Re: Update , almost a year post op Revision surgery - Easywipe link

[Guest guest]

It's so good to hear positive feedback. Thanks Carol! I've decided to

postpone my revision another year so I get another summer of riding my

bike (now that my kids finally learned how to ride this past summer.)

It would be great to be able to walk a mile again, but I'm really

going to miss being able to zoom around town on my bike!

I bought myself an EASYWIPE this month but haven't actually tried it

out yet. (Apparently we're not the only ones who need help down there.)

Here's the address to where I bought it:

http://www.vermontcountrystore.com/browse/Home/Apothecary/Home-Health-Care/Easyw\

ipe/D/30100/P/1:100:1000:10110/I/f11378?evar3=SEARCH

> > >

> > > Hi,

> > > Just wanted to wish everyone a Happy New Year and blessings to all.

> > My

> > > flatback surgery was last February and I am coming up on the one

> > year

> > > mark. I just wanted to give you an update as to how I am doing.

> > >

> > > Last February I had my flatback surgery with all the bells. I had it

> > > done at NYU medical center. I have to say, I feel great. I never

> > would

> > > have believed that I would ever be able to live even one day pain

> > free

> > > again. I am happy to say that at least for the last couple of moths

> > I

> > > have been virtually pain free except for the occasional Tylanol. In

> > > October I walked an entire mile around a lake in upstate New York.

> > In

> > > November I walked around the strip (The boardwalk where the casinos

> > > are). It was a blast. I couldn't believe I was actually able to

> > walk

> > > that much. I could barely walk up the block from my house last

> > January.

> > >

> > > At this time last year I was barely functional. Walking was very

> > > difficult for me then. I had to lean on shopping carts,lean on

> > > people, and always walk with a cane, everywhere. I had to take

> > > frequent breaks and sit down due to the spinal stenosis. I was

> > > popping pain pills like candy. My life had become so small. I barely

> > > wanted to get up in the morning and face another day of pain.

> > >

> > > The difference is enormous now. My pain has decreased to almost

> > > nothing. My attitude and outlook are much more positive now. And I

> > am

> > > grateful for every day that I have with my " New and Improved " bionic

> > > body. My stamina isn't up to par yet, but I am getting there with

> > each

> > > passing day. When I get tired, I listen to my body and go rest. We

> > > need to put ourselves and our heath first for a change.

> > >

> > > I don't take my new found freedom for granted though. Who knows

> > what

> > > the future will hold. But for now, I am just trying to adjust and

> > > start enjoying my life again. I feel like I have been given a

> > second

> > > chance. You won't catch me out snow skiing, water skiing,

> > iceskating,

> > > jumping from airplanes and the like. I still walk somewhat slowly

> > and

> > > gingerly and I thank God for any painless steps I can make now. I

> > > figure, I don't want to tempt fate so I lead a somewhat less action

> > > oriented

> > > life now, but I'll take this to how I felt pre revision anyday.

> > >

> > > I do have some minor daily inconveniences. Like for instance,

> > trouble

> > > getting my shoes and

> > > socks on. Often I have to ask my husband and grown kids to tie my

> > > shoes and or or put my socks on for me. It's a little humiliating

> > but

> > > I take it in

> > > my stride. And no one seems to mind at all. I think they also

> > probably

> > > feel that this is a minor inconvenience to them also, compared with

> > > how they had to see me suffer in pain and disability these last 9

> > > years. Going to the bathroom is another challenge. (Number 2) that

> > > is. As was elaborated on in the " wiping " thread spoken of earlier in

> > > the Feisty site a year or so ago. I could sure use some pointers

> > in

> > > that area. LOL!

> > >

> > > Shaving my legs and cutting my toenails is very difficult for me

> > now.

> > > I am still working on solutions in that area. This is were the guy

> > > flatbackers have there advantage. They don't have to shave their

> > legs.

> > > Lucky them. : )

> > >

> > > Driving can be hard sometimes when you need to

> > > actually twist or turn around to see traffic before you merge on to

> > > streets, highways etc. Parallel parking is challenging also due to

> > the

> > > extra stiffness created from the long fusion.

> > >

> > > Airports are another fun place to go as a " metaled up " Feisty

> > member.

> > > You tend to set off alarms all over the place and have to put up

> > with

> > > getting

> > > wanded, frisked, and virtually treated like a " terrorist/bad guy

> > when

> > > you go through security. Yikes! It's just another strange indignity

> > we

> > > as Scoliosis and Flatback veterans have to put up with.

> > >

> > > But in my estimation all of this is a small price to pay for the

> > gift

> > > that has been given me. A new life.! Albeit somewhat altered,and

> > > certainly a hard

> > > won new life. But

> > > still, for the time being at least, it is once again a good life for

> > > me now.

> > >

> > > Sometimes I do lament about the years that have been virtually lost

> > > to me due to the

> > > pain and disability. This is a

> > > given. We have lost a lot. And so have our family and friends. We

> > have

> > > been dealt some rough cards here. I must mention though, that all of

> > > you here and this Feisty group has been integral to my survival,

> > > sanity, and recovery in many ways. The comeradery as well as the

> > > good medical information and moral support has made a huge

> > difference

> > > in my life. I just had to mention that and thank everyone here..both

> > > new and older veteran members of the Feisty site.

> > >

> > > There really is no way around this difficult malady except to go

> > > through it and decide on the best course of action. And we all

> > > have to walk that particular path alone. Making the very best

> > choices

> > > we can;

> > > while hoping that eventually things will turn out for the better.

> > >

> > > I know the

> > > future is precarious for all of us with this strange deformity. It

> > > certainly is both a sobering and humbling experience. So, for

> > now I

> > > still

> > > take it one day at a time, while praying for new medical

> > > innovations to continue to make scoliosis and spinal surgery better

> > > and better each year.

> > >

> > > I want for all of us Feisties to be mobile, pain free and functional

> > > once again. Hopefully living out our years, having a full and

> > quality

> > > existence ahead.

> > >

> > > Happy New Year to everyone, and my best wishes for a great year

> > ahead.

> > > love Carol (NY)

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Nerilka,

I will look into it. It looks like a good e-store. Interesting that

it is from Vermont? I will check into your suggestion. Thanks.

Carol

>

> It's so good to hear positive feedback. Thanks Carol! I've decided

to

> postpone my revision another year so I get another summer of riding

my

> bike (now that my kids finally learned how to ride this past

summer.)

> It would be great to be able to walk a mile again, but I'm really

> going to miss being able to zoom around town on my bike!

>

> I bought myself an EASYWIPE this month but haven't actually tried it

> out yet. (Apparently we're not the only ones who need help down

there.)

> Here's the address to where I bought it:

> http://www.vermontcountrystore.com/browse/Home/Apothecary/Home-

Health-Care/Easywipe/D/30100/P/1:100:1000:10110/I/f11378?evar3=SEARCH

>