Re: I'm back from Thanksgiving Hell

[Guest guest]

Dear Group,

My adventure up to my daughter's house for Thanksgiving sure didn't turn out to be the easy restful day I anticipated. I took up most of my kitchen to make the dinner, since they are young marrieds and don't have much in the way of mixers and dishes. I very much over did it, made a lovely meal, got most of the meal cleaned up and then had horrendous back pain near the center of my back. So bad I could hardly walk, really thought I'd end up in the emergency ward, but thanks to a family member with some pain control, got through the night . Feeling somewhat better, we left friday with the Grandbaby for home. I wanted to give my daughter a break and some sleep since the baby had been sick with an intestinal flu earlier in the week.

Here's where the story goes bad! Got home, don't know how, had muscle pain most of the way home. At midnight my youngest daughter started throwing up, took two hours to get the carpets cleaned, thank God I have my own machine, and I took turns taking care of her and watching the baby. Then Last night my son started throwing up, and then my husband. I got the baby to , one less person to care for, and not well since I have irratated my hardware. I did this once before picking up my niece's daughter, so I'll be back up to Denver tomorrow to see Kumar and get that muscle tissue an injection, and hopefully that will clear it up. I forget sometimes that I'm not super woman, and that I should be very mindful of my body mechanics, and when I'm not I end up with a hardware irratation.

So tomorrow should be a better day. My lesson learned is if someone says they have had the stomach flu at their house, stay away, no matter if it's Thanksgiving.

[ ] Edie's 7 month follow-up from Laminotomy and Discectomy - (EDIE)

Hi Edie,

I just read your story and would like to speak with you if you are open to that?

Please let me know.

Thanks, Ken.edie_scratch <edie_scratch@...> wrote:

Hi all,I am 7 months out of a lami/disc surgery. If you are interested inthis approach, you can read my story in our archives.I am back at work full time. I am swimming 4 days a week, and try tostretch nightly. And I still find that moving around as much aspossible helps me with both my flexibility and strength. I still takeone vicodin in the evening for pain relief, but that's it. Neverduring the day.I can't say my back has returned to presurgery shape, however, I stillhave no residual nerve pain, although by the end of every day, I dohave an achin' flatback! Which was always the case anyway.I still get lower back pain, and have some days that are better thanothers. I am not, however, debilitated for the most part, anddefinitly know that my less invasive surgery has bought me more timethan I think I ever dreamed was possible. We'll see how this holds upwith the winter coming in. That will be a huge test. Usually, duringthe day at work, I have a lot of time where I don't even think aboutmy back. My surgeon, Dr. Bendo at the Hospital for Joint Diseaseshere in NY, will not even consider further revision surgery unless Icome back to him in debilitating pain again. And I am delighted that Ican give me body a nice, long time to recovery from my surgery lastApril 28 before contemplating anything further. I'll probably go infor a check up in the new year.I use a cane for long walks, and always on the subway. Most of thetime, this even helps me get a seat (Yes, New Yorkers are not allheartless!). I never use it indoors at work, and have really been ableto wean myself of its use for most of the time. I am a very highenergy person, and catch myself racing around at work like the olddays with more frequency. Several people have commented on how muchbetter I am moving, which is really nice. As with many of you withthis condition, it's always a double-edged sword: I may look great,but may also feel at times like I'm about about to crack in half!:)The move went well, although I probably did way more than I shouldhave. But the end result is a beautiful new apartment that we own (notrent) in an elevator building a little farther from work than I wasbefore. Not much of a sacrifice, considering the benefits: much morespace, a balcony, and a colony of wild Quaker parrots that call thispart of Brooklyn their home (I have a Quaker parrot, and had him outon the balcony in his cage. Two of the wild ones actually stopped byto visit him, too. Yes...that's right. It doesn't take much to make mehappy!!!!)So far, that's the science experiment that is me. For those of you whoknow or remember me, I hope you are all stellar. I wanted to do afollow-up post in re: my surgery, maybe this information might come inhandy to someone out there.For all the newcomers, welcome.And for those of you having upcoming surgery, the best to you.Stay nice and warm this winter. I'll try to get back to the board moreregularly. I miss you guys a lot.Edie in Brooklyn (the better borough...)

