Re: Still Hanging In There

[Guest guest]

I'm glad you're doing better. Having the shot form on hand is an excellent

idea sense getting to the hospital under those conditions is not prudent plus

from what I understand it's important to get those kinds of headaches under

control fast! So a shot would clearly help. You're a sweetheart. Please keep

us posted on how you're doing as you can. I miss you sweetess and we'll chat

soon

Love and hugs, Kim

melt92549 <pattymelt@...> wrote: Hi all and good day to you. I

survived the migraine and am working

on getting something like a shot form for the middle of the nights.

Many know the pain of migraines and imagine living 35mi. up on a

winding mountain road with hairpin turns at every 200 ft. to go to

hospital in the middle of the night. NOT ! When my joints hurt and

with the bi-polar issues are acting up, I just get to be a wreck. My

doctor asked if I wanted to be admitted yesterday for a new

evaluation of medicines, but we decided first to try this next week

on an outpatient basis. So I am not on the computer as much. Soon I

I hope to be back to my old happy self :0). I just would like to say

thank you all my friends for understanding and helping me. Your

support is amazing and I feel very lucky to know you. Till soon with

smiles for your day, Pattymelt

Visit the Still's Disease Message Board

http://disc.server.com/Indices/148599.html

[Guest guest]

Lorrie, your doing great.!!! Keep up the good work...Happy New Year to you and your family....Vonniebellmore1960 <lorriesnyder@...> wrote: Hi everyone and Happy New Year. I'm 52 days post -op (counting makes me feel like everyday is better). I'm doing OK - still in a good amount of pain if I do too much and very stiff. I'm going to PT 3 times a week. I start out on the heating pad for 20 wonderful minutes. Then the therapist stretches out my hamstrings, hips and quads. It feels tight but it feels good to be stretched out. She also touches my back with her fingers. I'm so touchy about my back and it feels very errie to have her touch it especially because some places I don't have great sensation. Then we go to the gym for some gentle

arm lifts, leg lifts, back kicks while standing up and side lifts while standing up. She has me do 3 minutes on the stationery bike with no resistence. I was hesitant about that but she said it would do no more movement than walking. It really is fine.I went to my regular internist 2 days ago. The Fentenyl patch prescription I had was up and I was told not to go off it "cold turkey". He wants to keep me on the 75 mg for another month, but reduced my percocet strength. I only take 1/2 around lunch and 1/2 around dinner anyway. He feels he can manage my pain and I 'm confident he can. I should him a copy of my x-rays. He was impressed and said I've even been through more than an open-heart surgery patient (which he was himself). I still have nausea - especially in the AM where he told me to continue the Prilosec. He said the medication and just what I

went through can cause "stress ulcers."My chest is still tight especially after I wake up and have been breathing shallowly and I try to take a deep breath. The internest said that is normal. I also walked around in Target for about an hour yesterday. It was raining so I couldn't walk outside so might as well walk inside and spend some money.Take care everyone -Lorrie SnyderEllicott City, MD

DSL Something to write home about. Just $16.99/mo. or less

[Guest guest]

Lorrie,

It is a Happy New Year for you....2006 will be great..it is going to

take some time to bounce back, but I am confident that you will. I

know how good it feels to count the days..but I wonder in your case

if you really can even use the same clock?...Did they tell you that

your post-surgical complications would change your timeline at all?

For instance, I did not have any thoracic surgery, went into surgery

with pretty good to average cardio/pulmonary abilities, and to this

day (about 10 months) I still feel that I have work to build back up

to the kind of functioning that I believe I should have (at 49!!).

It is great that you have a doctor locally that you can depend on to

help you smooth the transition back to health. I am complaining

here...but there are no PCP's out here that I would be able to count

on in a " pinch " ..and my last guy just retired so I am not sure who I

will call if I get a hang nail...never mind any bigger issues!

So...remember the healing is going to take awhile...don't do too

much, which should be a little easier now that the holidays are

passed. Also, remember that you are coming into that time period

where most people begin to " forget " how big a surgery you have just

undergone. It begins with little things that will be left for you to

attend to and I am not even sure where it ends. The point is, the

recovery period is long and you will feel that people don't

understand how much help you still need, and it may be difficult to

ask for it....but remember...I am sure Dr Boachie told you and Bill

that the recovery period is about 1 to 1-1/2 years....and they

really mean that. So ask for all the help and attention you

need...you deserve it and, in the end your family deserves a good

outcome...and following doctors orders not to do too much is very

important!

And of course, we will all be here if you need to " bitch " should you

feel some people in your life are not as understanding as they could

be...even if they are just the ignorant people in the bathroom that

give you the " look " when you elect to use the handicapped bathroom

stall.

Thanks for the update also. I am wondering if we should go back and

try to put your posts into a surgical story too (Kams too)...I hate

for mine to be the only one!

Good healing to you in 2006, Cam

[Guest guest]

Hi Cam –

You must have read my mind. I’m 8 weeks post op today and still

feeling so yucky. In the AM it takes me forever to get out of bed and the

nausea takes over even though I’m on Prilosec. Sometimes I have to

take “Compro” a suppository. I have to push to do everything

all day – just a no energy kind of feeling and my appetite is just not

there. My internist said this is all normal. Part being the surgery

and part being the medication. Everyone says I’ve been through a

lot – but as you know it is extremely frustrating. Believe it or

not sometimes a cup of coffee does help – must be the caffine.

