Edie's 9 month update

[Guest guest]

Hi all,

Edie here with my 9 months post-op report, as promised. For those of you who

don't

know me, a quick recap (and you can read my story in the member's files). I am a

47 year

old woman (original Harrington rod surgery in 1982) who had

posterior-anterior-posterior

surgery in one 10-1/2 hour operation by Dr. Bendo at the York University

Hospital

for Joint Diseases in NYC. My surgery truly corrected my flatback, and left me

with virtually

perfect sagittal balance. I had been suffering from severe flatback for about 10

years, and

for the most part through those years, handled it through water therapy and

denial!

I will be going back to work full time after the New Year's break. I've been

back at work

part time since October 1st, originally 3 days per week for about 6 weeks, then

4 days per

week since then. At first it was scary and difficult, but not because of the

work itself (I

work in an office), but the commute. I live in Brooklyn, NY and commute to

Manhattan

every day, which involves a 1/2 mile or so walk to the subway, an elevated

subway station

with close to 50 stairs to climb, a 40 minute bumpy subway ride, and a short

walk from

the subway to my office in one of the busiest part of the city (I work at

Madison Square

Garden, above Penn Station).

For the first week or so, I was using " Access-a-Ride " which is the MTA's answer

for

handicapped/disabled passengers. But the service was so wretched that I decided

to tough

it up, and do the subway instead. Even though it was scary and a challenge, I

was glad I

did it. It forced me to get some land-based exercise (walking/climbing stairs),

and I end

up taking the subway to my gym every morning before work where I am back to

swimming

about 20 laps (a little more than 1/2 mile). I leave for work from the gym,

which is another

subway ride away, but it's a very short one. My days are long, but do-able. At

night I am

tired, but not completely wiped out anymore.

At 9 months post op, I can walk as long as I need to without a cane (although I

use one on

the commute so people will stand a little farther away) and I can also stand for

long

periods of time without fatigue.

I am still on one pain killer per day when muscle fatigue sets in in the late

afternoon. I

have just renewed the prescription with a lower dose, and intend to see how this

works

out for me. If I can wean myself off them completely, great, but if not, I have

NO intention

of spending any more of my life in pain. I've been told time and time again that

the

amount I'm taking is negligible, and I refuse to feel guilt over using necessary

medication.

I spent years using nothing for my pain, and I now realize what a disservice I

was doing to

myself at that time.

My biggest annoyance at this stage is that I can feel hardware in the lower

left-hand side

of my spine, probably where the pelvic bolt is inserted, so I am keeping an eye

on that. It

is not debilitating, but it is uncomfortable. I want to give my body plenty of

time to adjust

to all the new hardware, so I am in no rush to get it removed.

I also am still adjusting to moving in a new way, I no longer use my grabbers

much, but do

a lot of squats, leaning on furniture around me to help me up and down. I also

rely on

using my knees a lot (getting down and up from the floor using one knee/leg for

propulsion). I try not to lean forward from my hips too much, but find that I do

this

without thinking and it causes me little or no discomfort.

I gained almost 2 additional inches after my surgery. I walk like a ballerina

now....got the

added plus of a boob lift and bootylicious back waist curve from my surgery!

In short, I feel like I am doing absolutely great. I took 6 months off post-op

to do nothing

but concentrate on healing, and I'll never ever regret that decision. If I have

any words of

advice to those of you facing this challenge, it's the following:

1. Get in the water....before surgery, and after surgery, as much as possible.

Make sure

you have someone who can help you with movement in the water if it is an element

you

are unfamiliar with. I believe water workouts saved my life, and abetted my

recovery (and

preoperative condition) more than almost anything else. It's still my primary

form of

exercise, and land-based impact (Running, even walking on concrete) is something

that I

personally will avoid because I feel that the impact is not good for my bones.

2. Take all the time you need to heal, but stay positive and pragmatic about the

process.

