Lisa--
I know Pam is right, it doesn't do any good to worry about what might happen. But just for the record, I also worry, even though I try not to. Even though most of Sidney's spine is fused, because at 13 he has so many years of growth left it seems anything could happen.
As for walking, we were told it was the only exercise that was okay before 3 months. I'm not sure long distance is as important as making sure it happens every day. Maybe others can comment on this. I've read that when the nerves in the soles of the feet are stimulated, it sends an electrical current up the spine, which is what makes bones grow and heal. Even for someone not recovering from spinal surgery, it keeps the body from getting stiff.
Sidney has been lucky and had no pain, so we have insisted that he walk. It's also a chance to get out and breathe some fresh air. We don't live in a neighborhood (we actually live in the woods) and he generally doesn't like to walk alone, so either my husband or I go with him, and although he has some say-so, we typically pick the distance and place. We've had some great conversations! The surgeon told us hiking would be fine if Sidney was up to it. He is able to do more, and it can't hurt to do more, so we do. Today, though, he was walking with my husband on a trail, and even though my husband had warned him about it, he slipped on a wet log step and fell on his knee. It wasn't a bad fall and he seems to be okay, but my husband said it was scary. We will all be more careful in the future.
Sounds like Tahlia is doing great.
Mary Ellen
I know Pam is right, it doesn't do any good to worry about what might happen. But just for the record, I also worry, even though I try not to. Even though most of Sidney's spine is fused, because at 13 he has so many years of growth left it seems anything could happen.
As for walking, we were told it was the only exercise that was okay before 3 months. I'm not sure long distance is as important as making sure it happens every day. Maybe others can comment on this. I've read that when the nerves in the soles of the feet are stimulated, it sends an electrical current up the spine, which is what makes bones grow and heal. Even for someone not recovering from spinal surgery, it keeps the body from getting stiff.
Sidney has been lucky and had no pain, so we have insisted that he walk. It's also a chance to get out and breathe some fresh air. We don't live in a neighborhood (we actually live in the woods) and he generally doesn't like to walk alone, so either my husband or I go with him, and although he has some say-so, we typically pick the distance and place. We've had some great conversations! The surgeon told us hiking would be fine if Sidney was up to it. He is able to do more, and it can't hurt to do more, so we do. Today, though, he was walking with my husband on a trail, and even though my husband had warned him about it, he slipped on a wet log step and fell on his knee. It wasn't a bad fall and he seems to be okay, but my husband said it was scary. We will all be more careful in the future.
Sounds like Tahlia is doing great.
Mary Ellen
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