Re: Edie's 8-week Follow Up with Dr. Bendo

[Guest guest]

HI Edie,

Glad you had such a good check-up. Way to go!!

When you find an aqua therapist, please let us know how you went about finding one and what kind of exercises he/she has you doing. I'm past doing that for recovery. I do lots of exercises so I'm not looking for another thing to do. Just curious. I do get a to a pool every so often, when the water temp reaches about 80 degrees, and just walk slowly with the water up to my shoulders.

Bonnie

[ ] Edie's 8-week Follow Up with Dr. Bendo

Hello Friends,Everything went great yesterday, including getting to meet ("theRock"). I got new X-Rays, and the fusion is definitely starting tohappen. Dr. Bendo says all looks "perfect". He's performing yetanother revision surgery this coming week, and also did one a fewweeks before mine, so I guess the word is out about him. Got aprescription for Aqua Therapy (now I just need to find an aquatherapist....) and a stay of execution from work for the time I hopedto get. Will go back to him on September 12 (Glad it's not the 11th,some of us New Yorkers don't like to make appointments that day) andwe'll see how close I am to going back to work by then. I'm hopingthat the next 3 months concentrating on a lot of gentle water PT willhelp speed up my recovery. But I still refuse to push it beyond what Iknow is best for my body.All in all a wonderful day. asked me if I was a ballet dancer,so that just about made my year.Take care everyone,Edie

[Guest guest]

Edie,

Congrats on all the bone you are growing. Its wonderful to feel like

you are slowly coming round isn't it? You are still plenty fragile so

please go easy in all your activities...no J-Lo-ing around the pool

deck!

So you have the summer off to heal...Great! Hopefully you will feel

strong enough to be outside and enjoying the nice walking weather over

the next couple of months. Will your work be there in September be

there or will you have a new position when you return?

I think hit the nail on the head....the pose of the newly fused

to the sacrum is exactly a ballerina pose. Standing right up balanced

over the hips....maybe not moving quite as gracefully. I always

wondered if ette, our resident ballerina, thought so too.

Take Care, Cam

[Guest guest]

When I made that comment, it was right after Edie walked about 15 feet

away and back. I took in the whole picture. Don't know why but I

notice people's grace when walking. She has both grace and poise.

....

> I think hit the nail on the head....the pose of the newly fused

> to the sacrum is exactly a ballerina pose. Standing right up balanced

> over the hips....maybe not moving quite as gracefully. I always

> wondered if ette, our resident ballerina, thought so too.

>

> Take Care, Cam

[Guest guest]

Hi Bonnie,

Finding an aquatherapist may prove to be a challenge. Think I'll call my

insurance co. next

week and see if they have any suggestions. If I can't find one, or it's not

covered, then it's

back to the pool on my own, which doesn't freak me out. I've rehabbed in the

water so

many times at this point that I have a good idea of what I can and can't do. I'm

always leery

of letting someone else help me with recovery, because I've had so many bad

experiences

with " professionals " that didn't understand my back situation at all. But I'll

give this a try if

possible.

Thanks for your continued support. You know I am your number 1 fan, right?

Best to you,

Edie

>

> HI Edie,

>

> Glad you had such a good check-up. Way to go!!

>

> When you find an aqua therapist, please let us know how you went about finding

one

and what kind of exercises he/she has you doing. I'm past doing that for

recovery. I do

lots of exercises so I'm not looking for another thing to do. Just curious. I

do get a to a

pool every so often, when the water temp reaches about 80 degrees, and just walk

slowly

with the water up to my shoulders.

>

> Bonnie

>

>

> [ ] Edie's 8-week Follow Up with Dr. Bendo

>

>

> Hello Friends,

>

> Everything went great yesterday, including getting to meet ( " the

> Rock " ). I got new X-Rays, and the fusion is definitely starting to

> happen. Dr. Bendo says all looks " perfect " . He's performing yet

> another revision surgery this coming week, and also did one a few

> weeks before mine, so I guess the word is out about him. Got a

> prescription for Aqua Therapy (now I just need to find an aqua

> therapist....) and a stay of execution from work for the time I hoped

> to get. Will go back to him on September 12 (Glad it's not the 11th,

> some of us New Yorkers don't like to make appointments that day) and

> we'll see how close I am to going back to work by then. I'm hoping

> that the next 3 months concentrating on a lot of gentle water PT will

> help speed up my recovery. But I still refuse to push it beyond what I

> know is best for my body.

>

> All in all a wonderful day. asked me if I was a ballet dancer,

> so that just about made my year.

>

> Take care everyone,

>

> Edie

>

[Guest guest]

Cam.

Thanks for the support, yes it does feel wonderful to know that progress is

being made.

