My cousin has to have back surgery next week. She is getting ready to start her senior year of high school. Her injuries are from a cheerleading accident. Last I saw her she was walking crooked and they are doing the surgery because it got worse. I would like to send her something since I imagine she'll be fairly immobile during her recovery. Does anyone have any book or dvd reccomendations for a 17 year old girl or other ideas in general?

By Dawnk777 on Tuesday, August 5, 2008 - 03:55 pm:

Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (4 books and dvd of first movie)

PS, I love you (book and dvd)

Scrubs season dvds

Taylor Swift cds

(Can you tell that I was looking at Sarah's birthday list)

By Annie2 on Tuesday, August 5, 2008 - 04:15 pm:

OMG, what happened to her? Both of my girls cheer and it makes me so nervous when they stunt on the hard gym floor!
I would purchase movies that you liked growing up. My 17 dd and I just watched Footloose. Grease is great. Even the older "campy" scary movies like Halloween, Poltergeist. My kids actually laugh at these movies and they scared me to death.
The Bad Seed, The Omen, See No Evil. On a lighter note, Breakfast at Tiffany's, An Affair to Remember, Over board, Pike's Peek, The original Parent Trap, original Cheaper by the Dozen with Lucille Ball/Henry Fonda. Or even the tv series of the Lucy Show.
I hope her surgery goes well and she recovers quickly

By Tarable on Tuesday, August 5, 2008 - 06:28 pm:

If she has a computer that she is going to have access to like a laptop or an MP3 player iTunes gift cards are always a big hit that way they can pick what music they want to listen to.

By Karen~admin on Tuesday, August 5, 2008 - 07:32 pm:

Rayelle, I've had 2 back surgeries, and whether or not she's immobile for more than a very few days really depends on what they do. That said, I agree with DVDs or an iTunes gift card or books (can't recommend specific books or DVDs though!).

They usually get you up the night of or the morning after back surgery, to walk. I hope everything goes well for her!

By Tunnia on Tuesday, August 5, 2008 - 07:53 pm:

How about magazines? There are several teen-type magazines out there. Also, maybe a hand-held electronic game like Yahtzee or solitaire to occupy some time.

By Mom2three1968 on Tuesday, August 5, 2008 - 08:12 pm:

Does she like the Stephanie Meyer books? Her latest book Breaking Dawn just came out, my teen and her friends love those books, how about search word or crossword books?

By Karen~admin on Tuesday, August 5, 2008 - 08:28 pm:

Now that I think about it, the only thing about books/magazines is, if she DOES have to lie flat, it will be difficult to read them....

My first back surgery was a lot different from my 2nd. I was flat on my back for a good 3 weeks. Miserable. LOL All I could do was watch TV/movies. People would come visit and sit in chairs around my bed. LOL 2nd time around, I was up and about pretty much as soon as I got home, but I did too much and it interfered with my long-term healing.

If she doesn't mind some unsolicited advice: Do EXACTLY what the doctor tells you to do! And if the doctor doesn't order it, tell her she should ask for a physical therapy referral when the time is right. It makes ALL the difference in the world. And she is so young, this back has to last her a lifetime!

By Rayelle on Wednesday, August 6, 2008 - 10:30 am:

Thanks for the great ideas! She fell from a stunt about a year and a half ago. Her doctors told her to quit cheering right then but her parents didn't take it seriously. I think they will all listen now. Continuing to cheer anyway severely aggravated her injuries. She used to be a very active girl with cheer, gymnastics and soccer but now she can't stand up straight.

By Karen~admin on Wednesday, August 6, 2008 - 10:38 am:

Rayelle, is she having surgery for ruptured disks or fractured vertebrae? Is she going to have fusions? There are a number of different injuries possible, and a number of different treatments/surgeries. Again, I hope it goes well for her.