Hey folks-- it's been awhile since I've done much posting... just wanted to say that I'm still getting stronger and more able all the time, so those of you fresh out of surgery, please don't despair if it seems like you're never going to get your life back. With some it doesn't take as long. I just figured after awhile that I was going to be fairly limited yet better off after having THE SURGERY. At one year post-op I thought "oh well..." Now I'm starting to think that those limitations aren't going to be so bad after all. I have just survived a VERY BUSY time and got through it just fine-- I'm tired, a little sore, but perfectly fine and feeling like I can conquer the world (if it's my kind of world, anyway!)
May and June included these activities: finishing up my year at school, including inventory of ~14,000 books, etc., youngest DD's college graduation, oldest and middle DDs' first babies' births, a one-week trip to NH to see the out-of-state grandbaby, and a flurry of activity for our youngest DD's wedding with over 200 guests, held in our "garden" and then a local reception where we did all the decorating, etc.--actually, everything except for the catering and making the cake(s). Plus had around 15-20 houseguests and relatives hanging out here for several days. At one year post-op, there would have been absolutely no way I could have done all that. At two years it worked out fine. I'm sure with each year's passing things will get easier and better as long as I don't overwork those lower and upper unfused areas.
The main reason I'm posting this is to let some of you know that there is hope for continued recovery and rebuilding of strength. I'm the proof. Heh heh. I have progressed from looking like a hunched over little old lady taking tiny insecure steps (shortly after surgery) and very gradually building back to someone who looks "normal" for the most part. Yes, I still have some limitations-- but so do other people with other things. I know when to ask for help when I really need to ("can you please pick that up for me? I have a problem getting down...", how to pace myself, when to push and know I am probably not overdoing, and when to say NO to myself or others, when it could actually be a problem to continue.
When I get some good pics I will post a few of me with the two grandsons and at the wedding. I even did a little dancing with my hubby. As for trying to get those nylons/pantyhose on-- I abandoned the thought even though I bought some and thought I could manage. The day was just too hectic and my daughters had all told me it was silly since I was wearing a dressy sandal and "no one wears nylons anymore" and it was "way too hot to even consider it". I listened to them and would have run out of time anyway-- With the two babies crying, their moms trying to get into their bridesmaid/matron of honor dresses and do their hair, the one's dog barking to match the babies' noise, and bunches of extra people in the house (and I mean bunches-- probably about 30 people came in to use the bathroom after their long drives here... anyway, it just wasn't high on my priority list. I actually forgot to put my earrings in but no one noticed. (Or so I hope!) About the time I woulda/shoulda been putting on nylons-- and was getting dressed, was when my hubby appeared in his tux pants with about an extra yard of fabric to them. They had given him size 46 pants when his normal size is a 32. Yikes! Fortunately he had a pair of black slacks that looked fine, so it was ok. Anyway, the wedding and reception were beautiful, we had a wonderful time with the new grandsons and their parents staying here, and it was super to visit for a few days with the out-of-state relatives too. I'm still cleaning up a little, the newlyweds are here for a few days after their honeymoon (opened their gifts, etc.) and pretty soon I'll get some real R'nR time.
Next on the agenda is a road trip to New Hampshire. Then school starts back up Aug. 7th... a whirlwind summer, but I'm able to do it. Life is good!
May and June included these activities: finishing up my year at school, including inventory of ~14,000 books, etc., youngest DD's college graduation, oldest and middle DDs' first babies' births, a one-week trip to NH to see the out-of-state grandbaby, and a flurry of activity for our youngest DD's wedding with over 200 guests, held in our "garden" and then a local reception where we did all the decorating, etc.--actually, everything except for the catering and making the cake(s). Plus had around 15-20 houseguests and relatives hanging out here for several days. At one year post-op, there would have been absolutely no way I could have done all that. At two years it worked out fine. I'm sure with each year's passing things will get easier and better as long as I don't overwork those lower and upper unfused areas.
The main reason I'm posting this is to let some of you know that there is hope for continued recovery and rebuilding of strength. I'm the proof. Heh heh. I have progressed from looking like a hunched over little old lady taking tiny insecure steps (shortly after surgery) and very gradually building back to someone who looks "normal" for the most part. Yes, I still have some limitations-- but so do other people with other things. I know when to ask for help when I really need to ("can you please pick that up for me? I have a problem getting down...", how to pace myself, when to push and know I am probably not overdoing, and when to say NO to myself or others, when it could actually be a problem to continue.
When I get some good pics I will post a few of me with the two grandsons and at the wedding. I even did a little dancing with my hubby. As for trying to get those nylons/pantyhose on-- I abandoned the thought even though I bought some and thought I could manage. The day was just too hectic and my daughters had all told me it was silly since I was wearing a dressy sandal and "no one wears nylons anymore" and it was "way too hot to even consider it". I listened to them and would have run out of time anyway-- With the two babies crying, their moms trying to get into their bridesmaid/matron of honor dresses and do their hair, the one's dog barking to match the babies' noise, and bunches of extra people in the house (and I mean bunches-- probably about 30 people came in to use the bathroom after their long drives here... anyway, it just wasn't high on my priority list. I actually forgot to put my earrings in but no one noticed. (Or so I hope!) About the time I woulda/shoulda been putting on nylons-- and was getting dressed, was when my hubby appeared in his tux pants with about an extra yard of fabric to them. They had given him size 46 pants when his normal size is a 32. Yikes! Fortunately he had a pair of black slacks that looked fine, so it was ok. Anyway, the wedding and reception were beautiful, we had a wonderful time with the new grandsons and their parents staying here, and it was super to visit for a few days with the out-of-state relatives too. I'm still cleaning up a little, the newlyweds are here for a few days after their honeymoon (opened their gifts, etc.) and pretty soon I'll get some real R'nR time.
Next on the agenda is a road trip to New Hampshire. Then school starts back up Aug. 7th... a whirlwind summer, but I'm able to do it. Life is good!
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