Before And After

The night before I met with Dr. Dobbs, the nurse emailed me to ask if I had previously undergone SDR. You can imagine my fright when, having never heard (let alone undergone) this procedure, I was being asked about it. I called my mom and told her, “That kind of procedure is something only God should mess with. There was no way I am going to allow the doctor to play God.” So, it should be no surprise, when towards the end of that first doctor’s visit, Dr. Dobbs would explain that if I didn’t have SDR, it was very likely that I'd be in a wheelchair by 50 years old and could very well be dead by 60 years old. 

We would learn that the spasticity in my body if not treated would lead to atrophy of muscles, stiffness and could eventually lead to organ failure (Not on its own but rather as painful domino effects). 

We met with  Dr. Asadi (the neurosurgeon) to discuss the procedure. He was upfront, honest and patient. The visit took 90 minutes as he answered all of my questions. We left with a promise to talk again soon. But, the only reason I was even considering it was Dr. Asadi's honesty and confidence that I could benefit. One of the questions he asked during the visit was, "What's the last difficult experience you struggled to do that now seems impossible?" My answer, climbing a volcano. He told me that wasn't out of the realm of posibility anymore. I honestly didn't believe him.

There was a lot of fear behind my reluctance as well. The typical overall worry about this surgery’s process, the fact that I was considered obese, over the typical childhood age and even outside the age range of adults who have the procedure done. Was I really a good candidate? I would also be Dr. Asadi’s oldest patient and couldn’t really find information from other patients of his except for two young children who could not give me any personal feedback. On top of all that, most comments from adults in social media groups mentioned lots of nerve pain. I wasn't ready to swap the pain I knew and pushed through for the unknown pain on the horizon.

So, in the midst of all that doubt and worry, there was lots of prayer as I attempted to make my decision. And then a friend told me something I will never forget. “Sarah, I know you're scared. But, God made surgeons too”. She was right. I had researched far and wide. Despite the lack of adult patients for me to talk to, I found the best surgeon and if I truly believed that God would provide, I'd have to deal with the choice no matter what trials came my way. It was then that my mind was made up. I would have to defend my decision to so many people as we waited for surgery. I can still give you many reasons why this was a risk. So, conversations with others were often discouraging. But, I had faith and peace. It would be the best decision. Because, on May 14th, 2025, Dr. Kaveh Asadi would save my life. And I, would never be the same.

You can find a list of my final researched reasons for selecting Dr. Kaveh Asadi, here.

“We can still change our minds. I can cancel surgery and we can just go back home. Nothing has to change.”

I say this to mom as I’m lying in bed this morning, filled with fear.

She says, “lie still and listen….

But now, this is what the Lord says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.” ‭‭(Isaiah‬ ‭43‬:‭1‬-‭3‬)

I took a deep breath and immediately got out of bed.

We signed in and then I was taken back. I was told to dress in my surgical gown and everyone on the surgerical team came by for a visit. Dr Asadi couldn’t find my bed, so when he found me, he said, “There’s my girl”. He asked what I’d like to listen to during surgery and I was so stressed about what was coming, I couldn’t give an answer. I needn’t have worried at all. 

Hours later I’d wake to Dr. Aasdi handing me a popsicle letting me know he was happy with the outcome of the procedure.. I had a previous notion that I’d sleep on and off the next 24 hours as every other adult I had talked to had to lay flat for three days. But, that wasn’t needed. So, while I was drowsy and the pain meds greatly helped, I’d be awake for most of the next 24 hours. I’d stand and walk to the bathroom 2 hrs after waking from surgery. It was sketchy at best, but, I’d learn soon enough there were things you don’t understand until you live them.