Living With Rotoscoliosis at 65: Finding Strength Beyond Surgery

For most of my life, I never thought much about my spine. But by the time I turned 65, rotoscoliosis and ruptured discs left me staring at a future that seemed unbearable. Two neurosurgeons told me the same thing: “You’ll eventually need a full spinal fusion.” A 10-hour surgery, followed by a long and uncertain recovery.

😔 Bedridden Days

Earlier this year, nearly every day looked the same.

I would wake up, drag myself out of bed for dinner, and then retreat back under the sheets. Words like lift, bend, or turn had left my vocabulary. Even something as light as a 5-pound bag felt impossible.

My pain wasn’t just discomfort — it was sharp, constant, and exhausting. My body felt like it had betrayed me. And the worst part? I started to believe my life would only shrink further.

🏥 The Surgery Option

The doctors were blunt.

“Your spine is collapsing. You need a full fusion. It’s the only option.”

They were talking about a 10-hour surgery in Miami, one that came with risks and a future of screws, plates, and a recovery that might still leave me limited.

I wrestled with the thought daily. Do I gamble everything on surgery, or do I look for another way?

🌱 Small Experiments That Changed Everything

When you’re in pain long enough, you’ll try almost anything.

I began with supplements I had read about and prayed over. My morning routine shifted:

• A glass of hot lemon water with manuka honey.
• Turmeric, ginger, cayenne, and cinnamon for inflammation.
• UC-II collagen for joint support.
• Vitamin K2 to keep calcium where it belongs.

On top of that, I practiced fasting — about five days each month — giving my body space to reset.

The changes weren’t overnight. But after just a week and a half, I noticed something I hadn’t felt in years: energy.

🙏 Faith and Prayer

Supplements weren’t the only thing that carried me through.

I’m a follower of the Way, and I believe in the healing power of Yahshua, my Ha’Mashiach. Friends and family prayed for me daily. And I can’t ignore that prayer worked hand-in-hand with the physical changes I was making.

Healing isn’t just chemical. It’s also emotional and spiritual. Each morning I reminded myself:

“I am not alone in this. My body may ache, but my spirit is strong.”

🌞 A Morning Surprise

One morning, about 10 days into this new routine, I realized something remarkable.

I had been awake since 6 AM. It was already evening, and I was still up and moving. No sharp stabbing pains. No stiffness pinning me to the bed. I even caught myself humming in the kitchen — a simple act that felt like a miracle after months of silence and struggle.

I won’t say I’m “cured.” I may still face surgery one day. But in that moment, I knew: progress was possible.

🚗 A Simple Analogy

Think of it like driving a car.

If you’re on the highway and suddenly the car accelerates out of control, with no brakes, it’s a danger to you and everyone else. That’s what my body had felt like: pain without control.

Supplements, fasting, prayer — they didn’t remove the broken parts of the car, but they gave me back the steering wheel. For the first time in years, I felt I could guide my life again.

📝 Lessons I’ve Learned

Looking back on these months, here’s what I want to share with anyone walking a similar road:

• Don’t rush into surgery out of fear. Get multiple opinions. Understand the risks and alternatives.
• Small changes can add up. Collagen, turmeric, fasting — none felt dramatic alone, but together they shifted my baseline.
• Faith matters. Whether it’s prayer, meditation, or community support, don’t underestimate its role in healing.
• Be patient with your body. Healing is rarely instant. It’s slow, messy, and humbling.
• Celebrate small victories. The first time I walked without wincing, it felt like winning a marathon.

🌼 Final Thoughts

At 65, I don’t pretend to have all the answers. My spine is still damaged. My future might still hold surgery. But I’ve learned this: hope doesn’t die unless you let it.

I’m not just surviving anymore — I’m living again, one step at a time.

If you’re facing chronic pain, rotoscoliosis, or the shadow of a major surgery, I hope my story shows you there’s room for light even in the darkest corners.

Sometimes healing comes from hospitals. Sometimes it comes from herbs, supplements, and faith. Most of the time, it’s a mix of both.

And sometimes, it starts with believing you can still get out of bed.