During an annual scoliosis screening at Sayuri’s middle school, one of the nurses noticed something unusual about her back. “I remember the nurse checking my back and pointing out that I twisted more to one side, and there was asymmetry with one side rising higher than the other,” Sayuri shares. “She told me that the case is most likely mild or moderate, as the condition was common and those of a higher severity were rare. I was sent home with a letter to my parents to get my back checked.”
Sayuri’s initial X-rays confirmed the nurse’s suspicions. “When I got my x-rays done, I was told that I had moderate scoliosis, with a recommendation for a back brace to keep the curve from progressing,” says Sayuri. The diagnosis of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, characterized by a severe S curve, meant that her life would require some adjustments.
As Sayuri grew older, the impact of her scoliosis became more evident. “In middle school, the condition only caused me mild back pain on rare occasions, so I didn’t think much of it,” she shares. “I refused to believe that this condition could impact me any worse in the future, especially since I didn’t feel any different at the time. But as I got older and especially during swimming, it became more noticeable.” During swim practice, Sayuri began to notice that she would veer off to one side, requiring constant correction. “It was like a car with a bad alignment,” she describes. “The more tired I got, the worse it became. Even my coaches started to notice it.”
Outside the pool, her symptoms were equally challenging. “When the swim team would exercise outside of the water, I wasn’t able to do a proper wall sit, as my back hurt trying to rest against the wall. The “hump” on my left side, was starting to become bothersome the more I noticed the things that I thought were normal, were actually modified because of it.”
It was during her early middle school years that her family began their search for the best orthopedic specialists, and Nemours Children’s Health, Jacksonville quickly emerged as the top choice. “My mother did some additional research and heard that Nemours was renowned for treating adolescent scoliosis,” Sayuri shares. Once the decision was made, Sayuri started working closely with Dr. Kevin Neal and Sarah Scully, APRN.
Dr. Neal’s expertise and compassionate approach were instrumental in Sayuri’s journey. “The person I had the most memorable interactions with throughout the years is Dr. Neal,” says Sayuri. “He is the reason why I chose to do the surgery at the age of 19, instead of later. I was so afraid of getting the surgery, but I knew that my scoliosis was only going to get worse, with my curve already being severe at the time. Something that scared me more than having my back cut open was having someone that I did not know or trust do it, which was going to be the option if I waited and got sent to an adult orthopedics doctor. I trusted him because he watched the progression of my scoliosis throughout the years, and he answered any questions I had with complete honesty.”
The surgery itself was a significant milestone, but it was the post-operative care that truly made a difference in Sayuri’s recovery. “After the surgery was over, Ms. Scully, the lead nurse for my post op became a prominent figure in my scoliosis journey, being a genuine and supportive figure in my recovery,” says Sayuri. “She gave me realistic advice to listen to my body, and made me optimistic about going back to Tahitian dancing when I wasn’t so sure myself.”
Just two days after her spinal fusion surgery, she was already on her feet, walking and even managing to navigate stairs with surprising ease. “By week three, I was anxious to go back to swimming and dancing, but I knew I had to wait until I got the green light by my care team,” says Sayuri. “By the fourth week, I felt nearly no pain, sparingly using ibuprofen and none of the stronger painkillers. I was confident in my own abilities to gradually regain my strength, having been an athlete for more than a decade. When I had questions about my surgery scar, Ms. Scully replied to my emails quickly, which was comforting.”
In addition to her personal recovery, Sayuri is dedicated to helping others who might be facing similar challenges. She has started an Instagram account where she documents her unique journey as a Tahitian dancer recovering from spinal fusion surgery. “I want to show other dancers that there is hope and that they can return to their passion and keep dancing,” Sayuri explains. “I plan to keep this channel going, and to continue documenting my progress as I get back into dance. I believe that my recovery will continue to be smooth, and that I will soon be fine to continue back to my life as normal.”
Sayuri shares this advice to others who may find themselves on a similar path, “As someone who has never seen a Tahitian dancer (or really any dancer) with a spinal fusion as extensive, I beg of them to at least try. If you don’t try, you will never know. Yes, the initial moves will be stiff and your body will complain, but it will find a way. I felt hopeless as I found no Tahitian dancers with the spinal fusion, wondering if those who got it just never returned. Ever since I started dancing, I couldn’t imagine walking away from it.”
Sayuri’s own experience has been a testament to the power of perseverance. Not only has her expert care and personal dedication brought her back to the dance floor, but she’s also inspiring others to believe in themselves, no matter the obstacles they face.