Healing takes a long time...that's all there is to it. You do yourself more harm

than good

by rushing it. You will have good days and bad days which will feel like a real

setback, but

try to keep perspective on the entire picture, not just the moment.

3. Ask for help when you need it. Don't do foolish things, even if you think you

are able.

You are NOT the same as before surgery, so don't be down on yourself if you are

not able

to do many things you were able to do. A lot of that will come back in time and

you will

find new and better ways to achieve your physical goals.

4. Keep your sense of humor--before, during and after the whole process. You

will never

regret it, nor will those around you.

In the meantime, I'm pretty much back into my life full time, so I don't get to

post often.

But I am very committed to continuing updates for those of you who may be facing

surgery. Please know there is a lot to look forward to. As I've said before and

I'll say it 'til

I'm blue in the face, Your revision surgery is a gift certificate that you can't

cash in for

about a year, so know that in the end, it will certainly be worth it. Plus

you'll have an

amazing story to tell to people who tell you they have a " bad back " . HAH!!!!!!!

Did I

mention that I keep pictures of my post-surgery XRays on my cubicle wall at

work?

I'm a scuba diver, and hope to be able to get back into diving when my 1 year

mark has

passed in April. At the rate I'm going, there is no reason I can't resume

it....I never carried

my own heavy equipment anyway, so weight-bearing was never an issue.

I plan on visiting Donna T. in the hospital when she goes in at the end of

January, so with

her permission, I'll be posting an update on her when I see her. And of course

(AKA

my hero!), who I have been in touch with since her 7/8th surgery with Dr.

Cunningham

(Dr. Boachie's associate) stage 2 which was only about 6 weeks ago. She is doing

phenomenally well, and feels as though she is truly on the road to

recovery...NANFASH:

Post if you get a chance, girl! Your story is an inspiration and a real lesson

in

perseverance.

If you have any individual questions, you can email me at my

address...edie_scratch.

I may not be back on the board for a while, but I'll post again at the one year

mark if I

don't get a chance to before.

Thinking of you all, those who have had surgery and those facing it. As my doc

said: You'll

get through it. People do.

Hugs to you all and a happy, healthy New Year,

Edie

[Guest guest]

Edie,

You are ALWAYS such an inspiration - I can't wait to meet you in a

few weeks - although I would prefer to meet you for a drink and

dinner as opposed to post-op! Maybe we can do that too sometime.

You have my permission to post here about my hospital journey

particularly since my husband is not that computer friendly.

Happy new year to all!

Donna T.

>

> Hi all,

>

> Edie here with my 9 months post-op report, as promised. For those

of you who don't

> know me, a quick recap (and you can read my story in the member's

files). I am a 47 year

> old woman (original Harrington rod surgery in 1982) who had

posterior-anterior-posterior

> surgery in one 10-1/2 hour operation by Dr. Bendo at the York

University Hospital

> for Joint Diseases in NYC. My surgery truly corrected my flatback,

and left me with virtually

> perfect sagittal balance. I had been suffering from severe flatback

for about 10 years, and

> for the most part through those years, handled it through water

therapy and denial!

>

> I will be going back to work full time after the New Year's break.

I've been back at work

> part time since October 1st, originally 3 days per week for about 6

weeks, then 4 days per

> week since then. At first it was scary and difficult, but not

because of the work itself (I

> work in an office), but the commute. I live in Brooklyn, NY and

commute to Manhattan

> every day, which involves a 1/2 mile or so walk to the subway, an

elevated subway station

> with close to 50 stairs to climb, a 40 minute bumpy subway ride,

and a short walk from

> the subway to my office in one of the busiest part of the city (I

work at Madison Square

> Garden, above Penn Station).

