We need a "post surgical goals" forum :)

[txmarinemom]

I made the first of mine last night: the World AIDS Day walk is March 9th, 2008, and I WILL participate - even if I only make it 100 ft!

An aside, I've remembered people posting they felt like their pain increased as surgery loomed closer - and saw it as confirmation it was the right choice. Maybe it's nerves, maybe it's psychosomatic, maybe it's real ... but I'm experiencing it also - and I simply *cannot* sleep through the night.

We were out until 3:15 last night, I crawled in my exceedingly comfy bed at 3:20, and was out like a light.

At 5:50, back pain woke me up - and I've got breakfast scheduled with my friend who's accepted my Medical Power of Atty for Tuesday.

Coulda used a BIT more shut eye ... sunglasses and a ball cap are definitely in order .

Oh, and yes, Maria ... I'd be grateful if you handled updates here during and after surgery since Courtney has your phone numbers. Hopefully you won't be burdened with that task for long!

Regards,
Pam

[mariaf]

I will be glad to post updates, Pam, although I'm sure my posts won't be nearly as entertaining as yours

Big Hugs for Tuesday,

[samsmom]

An aside, I've remembered people posting they felt like their pain increased as surgery loomed closer - and saw it as confirmation it was the right choice. Maybe it's nerves, maybe it's psychosomatic, maybe it's real ... but I'm experiencing it also - and I simply *cannot* sleep through the night.

Hi Pam,
My daughter's pain has definitely increased these past few weeks as surgery approaches. She has been so uncomfortable! Are the massages helping at all. I was going to take her for one tomorrow? Misery loves company! I will let her know that you are having the same thing going on. I am sure she will take comfort in knowing that she is not alone...
- Michele

[Susie*Bee]

goals...

Mine's a dumb one, but important for me... My goal is to be able to squat down so I can do my library work (re-shelving books on low shelves) when I go back to school/work next August. To those of you who can squat, it must seem so-o-o-o dumb, but when you can't, it seems almost impossible. I've always bent over before...

[Geish]

I guess I have a couple of goals...
1st~ Get back to my former level of singing or better, my breath control really sucks right now. The back muscles can't handle the level of support required without causing pain.

2nd~ Regain enough fluidity of movement so that I can return to coaching wrestling full time. It was hard to not be there for my team all season this year, but I had to think of myself first for a change. The surgery was the right thing to do this winter.

3rd~Sell my house and move to Lahaina, Maui! I would love to be there next summer. Now I just have to convince my daughter that finishing high school in Hawaii would be awesome!

Susie*Bee...there are no dumb goals, just goals that may only be important to us. I am able to squat but would love to be able to touch my toes! Then again, I couldn't touch them before the surgery so it's probably not going to happen.

[vndy]

Goals...

1) YOGA - I can't wait to get back to it. Maybe even get certified to teach in the future...

2) I would love to do a cycling race - I just got a road bike last summer, and would love to start racing.

3) I want my energy back so I can finish my masters degree... just one thesis and one class away (unfortunately my thesis doesn't seem to be writing itself in my absence...)

[Susie*Bee]

Boring...

Geish--Isn't that funny?!!! I could always touch my toes! Haven't tried since the surgery, of course. At my last appt. I was only released to bend "slightly" from the hip... and not from the lower two lumbars. I keep wondering IF/WHEN about things like that.

I guess my goal sounds so trite to me because it's definitely not exciting! Sheesh... who cares about squatting! Some other "not exciting" goals I have are: to lose about 20+ lbs. and continue doing my PT exercises so I am really fit. And write a few books. I aso have about 30 years worth of pictures I should put into scrapbooks rather than boxes. Or at least get daughter #2's wedding and daughter #3's graduation albums done. They were both in 2004. I'm just afraid that this year will zip by so quickly and I'll think I wasted the only chance I've got for doing things like that!

vndy--what's your masters in?

[vndy]

Susie - It's in Child and Family Policy. It's a joint degree in Child Development and "Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning." Of that mouthful of a department, I'm really interested in Urban Policy! More specifically, I'm really interested in public policy for young children, particularly early childhood education. That was probably more information than you were asking for!!

[Susie*Bee]

vndy--I need more info, since I haven't run up against that one... is this in the realm of counseling, social work, education, or what? What kind of job are you wanting from it? I have a son-in-law who just got his masters in Marriage and Family Therapy--but that's obviously in counseling... I hope you get the endurance/strength/whatever to work on it! You are so-o-o-o-o close!

[skoshi314]

Hey, Geish-
I CAN touch my toes-----when I squat!

[CHRIS WBS]

Not only can I touch my toes when I bend but I can lay the palms of my hands flat on the ground. And I can still do backward rollovers. Every surgeon I’ve seen was amazed at my flexibility. The thought of losing all that makes me sick.

[Susie*Bee]

Chris... what a hoot!

You've got me chuckling, picturing you looking like a pretty professional business person, doing backward rollovers! I love it!

Unfortunately, there are some things we lose, but others that we gain, through this surgery. I guess you have to weigh the alternatives--which I know you've done, and decide "in general" what is the best for you in the long run. Take care!

[CHRIS WBS]

Good point, Susie. I would sooooooo love to have a waistline again even if it means losing my flexibility. I always had a good figure despite my scoliosis, but now I’m looking more and more like the Pillsbury Doughboy. Just the thought of having all those big screws drilled into my spine though is giving me the heebie-jeebies. I don’t even have a surgery date yet, and I’m having one sleepless night after another.

Chris

[Susie*Bee]

setting the date...

Chris--from my own experience, once you "set the date" you get a sense of rest/finality-- that part is over with--the part where you are having the internal struggles whether or not to do this, and if so- "when," etc. Once you set the date and are resigned to that, you can move on... to your new goal--GETTING READY! And, from one believer to another, it feels more like you have indeed put it in the Lord's hands at that point. Of course, none of that decreases totally the anxiety you may and/or will still have about the surgery and recovery, but it does help to get over that one hurdle that's in front of you now. Jump over it, and you're farther through that tunnel and know the light is closer than it was, etc. Take care!

PS--I can't feel the screws... they just look "wicked" in the x-rays...