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Kris’s Story

Site created on February 15, 2018

Welcome to Kris Helfer's CaringBridge website. We are using it to keep family and friends updated in one place as other social media isn't always the best place to share such personal information as this.

So- a brief history....

When I was 12 years old, I was diagnosed with Idiopathic Scoliosis- curvature of the spine. My spine had rotated 90 degrees then curved, looking like a backwards S with the top of the "S" at 12 degrees and the bottom at 35 degrees. Because I was young, my bones were still growing and able to be easily manipulated. So- from the age of 12 to 17, I work a back brace for 20 hours a day. This was in hopes of stopping my spine from curving further & even correcting the curve. This was a successful procedure, in that my spine was stable when I would be out of my brace. My spine stayed that way for almost 10 years, until, around age 25, my spine decided it wanted to start curving again. We were told there was a small chance that this would happen, and an ever smaller chance that once it did start to "re-curve," it wouldn't stop. Lucky me to be part of that smaller chance! (Check out the fun blast-from-the-past pictures!)

As of June 2017, each curve of the “S” was at 57 degrees, and will only continue to get worse. The curves are now severe enough that they are starting to affect my internal organs, as well as increasing the risk of slipped disk, pinched nerves and possible paralysis.  The only way to correct this now, is surgery.

So…May 1, 2018, I will be having surgery at Abbott Northwestern Hospital- which is part of the Twin Cities Spine Center (I have been going here since I was 12). I will undergo a spinal fusion of 12 vertebrae …specifically, Vertebrae T2 to L3 (which is about at the shoulder blades and going down to the top of my hip bones). The fusion will be 2 titanium rods, placed on either side of the spine & screwed into place on each of the vertebrae.   We are anticipating it to be a 6 hour surgery and then I will be in the hospital for about 4 days.  After that, I will be at home recuperating until I am given the clear to return to work.

I appreciate your support and words of hope and encouragement! Check back for updates!

Newest Update

Journal entry by Kris Helfer — Jun 17, 2018

I have been looking for an "educational" type video that shows what spinal fusion surgery looks like. I have been able to find several videos that are right there in the surgical room, but those are quite overwhelming! This video link just shows an animation- no blood! It is fairly similar to what my surgery looked like. Here is the link if you want to watch.

https://youtu.be/GXUqq5TnmvI

Also- here is a picture of a model of a spine with the rod & screws in it (again, no blood) :-) This picture really shows how deep the screws are in the spine!

Read More of the journal titled "Educational Video & Pictures"

Not my spine- but a clear model of what mine looks like!

Because the model is clear, you can see how deep the screws really go!

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