And I am incredibly relieved that I don't have to think about returning to work

for a while.

It will really allow me to concentrate on rehab and nothing else.

Yes, my job position will be there when I get back, and I'll see at that point

if I am still

capable of handling the pressure and the grind, particularly the commute. I'll

never forget

when you went back to work and said that somehow, you managed to rise to the

occasion.

Right now I still feel miles away from that, but it's a matter of time and

patience.

Today I went for a walk outside without my brace, and made it a few blocks and

back. Not

too bad for the first time. Bendo wants me completely weaned from the brace

within the

next two weeks. A good goal. He also told me that I am done with the bone growth

stimulator. I only used it for 6 weeks. I still am not sure if they are proven

to help, I have

never seen any concrete scientific data backing the use of them. How long did

you wear

yours again?

Anyway, lots more folks having revision surgery soon, and having had surgery

recently. We

are growing in numbers, and will soon take over the world, I'm convinced of it!

A big hug to you, m'dear!

Edie

>

> Edie,

>

> Congrats on all the bone you are growing. Its wonderful to feel like

> you are slowly coming round isn't it? You are still plenty fragile so

> please go easy in all your activities...no J-Lo-ing around the pool

> deck!

>

> So you have the summer off to heal...Great! Hopefully you will feel

> strong enough to be outside and enjoying the nice walking weather over

> the next couple of months. Will your work be there in September be

> there or will you have a new position when you return?

>

> I think hit the nail on the head....the pose of the newly fused

> to the sacrum is exactly a ballerina pose. Standing right up balanced

> over the hips....maybe not moving quite as gracefully. I always

> wondered if ette, our resident ballerina, thought so too.

>

> Take Care, Cam

>

[Guest guest]

Oh p'shaw --flattery will get you everywhere. So what if I paid you to say

that?!?

Seriously though, it was great to meet you, and I will look forward to the next

time. And

one thing I forgot to mention, in re: discomfort sitting in your church benches:

Check out

Kensington memory foam cushions. They are sturdy and small. You might find a

good one

to order that you can bring with you to church, so you don't have to stand the

entire time.

E

> ...

> > I think hit the nail on the head....the pose of the newly fused

> > to the sacrum is exactly a ballerina pose. Standing right up balanced

> > over the hips....maybe not moving quite as gracefully. I always

> > wondered if ette, our resident ballerina, thought so too.

> >

> > Take Care, Cam

>

[Guest guest]

Edie--glad to hear your appt went well. That's great that they can

see bone already growing. I didn't have an 8 wk check, only a 6 wk

and then I'll have my 3 mo check in about 10 days. I'm pretty sure I

will be told to " wean myself " off of the brace at that time. I've

been trying to go around the house without it occasionally. For an

hour or two, it's OK, but after that, I tire easily. I hope it won't

be too difficult to " wean " off of! What kind of brace did you have?

One sort of like Cam's, or more like 's? Mine is exactly like

's (in picture section) I will be glad to not have to wear it

now that the temps here are in the 100's! Maybe the heat will speed

up my weaning?

Carol V.

> >

> > Edie,

> >

> > Congrats on all the bone you are growing. Its wonderful to feel

like

> > you are slowly coming round isn't it? You are still plenty

fragile so

> > please go easy in all your activities...no J-Lo-ing around the

pool

> > deck!

> >

> > So you have the summer off to heal...Great! Hopefully you will

feel

> > strong enough to be outside and enjoying the nice walking weather

over

> > the next couple of months. Will your work be there in September

be

> > there or will you have a new position when you return?

> >

> > I think hit the nail on the head....the pose of the newly

fused

> > to the sacrum is exactly a ballerina pose. Standing right up

balanced

> > over the hips....maybe not moving quite as gracefully. I always

> > wondered if ette, our resident ballerina, thought so too.

> >

> > Take Care, Cam

> >

>

[Guest guest]

[ ] Edie's 8-week Follow Up with Dr. Bendo

Hello Friends,Everything went great yesterday, including getting to meet ("theRock"). I got new X-Rays, and the fusion is definitely starting tohappen. Dr. Bendo says all looks "perfect". He's performing yetanother revision surgery this coming week, and also did one a fewweeks before mine, so I guess the word is out about him. Got aprescription for Aqua Therapy (now I just need to find an aquatherapist....) and a stay of execution from work for the time I hopedto get. Will go back to him on September 12 (Glad it's not the 11th,some of us New Yorkers don't like to make appointments that day) andwe'll see how close I am to going back to work by then. I'm hopingthat the next 3 months concentrating on a lot of gentle water PT willhelp speed up my recovery. But I still refuse to push it beyond what Iknow is best for my body.All in all a wonderful day. asked me if I was a ballet dancer,so that just about made my year.Take care everyone,Edie

[Guest guest]

As far as an Aqua Therapist - locally the physical therapists do aqua therapy at the local acquauatics and fitness center. I did some of that after my Dec '05 surgery - will do it again this time if I get the opportunity.

