Sharon

[Guest guest]

Oh, well, hey, , I didn't know they serve coffee and treats...

....And they feed us at the class too...

....I guess I can enjoy that. I suppose it's to make up for not letting you eat when you get out of surgery.

:^D

Sharon

[ ] sharon> > > > > > > > > > > > Hi Sharon,> > > > How is it going? How is the preperation coming along? > Anything > > I > > > can > > > > do to help? > > > >> > >> >>

[Guest guest]

---

Yeah,get all the treats you can becasue cream of chicken soup starts

to suck real fast!!! I still can't eat red or orange jello since the

surgery.....it makes me gage!!,PA

In , " Sharon Green "

<sharon.green18@...> wrote:

>

> Oh, well, hey, , I didn't know they serve coffee and treats...

>

> ...And they feed us at the class too...

>

> ...I guess I can enjoy that. I suppose it's to make up for not

letting you eat when you get out of surgery.

>

> :^D

>

> Sharon

>

> [ ] sharon

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > Hi Sharon,

> > > > > How is it going? How is the preperation coming along?

> > Anything

> > > I

> > > > can

> > > > > do to help?

> > > > >

> > > >

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Hm, I wonder what they feed vegetarians.

[ ] sharon> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Hi Sharon,> > > > > How is it going? How is the preperation coming along? > > Anything > > > I > > > > can > > > > > do to help? > > > > >> > > >> > >> >>

[Guest guest]

-

Probably plain broth, vegetable broth, I can tell you are drooling

over this yummy thought!!!,PA

-- In , " Sharon Green "

<sharon.green18@...> wrote:

>

> Hm, I wonder what they feed vegetarians.

>

>

> [ ] sharon

> > > > > >

> > > > > >

> > > > > > Hi Sharon,

> > > > > > How is it going? How is the preperation coming along?

> > > Anything

> > > > I

> > > > > can

> > > > > > do to help?

> > > > > >

> > > > >

> > > >

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Sharon, Pa is right enjoy as much as you can and it will be a

long day.If your doing the class you get a nice lunch and yes I did

see a veggie sandwich when I went there..I was there on thursday for

my post-op appt. to see Dr. Rand and all is fine he gave me my xrays

to take home for show-n-tell..lol..I have to go back in oct. but he

didn't want me to go back to work till I see him but I told him I

wanted to go back in sept. when school starts back and he finally

gave me the ok. when did you go back to work was it 4 months

after your surgery? He also reminded my hubby that I'm still not to

be doing anything just relaxing,and he said I'm not suppose to be

doing all that walking just do a little a day as long as I feel good

but he said don't listen to that paper thay give you at the hospital

that says by 5 months you should be walking 5 miles that is not the

case he said..I thought I was going to get yelled at cause I can't

walk that far, I can do about 3/4 of a mile and he said that was fine

he didn't want me to do more. So he kept me on my meds and sent me on

my merry way..He is the best I really like him as a Dr. But I was

there for about 3 1/2 hours to get xrayed before I seen him and the

then the appt.. So Sharon you are in good hands and you will pull

through that surgery great just like the rest of us that had

Dr.Rand.. You must be starting to get nervous as the day gets closer.

Don't worry you'll be fine.I know it's easier for me to say it now,

but I was just as nervous before the surgery when everyone was

telling me it would be ok and they were right after the 1st month or

so I was feeling better and was glad I had it done cause that god

awful pain I had going down my leg was GONE and it was all well worth

it.. So you will also be glad you did it..Good Luck and we'll all be

here pulling for you..Take Care and have a good day,Vonnie .. -

-- In , " heatherbenjaminnicholas "

<heatherbenjaminnicholas@...> wrote:

>

> --Sharon,

> I think you should try to the best of your ability to enjoy!! It is

> just the first of your FUN times at NEBH, so why wait to enjoy?

Start

> that day, sit back relax and enjoy!!!They serve coffee and treats

in

> the main preop center...what is not to love about that? ,PA

>

> - In , " Sharon Green "

> <sharon.green18@> wrote:

> >

> > Really? You mean I SHOULD enjoy pre-op? Sounds like misery to

me.

> >

> > ;^)

> >

> > Thanks, .

> >

> > Sharon

> >

> >

> > [ ] sharon

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > Hi Sharon,

> > > > > How is it going? How is the preperation coming along?

> > Anything

> > > I

> > > > can

> > > > > do to help?

> > > > >

> > > >

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

-

Vonnie,

Yes, he told me the same thing. I am not doing PT. He told me I can

swim and walk. I have beeen in my pool a few times but would rather

walk than swim, a year ago I would not have said that.

I had my second stage on Jan 24 and I went back to work 4/3/06.so it

was about 2 plus months for me after surgery. I asked him if I could

return and he said yes, for a few hours a day but it never worked out

that way..I worked two weeks for about 4 hours a day and then full

blast..which for me is 6.5 hours a day. I just could not stay home

another day, it was driving me crazy!!!!

I am looking forward to the 8/3 visit, I want to ask about PT and

going to the gym, my weight is stagnent and I feel I need more

exercise. I have lost about 8 to 10 pounds since I went back to work.

I gained after surgery but have lost since I have become more active.

I suppose every case is different and we all will get the ok to do

things at different points....I am sure most folks don't walk 12

hours in Hershey park 5 months after surgery, even if they could they

might not want to!!!!,PA

-- In , " Vonnie "

<vonniec20032000@...> wrote:

>

> Sharon, Pa is right enjoy as much as you can and it will be a

> long day.If your doing the class you get a nice lunch and yes I did

> see a veggie sandwich when I went there..I was there on thursday

for

> my post-op appt. to see Dr. