Re: Irrational thoughts?

April 1, 2007

Annette,

As I was just saying to , I felt like I got caught completely

unaware that this flatback problem was developing in my 40's and then

whammo...so I guess now, while I feel glad that I am doing okay, I

will be forever cognizant that this state may be transient. I don't

walk around feeling like the other shoe is going to drop, I just

realize that my spine (and other joints) are not going to age the

same way those with an unfused spine will. This is going to require

me to work a bit harder at keeping in shape and not overusing the

joints that now are taking up a little slack for the old discs that

aren't around to do the job.

(On balance, there are moments that I reflect that my family and

friends do some pretty stupid stuff that is no doubt harming their

knees, hips and spines and they are oblivious to the fact that they

will probably " pay a price " somewhere down the road. After all...we

are all aging every day, scoli spines or not...so maybe this is a

blessing in disguise?)

You are still pretty early in the healing. I bet you will have a one

year CT scan that will let you know the state of your fusion and that

will make you feel a bit better. So... if you are asking if it's

irrational to worry about this stuff...I guess my experience is that

it would be irrational to not at least recognize that you have been

through a lot (twice in your life now) and you don't want to do it

again!!!

I also think when you get around 6 months post-op you are hitting

what seemed like a " plateau " to me...you don't see big gains any more

and you do really have to motivate yourself to stay with

the " program " . You still have about a year of healing ahead of you. I

don't know if it is reasonable for you to set new goals but perhaps

you can. At my 6 month visit I was " okayed " to bike ride again.

DrRand actually suggested I check out a bike he had heard of from

another patient, the Electra bike. It was fall and I did go out and

try a few bikes but I really didn't feel all that confident, or comfy

and since the weather was going downhill I let it go. Last April (so

14 months postop) on the first nice day I went to the bike shop and

couldn't believe how great the bike felt. Everything just seemed

ready to go. I love the bike because you can actually sit right up

and still put your feet on the gound...so it feels very secure. Has a

big comfy seat and I had them install a seat post with a shock

absorber...so I am not taking any additonal " hits " there. All's to

say is maybe you can change your routine soon and take on new

challenges (with your Dr's okay of course!) and that will give you

something new to focus on. Other ideas to pursue with Drs okay:

aquatics (distances or new routine or hiking)

Take Care, Cam

April 1, 2007

I don't think is is irrational -- there are several folks here who

have had to go back for more work in less than a year.

iknow that I am going to try to do whatever is in my power to have a

good outcome, but I don't know how much of it is really under our

control.

I was planning to head for home today, but the base of my incision

bled during the night and is a bit painful, so I will be seeing Dr

Bridwell at 7 AM tomorrow.

>

> Does anyone who has been through the revision have the irrational

> thought that you could loose your correction and have to go through

> this again? Is it the " higher power's " way of making us do our

> strectches, walking etc.? I'm feeling very well, so not sure why I

am

> having these thoughts.

>

> Best,

>

> Annette in Arlington

>

April 1, 2007

Dear Annette,

Thoughts that you might have to go through it all again, or might loose your correction, are maybe there for you to be mindful of what a gift this surgery is, and to keep you from doing things that will hurt you. I understand because I've been through the surgery twice, that a good outcome has to be supported and maintained, it doesn't just happen, nor will it be there forever if you don't take care of yourself. And even if you do everything right, sometimes things can and do go wrong. Will I ever need surgery again after four, maybe, I sure hope not, but if I do I have an excellent doc and a supportive family, and I'll make it through it. Nothing wrong with living being a bit careful, I protect my good outcome, it's precious to me.

[ ] Irrational thoughts?

Does anyone who has been through the revision have the irrationalthought that you could loose your correction and have to go throughthis again? Is it the "higher power's" way of making us do ourstrectches, walking etc.? I'm feeling very well, so not sure why I amhaving these thoughts. Best,Annette in Arlington

April 1, 2007

Annette, I think it's quite normal to worry about our backs, especially since we didn't know the flatback could happen to us, so what makes us think we know everything that could happen to us in the next stages of life.

(Boy, was that clumsy wording!)

Cam, now I'm REALLY anxious to get my 6 month check-up! Dang, I was just in the garage yesterday looking longingly at my bycicle! Priscilla will be hearing from me tomorrow.