Hi Everyone! It's been quite a while since I have been on here. I just passed my 5 year mark from my first surgery so thought I would give an update.
So far everything is okay! I am still on pain meds though. I take 50 mg of morphin twice a day, hydrocodone 2 to 3 times a day and Robaxin 3 times a day. I have been under the care of a great pain management doctor for a few years now. We just finished doing knee injections that will create more cushion between the bones in my knees. It was a gel like substance and should last at least a year. That has helped to improve my gait somewhat.
I will be seeing Dr. LaGrone for my 2 year checkup from when he fixed my flat back issue. I'm still not completely straight. The screws in my hips have really been bothering me lately. I think it's because I am now walking so much more and so much faster.
I have continued to work at the school putting in 10 hour days! I have been mowing the yard, weedeating, blowing, edging, weeding the flower beds and any other kind of yard work there is. It's hard but I take frequent breaks and that helps.
Traveling has gotten alot better!!! I don't need to stop every couple of hours anymore. This past Christmas we went out to Ouray, Colorado so our son could do some ice climbing. I was able to hike in the snow with the aid of my Yaktraks on my shoes. They are like chains to tires.....except these are for boots or shoes. I can't hike as far in the winter if it is snowy and icy. It uses alot of muscles to keep your balance so you don't fall. Normal hiking has been going pretty good. The problem I have with hiking is if I have to take big steps up, the hips aren't capable of handling that to well.
The air pressure plays a big part in my daily pain levels. I can't remember right now if it is when the pressure goes up or down that my pain levels go up.
Now, I'm sure that some of you are wondering if I would have gone through the surgery again knowing what I now know. The answer is still yes!!! My pain meds can pretty well take care of most of my lingering pain that I still have. Nothing would have been able to stop the progression of my curving spine except surgery. I know that in a few years I will still be able to walk around and not have to worry about being in a wheel chair. My lungs and heart have alot more space to do their jobs properly then what they had. So all in all, I think the good out weighs the bad!!!
So far everything is okay! I am still on pain meds though. I take 50 mg of morphin twice a day, hydrocodone 2 to 3 times a day and Robaxin 3 times a day. I have been under the care of a great pain management doctor for a few years now. We just finished doing knee injections that will create more cushion between the bones in my knees. It was a gel like substance and should last at least a year. That has helped to improve my gait somewhat.
I will be seeing Dr. LaGrone for my 2 year checkup from when he fixed my flat back issue. I'm still not completely straight. The screws in my hips have really been bothering me lately. I think it's because I am now walking so much more and so much faster.
I have continued to work at the school putting in 10 hour days! I have been mowing the yard, weedeating, blowing, edging, weeding the flower beds and any other kind of yard work there is. It's hard but I take frequent breaks and that helps.
Traveling has gotten alot better!!! I don't need to stop every couple of hours anymore. This past Christmas we went out to Ouray, Colorado so our son could do some ice climbing. I was able to hike in the snow with the aid of my Yaktraks on my shoes. They are like chains to tires.....except these are for boots or shoes. I can't hike as far in the winter if it is snowy and icy. It uses alot of muscles to keep your balance so you don't fall. Normal hiking has been going pretty good. The problem I have with hiking is if I have to take big steps up, the hips aren't capable of handling that to well.
The air pressure plays a big part in my daily pain levels. I can't remember right now if it is when the pressure goes up or down that my pain levels go up.
Now, I'm sure that some of you are wondering if I would have gone through the surgery again knowing what I now know. The answer is still yes!!! My pain meds can pretty well take care of most of my lingering pain that I still have. Nothing would have been able to stop the progression of my curving spine except surgery. I know that in a few years I will still be able to walk around and not have to worry about being in a wheel chair. My lungs and heart have alot more space to do their jobs properly then what they had. So all in all, I think the good out weighs the bad!!!
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