1st POST OP APPT

Yesterday was my long awaited 1st Post Op appt. It went fantastic and was a great encouragement to me. The thing I wanted to see the most was those metal rods. The xray in my world was beautiful. I immediately came home to see the previous xrays. One can almost not believe the difference and the pictures let you see them too.

The doctor said I was far "ahead of the game". These were also words I wanted to hear. I attribute it to God's hand on me through your prayers. As I said earlier I have felt them in the most comfortable and comforting way likening it to floating. I truly do not believe many who have walked in my shoes have been cared for to the degree and with the tenderness that I have. The prayers are more then I will ever know. I have been tended to by God's people in His body and in my family. The cards... I could have started a store :). The emails let me be with you while I recovered. The meals upon meals have healed my struggling body. Thank you to all who read this.

What's next? There are many small steps ahead. I can drive... but carefully. There is to be no twisting. I am starting rehab: light weights, more walking, stationary bike, swimming, stretching. The swimming sounds crazy but I'll try. I still have to pace myself a lot. My body is trying to repair itself and needs a combination of working it and resting it. It is inch by inch.

I mistakenly thought I would be able to see some bone growth but was told not to expect any til after 3 months. Rats. Yes - I'm overzealous. I also asked about my memory and was told with the length of my surgery it would be about 3 months for all the anesthesia to leave and my memory to be as it was ..... for what it is worth :)

As you can see yesterday was a great day. The docs I saw were all super encouraging and said I was one tough lady. I kind of laughed because I don't see myself that way -- I just want to get better and to have a strong body. I can now say I am grateful that I had the surgery and for what God has ahead for me. To take me through something so "massive" (the common word used by the docs) is an indication to me that God has good stuff waiting! YEA!!

My Mt Everest

I've tried to come up with a mental/visual picture of recovery. I am leaning toward Mt Everest or a Marathon. It you are a marathon runner - please excuse my likening my trip to yours. Yours is much more heroic!

I am resting well at night (yea meds) which has given me more energy for the next day. I've moved from mega narcotics to more gentle narcotics. There is still regular and persistent pain but not nearly what it was. I still remember being in the hospital and the docs coming in asking how I felt! Good Grief -- what an unnecessary question. My response -- MY BACK HURTS. Wonder what they expected me to say!

If this "trip" is Mt Everest -- I think I'm at Base Camp 1. There are many things I cannot do but there are also things that I have energy to do. I have had enough energy to straighten the silverware drawer and spice cabinet. Sounds fun huh? It is purposeful and that makes me happy.

My first post op visit with the surgeon will be 2 weeks from Monday - Feb 2. At that time they will xray my spine and see how the bone graft is going. I would love to see some visual evidence that is is working. Don't know if I told you that my incision is about 20" long. It travels the length of almost my entire spine. Pretty incredible. Did I ever tell you what this hardware feels like? When I lay on my back it feels like I'm laying on an abacus board or a bed of marbles. I kind of feel like a turtle with this stuff on my back that doesn't really feel like it is part of me but which goes with me everywhere. The rods are stainless steel and will stay with me forever. I can't wait til I go through my 1st time at airport security. Maybe this will break up theTSA folks from their constant bantering with each other! I am told that in a year I will be able to touch my toes -- bending from the waist. Since I have never been able to touch my toes, I am somewhat skeptical but it would be fun. I am told that tying my shoes will eventually be doable but from where I am now I can't believe that.

I hope I haven't bored you too much. This part of recovery is pretty lackluster -- just plodding and pushing and doing a little something more each day. Wonder what cabinet or drawer I can work on next. The glitch is that the only things I can work on must be at waist height :)

COUNTDOWN

We're finally nearing the day of surgery. It seemed far out there when we made the decision but now it is at our doorstep --4 days off on Dec 18th. My days have been filled with many doctor appointments. Each one had the possibility of knocking the surgery date out. I am so thankful that each one was fine. The one lingering thing is the huge amount of colds and flu going around. I have asked the Lord many times to protect me from this.

Doug and I saw the surgeon on Monday. It was a wonderful appointment. He spelled out what he would do. His final words were-- the surgery will last anywhere from 7-12 hours and we won't stop until it is perfect. This terminology is different from most surgeons who say ... we will do the very best we can. We have heard from no less then 25 people what an incredible surgeon Dr. Horton is with outstanding results. Only 4 doctors in the US do the procedure he does it. People travel from all over to have him do their surgery. We will be traveling 8 miles! Yes -- 8 miles. God is good.

How are we feeling? We are doing well. We are trusting God to take both of us through the unknown with His peace and His strength. Yes it is massive but we cannot change that. Doug and I have often said that the patient has it easier then the family & loved ones. There is a lot of truth in this.

What will I be doing after surgery? Getting my strength back and learning how to move in a new way. I know much of my time will be to walk and walk and walk. At first I will walk around the house only. Walking is the best promoter of bone growth. At first it will take all the energy I have. The nerves and muscles in my back will be cut so the only things I have to use are my my arms and legs. The polymyalgia rhumatica I contracted in February is still lingering -- leaving my arms and legs aching and stiff. This will be a challenge since I will need them. I am asking God for grace upon grace to carry me through and to surprise me with His care through my recovery. Please join me. Other concerns that I know of are infection and necessary bone growth. My spine will have a bone stimulating material put between each vertebrae from T5 to the sacrum as well as one long rod with screws thru my vertebra into this rod. The rod is to stabilize my spine while the spine fuses. This will eventually fuse into one bone. I will need to relearn how to move since I cannot twist or bend my back. It can be done and I will learn.

This is about all I know for now. Carissa and Doug will update the blog often so check in there. Please please leave posts as these will be your communication gifts to me.

Cheryl