Hi All,
I had my 12 week follow-up appointment with Dr. Lenke on Wednesday. It was a happy occasion to see him again and to get a good report. My hardware all looks the same as in the x-rays taken on the Friday that I left the hospital. I asked if he could see bone fusion on the x-rays and he said that it is really too early to see fusion at this point. He measured my curve as 34 degrees now. I had a very stiff curve with lots of arthritis and lots of rotation (I had the spine of an 80 year old in Dr. Lenke's words), so I feel god to have received a 50% correcton. He says that I look well balanced in both directions.
As I was sitting in Dr. Lenke's waiting area, I felt blessed. There are some very difficult cases out there and some folks who are really in pain. I feel blessed to have been well corrected and to be on the healing side of this very daunting surgery.
Some thoughts on travel during these early days for those of you who might have travel in you future. I flew this time from Columbus to St. Louis and, although I was worried about it, it went fine.
I also want to let folks know that, for me, the 10 and 11 week mark was a "turning pont" (as a "fusion to the sacrum" gal). I really started to feel stronger and have more stamina and energy at this point.
Cheers,
Kathy
I had my 12 week follow-up appointment with Dr. Lenke on Wednesday. It was a happy occasion to see him again and to get a good report. My hardware all looks the same as in the x-rays taken on the Friday that I left the hospital. I asked if he could see bone fusion on the x-rays and he said that it is really too early to see fusion at this point. He measured my curve as 34 degrees now. I had a very stiff curve with lots of arthritis and lots of rotation (I had the spine of an 80 year old in Dr. Lenke's words), so I feel god to have received a 50% correcton. He says that I look well balanced in both directions.
As I was sitting in Dr. Lenke's waiting area, I felt blessed. There are some very difficult cases out there and some folks who are really in pain. I feel blessed to have been well corrected and to be on the healing side of this very daunting surgery.
Some thoughts on travel during these early days for those of you who might have travel in you future. I flew this time from Columbus to St. Louis and, although I was worried about it, it went fine.
1) Don't be shy about getting a wheelchair assist at the airport. I could have walked to my gate, but I wasn't sure if I could sit in the airport seating comfortably for an hour while waiting to board. The airports have the wheelchir assist down to a science and it worked great. I was able to pre-board this way also, which allowed me to sit in the front, bulkhead row.
2) If possilbe, try to ride on a larger plane, like a 737 as opposed to the commuter jets....no ducking to get into the seat.
3) I wish I had taken my long handled grabber along, even though it didn't fit in my luggage. I felt so helpless without it. I even had to ask my mom-in-law to help me dress.
4) My cobalt chrome / titanium "rack" did not set off airport security...yeah!
5) If your travel takes you to St. Louis, I hghly recommend the Parkway hotel. The beds were comfortable again this visit, even without being on pain medications! And, the staff is so nice. Erica, at the front desk, remembered me immediately and told me how much better I was walking now :-).
2) If possilbe, try to ride on a larger plane, like a 737 as opposed to the commuter jets....no ducking to get into the seat.
3) I wish I had taken my long handled grabber along, even though it didn't fit in my luggage. I felt so helpless without it. I even had to ask my mom-in-law to help me dress.
4) My cobalt chrome / titanium "rack" did not set off airport security...yeah!
5) If your travel takes you to St. Louis, I hghly recommend the Parkway hotel. The beds were comfortable again this visit, even without being on pain medications! And, the staff is so nice. Erica, at the front desk, remembered me immediately and told me how much better I was walking now :-).
I also want to let folks know that, for me, the 10 and 11 week mark was a "turning pont" (as a "fusion to the sacrum" gal). I really started to feel stronger and have more stamina and energy at this point.
Cheers,
Kathy
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