It makes me so sad to look at my little

girl and just not have the gumption to play with her or change her

diaper. I’m so dependent on my mom. Thank God for her.

I feel so bad that I’ve taken her away from her home for a couple of

months. She’s a real trooper though. I know I expected this convalescence

but it is still very depressing. I keep thinking tomorrow will be better

and it will be but you are right it is very slow and I need to be thinking of

longer spans of time. Yes, I’m better at 8 weeks than I was at 4

weeks. Even the physical therapist said that 8 weeks is nothing, 6 months

is a long time with this surgery.

I’m surprised at how much muscle

tone and flexibility I have lost in the 8 weeks. I was in good shape

going into the surgery – riding on the bike and lifting Jill etc.

The therapist said there is a line that I’m not passing when I’m

stretching my legs because I’m fearful of bad pain. I understand

what she means but still it is depressing.

Dr. B didn’t mention about the

post-surgical complications changing the healing timeline, but yet I didn’t

ask when I saw him at 4 weeks. I was on a lot of drugs and I didn’t

compose my list of questions when I saw him. I also wanted to get in and

get home as soon as possible because I was uncomfortable! I do have a

couple of questions for him now – I should call.

Bill and my mom have been helping out

quite a bit. I did hire a cleaning lady. I couldn’t expect my

mom to do major cleaning so it is nice to look forward to a clean house every 2

weeks. I do hate it when the kitchen floor gets spots on it and no one

cleans it up. I can get down on my knees, but it takes me a good amount

of strength to get up!

Glad you had a good new year – I know

next year at this time this will all be behind me.

Lorrie

From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of cammaltby

Sent: Monday, January 02, 2006

10:01 AM

Subject: [ ] Re:

Still Hanging In There

Lorrie,

It is a Happy New Year for you....2006 will be

great..it is going to

take some time to bounce back, but I am confident

that you will. I

know how good it feels to count the days..but I

wonder in your case

if you really can even use the same clock?...Did

they tell you that

your post-surgical complications would change your

timeline at all?

For instance, I did not have any thoracic surgery,

went into surgery

with pretty good to average cardio/pulmonary abilities,

and to this

day (about 10 months) I still feel that I have

work to build back up

to the kind of functioning that I believe I should

have (at 49!!).

It is great that you have a doctor locally that

you can depend on to

help you smooth the transition back to health. I

am complaining

here...but there are no PCP's out here that I

would be able to count

on in a " pinch " ..and my last guy just

retired so I am not sure who I

will call if I get a hang nail...never mind any

bigger issues!

So...remember the healing is going to take

awhile...don't do too

much, which should be a little easier now that the

holidays are

passed. Also, remember that you are coming into

that time period

where most people begin to " forget " how

big a surgery you have just

undergone. It begins with little things that will

be left for you to

attend to and I am not even sure where it ends.

The point is, the

recovery period is long and you will feel that

people don't

understand how much help you still need, and it

may be difficult to

ask for it....but remember...I am sure Dr Boachie

told you and Bill

that the recovery period is about 1 to 1-1/2

years....and they

really mean that. So ask for all the help and

attention you

need...you deserve it and, in the end your family

deserves a good

outcome...and following doctors orders not to do

too much is very

important!

And of course, we will all be here if you need to

" bitch " should you

feel some people in your life are not as

understanding as they could

be...even if they are just the ignorant people in

the bathroom that

give you the " look " when you elect to

use the handicapped bathroom

stall.

Thanks for the update also. I am wondering if we

should go back and

try to put your posts into a surgical story too

(Kams too)...I hate

for mine to be the only one!

Good healing to you in 2006, Cam

[Guest guest]

Lorrie,

Sorry to hear you're not feeling so great. You know, pain can cause depression. You mentioned feeling depressed so many times in your email, plus taking forever to get out of bed, having to push to do everything all day, no energy kind of feeling, appetite not there, not having gumption to play with your daughter, all of which some would say are symptoms of the kind depression that an anti-depressant might help. Yes, it's normal to feel all these things, as your internist said, but with all those anti-depressant meds out there, maybe you can get rid of these feelings and be a lot happier and find recovery easier to cope with. Maybe it's worth asking your internist about, or your pain doc.

Bonnie

RE: [ ] Re: Still Hanging In There

Hi Cam – You must have read my mind. I’m 8 weeks post op today and still feeling so yucky. In the AM it takes me forever to get out of bed and the nausea takes over even though I’m on Prilosec. Sometimes I have to take “Compro” a suppository. I have to push to do everything all day – just a no energy kind of feeling and my appetite is just not there. My internist said this is all normal. Part being the surgery and part being the medication. Everyone says I’ve been through a lot – but as you know it is extremely frustrating. Believe it or not sometimes a cup of coffee does help – must be the caffine.

It makes me so sad to look at my little girl and just not have the gumption to play with her or change her diaper. I’m so dependent on my mom. Thank God for her. I feel so bad that I’ve taken her away from her home for a couple of months. She’s a real trooper though. I know I expected this convalescence but it is still very depressing. I keep thinking tomorrow will be better and it will be but you are right it is very slow and I need to be thinking of longer spans of time. Yes, I’m better at 8 weeks than I was at 4 weeks. Even the physical therapist said that 8 weeks is nothing, 6 months is a long time with this surgery.

