Re: Update , almost a year post op Revision surgery

[Guest guest]

Thanks so much for sharing your update with us, Carol. Sounds like

you are doing really great! Happy New Year to you and yours,

loriann

>

> 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]

Carol,

Congrats I'm happy to hear how well you are doing! I couldn't

believe it when I realized that I'm almost officially 18 months post-

op already Thanks for the update.

I use a shower chair, and my OT actually made an extended razor for

me so I can shave my legs. I am in a wheelchair fulltime now, and I

have a catheter bag that straps to my legs, so I don't really feel

too pressured to shave anymore, but hey - I can if I need to

I haven't had the joy of going through an airport yet, but I am

assuming I may have problems too!

Do you have a sock aid to help you get your socks on? I got one

while in rehab and it helped quite a bit. I have really flexible

legs, so now I can just hoist up a leg and cross it over the other to

clip nails and put on socks & shoes. It took me until quite a while

post-op to be able to do it though.

Good luck with everything. Remember that you are still recovering

from your surgery, even at 1 year out. You may continue to make

gains in what you're able to do as time goes on. Do you have a one-

year checkup with your surgeon coming up?

>

> 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]

Loriann and ,thanks so much for your good wishes. You guys all

mean a lot to me. It is a great thing that we can share our

experiences here together.

, I haven't gotten the sock aid yet. I know I still have a few

hurdles yet to conquer. I did try one of those icky 'nair " type creme

hair removers for my legs, but I couldn't stand the smell and I was

afraid that my skin would melt off with the hair. Yikes! I won't try

that again. But I will look into what you were talking about as far as

a razor extender is concerned.

I think once I master that then I won't

have to try to contort myself and end up in frustration while trying

to de-hair my legs. I would love to not have to deal with it at all.

Like the guys. They are so lucky. Geez, what a woman have to go

through is ridiculous. But all things considered, that is a very

minor annoyance in the scheme of things. I would love to go to one of

those " day of beauty " spas I keep hearing about and just be able to

relax, and let the experts take care of everything. It's a nice dream

anyway. ! Maybe someday it will happen. LOL! I would hope they would

throw in a massage too. Yeah!

I guess it's kind of gross to talk about the nitty gritty things we go

through after revision but it's a necessary task. Is there a website

or particular store I can go to get these things? Funny thing is that

when they sent me home from the hospital last March they never told me

about these things. I kind of had to figure them out for myself, and

with the help of the Feisties.

The airport is loads of fun too. I went to NC last April to see my son

graduate from boot camp. It was only about 5 weeks after my revision

surgery so you can imagine what a trip that was. The security guards

not only wanded me but they wanded my wheelchair too.? Can you believe

that. As if I could hide a bomb or something in the wheelchair. ? It

was crazy. My family got a kick out of it. I was in disbelief myself.

Good grief! What did they think I was? the wheelchair bomber? They

shook down some poor disabled little old ladies in wheelchairs who

came after me too. So they didn't just single me out per se but they

were paying an inordinate amount of attention on the wheelchair crowd.

??? Go figure?

Oh well. At least I got to where I was going. But I had the same

repeat performance on the way back. I kind of expected it by then but

I still couldn't believe they would go to such lengths on a person

just 5 weeks out from major spinal surgery. I think our government

needs to have their head examined. : )

Carol

By the way, I saw my doc in October for my 4th post op visit. He took

an x-ray, and said everything looks good, and I don't need to go back

for one year now. I am thrilled. But it does kind of shake you up a

bit when you get a good look at the x-ray and see all the metal they

put on there. I swear it looks like someone shot me with a nail gun. I

think I have the whole Home Depot back there now. LOL! It makes for a

great " show and tell " at parties though. A real conversation piece for

sure. My relatives and friends got quite a kick out of it. You don't

see x-rays like that every day, right?

> >

> > 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]

Carol,

Just to let you know with the razor extender - my OT rigged one for

me. I don't think anyone sells such a thing, though it would be

wonderful to find out that I'm wrong Mine is a permanent rig - she

softened up a bunch of the material that they use to make splints and

then wrapped it around the handle of a razor handle until it got long

enough for me to use nicely. If I haven't done so already, I'll post a

pic of it in my album here.

I've heard of other people duct taping a spatula (or wooden spoon or

something else with a long handle) to their razor to give it more

length. I'd be scared of things slipping though and causing me to

slice myself - ouch!

>

> Loriann and ,thanks so much for your good wishes. You guys all

> mean a lot to me. It is a great thing that we can share our

> experiences here together.