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[Guest guest]

Ohhh ... I'm soooo sorry!!! Hope you feel better soon, Ken. Kirkaldie <.Kirkaldie@...> wrote: Dear Group, My adventure up to my daughter's house for Thanksgiving sure didn't turn out to be the easy restful day I anticipated. I took up most of my kitchen to make the dinner, since they are young marrieds and don't have much in the way of mixers and dishes. I very much over did it, made a lovely meal, got most of the meal cleaned up and then had horrendous back pain near the center of my back. So bad I could hardly walk, really thought I'd end up in the emergency ward, but thanks to a family member with some

pain control, got through the night . Feeling somewhat better, we left friday with the Grandbaby for home. I wanted to give my daughter a break and some sleep since the baby had been sick with an intestinal flu earlier in the week. Here's where the story goes bad! Got home, don't know how, had muscle pain most of the way home. At midnight my youngest daughter started throwing up, took two hours to get the carpets cleaned, thank God I have my own machine, and I took turns taking care of her and watching the baby. Then Last night my son started throwing up, and then my husband. I got the baby to , one less person to care for, and not well since I have irratated my hardware. I did this once before picking up my niece's daughter, so I'll be back up to Denver tomorrow to see Kumar and get that muscle tissue an injection, and hopefully that will clear it up. I forget sometimes that

I'm not super woman, and that I should be very mindful of my body mechanics, and when I'm not I end up with a hardware irratation. So tomorrow should be a better day. My lesson learned is if someone says they have had the stomach flu at their house, stay away, no matter if it's Thanksgiving. [ ] Edie's 7 month follow-up from Laminotomy and Discectomy - (EDIE) Hi Edie, I just read your story and would like to speak with you if you are open to that? Please let me know. Thanks, Ken.edie_scratch <edie_scratch@...> wrote: Hi all,I am 7 months out of a lami/disc surgery. If you are interested inthis approach, you can read my story in our archives.I am back at work full time. I am swimming 4 days a week, and try tostretch nightly. And I still find that moving around as much aspossible helps me with both

my flexibility and strength. I still takeone vicodin in the evening for pain relief, but that's it. Neverduring the day.I can't say my back has returned to presurgery shape, however, I stillhave no residual nerve pain, although by the end of every day, I dohave an achin' flatback! Which was always the case anyway.I still get lower back pain, and have some days that are better thanothers. I am not, however, debilitated for the most part, anddefinitly know that my less invasive surgery has bought me more timethan I think I ever dreamed was possible. We'll see how this holds upwith the winter coming in. That will be a huge test. Usually, duringthe day at work, I have a lot of time where I don't even think aboutmy back. My surgeon, Dr. Bendo at the Hospital for Joint Diseaseshere in NY, will not even consider further revision surgery unless Icome back to him in debilitating pain again. And I am delighted that Ican

give me body a nice, long time to recovery from my surgery lastApril 28 before contemplating anything further. I'll probably go infor a check up in the new year.I use a cane for long walks, and always on the subway. Most of thetime, this even helps me get a seat (Yes, New Yorkers are not allheartless!). I never use it indoors at work, and have really been ableto wean myself of its use for most of the time. I am a very highenergy person, and catch myself racing around at work like the olddays with more frequency. Several people have commented on how muchbetter I am moving, which is really nice. As with many of you withthis condition, it's always a double-edged sword: I may look great,but may also feel at times like I'm about about to crack in half!:)The move went well, although I probably did way more than I shouldhave. But the end result is a beautiful new apartment that we own (notrent) in an elevator building a little