[ ] Edie's 8-week Follow Up with Dr. Bendo

Hello Friends,Everything went great yesterday, including getting to meet ("theRock"). I got new X-Rays, and the fusion is definitely starting tohappen. Dr. Bendo says all looks "perfect". He's performing yetanother revision surgery this coming week, and also did one a fewweeks before mine, so I guess the word is out about him. Got aprescription for Aqua Therapy (now I just need to find an aquatherapist....) and a stay of execution from work for the time I hopedto get. Will go back to him on September 12 (Glad it's not the 11th,some of us New Yorkers don't like to make appointments that day) andwe'll see how close I am to going back to work by then. I'm hopingthat the next 3 months concentrating on a lot of gentle water PT willhelp speed up my recovery. But I still refuse to push it beyond what Iknow is best for my body.All in all a wonderful day. asked me if I was a ballet dancer,so that just about made my year.Take care everyone,Edie

[Guest guest]

Hi Carol,

My brace is more like 's but it doesn't have the top part that goes over

and around

the breast area. It's only aound the lumbar spine.

Since I saw Dr. Bendo last week, I have not worn the brace. And I find that

weaning myself

from it was not as hard as I thought it would be. So I hope that will encourage

you. It's

actually much more comfortable without it, especially sitting, so I hope you

will experience

the same relief!

Good luck with your 3 month check up. I would love to hear all about it. How is

that post-

op pain in your legs these days, by the way? Is it diminishing?

All the best,

Edie

> > >

> > > Edie,

> > >

> > > Congrats on all the bone you are growing. Its wonderful to feel

> like

> > > you are slowly coming round isn't it? You are still plenty

> fragile so

> > > please go easy in all your activities...no J-Lo-ing around the

> pool

> > > deck!

> > >

> > > So you have the summer off to heal...Great! Hopefully you will

> feel

> > > strong enough to be outside and enjoying the nice walking weather

> over

> > > the next couple of months. Will your work be there in September

> be

> > > there or will you have a new position when you return?

> > >

> > > I think hit the nail on the head....the pose of the newly

> fused

> > > to the sacrum is exactly a ballerina pose. Standing right up

> balanced

> > > over the hips....maybe not moving quite as gracefully. I always

> > > wondered if ette, our resident ballerina, thought so too.

> > >

> > > Take Care, Cam

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Edie,

Thanks for your kind remarks. :-).

I don't know if this will help, but misery does love company, so maybe it will: I've also had bad experiences with"professionals". It's so important to be able to trust yourself when it comes to knowing what's best. It took me a while to realize that, but I have no doubts about you in that regard! I've been around these boards for many years now, and it always makes me feel good to see how you go about recovery.

Bonnie

[ ] Edie's 8-week Follow Up with Dr. Bendo> > > Hello Friends,> > Everything went great yesterday, including getting to meet ("the> Rock"). I got new X-Rays, and the fusion is definitely starting to> happen. Dr. Bendo says all looks "perfect". He's performing yet> another revision surgery this coming week, and also did one a few> weeks before mine, so I guess the word is out about him. Got a> prescription for Aqua Therapy (now I just need to find an aqua> therapist....) and a stay of execution from work for the time I hoped> to get. Will go back to him on September 12 (Glad it's not the 11th,> some of us New Yorkers don't like to make appointments that day) and> we'll see how close I am to going back to work by then. I'm hoping> that the next 3 months concentrating on a lot of gentle water PT will> help speed up my recovery. But I still refuse to push it beyond what I> know is best for my body.> > All in all a wonderful day. asked me if I was a ballet dancer,> so that just about made my year.> > Take care everyone,> > Edie>

[Guest guest]

Hi Edie! I still have the pain in my rt leg, but it seems to be a

little better. The surgeon's nurse practitioner has been working with

me the past few weeks to take some different medications. She took me

off Valium, because that's for muscle spasms, and I'm not having

those. She told me to start taking the Cymbalta again and then take

Elavil 10 mg. the first week and 25 mg. this second week at bedtime.

I'm supposed to call her this next week and let her know how it's

going. I'm still on 900 mg. of Neurontin and Oxycontin 20 mg. twice a

day. I can see they'll probably wean me off the Oxy down to Percocet,

but I know that needs to be done slowly. I see the Surgeon on the

27th, and they don't do any pain or prescription care after the 3rd

month. That's why I wanted to get this taken care of ASAP.

Carol V.

