please respond with your recovery stories

[Vali]

My recovery time went (well i thought) really well. In hospital 8 days, came home, slept like a baby, went off pain meds on day 15, taught dance routine to 5 men who can't dance at about the same time. At 8 weeks post-op, my surgeon thought i was doing extremely well and didn't need to see me until 5 months post-op unless i had any problems. My hubby took two weeks off work, but i had a friend who volunteered to do my ironing and another friend who has a cleaning business did my housekeeping for 6 months and my daughter helped out alot on her days off. I was pretty much able to do a lot on my own - with alot of care of course. I started driving at about 3 months. I was allowed to drive at 8 weeks but i was so happy that i was able to walk without pain, that i just wanted to walk everywhere! I began walking at normal pace at around 8 weeks. As you can see, the 8 week mark for me was a big turning point. I did lose weight, but don't know how much as i didn't weigh myself and i have regained it back as my hormones are all out of whack due to another issue. I have not had another surgery and i hope i dont need to. I have had a couple of issues this year, but nothing major. I am happy with my outcome - painfree, nice posture (except for J. Lo butt) and being able to partake in social activities once again. Best wishes on your journey.

[jesscv]

I found that sleeping on thick memory foam helped a lot... still use it a year and a half later. Immediately after surgery, I actually preferred to sleep in a reclining chair with pillows all around me. My doc told me to sleep on my side with a pillow in between my knees, but I can't say I ever followed that advice...

[foofer]

Hi LaShawn,

Welcome.

I'm with you in the "before" category but with no surgery scheduled- still I'm glad you asked the questions. It's always good to see an organized list of posters relaying their experiences.

I was hoping you would get more responses to the sex question. Ed was brave.
Anyone else? Ed definitely should get the Post of the Month award. I was going to add some comments, but I won't because then I would be in competition for the award, ya know?

Anyway, LaShawn...hope you keep posting and asking questions...

[fusedspine]

re:

Yes, no one has really responded on the sex question hehe. I was wondering since my hubby and I are very active. I am note talking about during the recovery period. but...you know.

[Vali]

Sorry completely missed the sex question but as someone said to me, when i asked the same question - 'where there's a will, there's a way'! For the first 6 weeks, there was no will, so there was no way.! hahahaha

[LindaRacine]

Spinal fusion surgery shouldn't change your sex life in the long-term, unless you're fused to the sacrum. If you are fused to the sacrum, it can change how you do things, but it shouldn't change the outcome.

[Susie*Bee]

If you do a search on the sex question, it's been brought up many times in the past and written of rather openly.

OK-- I tried to do a search and couldn't find anything for quite awhile, but then remembered someone had used them term wild monkey sex or something like that... so when I typed in monkey, I found the thread. It was under "intimacy"-- here's the link. There may be others out there too. I sure have a hard time with our search mechanism though. (Oh, I guess it will highlight the word monkey for you all... )

http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/showt...ghlight=monkey

BTW-- this is pretty funny/interesting reading regardless of your age, but not for the under 18 crowd. That's why I remembered it. (Because it was funny and wild...)

[fusedspine]

re:

LOL, That link REALLY helped LOL. OMG

[foofer]

Susie*Bee,

Have I told you lately that I love you?

[Susie*Bee]

Foofer-- you just made my day!

BTW-- the only reason I remembered "monkey sex" was because it was way beyond me... the whole discussion had me with my jaw hitting the floor, my eyes popping, and me laughing so hard it hurt. But I was feeling so happy for those who were obviously enjoying their love lives so much. Life is short.

Here's another link:

http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/showt...ht=intercourse

I know there are others, but I just can't find them. Good luck if you try some searching.

[jrnyc]

"...unless you're fused to the sacrum..."

i need to be fused to pelvis...which surgeon claims isnt much different than the sacrum
and i cant even imagine...i mean, i can try to imagine, but i dont get far with my mental images!




jess

[JenniferG]

Don't you worry about a thing Jess. From someone who knows.

I have to say, Susie Bee must win the award for greatest search skills! "Type in monkey...."

[jrnyc]

thanks for the info, Jen G.

jess

[Radiogirl]

Hi! I am 5 months post op and very glad I had the surery. I lost about 12 -15 pounds and have gained it back, but look more stretched out and balanced, so still look like I weigh less than before surgery, even though I don't. I went back to work after 3 months. It sounds like a long time to be off, but it went fast. I am not in any pain, but have a mild burning/tight feeling in my back where the nerves are growing back. And I still have some numbness in that area for the same reason. Good luck to you! We have all been there. I'm glad I did it!!!!

[fusedspine]

re:

How do you go about donating blood for your surgery?