Melissa's life -update

[Lorraine 1966]

Just take it easy as you are doing Melissa until you see your doctor. Please dont worry though as that won't change anything. Just take one day at a time and only do what your body lets you do.

Thinking and praying for you
Lorraine. "scoli hugs across the ocean"

[gmw]

Good morning Melissa -- So sorry to hear you are still in so much pain. You have had a tough time. I do hope you're dr is able to come up with some answers for you when you go on the 16th. Know you're in the thoughts and prayers of many. Take good care of yourself and don't push too much.

Glenda

[Doodles]

Melissa--
I am so sorry things aren't going better for you. I hope your surgeon can provide some answers. I remember feeling pretty good at about 3 months and then going downhill after about 7 months. Everyone is so different. Hopefully, you'll have been through the worst and will soon have clear sailing. Janet

[ADMoul]

Hi Melissa,
Just wanted you to know you're in my thoughts and prayers and that we all face different challenges with this. It's hard not to compare recoveries and corrections, etc. but try to keep the big picture in mind. It will get better at some point, but it's so frustrating when you can't do what you want to do, esp. if you're dealing with other things that stress you out. Read some of Titanium Ed's posts--talk about an inspiration!!! I could say I was pretty lucky with my recovery, but the pain in my hip from this screw is sort of getting worse (I supect, as I heal and the bone fuses around it) and I keep stressing about how I'm going to fit a surgery to remove it into my school year schedule. For all of us, it's one day at a time. Hoping that brighter days are ahead for you soon!!!

[mbeckoff]

I try not to worry about the pain. The thing is , I felt so good in June and then I went down hill, that is what is bothering me

Thanks for the good throughts

Melissa

[JenniferG]

Not long till you see your surgeon. I hope you get the answers you need Melissa.

[mbeckoff]

I certainly hope so . Before the sugery I had pain, but I could do what I needed to do. Now I walk like I am 70 with a cane and I cannot lift any thing nor do what I need to do

Melissa

[doodie]

Melissa-

I wish I lived closer so I could just pop over to see you....do any others of us live nearby??

I did have times after my surgery that I seemed to be taking steps backwards...two steps forward, one step back, but I could read in my journal how overall, I was making progress. It was s l o w at times but it was still progress. It seems we all have types of 'minor' complications on our recovery journey - minor complications in that they mostly resolve themselves given time. I had my share and posted at times to get advice or support - I did not post as often as I could have. Perhaps when we are in the midst of our problems with recovery we are so concentrated on improving that we forget to post here and that's why there are more 'success' posts than setback posts. Not sure - I just know that when I was having those feelings of depression the last thing I wanted to do was talk about it, on here or with anyone else. I did however, write about it in my journal. It didn't help to relieve it but I felt it was important to document it. Soon after the pain meds were out of my system the depression cleared up and I began to feel like myself again.

As for driving, I had surgery #2 on April 14 and didn't drive until August 5th. I wasn't ready until then and didn't want to be on pain med. while driving so I waited. I felt like I was slower than a lot of people on here in regaining those kinds of skills but it was not helpful to focus on what others were doing and berate myself because I wasn't there yet - I see that now... We are all different - What Debbe said about focusing on positives right now is very helpful.

August 16th is coming up soon so I'm praying you can get some answers then!

[Karen Ocker]

Too soon!!!

Melissa,
This surgery is so mega, with the whole architecture of the trunk realigned, there is no way to be comfortable this soon after surgery. It was a good 18 months before I didn't have to take 'something" for pain. The healing process is very slow. The nerves, spinal cord, joints, tendons must adjust. There Is no speeding it up. There Will be good days and bad days.

Try not to get too fearful because this will make you nuts.

[jrnyc]

hi melissa
i am hoping and praying that the next 3 months make up in recovery for what you are going through now!

feel better soon!
jess

[mbeckoff]

Thanks

I am waiting until a week from tomorrow to see what the surgeon says

Melissa