>

> , I haven't gotten the sock aid yet. I know I still have a few

> hurdles yet to conquer. I did try one of those icky 'nair " type creme

> hair removers for my legs, but I couldn't stand the smell and I was

> afraid that my skin would melt off with the hair. Yikes! I won't try

> that again. But I will look into what you were talking about as far as

> a razor extender is concerned.

[Guest guest]

,

Your OT gets 5 stars in my books. That was great idea that she had in

rigging a

razor for you to use. I know what you mean about the wooden spoon or

spatula idea. Sounds interesting, but dangerous. LOL!

I remember feeling so stiff like enstein for months after my

revision surgery. But now I am a little more flexible but not enough

to shave my legs properly or tye my own shoes laces, and put on my

own socks etc.!

It's just a minor annoyance to me at the moment. I am sure I will

learn how to get

around these post revision obstacles eventually.

I guess we all have to get creative with our situations when we

get " revised " . It sure is a different world after revision surgery.!

It does take some getting used to.

Carol

> >

> > Loriann and ,thanks so much for your good wishes. You guys

all

> > mean a lot to me. It is a great thing that we can share our

> > experiences here together.

> >

> > , I haven't gotten the sock aid yet. I know I still have a

few

> > hurdles yet to conquer. I did try one of those icky 'nair " type

creme

> > hair removers for my legs, but I couldn't stand the smell and I

was

> > afraid that my skin would melt off with the hair. Yikes! I won't

try

> > that again. But I will look into what you were talking about as

far as

> > a razor extender is concerned.

>

[Guest guest]

> > >

> > > 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]

Carol,

I think you're doing great. I can't imagine having gotten on a plane

so soon after my own revision surgery. What spunk.

When I interviewed the Harvard health researcher with MS, she told me

she always had to get to airports hours in advance -- the wheel chair

shakedown was the norm. I'm so sorry you had to put up with all that.

I am also disheartened to learn that your hospital staff did not help

you at all with aids for post-op life. That's something OT, at least,

should be right on top of, excuse my syntax.

Maybe it's time to update our own patient information files -- any

volunteers? It would be helpful if we had current websites, vendors,

etc., and maybe an outline or summary of some of these post-op needs.

An updated " what-to-expect " -type document?

Anyway, bravo, and keep up the good work. And, oh yes, is there any

way you could at least treat yourself to a nice professional pedicure?

I go to one of those walk-ins-welcome places in a nearby mall a few

times a year and pay $20 and feel terrific afterwards. No way I will

ever be able to tend my own toes again.

One of our group members -- this was some years ago -- told me she was

issued a kind of tongs, post-revision, for grasping the toilet paper.

So I know there are such aids, although I don't know if a tongs is the

same as an easy-wipe. I think it would be great if we could get

definitive info. on all these things and not have to keep reinventing

the wheel.

Best,

> > >

> > > 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]

Hi ,

Thank you for your good wishes. I really do feel fantastic at the

moment. I never would have believed that I could do this good almost

a year after my revision surgery. It amazes me every day. But I keep

getting that feeling that the other shoe is about to drop. That

uneasy ominous feeling that this scolio thing will take another turn

at any time. I get the feeling that the grim reaper is out there and

will " catch up " with anyone who ...thinks, they are doing well at the

moment. Maybe it's just post traumatic stress syndrome taking it's

toll after all the pain, disability, and surgery I have gone through.

I am counting my blessings one day at a time though. And very

grateful for today. I don't dare look too far up the road. There

seems to be so many levels to to this scoliosis debacle.

I definitely have to make allowences for the long fusion now. It is

definitely different from the first go round back in 1974. But all in

all it's just minor annoyances, that are easy to overcome. And yes, I

think I will treat myself to pedicures and such now. We certainly

deserve it. The tongs thing for uhmm, 'wiping' sounds well,

interesting, possibly painfull. I don't know. Maybe you just have to

get the nack of it. LOL ? For now, I will try to make do naturally,

but it's good to know that those instruments(bathroom aids) are out

there if I get any stiffer over time and can't take care of the

matter naturally anymore. LOL! I am doing some stretching excersize

and such to try to regain some flexability. Nothing strenuous though.

I really want to give my fusion the full year to heal.

I wanted to wish you a very happy Birthday.! Time to kick off your

shoes and enjoy. Us elder Feisties are special too. We have seen a

lot. And we still have plenty to give. Blessings to you for a great

year ahead.

I was curious about one thing though. If we have had our " Flatback "

revised already, are we still called " Flatbacker " ???? Or is their a

new term for post- scoliosis-/ Flatbacker....???????then what. : )

Just wondering.?

Carol <NY> Feisty post scolio flatbacker.!

> > > >

> > > > 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)

> > > >

> > >

> >

>