Winning Strategies

New Scoliosis & Spine Tumor Center in Plano

Dr. Isador Lieberman, medical director of the new Scoliosis & Spine Tumor Center, was interviewed on WFAA-TV's Good Morning Texas. He spoke about the latest technologies and medical advances offered at the new Texas Health Plano’s Scoliosis and Spine Tumor Center. http://www.wfaa.com/good-morning-texas/Texas-Health-93609329.html

With the options for access to scoliosis doctors quite limited, this is an exciting piece of news for Dallasites.  I have met Dr Lieberman and am excited to have his expertise in the Dallas region.  Welcom to Dallas Dr Lieberman!

Heros come in all shapes and sizes

Congratulations to Leah Stoltz, the 17 year old that won one of the Teen Nick Halo awards.  Having fought scoliosis myself, I found the story about her developing a support group, the Curvy Girls, uplifting and heart warming. 

Scoliosis is the disease not often talked about, but devastating to young girls that usually find out about the illness when they are in their early teens.  Some are met with spine braces that they must wear (I think I wore my Milwaukee brace for 2 years), and others face a devastating surgery.  Some endure both.

I had my first scoliosis surgery in June of 1983, followed by procedures in 1991 and a complete re-do in 2004 requiring months of physical therapy and I had to learn to walk all over again.

Here is my school picture from 1984 in my body cast.  It was just as uncomfortable as it looks (laugh). 

We face these trials in life, yet they do nothing other than to make us stronger.  You are facing trials.  The hill seems hard to climb.  Take note of the heros around you and be encouraged by those journeys.  Leah is a teenager that, when facing a crisis, decided to make the world a better place for those around her.  She did just that.  In your crisis, you can do the same. 

Find write up on the web about Leah (http://www.teennick.com/halo/winners.php?id=4).  You can be the hero in your world.
 

Hundreds Gather to Mourn the loss of a Great Surgeon, A great man, and a hero of Scoliosis Research

Hundreds gathered at Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church in Dallas this morning at 10am to mourn the loss of a hero of Scoliosis Surgery, teaching, and research: Dr Alexis Paul Shelokov, June 19, 1954- August 3, 2009.

The air was quiet and the seats were all full.  Some stood on the outer regions of the room, with no more seats left to fill.  The music played and we listened to stories of his life, his accomplishments, and the amazing heart of a man that to us, was a hero.

From the pulpit, the preacher encouraged the group:
"His legacy continues on through the physicians that he has trained and taught.  He gave many their life back so that they could live a normal life, and contribute their gifts to the world.

A word to Nicholas and Laura.  Alexis loved you very much...

Every time you take a breath, it is a reminder that your life is a gift from God...

What happens when you die?  The medical teams will say that you 'expire'... the breath of God has been breathed into you...each breath is a reminder of that gift.

A poet once said,  Earth is the beginning, Death is the destination and Life is the Journey to eternal life.  This eternal life is through Jesus Christ.  We know that Alexis is in heaven with God.

What we have is for the moment.  Life is short and must be given back.  So, we give Alexis back to God.  A famous songwriter once said,  "Some of us live, Some of us die, some day God will tell us why.""

Today we mourn the loss of a hero in scoliosis surgery.  Those of us that have been given back our life because of what Dr Shelokov's gifted hands were able to do in the surgical suite will never forget the man that changed our lives forever.

In loving memory, Dr Alexis Shelokov   June 19, 1954-August 3, 2009.  Rest in eternal peace.

The Dallas Morning News coverage of Dr Shelokov's Life

Read about our dear surgeon online from the Dallas Morning news.  Services are this morning to honor his life and memory.

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/obituaries/stories/DN-shelokovob_12met.ART.State.Edition1.4c0bf57.html

Life continues to Ebb and Flow

Tomorrow is Dr Shelokov's memorial service.  I plan to attend.  I am still in shock over the loss of my dearest physician and someone I've gotten to know over the last 8 years.  Saddness envelopes me.

Also- my friend Bethany Boley has been admitted to the hospital and her condition has worsened.  I have started a blog for her family and friends to track her updates and needs.  http://healingbethany.typepad.com

Memorial Service for Dr Shelokov

There will be a memorial service for Dr Shelokov this Wednesday, August 12, 2009, at 10AM at St. Michael's Episcopal Church in Dallas. Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

Scoliosis Surgery circa 1983

I had my first scoliosis surgery in 1983. It was a brutal operation back in that day. Many components of how they perform this operation has improved. Today it barely resembles the way it was back then.

I was in a circle bed, confined to a bed for 6 weeks. It was like being imprisoned in your own body. I couldn't leave the bed, or the room for that matter for 6 weeks. They would rotate the bed around in a circle allowing me to lay on my stomach every once in awhile.

