said it was the craziest thing. My mom hasn't left my side, and she has had so many sleepless nights but I can't imagine going through this without her. I love her so much, and appreciate her so much. 

The good news is that everyday I am gaining more and more freedom back, and am learning how to do things on my own again. I am able to somehow dress myself in loose stretchy clothing that I can maneuver on. (tried yoga pants and couldn't do it.)

Today I put my socks and shoes on without bending, with the help of a shoe horn. This was the first time I have been able to put my own shoes on since before surgery! Little things are big wins these days. :) 

For the most part I have been doing well. Watching movies, sleeping, and just allowing time and God to heal my body. I can't deny, Ive felt a little out of it due to all of the meds I'm on, (some I had pretty bad reactions to in the hospital) and feel a little like a walking zombie most days, but I remember that it's all apart of the process and that if I put one foot in front of the other, and allow God to give me strength each day I will get to where God wants me to be, healed. If God brought me to this, He will bring me through it! He has more than equipped me to deal with this even when I can't see that. I just have to remember that He promises us that He will never give us more than we can handle. He will carry me through, and my trust is in Him every step of the way.

I feel proud of how far I have come, and what I have gone through. What God has taken me through, most importantly. I have done nothing in my own strength. Its all God. He is working in me and on my body everyday. This has been an incredibly humbling experience. I can remember being in the hospital and looking up at my mom and saying that. 

I am so thankful for all of the prayers. I can feel them. I have felt them from the very beginning. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. 

Thank you to Pastor Josh who came to the University of Minnesota, all the way from Wisconsin at 7am that Wednesday morning to pray with me and my family right before I went back into the OR. Words can't express my love, and thankfulness. 

I will keep you all posted with other updates on recovery. 

xoxo Anna 
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