The Doctors – Gabby, Teen Soccer Player, Develops Double Scoliosis (Part 1 of 2)

My name is Gabby, and I’m 16 years old. Six years ago I felt a bulging and my lower left back. The doctor told me I had overworked a muscle from playing soccer, and it didn’t go away. We decided to get a second opinion. The doctors diagnosed me with scoliosis. My first reaction was just complete denial and disbelief. They told me my curvature was 15 degrees top and bottom. Now, six years later, it is at 80 degrees top and bottom.

[inaudible] suggested that we do surgery that is decades old technologies. We have gone coast to coast trying to find alternate methods for Gabby.

[inaudible] I went from physical therapists to acupuncturist, chiropractors. We tried it all. The curve continued to progress.

One day my grandmother called and said that she had watched The Doctors, and it was on a boy named Kyle who had a similar condition, and then they went on to say how happy they were it had this particular procedure done. So I got on the phone immediately and said, Tony, you’ve got to check this out. There’s a doctor that can take care of Gabby.

[inaudible] I can’t even express enough how much better it’s gone.

Doctor Melamed was doing things differently, and it was more progressive, and it was more advanced than the technology that we had been introduced to. Dr. Melamed had explained to us that if gone unchecked, this condition could collapse the space around Gabby’s heart, lungs.

We decided ultimately to move forward and give Gabby the opportunity to make the decision. We’re excited for Gabby and not have her whole life revolve around her back issues anymore, and she can start looking forward to more exciting things in life.

I’m a little anxious to see how it all turns out, but I’m also excited.