KathyEarhart; Active L; L4/5; March 2009

Kathy · #1 (**permalink**) 03-30-2009, 03:55 AM

Thank you all for the encouragement! It is so nice to get on here and have messages! I don't know what I would have done without you (actually I do, I would have taken the first and easiest treatment offered with the first surgeon I met). Thank you for saving me from making a horrible decision. I have learned so much from all of you and have grown so much. You all have so patiently, answered my questions, encouraged me, and shared your own stories.

Thank you!

Justin · #2 (**permalink**) 03-30-2009, 11:19 AM

Hey Kathy,

Your incision sounds perfectly normal. BTW, I've read a lot of your posts lately and I have to say you are a prolific writer. I'm either laughing or thinking how you got in my brain and stole my exact thoughts on situations.

Anyway, I am so glad that you are on the other side of surgery. You struggled for too long with unnecessary bumps in the road. I'm still pinching myself that you are actually on the other side. There was so much anticipation for a solution in your situation and it really came out of nowhere. God is good!

I agree with Phylly: make sure to really keep an eye on your bending / twisting during the first 8 weeks (I would even say 10 weeks). Even if you are feeling better, make sure to "baby" your spine. This time of healing is absolutely crucial. Avoid tying your own shoes for as long as possible, as this puts an incredible amount of stress on your spine and this type of bending should be avoided post-op.

It is good that you are being realistic about your meds. The key is to be honest with your PM doctor about your pain and they should respect what is going on.

How is your husband doing through all of this? I bet he is relieved that you are now on the other side of things. My wife has been such a trooper over the last year, but, of course, it has been really hard for her (us) at times. She knows me better than I know myself...however, I was so blessed to find forums like this one before my ADR surgery. Like you, I always thought forums were for the "weirdos" in the world of the Internet. These forums and the people I have met through them, some which have become dear friends, have helped me in so many ways that even our significant others can't.

It sounds like your whole "going through hell and having surgery" has changed your outlook on life. It did the exact same thing to me and it really fine-tuned what I found important in life and helped solidify my career goals as well.

God bless you in your recovery, and if you need anything--don't hesitate to PM / email me.

treefrog · #3 (**permalink**) 03-30-2009, 03:54 PM

Kathy, I am so glad to hear how well you are doing. You deserve it, you've been through so much, it's great that you are finally on the other side of something that you so desperately wanted and needed.

I will just echo what others are saying, take it slow, and be careful how you are moving. No bending, twisting or lifting! I am extremely impressed that you went to the movies, you are a brave girl.

Roblin · #4 (**permalink**) 03-31-2009, 03:06 AM

Kathy,
I am so happy that your recovery is going so well. I can't believe you took 2 preschoolers to a movie already. That is truly amazing! I will be praying that your recovery continues to go smoothly. Btw, the scar cream they sell really does work well if you want to try it. Take care and don't let your kids run you to ragged until you are a little more recovered. If you need anything, I think I live in the same area as you. Let me know.
Best wishes for a full recovery and pain free days ahead.
In Him,
Linda

Cindylou · #5 (**permalink**) 04-01-2009, 01:30 PM

Kathy, sounds like you are coming along nicely. So wonderful. Like everyone before me has already stated, just remember to take it slow. This is the pot calling the kettle black, because I need this reminder too.

Slow and steady wins the race. That's the mantra. Tuck it in your back pocket. Pull it out when you need the reminder. What are your pain levels at now? I do believe your young age will contribute significantly to some nice healing and earlier pain free days. It's all good. I could not be happier for you.

God bless you,

Cindylou

Kathy · #6 (**permalink**) 04-02-2009, 06:01 PM

I broke down yesterday and cleaned my house. I just couldn't take it anymore. I am very OCD about cleanliness (it's next to Godliness, right?) I scrubbed bath tubs, showers, sinks, vaccummed, swept, mopped, etc. I know I shouldn't have; but just couldn't handle it anymore. I just can't 'relax' if my house is a mess, it stresses me out. My hubby has been helping and keeping it picked up; but he doesn't 'clean' like I do. He does the laundry; but there is no such thing as seperating colors, pre-treating stains, not washing certain garments, etc. So far, only a couple of items have been ruined... He does load and unload the dishwasher and cooks. But he is awful about not washing the counters and stove down. After I did the cleaning, I knew that I shouldn't have, hopefully I didn't hurt myself or mess my new spine up (I did try to be careful while I did it). I actually felt better when I woke up this morning (8 hours with no drugs) than I have felt since surgery. It's almost like when I push myself and do more than I should and stay up and moving for hours at a time, that I feel better the next day. I think because my muscles are so tight and just need that movement and stretching (I have been taking muscle relaxers; but they don't help much).
Well gotta go,
my dad is taking me to lunch (yummy),
Kathy

