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It has been 5 months since my surgery! Every month as I pass that anniversary I am amazed afresh that I am doing so well, that I survived the biggest orthopedic surgery you can have, and I am feeling better than I did the month before. I am very blessed. I don't take for granted that I am having such a smooth recovery.
At 5 Months Post-Op, I am feeling better than I have felt in years. I am able to sit for hours without pain. I have been frequently catching myself sitting reading or working for hours on end. I'll look at a clock after sitting 4 hours working away, and am shocked that my leg isn't burning in pain! I am able to sit a desk, something I haven't been able to do without pain for 4 years. I just generally feel BETTER. This is such a welcome surprise. At most I hoped the surgery would prevent my 52 degree double major curves from progressing any further. I also hoped that it would keep my pain from getting worse, but I had no rosy notions that I would feel better, or be in less pain. It seems so counterintuitive that drilling 26 titanium screws into your vertebrae and attaching 2 metal rods to the length of your spine would in any way make you feel BETTER. But I do. And I am excited about it.
The first 2 months of this recovery was hell for me. And that was with no complications at all. Those two months were the most depressing, painful, dreary months of my entire life. Whenever I see something (like applesauce, or bendy straws) that reminds me of that time, I immediately feel my body become tense and anxious. It's as if even my body is saying "don't ever put us through that again. That was the worst thing we've ever gone through!" I can't even think about it for more than a minute or two before I have to throw those memories back into the dark corners of my mind reserved for unpleasant thoughts. I may be feeling better now than I have in years, but it took a lot of pain and suffering to get here. For me, thankfully, the pain was worth it.
I am only taking a muscle relaxer 2-3 times a day and gabapentin for the nerve pain. But the pain is continuing to diminish, even as I am more and more active.
I still have trouble sleeping well, I think I wake up every time my body wants to roll over, but can't without my help =) So I usually have 2-3 bad nights of sleep and then 2-3 good nights (because I'm so exhausted from the previous 3 lol). My one shoulder is still very tight, but massage and exercise is helping it. I still get worn out really easily, but other than that I can't really complain.
Oh, and just a side note. I went to get my teeth cleaned yesterday and the tech said I should call my surgeon about taking an antibiotic afterwards. It kinda freaked me out, so I called him but he said that since I am 5 months post op, he doesn't feel like it is anything to worry about. He said during the first 3 months post op he requires it, but after that no worries. He also said that sometimes the dentist will require it anyway, but it's from back when they used to use stainless steal instead of titanium. Not sure why it was bad to have stainless and get your teeth cleaned, but all I need to know is that at 5 months post op, the dentist does not require antibiotics.
Anyway, I'm pulling for all of you who have had rough road, and I'm thankful for everyone who has encouraged me and shared your stories with me.
Blessings,
Rebecca
At 5 Months Post-Op, I am feeling better than I have felt in years. I am able to sit for hours without pain. I have been frequently catching myself sitting reading or working for hours on end. I'll look at a clock after sitting 4 hours working away, and am shocked that my leg isn't burning in pain! I am able to sit a desk, something I haven't been able to do without pain for 4 years. I just generally feel BETTER. This is such a welcome surprise. At most I hoped the surgery would prevent my 52 degree double major curves from progressing any further. I also hoped that it would keep my pain from getting worse, but I had no rosy notions that I would feel better, or be in less pain. It seems so counterintuitive that drilling 26 titanium screws into your vertebrae and attaching 2 metal rods to the length of your spine would in any way make you feel BETTER. But I do. And I am excited about it.
The first 2 months of this recovery was hell for me. And that was with no complications at all. Those two months were the most depressing, painful, dreary months of my entire life. Whenever I see something (like applesauce, or bendy straws) that reminds me of that time, I immediately feel my body become tense and anxious. It's as if even my body is saying "don't ever put us through that again. That was the worst thing we've ever gone through!" I can't even think about it for more than a minute or two before I have to throw those memories back into the dark corners of my mind reserved for unpleasant thoughts. I may be feeling better now than I have in years, but it took a lot of pain and suffering to get here. For me, thankfully, the pain was worth it.
I am only taking a muscle relaxer 2-3 times a day and gabapentin for the nerve pain. But the pain is continuing to diminish, even as I am more and more active.
I still have trouble sleeping well, I think I wake up every time my body wants to roll over, but can't without my help =) So I usually have 2-3 bad nights of sleep and then 2-3 good nights (because I'm so exhausted from the previous 3 lol). My one shoulder is still very tight, but massage and exercise is helping it. I still get worn out really easily, but other than that I can't really complain.
Oh, and just a side note. I went to get my teeth cleaned yesterday and the tech said I should call my surgeon about taking an antibiotic afterwards. It kinda freaked me out, so I called him but he said that since I am 5 months post op, he doesn't feel like it is anything to worry about. He said during the first 3 months post op he requires it, but after that no worries. He also said that sometimes the dentist will require it anyway, but it's from back when they used to use stainless steal instead of titanium. Not sure why it was bad to have stainless and get your teeth cleaned, but all I need to know is that at 5 months post op, the dentist does not require antibiotics.
Anyway, I'm pulling for all of you who have had rough road, and I'm thankful for everyone who has encouraged me and shared your stories with me.
Blessings,
Rebecca
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