Apology

[Katie]

One of my favourite mantras is this: Be gentle, be kind. Everyone you meet is fighting a difficult battle. And you have had one of the most difficult battles of all.

I'm so glad that things are starting to look up for you. Keep looking up, keep looking forward, my friend.

[Maria]

I'm sorry I didn't address in previous reply because I know this can be so stressful as I've had one of these as well and in fact I've had mammos every 6 months to a year since I was 28 because of surgery done back when I was 23.

I have what is known as "nightmare breasts" with much fibrocystic breast tissue which makes the mammo sometimes difficult to determine what is going on.

I hate that term.. I don't know why they cannot call it something else like "very dense breast tissue or extremely dense breast tissue"...

Anyway hope you will soon know what is going on re the questionable mammo and of course hoping for the absolute best for you which would be nothing going on other than something benign.

[dridobits]

Hi and thank you for all of the words of wisdom. I haven't been online much as I'm starting to work again and have to be so careful of computer time.

Everyone had so many valid things that really have helped me. I realize I need to fill out the forms as to my surgery progress. It's now about five months and in a way it feels like yesterday.

The hardest part is not pushing it. You feel good, you want to do things, you get excited.....

Even on my worst days I never regret having the surgery. I am just so antsy to get going again and I have to drill it in my head that my recovery is paramount to everything else.

Thanks everyone for their wisdom and kindness.

[dshobbies]

Starting work again Fantastic news.

Glad you keep reminding yourself to take it slow. Hard to do when you're feeling good.

A word of caution for everyone undergoing any spine surgery but especially ADR &fusion.

100% will probably have a different meaning. The way it was is probably not a realistic goal. Most spine patients must always tempur their activities and activity level. However, most spine patients are so relieved to have a life back, most are pleased with their personal limitations. We may miss doing something - like Mark jumping out of airplanes - but if all we want is a good, productive and painfree life, most of us will not be disappointed. For those who want it all, think again. Very few of us have achieved that goal, with the emphasis on very few. In fact, I once asked that specific question and only 2 people did not have to amend their ways.

So DR, from where you were to where you are now, both mentally and physically, you are on the right track and it appears the tunnel is behind you.

Dale

[mmglobal]

Originally Posted by dridobits

...Even on my worst days I never regret having the surgery.

I'm so happy to hear that you are working again. It's amazing to experience coming back to life.

For most of us, success is relative. Pain-free, med-free may not be a realistic expectation for most of us. I know people who feel their surgery was successful because they can now sit in the garden for a few hours a day and can shower by themselves. Even though I have substantial limitations and still have pain, after 4 spine surgeries, I'm a thousand times better than I ever thought I'd be and am thankful for every day that I can function somewhat normally.

It's great news that you are already pleased with your improvement and return of functionality... especially because you should still be able to expect substantial improvements in the months to come! That appreciation for what you have makes everything that much sweeter and helps you to deal with the setbacks and challenges you'll face so much easier to deal with.

Keep us posted... all the best...

Mark

[dridobits]

Well I overdid it again. Guess I'm a slow learner. I just took my first long cross country flight since my fusion. I'm at about six months now. As long as I don't overdo things are pretty good but working as I did before is pretty much a no go due to the long sitting. I never look back with any regrets with my surgery. This time for the first time I used a wheelchair. It felt kind of odd with people staring at me but I just looked down.

What a difference. Some of these international airports have long long distances to walk which I can do but not while carrying things. Also with the wheelchair, I wizzed passed everyone in line. I did set the alarms off, same as at Home Depot. I had two people sticking fingers all over me and oh yes that wand. I don't care as long as were all safe.

This is a familly trip I had to make. Otherwise, forget flying. Too much. Thinking of everyone.

[Maria]

d,
I too have difficulty with traveling tho it's the preparation with the luggage and the actual lugging it about even just downstairs to await Super Shuttle.

Once in the airport I'm Ok tho this last time I used a cane to help me walk and was glad I did as the gate was changed and it was much farther away (on outbound flight).

If it weren't for my habit of buying 3 seats together (which I cannot always get on a moment's notice and certainly not for a decent price) I'd have a whole lotta trouble flying.

Glad you got thru it and you did what you had to do to re the wheelchair. The first time is the kicker re using something adaptive or even buying the 3 seats as I do.. after that it's nothing~ or at least nothing to look down about!

take good care and hope your family is Ok and your flare up resolves ASAP!

[mmglobal]

I'm sorry that your recovery is slow and not more complete. It would be great if you could safely return to your previous activity levels... not happening soon, but hopefully you'll continue to improve and will ultimately get there.

Hang in there. Thanks for keeping us posted. All the best,

Mark