dshobbies · #7 (**permalink**) 04-02-2009, 06:04 PM

Kathy,

You pushed it and it paid off. You were lucky. If I were you, I'd back off just a bit and build more slowly. Do what you would tell someone else to do and it also sounds like you have a great hubby. Take care of him... and you!

Dale

Gil Denis · #8 (**permalink**) 04-01-2009, 01:29 PM

Hi Cathy

glad you are doing so well, I agree with everyone take it easy

I am In Florida on Vacation Great weather,

Did not go to the Bonati Institute Cancled

Be well

fuzzy · #9 (**permalink**) 04-09-2009, 04:56 AM

You are now 2 and a half weeks out from your surgery and how are you feeling?

I do like to repeat what others have said and that is to be careful with those bending twisting motions. Gentle, no weight and over time slowly build up. Don't do it all or too much at once.

At about 2 to 4 weeks out I finished sanding the wood counters in my kitchen. I could take about 15 minutes of that twice a day but it was good exercise. After a week the counters were done and I was getting slowly better. But cleaning a whole house?

At 2 weeks I was not ready to go to a movie theater. For me sitting more then 15 minutes was still very painful , you are doing good!

At about 6 weeks out I celebrated by putting a telephoto lens on a camera and went photographing nature, about an hour. Camera fairly heavy, that I did not realize. Did some bending etc to get into position for the shot, etc. The next day I was in severe pain and practically down for several days and it took about a week before I felt improvement. It hurt really bad above the ADR level, worry worry. Pain went away after two weeks and I was very relieved. I did a few more minor ones like that as time went on as I clearly had to retrain my back muscles.

Kathy · #10 (**permalink**) 04-09-2009, 11:52 PM

Ok, I have slowed down. Spent most of the day in the lazy boy. I did do some shopping; but didn't bend. Had my mom come over and clean up the house for me. No kids tonight, going out to eat with my hubby. So quiet and so nice! I told my hubby that you guys said I had to slow down. Problem is, the doctor told him all this 'liberal recovery' stuff and he doesn't get it. I explained to him that you all have done this and the general consensus is to take it easy. I'd rather be too cautious than not enough and end up messed up. I am still on the percocet, down to 6 a day. I may try switching to vicodin next week. Not sure, or maybe I will break them in half. I could do muscle relaxers and be able to handle it; but I would just sleep all the time. Narcotics make me very hyper, so it is easy to get crazy with doing stuff.
Thanks so much for all the care and concern,
kathy

fuzzy · #11 (**permalink**) 04-10-2009, 05:02 AM

Moving is good but rest is good too. Steady progress is the key. At 3 weeks out I started visiting construction sites and was ready to climb some stuff but I was held back by everybody and it was echoed what the surgeon said to me: "Always use the handrail" (this was said by Dr. Zeegers) and not take a chance on slipping, stumbling, falling, miss stepping. Anything jarring on the spine. He told me to pretend to be very old and not to worry about what others think. It was hard but at the same time I had read the progress reports and comments on these pages as well and there is one consensus. Careful and steady progress, just a little more every other day. Listen to your body if it hurts, then stop.

I really kile lazyboys, my wife bought me an electric one before surgery because I could not pull levers or rock back etc. I wish I had one where ever I go.

The breaking the pill in half strategy sounds excellent if that works for you. I would rather try that then switch to a different med unless nessesary. you could even start with 3/4 pill.

treefrog · #12 (**permalink**) 04-10-2009, 08:23 PM

Yes, there is a big difference between walking and cleaning the house. Take it easy, but that doesn't mean lay in bed all the time.

No lifting, bending or twisting. All things that are part of cleaning house, unless you are very, very, very cognizant of what you are doing at all times, and don't lift, bend or twist. I would rather not try and clean the house, if there is a possibility that I will do one of those things, without thinking about it. It's just too easy to do.