I’m surprised at how much muscle tone and flexibility I have lost in the 8 weeks. I was in good shape going into the surgery – riding on the bike and lifting Jill etc. The therapist said there is a line that I’m not passing when I’m stretching my legs because I’m fearful of bad pain. I understand what she means but still it is depressing.

Dr. B didn’t mention about the post-surgical complications changing the healing timeline, but yet I didn’t ask when I saw him at 4 weeks. I was on a lot of drugs and I didn’t compose my list of questions when I saw him. I also wanted to get in and get home as soon as possible because I was uncomfortable! I do have a couple of questions for him now – I should call.

Bill and my mom have been helping out quite a bit. I did hire a cleaning lady. I couldn’t expect my mom to do major cleaning so it is nice to look forward to a clean house every 2 weeks. I do hate it when the kitchen floor gets spots on it and no one cleans it up. I can get down on my knees, but it takes me a good amount of strength to get up!

Glad you had a good new year – I know next year at this time this will all be behind me.

Lorrie

From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of cammaltbySent: Monday, January 02, 2006 10:01 AM Subject: [ ] Re: Still Hanging In There

Lorrie,It is a Happy New Year for you....2006 will be great..it is going to take some time to bounce back, but I am confident that you will. I know how good it feels to count the days..but I wonder in your case if you really can even use the same clock?...Did they tell you that your post-surgical complications would change your timeline at all? For instance, I did not have any thoracic surgery, went into surgery with pretty good to average cardio/pulmonary abilities, and to this day (about 10 months) I still feel that I have work to build back up to the kind of functioning that I believe I should have (at 49!!).It is great that you have a doctor locally that you can depend on to help you smooth the transition back to health. I am complaining here...but there are no PCP's out here that I would be able to count on in a "pinch"..and my last guy just retired so I am not sure who I will call if I get a hang nail...never mind any bigger issues!So...remember the healing is going to take awhile...don't do too much, which should be a little easier now that the holidays are passed. Also, remember that you are coming into that time period where most people begin to "forget" how big a surgery you have just undergone. It begins with little things that will be left for you to attend to and I am not even sure where it ends. The point is, the recovery period is long and you will feel that people don't understand how much help you still need, and it may be difficult to ask for it....but remember...I am sure Dr Boachie told you and Bill that the recovery period is about 1 to 1-1/2 years....and they really mean that. So ask for all the help and attention you need...you deserve it and, in the end your family deserves a good outcome...and following doctors orders not to do too much is very important!And of course, we will all be here if you need to "bitch" should you feel some people in your life are not as understanding as they could be...even if they are just the ignorant people in the bathroom that give you the "look" when you elect to use the handicapped bathroom stall.Thanks for the update also. I am wondering if we should go back and try to put your posts into a surgical story too (Kams too)...I hate for mine to be the only one!Good healing to you in 2006, Cam

[Guest guest]

Bonnie – you are right – I’m

seeing my internist in about 3 weeks. If I still feel yucky – I’m

going to ask about an anti-depressant.

Lorrie

From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of Bonnie

Sent: Tuesday, January 03, 2006

12:04 PM

Subject: Re: [ ]

Re: Still Hanging In There

Lorrie,

Sorry to hear you're not feeling so great. You know, pain

can cause depression. You mentioned feeling depressed so many times in

your email, plus taking forever to get out of bed, having to push to do

everything all day, no energy kind of feeling, appetite not there, not having

gumption to play with your daughter, all of which some would say are symptoms

of the kind depression that an anti-depressant might help. Yes, it's

normal to feel all these things, as your internist said, but with all those

anti-depressant meds out there, maybe you can get rid of these feelings and be

a lot happier and find recovery easier to cope with. Maybe it's worth

asking your internist about, or your pain doc.

Bonnie

[ ] Re:

Still Hanging In There

Lorrie,

It is a Happy New Year for you....2006 will be

great..it is going to

take some time to bounce back, but I am confident

that you will. I

know how good it feels to count the days..but I

wonder in your case

if you really can even use the same clock?...Did

they tell you that

your post-surgical complications would change your

timeline at all?

For instance, I did not have any thoracic surgery,

went into surgery

with pretty good to average cardio/pulmonary

abilities, and to this

day (about 10 months) I still feel that I have

work to build back up

to the kind of functioning that I believe I should

have (at 49!!).

It is great that you have a doctor locally that

you can depend on to

help you smooth the transition back to health. I

am complaining

here...but there are no PCP's out here that I

would be able to count

on in a " pinch " ..and my last guy just

retired so I am not sure who I

will call if I get a hang nail...never mind any

bigger issues!

So...remember the healing is going to take

awhile...don't do too

much, which should be a little easier now that the

holidays are

passed. Also, remember that you are coming into

that time period

where most people begin to " forget " how

big a surgery you have just

undergone. It begins with little things that will

be left for you to

attend to and I am not even sure where it ends.

The point is, the

recovery period is long and you will feel that

people don't

understand how much help you still need, and it

may be difficult to

ask for it....but remember...I am sure Dr Boachie

told you and Bill

that the recovery period is about 1 to 1-1/2

years....and they

really mean that. So ask for all the help and

attention you

need...you deserve it and, in the end your family

deserves a good

outcome...and following doctors orders not to do

too much is very

important!

And of course, we will all be here if you need to

" bitch " should you

feel some people in your life are not as

understanding as they could

be...even if they are just the ignorant people in

the bathroom that

give you the " look " when you elect to

use the handicapped bathroom

stall.

