Major surgery for family member tomorrow.

[Fireball]

In the event of a positive outcome, just don't go thanking god.

Well, duh.

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My sister-in-law had a rod inserted in her back when she was a preteen because of scoliosis.  It probably should have been replaced decades ago after she finished growing but it was never done.  Somehow she has lived with severe pain for the last many years.  She was supposed to have surgery today but it was postponed until tomorrow.

I saw some X-rays.  The rod is too short but is straight while her spine is severely curved to one side.  The surgery is expected to take eight hours and the doctors aren't 100% sure how much they will be able to do because of the rod being there so long.  There's a risk of nerve damage and paralysis.  She is in her early 50s so that rod has been in her a long time.  They will again open her up from her neck to her butt to try to give her some relief.

Can't imagine living like she has for so long or having to make the choice to do this.

Here's to hoping that medical science has advanced enough in the intervening years to provide a positive outcome. I have scoliosis but never got any intervention for it, and it didn't prevent me from joining the military.