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What's realistic?
What's a realistic goal? 1 month? this could be a problem...
What's a realistic goal? 1 month? this could be a problem...
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2000 34*L/39*T
2007 44*L/53*T
12.3.07 Posterior Spinal Fusion T4-T12
(initially planned T4-L1)
12.18.07 11*L/10*T
23 years old -
I Drove!
Vndy,
My doctor absolutely forbid me to drive until 3 months post op. I even called and begged. I have heard and read on this forum that people drive much sooner than this.
dhansenant./post. fusion Jan. '06
T3- sacrum
dbl.curve, T47,L43Comment
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Vndy - I drove at 3 weeks, but ONLY because we don't have freeways in Alaska and I was going straight to work and straight home. Realistically, if I had to drive on freeways, I personally would not have felt safe until about 6 weeks. Your neck mobility is not normal after this, and of course you are forbidden to twist your torso. Also, if you have a stick shift vehicle, I think that would be very painful if not impossible for a good time after surgery.31 year old female
55* (day of surgery) thoracic curve w/compensatory lumbar
T4-T12 on Aug 15, 2007
MRI, pre-surgery
Xray, 3 mos. post-op
Machu Picchu, 8 mos. post-opComment
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driving under the influence
Vndy - Wouldn't driving post-op also depend on the medications one would be taking? Wouldn't going back to work/school also depend on how heavily medicated one would be?
If you have full benefits with your job - have you looked into FMLA and Short Term Disability? FMLA secures your job for 12 weeks if you are worried about losing it.
I was asked to be in a wedding in December. My surgery is on Monday. So, just to be safe - I stepped down from the wedding and will not present for any of activities at this time (bridal/bachelorette parties). That was one of my problems. Another problem I have are my 2 children. 11 and 6 year old boys. They're going to school - they need help with their homework - they need food on the table. The biggest problem I face is I'm also at risk of losing my job after I return to work because of a slow housing industry... I am optimistic about returning to work at 12 weeks - right when my FMLA runs out.
We all have problems. We all worry. It's how you deal with those issues - don't set yourself up with it if you can control it. You can always postpone your surgery too...-----------------
Jane
34 yrs old
Diagnosed at 12; Boston Brace for a year; ScoliTron for 3 months. Curves left untreated after 13 yrs old until 27yrs old.
Pre-Op Upper Curve: 49; Post-Op: 14
Pre-Op Lower Curve: 51; Post-Op: 18
Posterior Reconstruction from T2-L3 on Oct 22, 2007
Dr McNulty - UMC Hospital
Las Vegas, NVComment
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Yet again here is a perfect example of everyone's differences in their recovery. I drove at 4 weeks post-op. I think the drugs are a factor as well as your amount of fusion. I have a back up camera that was a HUGE help and I figured out what dosage allowed me to be able to drive safely. I was not able to check my blind spot very well but just made sure to be extra careful IF I needed to change lanes. (I tried not to.)
Fused T10 to L4 at age 43 Feb. 22, 2006Comment
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