Thanks for the update also. I am wondering if we

should go back and

try to put your posts into a surgical story too

(Kams too)...I hate

for mine to be the only one!

Good healing to you in 2006, Cam

[Guest guest]

Hi Lorrie,

I think Bonnie may have a good point...but I knew you were coming up

to the " wall " that I was warned about...and hit myself. I do think 8

weeks is a tough time period.. and it is depressing. You are over

most of the real traumatic pain of surgery but you are not " better " ,

at least not in a meaningful way. Yes, you can get up and move

around...but there isn't much else you can do and it is kind of a

helpless feeling...especially if you are looking good...people just

forget how big a surgery you just underwent.

I never had any nasua to deal with...I tolerated the meds pretty

well...but I can sympathize with the low energy. There were days

where it was like I had set off to swim accross a lake and found

myself half way and out of steam...but knowing I had to " slog " on. It

took some effort.

I am sure you have already thought of this, but just in case...has

your local physician talked to you about your diet and your energy

needs...as well as iron? I know just saying the word iron will make

you cringe while on all the meds that are soooo constipating...but

Martha was a big advocate of the Total cereal, and Ann got me eating

lentil soup...and just making small changes can help you build backup

after all the blood loss. I know they discharge us telling us to eat

lots of protein...but it is hard to have an interest in food on pain

meds and with nasua, and yet the rebuilding of your body and blood is

dependent on good nutition....so it is kind of a trick bag, so to

speak.

I recall going back to work at 12 weeks post-op wondering how I was

going to find the energy to get through the day...but just a few

weeks later I began to feel more energetic...but in fairness I would

say that I did not feel like myself energy wise until closer to a few

months ago....more like 7-9 months. Steady improvement to be

sure...but not having to stop and think before I agreed to do

something..if I was going to have the reserves to see it through.

I am glad you got yourself someone to come in and clean. You

shouldn't be doing a lot of up and down just to chase dust kitties!

And think of all the fun things you can do with your daughter on the

bed...curl up and nap or read books together. And I am sure your mom

is enjoying spending so much time with her granddaughter and really

getting to know her. There are good sides to think about!

If you can reach around and pat yourself on the shoulder...do

it...you are doing great at this point if you are getting up and

showered and doing whatever physical goals the doctor and PT have set

for you...you have done a full days work...as little as it might seem.

I am sorry you aren't feeling better...and this awful weather and low

pressure area is not helping....but before long I think you will

start to feel a good deal better...after you get over this brick wall!

Please vent away when you feel stuck...I know some of how you are

feeling.

Best to you, Cam

[Guest guest]

Hi Lorrie,

Hope you feel better real soon. Let us know how that doctor visit goes.

Bonnie

RE: [ ] Re: Still Hanging In There

Hi Cam – You must have read my mind. I’m 8 weeks post op today and still feeling so yucky. In the AM it takes me forever to get out of bed and the nausea takes over even though I’m on Prilosec. Sometimes I have to take “Compro” a suppository. I have to push to do everything all day – just a no energy kind of feeling and my appetite is just not there. My internist said this is all normal. Part being the surgery and part being the medication. Everyone says I’ve been through a lot – but as you know it is extremely frustrating. Believe it or not sometimes a cup of coffee does help – must be the caffine.

It makes me so sad to look at my little girl and just not have the gumption to play with her or change her diaper. I’m so dependent on my mom. Thank God for her. I feel so bad that I’ve taken her away from her home for a couple of months. She’s a real trooper though. I know I expected this convalescence but it is still very depressing. I keep thinking tomorrow will be better and it will be but you are right it is very slow and I need to be thinking of longer spans of time. Yes, I’m better at 8 weeks than I was at 4 weeks. Even the physical therapist said that 8 weeks is nothing, 6 months is a long time with this surgery.

I’m surprised at how much muscle tone and flexibility I have lost in the 8 weeks. I was in good shape going into the surgery – riding on the bike and lifting Jill etc. The therapist said there is a line that I’m not passing when I’m stretching my legs because I’m fearful of bad pain. I understand what she means but still it is depressing.

Dr. B didn’t mention about the post-surgical complications changing the healing timeline, but yet I didn’t ask when I saw him at 4 weeks. I was on a lot of drugs and I didn’t compose my list of questions when I saw him. I also wanted to get in and get home as soon as possible because I was uncomfortable! I do have a couple of questions for him now – I should call.

Bill and my mom have been helping out quite a bit. I did hire a cleaning lady. I couldn’t expect my mom to do major cleaning so it is nice to look forward to a clean house every 2 weeks. I do hate it when the kitchen floor gets spots on it and no one cleans it up. I can get down on my knees, but it takes me a good amount of strength to get up!

Glad you had a good new year – I know next year at this time this will all be behind me.

