twisting limitations with full fusion.

[debbei]

Sarah,
that is the cutest picture. My 5 year old chocolate lab somehow also knew to be careful around me. He was so sweet.

[ADMoul]

My Westie would follow me on my laps around the house during the winter and my first few weeks of recovery. It was almost like he knew there was something wrong and I needed to be "protected." Our canines are amazing! Now both he and the couch potato Scottie are benefiting from the walks outside. Of course, I usually have to make another trip by myself since I can't handle both of them and the pooper scooper!

[golfnut]

Rita,
I noticed your surgery was with Dr. Lenke. I am scheduled for Nov. 1 T-4-sacrum. I know my two schnauzers will be great company. The 12 year old can't jump up on the bed, so that bothers me because she just puts her paws on the side and has me lift her up now. This is probably a really stupid question, but I filled in my bio when I registered, but nothing shows up on my posts. I'm really new at this.
Thanks,
Karen

[foofer]

Karen,

I only started posting a few weeks ago myself, although I had been reading the forum for several months.

I have a double curve, 64T and 65L. I have some slippage in the lumbar area and have been told that would certainly cause me more trouble. Like you I am not in dire pain per se...by that I mean I am not sidelined from being active as well as working full time, but I ache and have stiffness and lots of moving pain that comes and goes. I also am starting to have sciatica. Seems like I am always trying to adjust my body, like trying to balance a corkscrew on a table. Not easy and probably can't be done.

I'm happy to know that now that I am truly "on" here, I can ask any ol' question that I think of in the coming months. It's not likely that I will have surgery before spring of next year unless I suddenly get into the severe pain zone. That's the first time increment that would be logical in my life, but as the saying goes, "If you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans."

Your signature is different from your bio info. Click on the "UserCP" in the upper left corner after you have logged in your name, password....then
"Edit your signature" is on the left and just follow the prompts. (I'm so proud that I can answer that question)

Finally, talk about silly... when I was mulling over the idea of surgery, one of the reasons I would not want to do it is that when I occasionally cut loose and dance around the house like a moron, by myself or with my kids...that I will lose some of my moves. TRAGEDY.

Amy

[doodie]

Hi Karen - welcome to the forum! You'll be in good company here.

Amy, I had to laugh when you said one reason you didn't want to do the surgery was because you would lose some dance moves.... I had the same thoughts. I've always been a dancer and I got my husband to start ballroom dance lessons with me a couple years ago and he LOVES it... We would be enrolled once again but I missed the registration for this latest session and classes were closed - boo!

Obviously, there is less hip motion so no sexy Rumba but there is still so much I CAN do and NO PAIN. Our last session ended one week before my surgery, and honestly after 20 minutes, I just couldn't hold posture anymore - my back was screaming.

This thread started out as "Twisting Limitations..." - I can still dance - just a little differently sometimes. It feels great though!

[golfnut]

Dance Moves

Hi, Amy and Julie,
I can't tell you how happy I am to have found this forum with such helpful and supportive people. You can just tell everyone has a great personality and sense of humor, but more important, a positive attitude. I loved the post about things one enjoyed about their recovery. Talk about looking at the positive side of things! I intend to continue to tap dance once I'm completely fused. We have some routines with hip swivels, but I'll just do the best I can & fake some of the moves. My golf is my biggest concern, but, I am looking forward to having a straight back and hopefully not such a rib hump. Amy, I went to "Edit your Signature" so I'll see if it works now.
Thanks,
Karen

[hope404]

thanks

enjoyed the pics.....thanks for posting...very encouraging

[jsully]

Great pictures!

[peachrush7]

thanks for posting these. as I ponder whether "to fuse, or not to fuse..." this helps me SEE that I won't necessarily be a robot. It's so hard to visualize what it'll be like, and this is encouraging.

thanks again!

[Lorz]

Thank you Ed!

As someone probably facing a long fusion, I really appreciate you doing this. A picture is definately worth a thousand words, in this case. You are an inspiration. Thanks so much!

[kennedy]

wow ed those pic are fancitit

[Mojo's Mom]

Ed, you made my whole day! Thanks!

[mbeckoff]

note to Karen
the answer to the problem of lifting dog up in the bedroom is....pet stairs...on the side of the bed (if your doggie isnt too old?)...we have a 3 stair thing that mine runs right up!...my 10 pound maltese cant reach the bed by jumping... ...bad enuf he runs up 10 stairs just to get to get TO the bedroom!
dont know what the answer is for lifting dog elsewhere in house...?

Sparky (AKA Pookie Doodle) lays in bed with me days when the pain is too much for me to get up (main reason i retired before i wanted to)...
one of these days, i will have someone show me how to post a link, &will put up one of his many pix...he is the dog i waited for all my life...couldn't have one working 2 jobs! he was worth the wait!
when i was about age 8, & in summer camp, i made tile painting of a little dog chasing a butterfly.. decades later, my sister found that tile in my father's belongings! ..it is now in my kitchen...looks just like my Sparky!!

every time i try to pick him up now (a struggle due to pain & weakness lately) i think of the surgery that i need...& havent scheduled yet...fusion T11-pelvis...and know i wont be doing that kind of lifting any more!
i know, i will still be able to snuggle him...but for now, i just enjoy curling up with him a little bit more!

woof

Jess, what is the difference between pelvis and sacrum?

Melissa

[Pooka1]

Ed, you made my whole day! Thanks!

I think Ti Ed is widely considered to be the unofficial spokesmodel in this sandbox for a full life after long fusion.

[JenniferG]

Hear hear! There ought to be medal for those who go above and beyond.

Melissa, fusion is to sacrum, with screws into the pelvis. (Iliac bolts? Someone might correct me?)