Pauline's Activ-L

[JeffreyD]

Pauline is right here with me back at the homestead.
We flew back home late Tuesday......man, those 12 hour flights are rough right after surgery. Pauline did pretty well, as she was motivated to get up and stand and walk around quite a bit. The Lufthansa crew was a huge help to us, making sure we were as confortable and taken care of as possible (as much as can be done in Economy Class!).
The first 2 days back home were rough for Pauline, as she did push the envelope during the last few days in Munich. We even took the train to Salzberg last Sunday and walked all around the town. Pretty good for a little over one week post-op! I literally could hardly keep up with her. The over-doing it caught up with her a bit once we got home.
Right now, she has some bothersome distraction pain (the usual left leg nerve weirdness), and some incision area discomfort, though she is improving daily.
She is taking Tylenol for the pain, and a Neurontin at bedtime.
Her pre-surgery pain is still long gone.
Just like I experienced with my lumbar ADR, she has sudden onset of nerve pain in her left leg every evening. This lasted about 7 weeks post-op in my case; I don't expect hers to last as long.
I'll keep you posted.

Thanks for all of the kind support,
Jeff

[mmglobal]

I didn't know that distraction pain ran in families? Is it catchy?

It sounds like she's doing great. She told me that when you went to Salsburg, she broke into a slight run when crossing the street... not even realizing that she was doing it!

I really hope that the new leg pain fades very fast... all the best.

Mark

[JeffreyD]

Thought I would post an update on my wife Pauline's progress after her one level Activ-L surgery with Dr. Zeegers.
She is now just over 7 weeks post-op. She is actually away on a work related trip to San Francisco right now, and I have been amazed at how well she is recovering. Her only complaints last week involved recovery from the abdominal part of the surgery. I know she is still fighting a bit with distraction pain in one leg, and discomfort in her low-back and butt, but she is experiencing very little of her pre-op pain symptoms, and it appears that this is getting better week by week.
We were at a family gathering last weekend, and she was basically sitting on the floor, playing with our niece. When she got up, she was a little creaky, but had no pain! I was astonished. She could not have done that before the surgery.
We are both very pleased that she chose to have the surgery. Dr. Zeegers is amazing.

God Bless,
Jeff

[mmglobal]

Jeff.... what good news for both you and Pauline... I look forward dealing with you both as ex-spineys!

Talk to you soon.

Mark