Curved Spine (Scoliosis)

Eversince Mikaail had stroke, his body structure collapsed and the right side of his body is very weak.  As he grows older his spine is noticeably curved.  We expressed our concern to his neurologist earlier this year and he in turn referred us to the orthopaedics (bone specialist).  We have seen the team of orthopaedics about quarterly and so far we have seen them a total of 3 times.  Each time we had to get his x-rays done prior to seeing the doctors.  During each consultation, we were shown that the degree of the curve had increased by about 1 degree.  The latest x-ray taken on 14 September 2010 is at 46 degrees.

After discussing with the orthopaedic surgeon, he felt that it would be better to get the surgery done while Mikaail is still young.  Tentative date is early 2011 as his surgery calendar is packed.  Surgery of this nature is called a spinal fusion, when the surgeon straightens the spine and then fuses together some of the separate bones using a metal rod so that they can’t curve round again.  This operation will take about 4 hours and Mikaail would probably have to be hospitalised for about 1 - 2 weeks. 

Scoliosis is a curve of the spine in a different direction – or perhaps you could think of it as a twisting of the spine so that one set of ribs becomes more obvious than the other as in Mikaail's condition.  His left set of ribs sticks out.  This had also caused him to be seated in an awkward manner although the doctor said that there is no pain for him.

Generally curves in your spine rarely cause pain other than a bit of an ache from time to time – nothing much more than many teenagers get on occasion. They are often mild and some people have small curves in their spines without even realising that they are there.

Teachers Day Holiday - 1 September 2010

As 1 September is a school holiday due Teachers' Day holiday, I decided to apply leave to bring my son for shopping.  I also wanted to go to OG for shopping then to Giant Hypermart in Tampines via the MRT.  Although there are lifts in most if not all the MRT stations, I have not seen the lifts in all the stations able to reach to ground/street level.

I contacted SMRT and spoke to one lady, cant remember her name, and she was very helpful.  She said there are lifts in all the stations though some stations would require a change of about 3 lifts before reaching to ground level.  She said she didnt have the exact location of the lifts in Bugis, Tampines, Bedok and Raffles Place stations and she will check with the respective control stations and then let me know.  As it was a last minute decision to go shopping, I told her that I needed the information soonest.  If there are no lifts that would reach the street level, then the shopping plan will have to be shelved!  In less than half an hour, she called to give me the directions from leaving the control station to the lifts.  She also reminded me to approach the control station staff at the respective stations for directions.

So to get to OG at Bugis, you would need to go towards Exit B after leaving the control station and then look out for the lift signage.  As the lifts were all constructed after the MRT were built, the lifts are installed at the extreme corner end.  It's great otherwise how can the wheelchair bound travel on the MRT?

Upon reaching to street level, it was almost smooth sailing.  There were ramps leading to the traffic junctions and connecting walkways.  The ramp leading to the entrance of OG was blocked by onlookers as there was a demonstration going on. Then to move around in OG, we had to use the cargo lift to get around.  As OG was celebrating their anniversary, there were long queues at almost every cashier and also their membership counter.

Then we went for a quick bite as we didnt have lunch earlier.  Stopped over at QiJi for mee rebus, spring roll and mee siam.  Thought that the mee rebus was a little spicy but Mikaail enjoyed it very much.

After our late lunch we walked to Bugis Junction to get a car ride to Giant Tampines instead.  Bought some Hari Raya goodies then the monthly groceries.  After shopping, we left for Enak Selera at Simpang Bedok to get some takeaway dinner at Simpang Bedok.