Lorrie

From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of cammaltbySent: Monday, January 02, 2006 10:01 AM Subject: [ ] Re: Still Hanging In There

Lorrie,It is a Happy New Year for you....2006 will be great..it is going to take some time to bounce back, but I am confident that you will. I know how good it feels to count the days..but I wonder in your case if you really can even use the same clock?...Did they tell you that your post-surgical complications would change your timeline at all? For instance, I did not have any thoracic surgery, went into surgery with pretty good to average cardio/pulmonary abilities, and to this day (about 10 months) I still feel that I have work to build back up to the kind of functioning that I believe I should have (at 49!!).It is great that you have a doctor locally that you can depend on to help you smooth the transition back to health. I am complaining here...but there are no PCP's out here that I would be able to count on in a "pinch"..and my last guy just retired so I am not sure who I will call if I get a hang nail...never mind any bigger issues!So...remember the healing is going to take awhile...don't do too much, which should be a little easier now that the holidays are passed. Also, remember that you are coming into that time period where most people begin to "forget" how big a surgery you have just undergone. It begins with little things that will be left for you to attend to and I am not even sure where it ends. The point is, the recovery period is long and you will feel that people don't understand how much help you still need, and it may be difficult to ask for it....but remember...I am sure Dr Boachie told you and Bill that the recovery period is about 1 to 1-1/2 years....and they really mean that. So ask for all the help and attention you need...you deserve it and, in the end your family deserves a good outcome...and following doctors orders not to do too much is very important!And of course, we will all be here if you need to "bitch" should you feel some people in your life are not as understanding as they could be...even if they are just the ignorant people in the bathroom that give you the "look" when you elect to use the handicapped bathroom stall.Thanks for the update also. I am wondering if we should go back and try to put your posts into a surgical story too (Kams too)...I hate for mine to be the only one!Good healing to you in 2006, Cam

[Guest guest]

---

Dear Lorrie,

Are you feeling any better? How is your appitite? You had said before

you were not feeling like eating. I hope things are getting better

for you. I know you have been s through so,so much....How is your

little girl?,PA

In , " Lorrie Snyder "

<lorriesnyder@c...> wrote:

>

> Bonnie - you are right - I'm seeing my internist in about 3 weeks.

If I

> still feel yucky - I'm going to ask about an anti-depressant.

>

>

>

> Lorrie

>

>

>

> _____

>

> From:

> [mailto: ] On Behalf Of Bonnie

> Sent: Tuesday, January 03, 2006 12:04 PM

>

> Subject: Re: [ ] Re: Still Hanging In There

>

>

>

> Lorrie,

>

>

>

> Sorry to hear you're not feeling so great. You know, pain can

cause

> depression. You mentioned feeling depressed so many times in your

email,

> plus taking forever to get out of bed, having to push to do

everything all

> day, no energy kind of feeling, appetite not there, not having

gumption to

> play with your daughter, all of which some would say are symptoms

of the

> kind depression that an anti-depressant might help. Yes, it's

normal to

> feel all these things, as your internist said, but with all those

> anti-depressant meds out there, maybe you can get rid of these

feelings and

> be a lot happier and find recovery easier to cope with. Maybe it's

worth

> asking your internist about, or your pain doc.

>

>

>

> Bonnie

>

>

>

>

>

> [ ] Re: Still Hanging In There

>

>

>

> Lorrie,

>

> It is a Happy New Year for you....2006 will be great..it is going

to

> take some time to bounce back, but I am confident that you will. I

> know how good it feels to count the days..but I wonder in your case

> if you really can even use the same clock?...Did they tell you that

> your post-surgical complications would change your timeline at all?

> For instance, I did not have any thoracic surgery, went into

surgery

> with pretty good to average cardio/pulmonary abilities, and to this

> day (about 10 months) I still feel that I have work to build back

up

> to the kind of functioning that I believe I should have (at 49!!).

>

> It is great that you have a doctor locally that you can depend on

to

> help you smooth the transition back to health. I am complaining

> here...but there are no PCP's out here that I would be able to

count

> on in a " pinch " ..and my last guy just retired so I am not sure who

I

> will call if I get a hang nail...never mind any bigger issues!

>

> So...remember the healing is going to take awhile...don't do too

> much, which should be a little easier now that the holidays are

> passed. Also, remember that you are coming into that time period

> where most people begin to " forget " how big a surgery you have just

> undergone. It begins with little things that will be left for you

to

> attend to and I am not even sure where it ends. The point is, the

> recovery period is long and you will feel that people don't

> understand how much help you still need, and it may be difficult to

> ask for it....but remember...I am sure Dr Boachie told you and Bill

> that the recovery period is about 1 to 1-1/2 years....and they

> really mean that. So ask for all the help and attention you

> need...you deserve it and, in the end your family deserves a good

> outcome...and following doctors orders not to do too much is very

> important!

>

> And of course, we will all be here if you need to " bitch " should

you

> feel some people in your life are not as understanding as they

could

> be...even if they are just the ignorant people in the bathroom that

> give you the " look " when you elect to use the handicapped bathroom

> stall.

>

> Thanks for the update also. I am wondering if we should go back and

> try to put your posts into a surgical story too (Kams too)...I hate

> for mine to be the only one!