farther from work than I wasbefore. Not much of a sacrifice, considering the benefits: much morespace, a balcony, and a colony of wild Quaker parrots that call thispart of Brooklyn their home (I have a Quaker parrot, and had him outon the balcony in his cage. Two of the wild ones actually stopped byto visit him, too. Yes...that's right. It doesn't take much to make mehappy!!!!)So far, that's the science experiment that is me. For those of you whoknow or remember me, I hope you are all stellar. I wanted to do afollow-up post in re: my surgery, maybe this information might come inhandy to someone out there.For all the newcomers, welcome.And for those of you having upcoming surgery, the best to you.Stay nice and warm this winter. I'll try to get back to the board moreregularly. I miss you guys a lot.Edie in Brooklyn (the better borough...) Music Unlimited - Access over 1 million songs. Try it free.

Music Unlimited - Access over 1 million songs. Try it free.

[Guest guest]

Oh, Bonnie! Ain't it the truth!

Carole

[Guest guest]

Hi , Carole, All,

My daughter, son, daughter-in-law, 6 year old and 3 year old grandsons left after a five day visit. Ay, yi, yi!!! In years past, I overdid everything and wound up feeling like you. This year, I let them do most of the work, though we catered part of Thanksgiving dinner and went out to eat all other nights except one. The house is a wreck. I asked them to please do all kitchen cleanup. The baster I used for the Thanksgiving turkey stayed dirty in the kitchen sink until I finally cleaned it Sunday night. I just wanted to see how long it would take the other four adults to do it and they never did! I love them dearly and I was very happy to be with them but I am so glad they're gone!

Bonnie

[ ] Edie's 7 month follow-up from Laminotomy and Discectomy - (EDIE)

Hi Edie,

I just read your story and would like to speak with you if you are open to that?

Please let me know.

Thanks, Ken.edie_scratch <edie_scratch@...> wrote:

Hi all,I am 7 months out of a lami/disc surgery. If you are interested inthis approach, you can read my story in our archives.I am back at work full time. I am swimming 4 days a week, and try tostretch nightly. And I still find that moving around as much aspossible helps me with both my flexibility and strength. I still takeone vicodin in the evening for pain relief, but that's it. Neverduring the day.I can't say my back has returned to presurgery shape, however, I stillhave no residual nerve pain, although by the end of every day, I dohave an achin' flatback! Which was always the case anyway.I still get lower back pain, and have some days that are better thanothers. I am not, however, debilitated for the most part, anddefinitly know that my less invasive surgery has bought me more timethan I think I ever dreamed was possible. We'll see how this holds upwith the winter coming in. That will be a huge test. Usually, duringthe day at work, I have a lot of time where I don't even think aboutmy back. My surgeon, Dr. Bendo at the Hospital for Joint Diseaseshere in NY, will not even consider further revision surgery unless Icome back to him in debilitating pain again. And I am delighted that Ican give me body a nice, long time to recovery from my surgery lastApril 28 before contemplating anything further. I'll probably go infor a check up in the new year.I use a cane for long walks, and always on the subway. Most of thetime, this even helps me get a seat (Yes, New Yorkers are not allheartless!). I never use it indoors at work, and have really been ableto wean myself of its use for most of the time. I am a very highenergy person, and catch myself racing around at work like the olddays with more frequency. Several people have commented on how muchbetter I am moving, which is really nice. As with many of you withthis condition, it's always a double-edged sword: I may look great,but may also feel at times like I'm about about to crack in half!:)The move went well, although I probably did way more than I shouldhave. But the end result is a beautiful new apartment that we own (notrent) in an elevator building a little farther from work than I wasbefore. Not much of a sacrifice, considering the benefits: much morespace, a balcony, and a colony of wild Quaker parrots that call thispart of Brooklyn their home (I have a Quaker parrot, and had him outon the balcony in his cage. Two of the wild ones actually stopped byto visit him, too. Yes...that's right. It doesn't take much to make mehappy!!!!)So far, that's the science experiment that is me. For those of you whoknow or remember me, I hope you are all stellar. I wanted to do afollow-up post in re: my surgery, maybe this information might come inhandy to someone out there.For all the newcomers, welcome.And for those of you having upcoming surgery, the best to you.Stay nice and warm this winter. I'll try to get back to the board moreregularly. I miss you guys a lot.Edie in Brooklyn (the better borough...)

