I had surgery November 20, 2006 and was fused T2 to the sacrum. I just passed the six month mark 10 days ago. I thought I would be better then; I know it is a big benchmark for healing. But I still have lots of pain, numbness and tingline in the right foot, and swelling. But in some ways the most disturbing is a balance problem, especially with the right foot. Ifeel that I might fall--and naturally I desperately do not want to. That is the one thing Dr Lenke told me not to do. I am working on balance with a therapist but I do not feel I have made much progress since the second month when I stopped using the walker and then the cane.
Last week I spent five days downtown in Charleston SC near where I live for the Spoleto Festival. My first big foray to test the waters. Everything in the city and the old concert halls is uneven bluestone, bad steps, no rails, unconforable seats (I travel with cushions to most places). It was really a trial and I am discouraged, especially because my husband and I are in the process of signing up for a trip to Italy in September (which will be almost 10 months). We had to cancel it last year because of the surgery.
Has anyone taken a long flight 10 months after their surgery. (Would be business class, but one still has the waits, the security checks and my metal really sends them out of their minds) Did you do ok on a tour through an "old" place? Of course there will be lots of museums, but hill towns, and far from pristine sidewalks and streets. Am I crazy? My husband and I so want to resume our previous lives. I have had three surgeries in three years. And it has been a drag.
I still need so much help--cannot tie shoe, bend over to pick something up, imperfect toileting.
Any advice, previous experience, wisdom would be greatly appreciated. I should mention that I will celebrate my 70th birthday in Italy. I have a lot of stiffness and arthritis that is not caused by the surgery but exacerbated by the recovery. I do not expect miracles. But I look so great now as everyone says, I just wish I felt that way and could function that way. I regained my original height, 5 6", weigh 110, and lost 4 plus inches in the waist which was increasing as the curve increased. My old clothes look great.
Wanting to go for it but not stuck in Rome lying down all the time while the Euros mount. Thanks in advance
Last week I spent five days downtown in Charleston SC near where I live for the Spoleto Festival. My first big foray to test the waters. Everything in the city and the old concert halls is uneven bluestone, bad steps, no rails, unconforable seats (I travel with cushions to most places). It was really a trial and I am discouraged, especially because my husband and I are in the process of signing up for a trip to Italy in September (which will be almost 10 months). We had to cancel it last year because of the surgery.
Has anyone taken a long flight 10 months after their surgery. (Would be business class, but one still has the waits, the security checks and my metal really sends them out of their minds) Did you do ok on a tour through an "old" place? Of course there will be lots of museums, but hill towns, and far from pristine sidewalks and streets. Am I crazy? My husband and I so want to resume our previous lives. I have had three surgeries in three years. And it has been a drag.
I still need so much help--cannot tie shoe, bend over to pick something up, imperfect toileting.
Any advice, previous experience, wisdom would be greatly appreciated. I should mention that I will celebrate my 70th birthday in Italy. I have a lot of stiffness and arthritis that is not caused by the surgery but exacerbated by the recovery. I do not expect miracles. But I look so great now as everyone says, I just wish I felt that way and could function that way. I regained my original height, 5 6", weigh 110, and lost 4 plus inches in the waist which was increasing as the curve increased. My old clothes look great.
Wanting to go for it but not stuck in Rome lying down all the time while the Euros mount. Thanks in advance
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