>

> Good healing to you in 2006, Cam

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> scoliosis veterans * flatback sufferers * revision candidates

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Dear Lorrie,

I sit here amazed at how strong you are, after all the complications you had following surgery. I know it maybe depressing to feel like you aren't where you think you should be post op, but you just went through a major event in your life, and with your complications I think you are doing as well as you can. Time will be your friend in the long run, no two of us are the same, and recovery times vary widely. I look at Kam's recovery and I'm jealous mine didn't go like that. Out to dinner just days after surgery, I still was feeling like I had been hit by a bus at that time period. The good days will come, you deserve it. The group is so lucky to have you, and you girls and guys who can give others here a update on your recovery. It's good for those who go after you to have your experiences listed, that they get the full range of recovery shown to them. That they have an actual timeline, not like with me, my memory of things three years ago is fairly good, but not as detailed as of those of you who are currently going through it. You are a gift to us! I'm glad you have your Mom there, and a cleaning lady! I'm sure in the course of life you'll return the favor to her. The great things about Mom's is that they don't keep score, they just want to help! Holding and picking up your little one will come around, again time. I have a nine month Granddaughter, and without this surgery I would have been useless to care for her. I take her everyother weekend and I can pick her up from the ground fine, she's learned Grandma can't get all the way down, so she gets on her knees and raises her arms all the way so I can grasp her. The gift this surgery has been for me comes to me in moments still today. The Last visit with Dr.Kumar I told him that God will hold a special place in heaven for him for what he has done for me and my family. Lord knows there were times, low times when complications hit, that I wasn't sure it would never end, but it did. Like you said, at eight weeks you are better than four, and a month from now you should be that much better. 2006 will be your year! I wish the best for you and hubby and Jill, you deserve it!

Colorado Springs

RE: [ ] Re: Still Hanging In There

Hi Cam – You must have read my mind. I’m 8 weeks post op today and still feeling so yucky. In the AM it takes me forever to get out of bed and the nausea takes over even though I’m on Prilosec. Sometimes I have to take “Compro” a suppository. I have to push to do everything all day – just a no energy kind of feeling and my appetite is just not there. My internist said this is all normal. Part being the surgery and part being the medication. Everyone says I’ve been through a lot – but as you know it is extremely frustrating. Believe it or not sometimes a cup of coffee does help – must be the caffine.

It makes me so sad to look at my little girl and just not have the gumption to play with her or change her diaper. I’m so dependent on my mom. Thank God for her. I feel so bad that I’ve taken her away from her home for a couple of months. She’s a real trooper though. I know I expected this convalescence but it is still very depressing. I keep thinking tomorrow will be better and it will be but you are right it is very slow and I need to be thinking of longer spans of time. Yes, I’m better at 8 weeks than I was at 4 weeks. Even the physical therapist said that 8 weeks is nothing, 6 months is a long time with this surgery.

I’m surprised at how much muscle tone and flexibility I have lost in the 8 weeks. I was in good shape going into the surgery – riding on the bike and lifting Jill etc. The therapist said there is a line that I’m not passing when I’m stretching my legs because I’m fearful of bad pain. I understand what she means but still it is depressing.

Dr. B didn’t mention about the post-surgical complications changing the healing timeline, but yet I didn’t ask when I saw him at 4 weeks. I was on a lot of drugs and I didn’t compose my list of questions when I saw him. I also wanted to get in and get home as soon as possible because I was uncomfortable! I do have a couple of questions for him now – I should call.

Bill and my mom have been helping out quite a bit. I did hire a cleaning lady. I couldn’t expect my mom to do major cleaning so it is nice to look forward to a clean house every 2 weeks. I do hate it when the kitchen floor gets spots on it and no one cleans it up. I can get down on my knees, but it takes me a good amount of strength to get up!

Glad you had a good new year – I know next year at this time this will all be behind me.

Lorrie

From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of cammaltbySent: Monday, January 02, 2006 10:01 AM Subject: [ ] Re: Still Hanging In There

Lorrie,It is a Happy New Year for you....2006 will be great..it is going to take some time to bounce back, but I am confident that you will. I know how good it feels to count the days..but I wonder in your case if you really can even use the same clock?...Did they tell you that your post-surgical complications would change your timeline at all? For instance, I did not have any thoracic surgery, went into surgery with pretty good to average cardio/pulmonary abilities, and to this day (about 10 months) I still feel that I have work to build back up to the kind of functioning that I believe I should have (at 49!!).It is great that you have a doctor locally that you can depend on to help you smooth the transition back to health. I am complaining here...but there are no PCP's out here that I would be able to count on in a "pinch"..and my last guy just retired so I am not sure who I will call if I get a hang nail...never mind any bigger issues!So...remember the healing is going to take awhile...don't do too much, which should be a little easier now that the holidays are passed. Also, remember that you are coming into that time period where most people begin to "forget" how big a surgery you have just undergone. It begins with little things that will be left for you to attend to and I am not even sure where it ends. The point is, the recovery period is long and you will feel that people don't understand how much help you still need, and it may be difficult to ask for it....but remember...I am sure Dr Boachie told you and Bill that the recovery period is about 1 to 1-1/2 years....and they really mean that. So ask for all the help and attention you need...you deserve it and, in the end your family deserves a good outcome...and following doctors orders not to do too much is very important!And of course, we will all be here if you need to "bitch" should you feel some people in your life are not as understanding as they could be...even if they are just the ignorant people in the bathroom that give you the "look" when you elect to use the handicapped bathroom stall.Thanks for the update also. I am wondering if we should go back and try to put your posts into a surgical story too (Kams too)...I hate for mine to be the only one!Good healing to you in 2006, Cam

[Guest guest]

Hi – I’ve been thinking

about you too and your upcoming surgery. Do something nice for

yourself!!!!

I’m still feeling yucky and I’m

atributating it to the Fentanyl patch. Sometimes when I put a new one on

it really sends me loopy the next day. All I want to do is sleep and that

isn’t good because I should be moving around. Well, in 3 weeks my

internist will switch me to the lower dose and I think it will be better.