>

> For the first week or so, I was using " Access-a-Ride " which is the

MTA's answer for

> handicapped/disabled passengers. But the service was so wretched

that I decided to tough

> it up, and do the subway instead. Even though it was scary and a

challenge, I was glad I

> did it. It forced me to get some land-based exercise

(walking/climbing stairs), and I end

> up taking the subway to my gym every morning before work where I am

back to swimming

> about 20 laps (a little more than 1/2 mile). I leave for work from

the gym, which is another

> subway ride away, but it's a very short one. My days are long, but

do-able. At night I am

> tired, but not completely wiped out anymore.

>

> At 9 months post op, I can walk as long as I need to without a cane

(although I use one on

> the commute so people will stand a little farther away) and I can

also stand for long

> periods of time without fatigue.

>

> I am still on one pain killer per day when muscle fatigue sets in

in the late afternoon. I

> have just renewed the prescription with a lower dose, and intend to

see how this works

> out for me. If I can wean myself off them completely, great, but if

not, I have NO intention

> of spending any more of my life in pain. I've been told time and

time again that the

> amount I'm taking is negligible, and I refuse to feel guilt over

using necessary medication.

> I spent years using nothing for my pain, and I now realize what a

disservice I was doing to

> myself at that time.

>

> My biggest annoyance at this stage is that I can feel hardware in

the lower left-hand side

> of my spine, probably where the pelvic bolt is inserted, so I am

keeping an eye on that. It

> is not debilitating, but it is uncomfortable. I want to give my

body plenty of time to adjust

> to all the new hardware, so I am in no rush to get it removed.

>

> I also am still adjusting to moving in a new way, I no longer use

my grabbers much, but do

> a lot of squats, leaning on furniture around me to help me up and

down. I also rely on

> using my knees a lot (getting down and up from the floor using one

knee/leg for

> propulsion). I try not to lean forward from my hips too much, but

find that I do this

> without thinking and it causes me little or no discomfort.

>

> I gained almost 2 additional inches after my surgery. I walk like a

ballerina now....got the

> added plus of a boob lift and bootylicious back waist curve from my

surgery!

>

> In short, I feel like I am doing absolutely great. I took 6 months

off post-op to do nothing

> but concentrate on healing, and I'll never ever regret that

decision. If I have any words of

> advice to those of you facing this challenge, it's the following:

>

> 1. Get in the water....before surgery, and after surgery, as much

as possible. Make sure

> you have someone who can help you with movement in the water if it

is an element you

> are unfamiliar with. I believe water workouts saved my life, and

abetted my recovery (and

> preoperative condition) more than almost anything else. It's still

my primary form of

> exercise, and land-based impact (Running, even walking on concrete)

is something that I

> personally will avoid because I feel that the impact is not good

for my bones.

>

> 2. Take all the time you need to heal, but stay positive and

pragmatic about the process.

> Healing takes a long time...that's all there is to it. You do

yourself more harm than good

> by rushing it. You will have good days and bad days which will feel

like a real setback, but

> try to keep perspective on the entire picture, not just the moment.

>

> 3. Ask for help when you need it. Don't do foolish things, even if

you think you are able.

> You are NOT the same as before surgery, so don't be down on

yourself if you are not able

> to do many things you were able to do. A lot of that will come back

in time and you will

> find new and better ways to achieve your physical goals.

>

> 4. Keep your sense of humor--before, during and after the whole

process. You will never

> regret it, nor will those around you.

>

> In the meantime, I'm pretty much back into my life full time, so I

don't get to post often.

> But I am very committed to continuing updates for those of you who

may be facing

> surgery. Please know there is a lot to look forward to. As I've

said before and I'll say it 'til

> I'm blue in the face, Your revision surgery is a gift certificate

that you can't cash in for

> about a year, so know that in the end, it will certainly be worth

it. Plus you'll have an

> amazing story to tell to people who tell you they have a " bad

back " . HAH!!!!!!! Did I

> mention that I keep pictures of my post-surgery XRays on my cubicle

wall at work?

>

> I'm a scuba diver, and hope to be able to get back into diving when

my 1 year mark has

> passed in April. At the rate I'm going, there is no reason I can't

resume it....I never carried

> my own heavy equipment anyway, so weight-bearing was never an issue.

