L4/L5, L5/S1 ProDisc Synthes

jessmith07 · #1 (**permalink**) 06-19-2009, 07:31 PM

Hey everybody...I've been of the air for a while...it's been a helluva week...

So, let me first start with how I'm doing, which is great! I've been off all narcotics for almost a week, and just take a mild muscle relaxer (1000 mg Robaxin) at night and the Arthrotec is back down to once a day (the German docs had me up to twice a day after the surgery). I still have a little bit of achyness in my hips, but really, it's just irritating, and not really painful. My back feels fine, unless I trip, or step funny, then I get a very mild version of the pre-op stabbing pain, but I attribute that to lingering inflamation and healing bones & tissue. The incision site is healing nicely, but is still a little painful with certain types of pants, like low-rise jeans that aren't stretchy...

Overall, I'm still very happy I had the surgery, and would do it again.

Now, for the bad news...my mother-in-law had a heart attack last Friday and has been in the hospital all week, because she's also diabetic, and her blood-sugar levels have been very unstable, and uncontrolable. I got laid off from my job on Monday, which has sent me into a panic...so all of my computer time lately has been spent job hunting...I'm SO upset about this...this was (at least I thought) a great company that I've been very loyal to (my husband has been trying to lure me away for a couple of years, but I just wouldn't leave), and then WHAM! Unfortunately, because it was such a small company, I wasn't covered under FMLA...there has to be more than 50 employees, and we had about 20...

And life goes on...

dshobbies · #2 (**permalink**) 06-19-2009, 11:53 PM

Jess,

Great news on your back, sad news about your mother-in-law. I do hope that she recovers quickly and is back home before long.

You job, what can I say. I don't think I know anyone but my son (movie industry) who has not been affected by the economy. Also with your now back and history, employment might be a little more difficult. You can deal with a lot when everything is still in place but...

Please do keep a positive attitude. Smile everyday. You have a wonderful life

Dale

treefrog · #3 (**permalink**) 06-21-2009, 01:29 AM

Jess, I am so sorry to hear about your mother-in-law, I hope she recovers quickly. I'm sure being in the hospital is best for her situation, but I hope she doesn't have to stay long. Tell your hubby that we (Bob and I) send our best regards for her recovery, I hope he is holding up.

Good luck job hunting, but remember to take the time you need to heal. You only have one chance at healing correctly, and we humans have a propensity to do more when we are feeling good, go slow. I'm glad though, that your recovery seems to be going really well.

jessmith07 · #4 (**permalink**) 07-10-2009, 01:34 PM

Hi all...please forgive me for checking out for a few weeks. When I got back from Germany, I wound up getting laid off, and I've been frantically searching for new employment. So far, I've got a few good leads, but nothing has been made permanent. I'm SO ready to get back to work!!!

I've just posted a 6-week post-op update on the Surgery Outcome template, so if you're interested, you can see how I'm doing there, rather than me repeating it...

Jess

treefrog · #5 (**permalink**) 07-14-2009, 03:26 PM

Hey Jess, good to hear you are doing good. I hope something shows up soon on the job front. I updated my surgery thread too.

jessmith07 · #6 (**permalink**) 08-26-2009, 03:56 PM

Well, today is 3 months post-op and I'm still doing great! I will go tomorrow to get my 3-month x-rays, and I have an appointment on Monday with my local neurosurgeon. I'm still actively looking for employment, but my children have really enjoyed having me home all summer. We've had lots of fun at the beach, and my husband has gotten my "hooked" on saltwater fishing, so we do that as often as possible too. It's been really hot here, even in the mornings, so I haven't been walking like I should, but I'm looking forward to the cooler weather so that I can start my early morning walks again.

dshobbies · #7 (**permalink**) 08-26-2009, 06:03 PM

Jess,

A great big two thumbs up on our recovery. Keep up the good work and good luck on finding a job. I imagine it is harder than you thought.

Heat - we escaped most of the August heat until now. I too look forward to cooler days, just not too cool

Dale

jessmith07 · #8 (**permalink**) 12-30-2009, 01:06 PM

Well, HELLO everybody! I know it's been a while since I've been on the forum, but life after surgery has returned "Life" back to "Normal"! I was laid off from my job right after returning from Europe for my surgery, so I spent almost 6 months at home with the family, and BOY did they keep me busy! Who knew that these kids would actually enjoy having me home so much? We went to the beach a lot, Hubby and I did a lot of saltwater fishing and of course, I got plenty of rest. Now I'm back at work (have been for almost a month) and I haven't felt this good in YEARS! I've quit smoking, I'm in the gym 4-5 times per week and except for the occasional ache or pain in the hips, which I've always had, I consider myself pain-free. I am still on an anti-inflammatory, but have been off all narcotics since about three weeks after the surgery. If I try to see if I can get off the anti-inflammatory for a few days, I do have some sciatic-like pain in my hips, but it's not the same as before the surgery. I think that this will heal over time, and as my body adjusts to the new routine of working and working-out again. All in all, I'd do this again in a heartbeat...in fact, if I'd have known I was going to do this well, I'd have done it much sooner.