2nd Major back Surgey Log Blog and Expeirence

[grantwb1]

I went back to work today. I do not know if I was necessarily ready for it but I made it through the day and didn't have to take more than my normal meds. I am an IT guy at an operator call center so I do not do any physical labor thank god.

All the people at work threw a welcome back party and had a ton of food for my lunch. They also decorated my cubicle and greeted me at the door on arrival. It was a nice warm fuzzy.

Being back at work was a great distraction. I am just looking for all the changes so that I can get up to speed with what is going on. I am defiantly hurting but I made it through the day. If this was the hardest day I will be alright.

Wishing no pain for my spiney friends!!

[Maria]

Glad you made it back to work~ that is great news!
When I returned to work after my first discectomy (took 3 months off and went back to work part time for 3 months) I had pain for awhile still so I did less of seeing patients and more paperwork (Nurse Practitioner in OB-GYN and Family Practice Clinic at the time).

My last job I did Telephone Triage/Advice Nurse and I modified my cubicle so I could stand at my computer station to work. I had a thick spongy type pad underneath my chair so that I could stand on this and alleviate some of the pressure from standing on just the thinly carpeted floor.

I expect you won't need these types of modifications tho just thought I'd throw that out there in case you have to sit all day and are having some trouble w/that.

My husband is an IT person and he has to sit alot tho tries to stand as much as he can tho I don't think it's as much as he should.. he has an L5S1 disc bulge.

It's good to hear that you've progressed as far as you have and also about Dr.Coufal's good work! He is someone I'd consider having surgery with most definately if I ever had to have a fusion.

[dshobbies]

Life can be good and people can be great. Warm and fuzzy works for me. What a gratifying experience!

Dale

[Maria]

I'm thinking you must be busy with work and life in general so hope that's true and you're going great!

[grantwb1]

Thank you Maria, yes I am busy. I guess back to work and now I am bouncing off the oh I feel better then oh I did to much line. I am still improving slower than I want but as long as I am improving I will take it. The nerve pain in my leg seems to be getting a little better. Now I am having muscle pain and just some major ache to my low back. I am working as long as I take some lying down sessions on a camping mat in my office. Doc cut my meds and I am not happy about it but she is the doc not me, I guess its time. I start physical therapy this week so I cannot wait to stretch. I hope that I can break a sweat doing therapy. I really miss being able to work out and break a sweat and relieve the stress.

I am wishing the best day of as little to no pain for all my fellow spiny's!!

[Maria]

Grant,
thanks for the reply and well wishes to all spineys.. we certainly need them!

Re the down time on the mat at work~ I did the same thing after my back surgeries and it helped greatly w/recovery. My knee surgeries needed some down time as well tho that was usually sitting with ice packs off and on during breaks!

It takes time and sounds like you're doing pretty good. Good luck with your PT.