Looking back....tomorrow is one year post op

[Jimbo]

What a great post. It is awesome you are doin so well.

I bet you're glad you never listened to Dr Dumbell! xD

[debbei]

Hi Debbei,

Congrats to you on your one year anniversary! I have been following your posts for the pasts few months since I joined this forum since they have been very inspiring to me. You had a double "S" curve which is similar to mine and I also live in Central Jersey so I would also be going into NYC to get the surgery. I enjoy reading your posts since they are so positive and encouraging. I really want to go through with the surgery, and I am finally going to see Dr. Boachie in the beginning of November. Your posts make me feel like I CAN do the surgery.

Anyway, best of luck to you and I am so glad you are feeling so well! Keep us posted with your progess.

Take care,
JenM

Jen, check your PM's.

[debbei]

Hi Debbei.

What a wonderful thread to start!!! I congratulate you, along with everyone else here!!!

You've summed it up perfectly and what you have said will help many people, which is very special!!!

You sent many memories flooding back to me, and now I have tears in my eyes.
Thanks a lot for making me cry.

Everyone should read what you've said,
Shari

Shari,

yes I'm feeling rather sentimental today. I think all day long I'm going to be thinking what I was doing last year at this time....for example, last year around 7:11 AM I was talking to the anesthesiologist answering questions and asking for my 'happy juice.' After that it was CLEAR SAILING until I woke up after surgery looking at my husband. LOL I highly recommend the 'happy juice' as soon as they'll give it to you. Takes away ALL the anxiety.

[debbei]

Debbe

You made it.......Phew....

I remember your first posts. This was 1027 posts ago.

http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/showthread.php?t=7272


Remember this one?
Embarassing question
after fusion, after you're all healed up and feeling better, how on earth does sex work?

Ohhhh boy!

No, this isn't a post roast! I might get beat up too bad! LOL

Do you need to go up to the city for x-rays?
Ed

Wow Ed, that post first sure brought back memories. I was scared out of my mind. As for the 'embarassing question' post, it took a while, but things are working out JUST FINE. When the Dr. cleared me for that 'activity' at 6 weeks, it as definitely too early. Actually I think the pain meds interfered with me enjoying it al all. BWHAAHAAHAA

As for checkups, I had a 6 week checkup in December, then back in March, and again in July. At July he said I didn't have to go back for a whole year! I don't mind going into the city for these appointments. We make a day of it. Last time we ate in Little Italy. YUM. I also try to weasle a stop into a jewelry store. I don't think hubby will agree to that one after the last trip.

Ed, you have been a real inspiration for me all along. I don't mind if you do a post roast, it's kind of funny. After all, I have asked/written some pretty goofy things. Leave it to me---if I wonder about it, I'll ask it. Who better to ask? The people on this forum are the EXPERTS.

[debbei]

What a great post. It is awesome you are doin so well.

I bet you're glad you never listened to Dr Dumbell! xD

I sure am Jimbo. Dr.'s have to realize that word-of-mouth affects their careers. Just yesterday a neightbor needed an ortho dr. for her daughter, and called asking me the name of Dr. Dumbell so she could avoid him.

Are you getting scheduled soon Jimbo? I know you had a recent appointment but can't remember if you and the doc's made a decision.

[valleygirl]

Congratulations Debbe! What a difference a year makes! You've been through so much and come through with flying colors.

I, for one, am glad and so very grateful that you are here. Your well documented journey is an inspiration for many of us. You continue to give support, hope, and affirmation that we (or at least me) are on the right path towards living pain free.

Please keep posting as your insight and experience is invaluable!

Again, congratulations and all the best for continued success and painfree living!

Hugs,

[LynnMarie74]

WOW!! Thats awesome! Im so glad you are doing so well!! Ed's post made me laugh...as I do believe I may have asked some similiar questions! "That" just seems impossible before you have the surgery! lol Again, so glad all is going well..


LYNN

[52skeedoo]

Hi Debbe,

Thanks for this post. I've loved reading it. You are an inspiration for me. I've been struggling a bit at 3 1/2 months. I've gone back to work and am trying to balance work with proper rest and exercise. My balancing act needs a lot of improvement.

It's good to hear that there is significant improvement from 9-12 months. It gives me some perspective on where I am in the healing process.

And I love your honesty about sex. I couldn't imagine how it would ever happen after surgery. I can report that although I also was given permission from my doctor at 6 week, that was a bit too early for me,too. There has been significant improvement with time and there's now hope for an even better future.

Keep on getting stronger !

Sheri

[debbei]

Hi Debbe,

Thanks for this post. I've loved reading it. You are an inspiration for me. I've been struggling a bit at 3 1/2 months. I've gone back to work and am trying to balance work with proper rest and exercise. My balancing act needs a lot of improvement.

It's good to hear that there is significant improvement from 9-12 months. It gives me some perspective on where I am in the healing process.

