decisions, decisions and different opinions

[JuliaAnn]

Thank you for the update, Evelyn. It sounds like you are doing really well! That's great that you have such a straight back and very little leg pain. I was wondering about that.
I am encouraged reading your update. I can identify so much with your post, such as eating comfort foods. I haven't been doing much walking but should get back to that.
Thank you for the info about your hip. Just yesterday I got a pain in my left hip, so tender that it has caused more of a limp and hurts when I lay down. But I'll just wait some days to see if it goes away. Glad you are doing so well.

[Irina]

Congratulations, Evelyn on your one-year anniversary! As to being unsure, try not to look back and better think that you have a nice straight back that is stable and will not get worse. You mentioned that you're glad that this surgery is behind you, not ahead of you and I totally with you on that one even though I still have a lot of healing to do.

[golfnut]

Evelyn,
Thank you for posting of your improvements as well as some issues you are still having. I eventually noticed improvements in year 2 and even now in the beginning of my third year. At a year, I still couldn't sit very long without noticing a pain in my tailbone-it felt like it had been bruised. As soon as I stood up and walked, it felt better. At some point during the 2nd year, it dawned on me that I was not longer having the need to stand. After my two year anniversary, I quit needing a pillow behind my back in the car unless it was a long ride. I actually try to work on abdomen muscles by just sitting up straight and not leaning back. A church pew is much better now! I know that I regained a lot of muscle strength during year 2 as I was permitted to do more exercises. My flexibility has improved, too. My point of all of this is that I think you are doing well and will continue to notice improvements. Congratulations on your one year anniversary!
Your new picture on Facebook looks fantastic.

[JenniferG]

Hi Evelyn,

Just wanted to reiterate what others have said, that the improvements continue into the second year and you may even find, the third year. I strongly believe you will be much more convinced this time next year, that you did the right thing in having the surgery.

I am fascinated how instructions can vary so much: "I got to meet with Janet (the physical therapist), and she gave me some new exercises to stretch my hamstrings and calves, etc. Contrary to Dr. Lenke, she doesn't recommend bending, lifting or twisting. Also, she said logrolling "is forever." "

I never log-rolled except for once or twice in hospital. My surgeon had a lever/handle placed onto the side of my bed and from then on, I pulled myself up, and never log-rolled again. Cross fingers it hasn't done me any harm. It doesn't seem to have.

[walkingmom]

Hi Evelyn,

Congratulations on reaching that 1 yr post-op milestone. As I am approaching my 2 yr anniversary, I would concur with the others saying that you will continue to improve. It's just more subtle now. It hit me a month ago when I met with my family doctor and I told him that I am really the strongest that I have ever been. Prior to my surgery I wasn't able to do any upper body strengthening because it would just make my back hurt. Now I am doing weights 2-3 times/wk, and it so much easier.

Hope you will be able to find an exercise routine that will work for you as you head into your second post-op year. Thanks for sharing.
Donna

[Confusedmom]

Thanks, everyone, for the well-wishes! I do believe I will continue to improve. I'm with Susie Bee and some others who had slower recoveries. But I AM recovering, and for that I praise God! Karen, you mentioned the car--yes, I just took my pillow out of the garage because I don't need it anymore!! Jennifer, that is strange about the different instructions, but I would say Dr. Lenke's PT is extremely conservative--even more so than Dr. Lenke himself. I have gotten up a few times without logrolling, and it seemed fine. It's just that logrolling is my habit now.

Best,
Evelyn

[Confusedmom]

image.jpg

Hi all,

Thought you all might enjoy this art I saw at my son's PT office. (See attachment above.) I like the rainbow colored vertebrae.

Evelyn

[susancook]

The image is beautiful! Thanks for sharing!
Susan

[mabeckoff]

The picture is wonderful. Thanks for sharing it with us

Melissa

[tae_tap]

That is very pretty art work.
Tamena