On Oct 23, Dr. Berven of UCSF will perform my surgery from L3 - S1. I read about Linda Racine's recovery (our fabulous moderator) from almost the same surgery. Very helpful. Still, I need more how to prepare for my post-surgery life, considering the recovery of others and considering that I live alone.
I am 65 and in good health besides my inability to walk more than a 1/2 a block due to back pain. Up until six months ago, I could hike up a canyon near my home - generally 2 miles. I also have great balance, considering that I'm fused T4 - L3. (BTW, this is NOT a revision surgery since I've never been fused in this part of my spine.)
I simply don't know how to prepare for my self-care when I go home. The plan is 5 - 7 days in the hospital and 2 - 3 weeks in rehab before I'm on my own.
Whatever your physical condition going into surgery, I'd love to hear about: What things were hard for you when you got home? How long before you could prepare your own meals? How long before you could go out and run an errand? How long before you could do a short trip with low activity? If working, when could you return to work? That sort of thing.
All help would be appreciated.
I am 65 and in good health besides my inability to walk more than a 1/2 a block due to back pain. Up until six months ago, I could hike up a canyon near my home - generally 2 miles. I also have great balance, considering that I'm fused T4 - L3. (BTW, this is NOT a revision surgery since I've never been fused in this part of my spine.)
I simply don't know how to prepare for my self-care when I go home. The plan is 5 - 7 days in the hospital and 2 - 3 weeks in rehab before I'm on my own.
Whatever your physical condition going into surgery, I'd love to hear about: What things were hard for you when you got home? How long before you could prepare your own meals? How long before you could go out and run an errand? How long before you could do a short trip with low activity? If working, when could you return to work? That sort of thing.
All help would be appreciated.
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