>

> I plan on visiting Donna T. in the hospital when she goes in at the

end of January, so with

> her permission, I'll be posting an update on her when I see her.

And of course (AKA

> my hero!), who I have been in touch with since her 7/8th surgery

with Dr. Cunningham

> (Dr. Boachie's associate) stage 2 which was only about 6 weeks ago.

She is doing

> phenomenally well, and feels as though she is truly on the road to

recovery...NANFASH:

> Post if you get a chance, girl! Your story is an inspiration and a

real lesson in

> perseverance.

>

> If you have any individual questions, you can email me at my

address...edie_scratch.

> I may not be back on the board for a while, but I'll post again at

the one year mark if I

> don't get a chance to before.

>

> Thinking of you all, those who have had surgery and those facing

it. As my doc said: You'll

> get through it. People do.

>

> Hugs to you all and a happy, healthy New Year,

>

> Edie

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Edie,

What a pleasure it was to read your update! I am thrilled to know that you are doing so well. I would advise anyone to handle recovery exactly as you have. You really are an inspiration. I look forward to your 1 year update.

And please send my best to .

Bonnie

[Guest guest]

Thanks Edie. I hope to follow in your footsteps. I am about 3 weeks

pre-surgery, and it's terrific to hear your story. After reading your

story I'm feeling just a little bit less jittery. I need all the

encouragement I can get!

Jeri

>

> Hi all,

>

> Edie here with my 9 months post-op report, as promised. For those

of you who don't

> know me, a quick recap (and you can read my story in the member's

files). I am a 47 year

> old woman (original Harrington rod surgery in 1982) who had

posterior-anterior-posterior

> surgery in one 10-1/2 hour operation by Dr. Bendo at the York

University Hospital

> for Joint Diseases in NYC. My surgery truly corrected my flatback,

and left me with virtually

> perfect sagittal balance. I had been suffering from severe flatback

for about 10 years, and

> for the most part through those years, handled it through water

therapy and denial!

>

> I will be going back to work full time after the New Year's break.

I've been back at work

> part time since October 1st, originally 3 days per week for about 6

weeks, then 4 days per

> week since then. At first it was scary and difficult, but not

because of the work itself (I

> work in an office), but the commute. I live in Brooklyn, NY and

commute to Manhattan

> every day, which involves a 1/2 mile or so walk to the subway, an

elevated subway station

> with close to 50 stairs to climb, a 40 minute bumpy subway ride,

and a short walk from

> the subway to my office in one of the busiest part of the city (I

work at Madison Square

> Garden, above Penn Station).

>

> For the first week or so, I was using " Access-a-Ride " which is the

MTA's answer for

> handicapped/disabled passengers. But the service was so wretched

that I decided to tough

> it up, and do the subway instead. Even though it was scary and a

challenge, I was glad I

> did it. It forced me to get some land-based exercise

(walking/climbing stairs), and I end

> up taking the subway to my gym every morning before work where I am

back to swimming

> about 20 laps (a little more than 1/2 mile). I leave for work from

the gym, which is another

> subway ride away, but it's a very short one. My days are long, but

do-able. At night I am

> tired, but not completely wiped out anymore.

>

> At 9 months post op, I can walk as long as I need to without a cane

(although I use one on

> the commute so people will stand a little farther away) and I can

also stand for long

> periods of time without fatigue.

>

> I am still on one pain killer per day when muscle fatigue sets in

in the late afternoon. I

> have just renewed the prescription with a lower dose, and intend to

see how this works

> out for me. If I can wean myself off them completely, great, but if

not, I have NO intention

> of spending any more of my life in pain. I've been told time and

time again that the

> amount I'm taking is negligible, and I refuse to feel guilt over

using necessary medication.

> I spent years using nothing for my pain, and I now realize what a

disservice I was doing to

> myself at that time.

