L4/L5, L5/S1 ProDisc Synthes

[Michelle Maree]

Aww,what a cute couple!
Congratulations Jess, I cant believe how well you are doing so soon and on such little meds already. I am really glad for your family that they will have a happy healthy mum back to enjoy soon.
Enjoy your recovery in gay Parie'.
Michelle.

[mmglobal]

Jess, will you get to Monet's house in Giverny? That was my favorite... along with musee d'orsay. Also hit the concerts at sainte chapelle!!!

Great photos! It looks like you figured out how to do it all on ispine!

Mark

[jessmith07]

Yes, Mark, I started a photo album for anyone who's interrested:

ISPINE.ORG Forum - jessmith07's Album: Europe May/June 2009

The only problem was that I couldn't rearrrange the photos in the order that I wanted them, so I had to load them backwards, starting with Paris and working my way back to Straubing. So, if I add any more, I'll probably start a new album. We have a few places in mind to try to go to in the few days we have left, but some things are too big and are just going to have to wait until next year when we come back for his annual trip, when I'm feeling better and more up to running around.

Michelle Maree, thank you......I think we look great together, too, but I'm pretty biased. That dear man is the light of mt life, in addition to our beautiful brood of children (6 daughters, 1 son; I gave birth to 3 and he brought 4 more wonderful people into my life). They range in ages from 9 to 17 and I absolutely adore every hair on their heads! I am so blessed! The irony of being a mother of 7 is that I am an only child Proof positive that God has a great sense of humor!

[jessmith07]

Well, yesterday we did quite a bit of walking, and BOY are my hip muscles sore! It feels like it's mostly my piriformis muscles, and when I was in PT, my therapist told me that based on her experience and the pain that I was feeling in that region, she strongly suspected that I one of those lucky few individuals that have the sciatic nerve running through that muscle.

So, it's also likely that because the muscles are a little irritated/inflamed, that the nerve is not too happy either. So, even though we had some plans to get out and about today, I'm having to pass and stay in the hotel I'm sure I could drug myself up and get out and about, but logic is telling us that it's much better to listen to my body and let it rest.

So, I'm now starting a list of the things I want to do next year when I'm healthier. Hopefully, we'll have enough miles to get me another ticket next year so that I can tag-along when Hubby has to come back for work. At least I have something to look forward to.

[jessmith07]

Well, yesterday was 2 weeks post-op, and I think I'm doing pretty good. The only pain I'm feeling is muscle pain in my hips and legs, and still some tenderness in my abdomen. I'm almost 2 inches taller, so I'm sure the muscles are just reacting to the re-adjustment back to "normal". I've started doing some stretching of the leg and hip muscles by laying flat on my back (something that I couldn't do before the surgery).

This morning, when I was on the floor doing my stretches, it dawned on me the huge difference in having the disc space back, and how good it felt to just lay there. When I got up, I was moved to tears from the happiness of finally feeling "normal" again. Just NORMAL! Not bells and whistles and fireworks...just normal is so beautiful! It's miraculous. Now, I'm crying again...

I'm so happy to be home (we got in late Monday, minus all of our luggage ). My kids all noticed the difference in my height, and now, instead of being shorter than my 15 year-old daughter, I'm taller than her by half-an-inch! They were all so happy to see me and me them, and it's great to be back in Mommy Mode.

The only bad news is that my employer, who told me before I left that I could work from home, has changed their mind and is now saying that I can't. The problem is, I don't have enough PTO to take 6-8 weeks off. So, it looks like I'm going to have to go back to work ASAP. Dr. B told me that I could go back as soon as I wanted, because I don't have a physically demanding job, but I do wish I could at least take a couple of more weeks. So, as soon as I get a note from Dr. B (I emailed Tim V. last night) saying I can go back, then off I go; they won't let me come back without this note, so I hope I get it soon.

[symara]

Jess it's great to hear you are doing so well. You don't have short term disability? I guess I've always been lucky to work at jobs that did. Don't push it to get back to work too soon though, you read about people on here that push it too soon and end up hurting themselves in the long run.