Home Sweet Home

[Jimbo]

Well guys I did it!

I have returned home and I tell you what I feel and look just great. In fact apart from the post surgical pain, this is the best I have felt since I was a small boy

That Dr Gray is a FRIKKIN genius! You should see the x-rays, unbelievable. It is as straight as a ruler. I will post those rays as soon as I can get some on disk.

Regarding the post-op pain, it is quite challenging. I am taking 5mg endone (short acting oxycodone-around 3 hours pain relief) when needed. But I have teamed up with the hospital pain management specialist and boy does that make a difference. COX-2 inhibitors, paracetamol, and valium all help make the pain tolerable. I advise, if you can, to see a pain management specialist post-op within the hospital before you are discharged.

My Aunty who is an Immunology Professor also advised me to get a bunch of hospital pre-op triclosan 1% wash before discharge and wash your whole body with it for about a month each day to de-load the amount of MRSA, Staph microorganisms on the body. Ask the nurses for a few containers of them.

I am wearing my little lumbar brace which helps stabilise my L4-L5 vertebrae and hopefully, allows that disk to carry the weight of the unfused. I have to wear this brace whilst walking for 6 months and it is very well hidden, not that I really care anymore. I sometimes just wear it outside of my shirt.

Up to this point I feel surgery, although extremely difficult (probably analogous to getting shot multiple times) has been worth it for me and I am pleased with myself for doing it. It takes great strength to take that step and all of us should never forget just how strong we are.

I am off for my walk in the rain and wish you all the best.

Jimbo.

[debbei]

Welcome home!! I'm thrilled for you Jimbo!

[JenniferG]

Ah... The joy of being post-op!

Very glad to hear you doing so well, so positive and so happy with the results. It really is all worthwhile, isn't it?

Enjoy your walks.

[loves to skate]

Jimbo,

I'm so glad to hear you are home and doing so well. You young ones amaze me.

Sally

[Vali]

Welcome home Jimbo. It almost feels like your in another world after being in hospital for a week. You sound really upbeat and thats great. Positive thoughts give strength to good healing.
My good friend who is one of the Head Nurses of Emergency in one of our hospitals, told me to do the same thing, however, i just bought Gamophen or Sapoderm soap as they have Triclosan in them. As Jen said, 'enjoy your walks', at this point there's not much else to do except, walk, sleep, excercise and if you feel up to it, take up that hobby that has been eluding you!

[Doodles]

Jimbo--Aren't you glad to be reporting from this side AND to be home. This is great. May you continue to have a good and uneventful recovery. Janet

[RitaR]

Jimbo, you are a true inspiration to me!!! I can't wait to see your postop x-rays. I can only hope to be that straight someday. Good luck to you. and keep us posted.

[mbeckoff]

Jimbo, That is such great news . I am getting excited and nervous about my surgery which is 5 weeks from tomorrow. I can only hope and pray that mine goes as well as yours did.



Melissa

[hope404]

So HAPPY!!!!!

So happy for you !!!!!!

Enjoy your NEW self!!!!

[Radiogirl]

YEA!!!! JIMBO!!!! Sooo happy to hear you say those words. You sounded in great pain in the hospital. And, it seems they let you out very quickly! And you are walking that much already??? Wow. Gotta ask...what about the BMs???

[JenM]

Just wanted to say congratulations, Jimbo! Your posts are very inspiring to someone like me who is going to have the surgery in 4 months (except for the part about how the surgery was analogous to getting shot multiple times, LOL!!) Glad to hear that it is the best you have felt since you were a small child. Best of luck to you with your recovery!

Take care,
JenM

[Ryy]

Excellent to hear Jimbo, healthy and speedy recovery wishes for you

[jrnyc]

Jimbo
congratulations! happy days!! the sky is blue again!!

so glad to hear that you are home & well on your healing path!

just one word about cox 2 inhibitors...i am highly allergic to them...they took vioxx off the market for bad reactions...it cut off my breatheing, so i figured it might be off the market soon, and sure enuf! but then i tried celebrex...which is on the market..the hives stopped me.....SO..just a heads up to be careful & watch yourself to make sure you are OK on those meds......i am sure you will be fine if you have never had an allergic reaction to any of them!

happy healing! i hope each day is better than the one before & that you are up to being yourself...but better, cause no more pain!

best regards
jess

[Jimbo]

Thankyou so much guys. Your words help so much.

One thing that is getting a little strange is everyone of my friends and family that I meet, I am now taller than them and they are finding it a little frightening. xD

Oh well, I will probably shrink a little as the hardware and muscle settle.

It is extremely hot here in Australia and the the lumbar brace is presenting a bit of a challenge, but after going through the surgery it is a minor inconvenience.

My parents have been great. My dad makes me awesome food,, like gumbo and yankee spare ribs, which I get all over my head and face lol. Thank God I have them here to help me, but I do believe I could manage quite well alone.

anyway, the pain is yet again creeping in and i must retire.

[Shari]

Congratulations Jimbo and I'm IMPRESSED!

I can't believe it when anyone gets on here so soon after surgery. I couldn't have done it. Maybe I should have went "down under".

I'm almost jealous but I can't help but feel so happy for you. And you're even taking a walk about already???

Amazing.
Shari