>

> My biggest annoyance at this stage is that I can feel hardware in

the lower left-hand side

> of my spine, probably where the pelvic bolt is inserted, so I am

keeping an eye on that. It

> is not debilitating, but it is uncomfortable. I want to give my

body plenty of time to adjust

> to all the new hardware, so I am in no rush to get it removed.

>

> I also am still adjusting to moving in a new way, I no longer use

my grabbers much, but do

> a lot of squats, leaning on furniture around me to help me up and

down. I also rely on

> using my knees a lot (getting down and up from the floor using one

knee/leg for

> propulsion). I try not to lean forward from my hips too much, but

find that I do this

> without thinking and it causes me little or no discomfort.

>

> I gained almost 2 additional inches after my surgery. I walk like a

ballerina now....got the

> added plus of a boob lift and bootylicious back waist curve from my

surgery!

>

> In short, I feel like I am doing absolutely great. I took 6 months

off post-op to do nothing

> but concentrate on healing, and I'll never ever regret that

decision. If I have any words of

> advice to those of you facing this challenge, it's the following:

>

> 1. Get in the water....before surgery, and after surgery, as much

as possible. Make sure

> you have someone who can help you with movement in the water if it

is an element you

> are unfamiliar with. I believe water workouts saved my life, and

abetted my recovery (and

> preoperative condition) more than almost anything else. It's still

my primary form of

> exercise, and land-based impact (Running, even walking on concrete)

is something that I

> personally will avoid because I feel that the impact is not good

for my bones.

>

> 2. Take all the time you need to heal, but stay positive and

pragmatic about the process.

> Healing takes a long time...that's all there is to it. You do

yourself more harm than good

> by rushing it. You will have good days and bad days which will feel

like a real setback, but

> try to keep perspective on the entire picture, not just the moment.

>

> 3. Ask for help when you need it. Don't do foolish things, even if

you think you are able.

> You are NOT the same as before surgery, so don't be down on

yourself if you are not able

> to do many things you were able to do. A lot of that will come back

in time and you will

> find new and better ways to achieve your physical goals.

>

> 4. Keep your sense of humor--before, during and after the whole

process. You will never

> regret it, nor will those around you.

>

> In the meantime, I'm pretty much back into my life full time, so I

don't get to post often.

> But I am very committed to continuing updates for those of you who

may be facing

> surgery. Please know there is a lot to look forward to. As I've

said before and I'll say it 'til

> I'm blue in the face, Your revision surgery is a gift certificate

that you can't cash in for

> about a year, so know that in the end, it will certainly be worth

it. Plus you'll have an

> amazing story to tell to people who tell you they have a " bad

back " . HAH!!!!!!! Did I

> mention that I keep pictures of my post-surgery XRays on my cubicle

wall at work?

>

> I'm a scuba diver, and hope to be able to get back into diving when

my 1 year mark has

> passed in April. At the rate I'm going, there is no reason I can't

resume it....I never carried

> my own heavy equipment anyway, so weight-bearing was never an issue.

>

> I plan on visiting Donna T. in the hospital when she goes in at the

end of January, so with

> her permission, I'll be posting an update on her when I see her.

And of course (AKA

> my hero!), who I have been in touch with since her 7/8th surgery

with Dr. Cunningham

> (Dr. Boachie's associate) stage 2 which was only about 6 weeks ago.

She is doing

> phenomenally well, and feels as though she is truly on the road to

recovery...NANFASH:

> Post if you get a chance, girl! Your story is an inspiration and a

real lesson in

> perseverance.

>

> If you have any individual questions, you can email me at my

address...edie_scratch.

> I may not be back on the board for a while, but I'll post again at

the one year mark if I

> don't get a chance to before.

>

> Thinking of you all, those who have had surgery and those facing

it. As my doc said: You'll

> get through it. People do.

>

> Hugs to you all and a happy, healthy New Year,

>

> Edie

>