Music Unlimited - Access over 1 million songs. Try it free.

[Guest guest]

Dear Bonnie, and Ken, and all who replied,

Bonnie I can so relate, I've been there with my family, it's a shame, because if everyone chipped in it would take zero time to clean it up. I did 90 percent of the clean-up and I cooked the meal. I need to sit them all down and get the point across, or else stop doing the holiday and go out, or order in. I have real days where I feel like the little Red Hen, and with this body, while tons better, I put myself at real risk by overdoing. I had this talk years back with Dr. Kumar, told him about how my family just doesn't "GET" it, and he offered to set them straight, should have took him up on it. They see me as all better, and when I bring things up that I need help with, or shouldn't do, my husband especially just rolls his eyes. No one wishes more than me that I was " Healed" by the surgery, but it's realistic to think that overdoing puts real stress on my hardware and muscles, and with time behaving that way could compromise my results. I need to learn to say " No" and mean it, a hard thing to do.

[ ] Edie's 7 month follow-up from Laminotomy and Discectomy - (EDIE)

Hi Edie,

I just read your story and would like to speak with you if you are open to that?

Please let me know.

Thanks, Ken.edie_scratch <edie_scratch@...> wrote:

Hi all,I am 7 months out of a lami/disc surgery. If you are interested inthis approach, you can read my story in our archives.I am back at work full time. I am swimming 4 days a week, and try tostretch nightly. And I still find that moving around as much aspossible helps me with both my flexibility and strength. I still takeone vicodin in the evening for pain relief, but that's it. Neverduring the day.I can't say my back has returned to presurgery shape, however, I stillhave no residual nerve pain, although by the end of every day, I dohave an achin' flatback! Which was always the case anyway.I still get lower back pain, and have some days that are better thanothers. I am not, however, debilitated for the most part, anddefinitly know that my less invasive surgery has bought me more timethan I think I ever dreamed was possible. We'll see how this holds upwith the winter coming in. That will be a huge test. Usually, duringthe day at work, I have a lot of time where I don't even think aboutmy back. My surgeon, Dr. Bendo at the Hospital for Joint Diseaseshere in NY, will not even consider further revision surgery unless Icome back to him in debilitating pain again. And I am delighted that Ican give me body a nice, long time to recovery from my surgery lastApril 28 before contemplating anything further. I'll probably go infor a check up in the new year.I use a cane for long walks, and always on the subway. Most of thetime, this even helps me get a seat (Yes, New Yorkers are not allheartless!). I never use it indoors at work, and have really been ableto wean myself of its use for most of the time. I am a very highenergy person, and catch myself racing around at work like the olddays with more frequency. Several people have commented on how muchbetter I am moving, which is really nice. As with many of you withthis condition, it's always a double-edged sword: I may look great,but may also feel at times like I'm about about to crack in half!:)The move went well, although I probably did way more than I shouldhave. But the end result is a beautiful new apartment that we own (notrent) in an elevator building a little farther from work than I wasbefore. Not much of a sacrifice, considering the benefits: much morespace, a balcony, and a colony of wild Quaker parrots that call thispart of Brooklyn their home (I have a Quaker parrot, and had him outon the balcony in his cage. Two of the wild ones actually stopped byto visit him, too. Yes...that's right. It doesn't take much to make mehappy!!!!)So far, that's the science experiment that is me. For those of you whoknow or remember me, I hope you are all stellar. I wanted to do afollow-up post in re: my surgery, maybe this information might come inhandy to someone out there.For all the newcomers, welcome.And for those of you having upcoming surgery, the best to you.Stay nice and warm this winter. I'll try to get back to the board moreregularly. I miss you guys a lot.Edie in Brooklyn (the better borough...)

