Re: Great pictures Kathy

[Guest guest]

Yes, Kathy thank you for sharing your pictures & experiences. It is really amazing what we have had to go through, in hopes just to remain functional. I am one year & 3 months post revision.

I am hoping for better weather soon so maybe I can try regular walking. Up until now, I have been using a rolling walker. It seems to help when the pain is bad. Other times, I revert back to a cane. I have been struggling with the weight I have gained. It is really adding to my pain. Congratulations on your weight loss! It's no easy task!

I am starting to get some of my baseline flexibility back, but I remain very weak & unsteady (I also suffer with fibromyalgia). Dr Rand has postponed my annual follow-up to September recently, mainly because I had x-rays & ct scans in February because I had a fall. What irks me is that I never got to see or talk to Dr Rand about any questions or concerns. Then because I wasn't having tests, they cancelled my March appointment which I had been looking forward to for 6 months!

I tried calling the office & I left a detailed voice message, but no one there has been courteous enough to return my call or help me. I am discouraged because I'd like to know how the fusion is healing and talk about what I should or should not be doing. I am starting to feel that because I am not actively considering going under the knife again, I am not given any time.

If the fusion is doing well,then I guess I need to discuss the many areas where I am having pain. I know the surgery didn't guarantee pain relief, but I still need help if I am to remain in pain all the time. I cannot live in constant pain.

I haven't posted in a while, and I am kinda isolated. My husband has been helping me manage, & he's been on the road travelling for nearly three weeks with his business.I just start to get a little anxious when I am so isolated for so long. I'll get off the soap box now. Thanks for reading.

Robin

Salem,MA

[Guest guest]

Hi Robin - Thanks for the compliment on my pics. I remember when you had your surgery. I have been following your story for quite some time. I think since I first signed up in December 2009. I know that you have been struggleing. I know that Dr Hu gave me a gold star on my 6 week visit (March 9), but I am still concerened. I had a wheelchair ride from HELL at the airport when I was discharged after my anterior surgery in January. I was brutally jarred about 10 to 15 times. I filed a complaint with the airport & notified my surgeon's office as soon as I got home. I'm not having any pain, but my spine "creaks" very loud. I can't help but think something may have rattled loose. Since I'm not in any pain, my surgeon isn't concerned. My attitude is...just because it doensn't hurt now,

doesn't mean I won't have problems with it in the future. But for now, I seem to be the only one concerned. As for my recovery...I purchased a treadmill after my flatback causing surgery in 2007. It was the best investment I ever made. After my surgeries, I was only able to walk at the lowest setting possible. It really is a snail's pace. Each day I get a little faster. I have to admit...when I was in my WORST pain, the LAST thing I wanted to do was get on the treadmill & walk. But I also have to admit, walking always makes my pain level go down. So no matter how bad I feel, I get on it at least five times a week. I started out at 1/10th of a mile in five minutes. Now I'm up to a mile in 25 minutes. Even if I only walked for 2 or 3 minutes, it helped my muscles from tensing up from the pain. And 2 or 3 minutes of walking is better than none at all. I really hope

things start going better for you. I know all about being alone. I came home from my surgeries to an empty house with 3 large dogs to tend to. No rest for the weary, as they say. So does walking help or hurt your Fibro? It's the only therapy I get. My state Medi-Cal doesn't cover physical therapy or in home care. Hopefully I'll be steady enough on my feet to attempt to walk a dog or 2 or 3 of mine sometime soon. Take care & I hope you get some answers & relief soon.

..........................................Kathy

From: Robin Vita <robin.vita@...>Subject: Re: Great pictures Kathy Date: Monday, March 14, 2011, 11:24 PM

Yes, Kathy thank you for sharing your pictures & experiences. It is really amazing what we have had to go through, in hopes just to remain functional. I am one year & 3 months post revision.

I am hoping for better weather soon so maybe I can try regular walking. Up until now, I have been using a rolling walker. It seems to help when the pain is bad. Other times, I revert back to a cane. I have been struggling with the weight I have gained. It is really adding to my pain. Congratulations on your weight loss! It's no easy task!

I am starting to get some of my baseline flexibility back, but I remain very weak & unsteady (I also suffer with fibromyalgia). Dr Rand has postponed my annual follow-up to September recently, mainly because I had x-rays & ct scans in February because I had a fall. What irks me is that I never got to see or talk to Dr Rand about any questions or concerns. Then because I wasn't having tests, they cancelled my March appointment which I had been looking forward to for 6 months!

I tried calling the office & I left a detailed voice message, but no one there has been courteous enough to return my call or help me. I am discouraged because I'd like to know how the fusion is healing and talk about what I should or should not be doing. I am starting to feel that because I am not actively considering going under the knife again, I am not given any time.

If the fusion is doing well,then I guess I need to discuss the many areas where I am having pain. I know the surgery didn't guarantee pain relief, but I still need help if I am to remain in pain all the time. I cannot live in constant pain.

I haven't posted in a while, and I am kinda isolated. My husband has been helping me manage, & he's been on the road travelling for nearly three weeks with his business.I just start to get a little anxious when I am so isolated for so long. I'll get off the soap box now. Thanks for reading.

RobinSalem,MA