Diane's surgery blog

[djscal]

Diane,

Wishing you a most speedy recovery! You have been so supportive and wonderful to us (the community), thank you so much for being such a giving person. We wish you all of the best and pain free days soon to come.

Best regards,
Dan

[mmglobal]

Another major hurtle cleared today. I picked up a car and we are now in Munich. I was concerned about how Diane would tolerate > 1.5 hour drive... I was anticipating having to stop many times so she could walk and stretch. Today brought a little extra pain from yesterday's activity level and from changes in the meds... but she talks about discomfort and minor pain.

We are staying back at Hotel am Markt, so there is plenty for her to do... I'll be working much of our remaining time here in Munich.

All the best,

Mark

[melodyl]

Hi Mark. I'm so glad to hear that your wife's surgery went well. Reading about her recovery confirms that ADR is a superior choice to fusion when it is appropriate. As you know, it wasn't an option for me at L-4 to S-1 because of previous fusion and Harrington rods directly above the site. Although I am doing fine now (3+ months post op), there is no way I could have been up and walking around as quickly as Diane has. Out of the hospital in 3 days is amazing. Going for mile and a half walks and long car rides so quickly makes me feel a little envious, but I am very happy for both of you! It must be a huge comfort to her to have you and Dr. B. taking care of her. The pictures of Bogen and Straubing are beautiful. Thanks for sharing your story and the photos. Note to Diane....although our surgeries were different, our incisions are probably quite similar. I wore comfortable, loose sweat pants for at least a month after surgery. Maybe you should send Mark shopping for some dressy sweats that you can wear anywhere and still look fashionable. I hope the rest of your trip and recovery go smoothly. Melody

[nomorepain]

Dianne and Mark,
glad to hear the surgery went well, it's been such a long long time since we spoken i feel so out of it, as life seems to go on and on. but time to catch up, please call when you two are up to it, my thoughts and prayers are with you for a speedy recovery, look forward to hearing from you and setting up a meeting for lunch or dinner or anytime, i'm open!
gary
p.s. still cruising the hiways in my 73volvo with 4 on the floor

[mmglobal]

Sorry we haven't posted.... I'm back to running a marathon with clients... Diane has been mostly on her own for a couple of days. She's still doing well... able to take several outings per day with substantial walks. She walked all the way to Odeonsplatz yesterday... she sits through meals without difficulty.... spreading her meds out more. Hopefully, I'll get a breather in the next few days and can fill in the blanks...

Gary... nice to see that your back is still doing well... we need some photos of you in the sportster... one of the coolest cars ever.

(I never thought that I'd long for a VW Polo, but my reservation got messed up and I wound up in a Nissan Micra... Not fun on the autobahn in a driving rain and hail storm... not much tire on the road...)


More later...

Mark

[Maria]

I have to have surgery just to see if I can be part of the real world again and it has to be there.

Photos are GREAT!! Diane you are doing amazingly well~so glad to hear that you can walk, sit, and tolerate drives as well as you can so relatively shortly post op...

I dunno but I don't think surgery here would have yielded the same results ..some decisions are just so right on!!!!

Thanks for sharing your trip/experiences w/us. Absolutely gorgeous there and I miss traveling so much~ am wondering tho did that little car do havoc to you or Mark re some discomfort? it would be torture for me to sit in something that small for more than about 20 minutes while driving/riding. Bet it can sure dodge some traffic tho!

[fauraloster]

WOW...just W-O-W!!
Mark and Diane, I am so happy to hear that all is going so well!
I have to say that you, Mark, and Dr. B saved my life, and then returned me to the "land of the LIVING".
Thank you Diane, for sharing your amazing husband with all of us! Mark is my hero. I know all of this sounds quite dramatic and appropriately so. It's a BIG DEAL. All my best in your continuing recovery...and that grand-baby is gorgeous.

[annapurna]

Diane and Mark,

Congratulations on your big step toward spine health. It's wonderful that Diane has had a relatively smooth recovery. Your experience really reminds me of my single level Charite nearly six years ago.

Remember to be VERY patient. You may still have some big set-backs, but, don't let them shake you. I guess that motion preservation spine surgery is like investing in the stock market. You need to ride out the "bear" days and enjoy the "bull" days. In the long run, you'll get better and better.

You are both very brave to travel in that little car on the AutoBahn! I always use the train to get from Bogen/Straubing to Munich and Frankfurt.

If you're still in Germany, have a good and safe trip back. Don't be afraid to upgrade to business class if you feel like it.

Keep us posted on your recovery at home.

Best,
Laura

[letteski]

Hi Diane

So glad your surgery has gone well. I know you are in the best of hands. In so many ways. You have always been such a support to all of us and now it is our turn to give back to you. (although I have done a crapy job of that) Sorry I am so late with my well wishing post but please know you are in my thoughts and prayers.

Paulette

[mmglobal]

Friday morning.... Diane is 14 days post-op and continues to do as well as any lumbar ADR patient I've ever seen. Pain levels are very low... medications being reduced (but still far more than before surgery). The most amazing thing is the ease with which she moves. At 1 week post-op, she would get in the car like a normal person.... left foot and left hip in simultaneously while standing on right. It's pretty amazing how great these early days have been. It's been a long trip and we are so ready to be home... only a few more days. We are 23 days gone now... 3 to go... tired of eating out... tired of hotels... missing our family... It's been a successful trip in so many ways, but we'll be so very glad to be home.

I know so many people who think that a long recovery time here will be useful, but I think that for most people, an extended trip after the stressful surgical ordeal is not what's needed. Also, the motivation to sightsee may be misplaced... may still be too much for the patient.

It's kind of blurry out... my marathon is almost over... I hope to write much more later. It's been a while since the last update, so I wanted to let everyone know that she's still doing well. It's been great to reconnect with so many of you... (Paulette... you rock... don't go saying anything bad about yourself or my Charite's will come over there and straighten your ProDisc out!)


Muenchen StadtOper


Twilight from our balcony at the am Markt