> > > >

> > > > Edie,

> > > >

> > > > Congrats on all the bone you are growing. Its wonderful to

feel

> > like

> > > > you are slowly coming round isn't it? You are still plenty

> > fragile so

> > > > please go easy in all your activities...no J-Lo-ing around

the

> > pool

> > > > deck!

> > > >

> > > > So you have the summer off to heal...Great! Hopefully you

will

> > feel

> > > > strong enough to be outside and enjoying the nice walking

weather

> > over

> > > > the next couple of months. Will your work be there in

September

> > be

> > > > there or will you have a new position when you return?

> > > >

> > > > I think hit the nail on the head....the pose of the

newly

> > fused

> > > > to the sacrum is exactly a ballerina pose. Standing right up

> > balanced

> > > > over the hips....maybe not moving quite as gracefully. I

always

> > > > wondered if ette, our resident ballerina, thought so too.

> > > >

> > > > Take Care, Cam

> > > >

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

HI Carol V,

You said, "I see the Surgeon on the 27th, and they don't do any pain or prescription care after the 3rd month."

But, some of us recovering from surgery needed pain/prescription care well after the third month. If you are still having problems with pain, surely they will refer you to a pain clinic. At least I hope so. If they won't or can't, perhaps your PCP would handle it for a while or refer you to a pain clinic. You do not need to stop taking all pain meds simply because you've reached the three month date. You're entitled to proper pain relief. I hope you get it.

Bonnie

[ ] Re: Edie's 8-week Follow Up with Dr. Bendo

Hi Edie! I still have the pain in my rt leg, but it seems to be a little better. The surgeon's nurse practitioner has been working with me the past few weeks to take some different medications. She took me off Valium, because that's for muscle spasms, and I'm not having those. She told me to start taking the Cymbalta again and then take Elavil 10 mg. the first week and 25 mg. this second week at bedtime. I'm supposed to call her this next week and let her know how it's going. I'm still on 900 mg. of Neurontin and Oxycontin 20 mg. twice a day. I can see they'll probably wean me off the Oxy down to Percocet, but I know that needs to be done slowly. I see the Surgeon on the 27th, and they don't do any pain or prescription care after the 3rd month. That's why I wanted to get this taken care of ASAP.Carol V. > > > >> > > > Edie,> > > > > > > > Congrats on all the bone you are growing. Its wonderful to feel > > like > > > > you are slowly coming round isn't it? You are still plenty > > fragile so > > > > please go easy in all your activities...no J-Lo-ing around the > > pool > > > > deck!> > > > > > > > So you have the summer off to heal...Great! Hopefully you will > > feel > > > > strong enough to be outside and enjoying the nice walking weather > > over > > > > the next couple of months. Will your work be there in September > > be > > > > there or will you have a new position when you return?> > > > > > > > I think hit the nail on the head....the pose of the newly > > fused > > > > to the sacrum is exactly a ballerina pose. Standing right up > > balanced > > > > over the hips....maybe not moving quite as gracefully. I always > > > > wondered if ette, our resident ballerina, thought so too. > > > > > > > > Take Care, Cam> > > >> > >> >>

[Guest guest]

Yes, they expect you to find a pain doc or your own PCP for the pain

meds. So, no, I will not stop taking anything. I have a pain doc, but

I don't know if what he wants to do will coincide with what UCSF

does. If it's a problem, I'll go to my PCP. I'm pretty sure I can or

should get off of the Oxycontin, but will probably need the Neurontin

and the other two anti-depressants (which they use for pain) for

awhile. I'll try to find someone to help around here if I'm not happy

with the pain doc. UCSF does make a few exceptions to the three month

rule, but only if there's a major problem, I think. I was under the

impression that they continued thru the 6th month, but that was not

the case.

Carol V.

> > > > >

> > > > > Edie,

> > > > >

> > > > > Congrats on all the bone you are growing. Its wonderful

to

> feel

> > > like

> > > > > you are slowly coming round isn't it? You are still

plenty

> > > fragile so

> > > > > please go easy in all your activities...no J-Lo-ing

around

> the

> > > pool

> > > > > deck!

> > > > >

> > > > > So you have the summer off to heal...Great! Hopefully you

> will

> > > feel

> > > > > strong enough to be outside and enjoying the nice walking

> weather

> > > over

> > > > > the next couple of months. Will your work be there in

> September

> > > be

> > > > > there or will you have a new position when you return?

> > > > >

> > > > > I think hit the nail on the head....the pose of the

> newly

> > > fused

> > > > > to the sacrum is exactly a ballerina pose. Standing right

up

> > > balanced

> > > > > over the hips....maybe not moving quite as gracefully. I

> always

> > > > > wondered if ette, our resident ballerina, thought so

too.

> > > > >

> > > > > Take Care, Cam

> > > > >

> > > >

> > >

> >

>