Friday, February 1, 2008

Six-week Check-up


Well, folks, I got a great report at the surgeon's today. I had my six-week (can it already be six weeks since my surgery?!??) check-up today, which included an x-ray. All is well! So far, my spine is healing, the screws are where they should be, and the bone is fusing properly. I am right on track for my healing process.

I told them about the increased pain I have had over the past few weeks, and they said that is, indeed, a very normal phenomenon. As I get better, I unintentionally do too much, and thus set myself back a few days. This happened two weeks ago, and again this past week. Apparently, once you hit the four week mark, you have a greater risk of pain. Guess it is human nature to get all excited about feeling better, and go wild (wild being - sitting for a WHOLE HOUR at once - isn't that CRAZY BEHAVIOR?!?!?). Teehee!

Most people do not start physical therapy until 3 months after surgery, but the surgeon said that I am doing so well that I can start now! He prescribed gentle massage (no complaints here), gentle isometrics, and modalities (heat, STIM, etc.). I hope to start that up next week.

It is so reassuring to be told that, a) it is normal to be in pain right now, and, b) I am really getting better. My doctor also said that it might take me longer to heal from all the pain because I was in pain for so long (three long years). My body has a lot of catching up to do.

Thanks, as always, for all of your support and encouragement!!

10 comments:

The Egel Nest said...

I am glad you are on the mend :)

Now sit still...lol


Bradley
The Egel Nest

SMLP said...

Yay!!!! Tremendous news!

I say we go for massages together soon. Or, if you'd like, I know a GREAT reflexology place in the West Village.

Jennifer said...

This is encouraging news! The kind that rekindles your confidence in the healing process, I hope.

Is walking encouraged at this stage? I'm wondering because I want to invite you to participate in a little fund-raising Writer Mom initiated. She's building a team of walkers for Heart Walk 2008 in Indianapolis. We're asking fellow bloggers to join team All Heart and create a donation page, even if they can't travel to Indianapolis for the walk (it's okay to raise the funds and walk closer to home); or by joining the 2008 Heart Walk in their area. This whole thing was inspired by poet-blogger Erin Monohan of North Carolina a couple of years ago when her infant son died from a congenital heart defect.

What do ya say? Is a 5k walk a reasonable goal to work toward for September 20, 2008? I would be SO tickled to have you on board.

For more info you can start with this post: http://seebeyondthehurdles.blogspot.com/2008/01/shes-upper.html

Or you can just say, "Zilla, GET OFF MY BACK!"

Big hugs, every happiness, and best wishes toward continuing recovery.

Jennifer said...

oopsie~

http://seebeyondthehurdles.blogspot.com/2008/01/shes-upper.html

BipolarLawyerCook said...

Hooray!

MJP said...

Yay! Great news!

In other news, Amy and I heard "Unexpected Song" on the radio and were trying to figure out which Andrew Lloyd Weber show it was from--and my first instinct was "Lemme call Marci and ask!" We figured it out on our own though. :-)

Anywho, congrats--and sit still!

Sandy Kessler said...

wonderful

Phyllis Sommer said...

yay!!!!

p.s. i spent the whole day with your brother adam and he sang me a hilarious song that you guys collaborated on...you ROCK!:-)

Sue said...

Glad to hear you got a good report from the doctor!

Hang in there!

tripleZmom said...

I'm so happy for you. Especially the massage part.