Heather's dad, Jeff, was there daily. He was my saving grace- standing there next to my bed for hours to talk to me. The sacrifice he made- always being by my side through that whole ordeal- still amazes me. It is amazing that 27 years later- I am still moved to tears by those acts of kindness.

Make a difference in someone's life today. Even after you are deceased, it will still brighten their day. Love someone with a sacrificial and enduring love. So- this post is for you, Jeffrey Lynn Carter (Feb 13, 1964- Dec 11, 1995). In loving memory always.

Scoliosis, the Disease Rarely Talked About

I haven't been shy about my struggle with Scoliosis.  It has been my "thorn in the flesh".  I share it only to help others realize that everyone struggles with some physical ailment.  The 2004 surgery done by Alexis Shelokov has been an amazing thing for me.  It has left me pain free for 4 years.  If I stay within my limitations (and the ist of limitations is long), I am able to remain pain free.

Pre 2004 surgery, I had a herrington rod than ran the length of my spine from L4 to C4.  It looked like this:

 

Over time, the lack of mobility in my spine wore away at the discs below the herrington rod.  When Dr Shelokov operated on me in 2004, he put in 3 artificial discs to repair the discs injured from a lack of an operational spine for 22 years.

Post surgery, my spine looks like this:

 

The new 'cages' are less restrictive and allow my spine to 'bare the movement' of my daily activities.

Many scoliosis patients ask me what my limitations are.   I don't lift more than 5 pounds.  I don't stand for extended periods, or sit for extended periods.  Long car rides are difficult for me.  I don't water ski or play softball, or other sports that pull extensively on the shoulder blades.  Other than that, I pretty much have adjusted my lifestyle to fit my condition.  I walk extensively, and move throughout the day to 'keep moving' since my back prefers it.

For questions on scoliosis, scoliosis surgery, or general information on the disease, please do not hesitate to comment on this post or contact me through my web site at www.bethanywilliams.org.

I am very happy with the life I am able to lead and the pain relief that I received from my  2004 surgery with Dr Alexis Shelokov.  He is amazing.

Axial Biotech Makes a new Scoliosis Test Available

I see that Axial Biotech has the new Scoliosis test available.  Exciting news!

Here is the information from their web site:          http://www.axialbiotech.com/

ScoliScore™ AIS Prognostic Test

Today, there is an alternative — a predictive test that provides increased peace of mind for patients, their families, and clinical care providers.It's called the ScoliScore™ AIS Prognostic Test .

The ScoliScore™ Prognostic Test is a clinically validated, multi-gene test that provides a qualitative and quantitative assessment of the likelihood of spinal curve progression for patients who have been diagnosed with AIS. The ScoliScore™ AIS Prognostic Test is paving the way for individualized scoliosis treatment by providing patient-specific information that is used to help health care providers optimize treatment plans.

The ScoliScore™ AIS Prognostic Test is intended for patients:

• With a primary diagnosis of AIS
• Between the ages of 9 and 13 years old
• With a mild scoliotic curve (defined as <25°), or
• With a moderate scoliotic curve (defined as >25°, but less than 40°)

Click here to be notified when new ScoliScore™ AIS Prognostic Test information is added to this site.

In addition to the ScoliScore™ AIS Prognostic Test, other products are currently in development including genetic tests for:

• Degenerative Disc Disease
• Spondyloslisthesis
• Scheuermann's Disease
• Osteoarthritis
• Osteoporosis

Click here to learn about participating in clinical trials or research studies for the above spinal conditions.

• Find a physician near you
• Participate in a clinical trial

A Genetic Test for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis becomes a Reality

My parents and I participated in a genetist test run by Axial Biotech to discover a genetic link for Adolescent Scoliosis.  As many of you know, I have struggled with severe scoliosis for most of my adult life.

Axial Biotech collected 8,750 samples of DNA and have indeed found a genetic link to Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis.  They are nearing the completion of a prognostic test that will be available to the public.  The last step is for them to name the test:  www.axialbiotech.com/nameAIS.

This test will allow thousands of teenagers the freedom from x-rays and extensive physician office visits as their curves are 'watched'.  The most critical question in the evaulation of scoliosis in teens is "Will this curve progress?"  Of the many curves that are found in teenagers, only a small percentage of them progress to dangerous degrees.  This test will allow the ones that do not expect to progress the freedom of extensive testing and regular exposure to radiation through x-rays.  Only the teens that have the DNA link to Idiopathic Scoliosis will remain under the watchful eye of their physician.

What a fabulous discovery!  Good Job Axial Biotech and best wishes on the production of your tests!