And I love your honesty about sex. I couldn't imagine how it would ever happen after surgery. I can report that although I also was given permission from my doctor at 6 week, that was a bit too early for me,too. There has been significant improvement with time and there's now hope for an even better future.

Keep on getting stronger !

Sheri

Sheri,

You must be doing very well. I couldn't have imagined going back to work at 3.5 months. I went back at 7.5 months, and at that time I was having terrible muscle spasms. I can't say 100% but I really think that me going to my regular 2x a week exercise class has helped/prevented the spasms. Just my theory. I'm not going to stop and check it.

Today I told my boss that if didn't have such a hairy face today I would have kissed him. One year ago today, he picked me and my husband up from the hospital and drove us that long 1.5 hour ride home. I told him how terrible I felt when I first started working, but apparently, he says, I hid it well. I remember grimmacing a lot and VERY careful movements.

As far as the 'permission' given at 6 weeks, those Dr.'s must be nuts. It was WAY too soon. Honestly, trying at that time probably made me feel worse because I thought it would be that way forever. I think I sent out a few SOS emails to a few forum members asking questions at the time. LOL

You will improve, I promise.

[Suzy]

WOW 1 year already?!

Hi Debbei!

Congrats! I know the sentimental feelings you are having, I did too! Not just at 1 year but on each anniversary of my surgery date, my new birth date of sorts. I have to tell you I thought I was fully recovered at 1 year, I felt fabiolus! The next 6 months proved me wrong, I got even better! No change from 1 1/2 yrs to 2 years and I am holding steady. You ever get back into your high heels? I was thinking about you not long ago as I bought yet another pair that will make the women at our scoli support group shake their heads in wonder!! LOL!

Best wishes, Suzy

[debbei]

Hi Debbei!

Congrats! I know the sentimental feelings you are having, I did too! Not just at 1 year but on each anniversary of my surgery date, my new birth date of sorts. I have to tell you I thought I was fully recovered at 1 year, I felt fabiolus! The next 6 months proved me wrong, I got even better! No change from 1 1/2 yrs to 2 years and I am holding steady. You ever get back into your high heels? I was thinking about you not long ago as I bought yet another pair that will make the women at our scoli support group shake their heads in wonder!! LOL!

Best wishes, Suzy

Suzy,

I'm looking forward to feeling even better in 6 more months. I went non-stop this weekend and I'm exhausted. We had houseguests (my inlaws) who haven't seen me since the surgery, and I told my husband that they just don't get it. They see me looking all normal and think I can do 'anything'. Well, maybe I can, but it can sure take a lot out of me.

You crack me up. Yes, I have been in heels, but the highest I'll get (even prior to surgery) is probably about 2.5 or 3 inches. I don't wear them on a regular basis, but I can.

Soo....are you in 5" heels? I think we need a picture. I thought this one was funny:

http://www.joe-ks.com/archives_jun20...yHighHeels.htm

[kt2009]

Love the pic of the heels...hilarious! I'm getting ready to go back to work a few hours a day, and I have no idea what I'm going to wear! Luckily, I'm a reading specialist in an elementary school...but I still like to look professional. Due to my incision, I don't like wearing anything but sweatpants low on my hips and I haven't worn anything but sneakers! I miss my pretty shoes!

BTW, my inlaws are seeing me for the first time this weekend and don't quite get it either. She has offered to cook, but suggested I get all the shopping done before she got here! I had to break it to her that not only did I just start driving, I can't lift anything!

Congrats on your one year! It makes me very hopeful!

[Vali]

Congratulations on your one year anniversary Debbei. I often wondered when i would get back into wearing heels of some sort. This is one of the questions i asked my surgeon before the surgery. He said, he couldn't see why i couldn't wear heels after surgery, and stated that i may be even more comfortable than before due to a straighter back.
The week before surgery i decided to keep a journal of my scoliosis journey and guess what the title is:---
"I will not be resigned to wearing court shoes"!

[Zoee]

congrats!

It is very heartening to hear how you are doing a year later. Congrats and thank you for sharing this with us!
I have found myself getting "down in the dumps" the past few weeks - my surgery was 8/11. I had such a quick recovery the first few weeks and now I'm settling in to the tedious part, I think - of having to take a back seat to things, listening to my body, and restricting so many of my activities. the worst part is the pounds are starting to add up - I can feel flab forming - "muffin top" I think is the right word. I've always been so vigilant about exercising and staying in shape, and now being able to only walk I am not able to burn the calories needed. I know in the long term this is just a little "bump" but I do find it hard to keep up a good attitude. so it's nice to hear how it does pay off a year later!!!!!

[JenniferG]

Vali, court shoes don't turn me on either, however, I'm now addicted to thongs! (For our friends in the US, not the underwear variety, the footwear variety!)

Zoee, this stage doesn't last forever. You are still early in your recovery, but it won't be long before you are able to walk further and faster and you can burn those muffin calories right off!