The pain is still about a 4 or 5 on a scale of 10 but remember I went through a

lot…. I have to keep telling myself that and I thank other Fiestys for

reminding me.

My little girl, Jill is just

wonderful. My mom has been such a trooper in taking care of her. I

feel bad that Jill hasn’t been able to play with other toddlers in the

MOMs groups I belong too, but it would be too much for mom to transport her in

the car anywhere. Anyway, it is best she stay away from other children

and not get sick – I can’t afford getting sick myself! Even a

cold would be awful at this point. I did go outside today and walked for

20 minutes. My left hip still bothers me. I was hoping that would

be better after the surgery. I’ll have to ask Dr. B about

that. Maybe an anti-inflammatory would stop the pain. He told me to

stay off any anti-inflammatory until I see him in March.

Lorrie

From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of heatherbenjaminnicholas

Sent: Thursday, January 05, 2006

1:37 PM

Subject: [ ] Re:

Still Hanging In There

---

Dear Lorrie,

Are you feeling any better? How is your appitite?

You had said before

you were not feeling like eating. I hope

things are getting better

for you. I know you have been s through so,so

much....How is your

little girl?,PA

In ,

" Lorrie Snyder "

<lorriesnyder@c...> wrote:

>

> Bonnie - you are right - I'm seeing my

internist in about 3 weeks.

If I

> still feel yucky - I'm going to ask about an

anti-depressant.

>

>

>

> Lorrie

>

>

>

> _____

>

> From:

> [mailto: ]

On Behalf Of Bonnie

> Sent: Tuesday, January 03, 2006 12:04 PM

>

> Subject: Re: [ ] Re: Still

Hanging In There

>

>

>

> Lorrie,

>

>

>

> Sorry to hear you're not feeling so

great. You know, pain can

cause

> depression. You mentioned feeling

depressed so many times in your

email,

> plus taking forever to get out of bed, having

to push to do

everything all

> day, no energy kind of feeling, appetite not

there, not having

gumption to

> play with your daughter, all of which some

would say are symptoms

of the

> kind depression that an anti-depressant might

help. Yes, it's

normal to

> feel all these things, as your internist

said, but with all those

> anti-depressant meds out there, maybe you can

get rid of these

feelings and

> be a lot happier and find recovery easier to

cope with. Maybe it's

worth

> asking your internist about, or your pain

doc.

>

>

>

> Bonnie

>

>

>

>

>

> [ ] Re: Still Hanging

In There

>

>

>

> Lorrie,

>

> It is a Happy New Year for you....2006 will

be great..it is going

to

> take some time to bounce back, but I am

confident that you will. I

> know how good it feels to count the days..but

I wonder in your case

> if you really can even use the same

clock?...Did they tell you that

> your post-surgical complications would change

your timeline at all?

> For instance, I did not have any thoracic

surgery, went into

surgery

> with pretty good to average cardio/pulmonary

abilities, and to this

> day (about 10 months) I still feel that I

have work to build back

up

> to the kind of functioning that I believe I

should have (at 49!!).

>

> It is great that you have a doctor locally

that you can depend on

to

> help you smooth the transition back to

health. I am complaining

> here...but there are no PCP's out here that I

would be able to

count

> on in a " pinch " ..and my last guy

just retired so I am not sure who

I

> will call if I get a hang nail...never mind

any bigger issues!

>

> So...remember the healing is going to take

awhile...don't do too

> much, which should be a little easier now

that the holidays are

> passed. Also, remember that you are coming

into that time period

> where most people begin to " forget "

how big a surgery you have just

> undergone. It begins with little things that

will be left for you

to

> attend to and I am not even sure where it

ends. The point is, the

> recovery period is long and you will feel

that people don't

> understand how much help you still need, and

it may be difficult to

> ask for it....but remember...I am sure Dr

Boachie told you and Bill

> that the recovery period is about 1 to 1-1/2

years....and they

> really mean that. So ask for all the help and

attention you

> need...you deserve it and, in the end your

family deserves a good

> outcome...and following doctors orders not to

do too much is very

> important!

>

> And of course, we will all be here if you

need to " bitch " should

you

> feel some people in your life are not as

understanding as they

could

> be...even if they are just the ignorant people

in the bathroom that

> give you the " look " when you elect

to use the handicapped bathroom

> stall.

>

> Thanks for the update also. I am wondering if

we should go back and

> try to put your posts into a surgical story

too (Kams too)...I hate

> for mine to be the only one!

>

> Good healing to you in 2006, Cam

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> scoliosis veterans * flatback sufferers *

revision candidates

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

--

Lorrie,

I am sorry it has not been better for you but YES, you went thru

alot..it will take time. You also sound like you are not real big or

have alot of weight on you...that could be cause for feeling more

tired..

Well, the good thing is when you are feeling better it may be closer

to the SPring and Jill will be happy about that!! Better to be in now

when it is not so nice, than when the sun is out and it is 80

degrees!!That is kinda why I decided to do it now,winter, in the

house,yucky...when spring is here I can go out and walk

more...hopefully my plan will unfold!!

Well, if it makes you feel any better, I think your spinal bling is

the coolest!! Hope the days get better for you! You are so lucky to

have your Mom to help you!!,PA

- In , " Lorrie Snyder "

<lorriesnyder@c...> wrote:

>

> Hi - I've been thinking about you too and your upcoming

surgery. Do

> something nice for yourself!!!!

