great 8-week follow up visit

[gmw]

I had a really good report from my surgeon at my 8-week follow-up appointment this week. He was very pleased with my progress. He told me to continue to take it easy for another six-weeks and come back for another follow-up visit. He was able to get a really good correction. Of course, couldn't tell anything about how the fusion was coming along, but I was so pleased to see how well the correction of my spine looked. He released me to drive! It seemed so good to be allowed go someplace alone and even drive myself.

[doodie]

YEA! This is such a good report! So nice for you that your Dr. is pleased with your progress.

Driving will do MUCH for your independence and feeling of normalcy in your life. With your fusion so low down you probably won't have much trouble turning to look behind you when reversing out of parking spaces either - BONUS!

[gmw]

Thanks Doodie for the encouragement re backing out of parking spaces. That's been one of my major concerns. I had no problem today. It felt wonderful.

I've been especially pleased with my progress given my age. I feared it might be a factor in being able to heal.

[TexEx]

Glenda:

I have almost the same fusion only to L5. I started driving about the same time you did and had no problem, you will be fine. My limits in tuning did not effect my ability to see behind me when backing at all because I could turn my head and shoulders sufficiently. My only issue was stiffness when I was in the car for more than 20-30 minutes or so, but that was a passenger issue also.

Good luck with the rest of your recovery, sounds like you are doing great.

Melissa: 46 Yrs
Surgery: March 31, 2110
Fusion T9-L5

[JenniferG]

Good to hear from you Glenda, especially to read how well you're going. Getting back to normal life after this surgery is a wonderful feeling!

[golfnut]

Glenda,
I'm glad you're doing well. I've been reading some of your posts on the Care Pages. I will be 60 when I have my surgery, so it's good to know someone in my age bracket is recovering fine. It's a concern of mine, although I think I'm in fairly decent shape. I know it's a tough surgery regardless of your age.

[Doodles]

Glenda--
That's really good news on your great correction. Keep that recovery going! Janet

[Back-out]

That's great news! Depending who I go with, I may have your same fusion (maybe higher), and I've been thinking a lot about this business of looking back when I drive - especially since I "specialize" in minor parking lot accidents.

I'd been thinking I might have to resort to a video back up device - but I'd rather not! This gives me hope.

Keep on trucking - in a manner of speaking! When one succeeds, we all take heart. Especially those of your fusion and age demographic.

[jsully]

Congratulations!!!! Great news. Be careful!

[gmw]

Thanks to all of you for your encouragement. I have come a long, long way.

I do have an issue I wonder if any of you have experienced. My hair is coming out it seems heavier than usual and I have a small balding spot right in the front that's seems to be growing. Right now I can cover it up, but if it keeps spreading that's not going to be the case. My PCP and hairdresser say it is from the stress of surgery.

Karen, from following my CarePages, you probably recall that I had those complications early on with my kidneys that put me in intensive care for three days so I'm very grateful to be where I am. I enjoyed reading your posts and appreciated your encouragement on the CarePages. Glad you're going ahead at 60 with your surgery. I didn't know at 60 that I needed this surgery. I had no idea until last October. So given my age, I didn't want to wait to have it done. I'm so glad I went ahead with it.

Good reminder jsully -- BE CAREFUL! I'll keep that in mind.


Glenda