Music Unlimited - Access over 1 million songs. Try it free.

[Guest guest]

,

Thanks for sharing that sentiment. It is so " right where I am " now.

In everyone's mind I am healed and any requests to do the things I

know I am not supposed to do get an indulgent little look. I am

worrying about the same point that you make....if we can't do stuff

in the early going...isn't it going to be a bigger issue later? Have

our famiies got a clue of our aging spines need with this fusion?

So far the only thing I am sure about is that I need to get my core

muscles as strong as possible to protect this area...and this is

going to be a lifelong commitment...trouble is it is time consumming

and unless I make it a priority I am sure no one else will!

Amazing that the bag of trash (that I shouldn't even have lifted out

of the trash can) can sit there for awhile before a stronger back

lifts it and carries it to the trash. I am in the same pickle when I

grocery shop. I can bag the groceries fairly light...but getting

them into the house seems like it is more than I should carry...but

I have yet to have my hubby volunteer to shop and getting him to the

car to unload seems hit or miss.

I think we all have to practice saying " no " or just sitting on our

hands when there is stuff to do that puts our backs at risk. Lets

make a pact that during the December holidays we will

conscientiously NOT do what we customarily do if it requires us to

lift, lean or strain in any way. Since nature abhors a

vacuum...someone else will undoubtedly step up to the plate! We will

compare notes on Jan 2nd. and see if our families have divorced us!

Deal? Cam

[Guest guest]

Cam,

Deal!!!! Especially since I'm having the other side of the family for a few days right after Christmas. It will be a real comparison. This time it will be my husband's daughter, husband and two kids, the same age as the two kids that were here for Thanksgiving. I may even try the baster "trick" again! And I will try even harder not to lift, lean or strain in any way. And to do all my exercises and to rest in the afternoon if I need to. Uh, oh, I just raised the bar (only for me)!

Bonnie

[ ] Re: I'm back from Thanksgiving Hell

,Thanks for sharing that sentiment. It is so "right where I am" now.In everyone's mind I am healed and any requests to do the things I know I am not supposed to do get an indulgent little look. I am worrying about the same point that you make....if we can't do stuff in the early going...isn't it going to be a bigger issue later? Have our famiies got a clue of our aging spines need with this fusion? So far the only thing I am sure about is that I need to get my core muscles as strong as possible to protect this area...and this is going to be a lifelong commitment...trouble is it is time consumming and unless I make it a priority I am sure no one else will!Amazing that the bag of trash (that I shouldn't even have lifted out of the trash can) can sit there for awhile before a stronger back lifts it and carries it to the trash. I am in the same pickle when I grocery shop. I can bag the groceries fairly light...but getting them into the house seems like it is more than I should carry...but I have yet to have my hubby volunteer to shop and getting him to the car to unload seems hit or miss.I think we all have to practice saying "no" or just sitting on our hands when there is stuff to do that puts our backs at risk. Lets make a pact that during the December holidays we will conscientiously NOT do what we customarily do if it requires us to lift, lean or strain in any way. Since nature abhors a vacuum...someone else will undoubtedly step up to the plate! We will compare notes on Jan 2nd. and see if our families have divorced us!Deal? Cam

[Guest guest]

Carole,

We certainly have much in common. I, too, am on a quest to find out just why I hurt and burn. I know that even if it turns out nothing can be done, I will feel better just knowing why.

Bonnie

Re: [ ] Re: I'm back from Thanksgiving Hell

Oh, Bonnie! Ain't it the truth!

Carole

[Guest guest]

,

I am proctoring an exam for the next hour so I have the opportunity to

catch up on posts. I hope you are getting back to " normal " and taking

good care of yourself. While I hate to hear that you had such a hard

time, I am grateful that you are sharing the complete picture and

reminding us that we MUST take care of ourselves and respect our

limitations. This is especially difficult for me and reading it on

this board helps to keep me mindful of it - even if I don't like it.

Here's to a simple holiday season full of self-advocacy and joy!

kam