>

>

>

> I'm still feeling yucky and I'm atributating it to the Fentanyl

patch.

> Sometimes when I put a new one on it really sends me loopy the next

day.

> All I want to do is sleep and that isn't good because I should be

moving

> around. Well, in 3 weeks my internist will switch me to the lower

dose and

> I think it will be better. The pain is still about a 4 or 5 on a

scale of

> 10 but remember I went through a lot.. I have to keep telling

myself that

> and I thank other Fiestys for reminding me.

>

>

>

> My little girl, Jill is just wonderful. My mom has been such a

trooper in

> taking care of her. I feel bad that Jill hasn't been able to play

with

> other toddlers in the MOMs groups I belong too, but it would be too

much for

> mom to transport her in the car anywhere. Anyway, it is best she

stay away

> from other children and not get sick - I can't afford getting sick

myself!

> Even a cold would be awful at this point. I did go outside today

and walked

> for 20 minutes. My left hip still bothers me. I was hoping that

would be

> better after the surgery. I'll have to ask Dr. B about that.

Maybe an

> anti-inflammatory would stop the pain. He told me to stay off any

> anti-inflammatory until I see him in March.

>

>

>

> Lorrie

>

>

>

> _____

>

> From:

> [mailto: ] On Behalf Of

> heatherbenjaminnicholas

> Sent: Thursday, January 05, 2006 1:37 PM

>

> Subject: [ ] Re: Still Hanging In There

>

>

>

> ---

>

> Dear Lorrie,

>

> Are you feeling any better? How is your appitite? You had said

before

> you were not feeling like eating. I hope things are getting better

> for you. I know you have been s through so,so much....How is your

> little girl?,PA

>

> In , " Lorrie Snyder "

> <lorriesnyder@c...> wrote:

> >

> > Bonnie - you are right - I'm seeing my internist in about 3

weeks.

> If I

> > still feel yucky - I'm going to ask about an anti-depressant.

> >

> >

> >

> > Lorrie

> >

> >

> >

> > _____

> >

> > From:

> > [mailto: ] On Behalf Of Bonnie

> > Sent: Tuesday, January 03, 2006 12:04 PM

> >

> > Subject: Re: [ ] Re: Still Hanging In There

> >

> >

> >

> > Lorrie,

> >

> >

> >

> > Sorry to hear you're not feeling so great. You know, pain can

> cause

> > depression. You mentioned feeling depressed so many times in

your

> email,

> > plus taking forever to get out of bed, having to push to do

> everything all

> > day, no energy kind of feeling, appetite not there, not having

> gumption to

> > play with your daughter, all of which some would say are symptoms

> of the

> > kind depression that an anti-depressant might help. Yes, it's

> normal to

> > feel all these things, as your internist said, but with all those

> > anti-depressant meds out there, maybe you can get rid of these

> feelings and

> > be a lot happier and find recovery easier to cope with. Maybe

it's

> worth

> > asking your internist about, or your pain doc.

> >

> >

> >

> > Bonnie

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > [ ] Re: Still Hanging In There

> >

> >

> >

> > Lorrie,

> >

> > It is a Happy New Year for you....2006 will be great..it is going

> to

> > take some time to bounce back, but I am confident that you will.

I

> > know how good it feels to count the days..but I wonder in your

case

> > if you really can even use the same clock?...Did they tell you

that

> > your post-surgical complications would change your timeline at

all?

> > For instance, I did not have any thoracic surgery, went into

> surgery

> > with pretty good to average cardio/pulmonary abilities, and to

this

> > day (about 10 months) I still feel that I have work to build back

> up

> > to the kind of functioning that I believe I should have (at 49!!).

> >

> > It is great that you have a doctor locally that you can depend on

> to

> > help you smooth the transition back to health. I am complaining

> > here...but there are no PCP's out here that I would be able to

> count

> > on in a " pinch " ..and my last guy just retired so I am not sure

who

> I

> > will call if I get a hang nail...never mind any bigger issues!

> >

> > So...remember the healing is going to take awhile...don't do too

> > much, which should be a little easier now that the holidays are

> > passed. Also, remember that you are coming into that time period

> > where most people begin to " forget " how big a surgery you have

just

> > undergone. It begins with little things that will be left for you

> to

> > attend to and I am not even sure where it ends. The point is, the

> > recovery period is long and you will feel that people don't

> > understand how much help you still need, and it may be difficult

to

> > ask for it....but remember...I am sure Dr Boachie told you and

Bill

> > that the recovery period is about 1 to 1-1/2 years....and they

> > really mean that. So ask for all the help and attention you

> > need...you deserve it and, in the end your family deserves a good

> > outcome...and following doctors orders not to do too much is very

> > important!

> >

> > And of course, we will all be here if you need to " bitch " should

> you

> > feel some people in your life are not as understanding as they

> could

> > be...even if they are just the ignorant people in the bathroom

that

> > give you the " look " when you elect to use the handicapped

bathroom

> > stall.

> >

> > Thanks for the update also. I am wondering if we should go back

and

> > try to put your posts into a surgical story too (Kams too)...I

hate

> > for mine to be the only one!

> >

> > Good healing to you in 2006, Cam

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > scoliosis veterans * flatback sufferers * revision candidates

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >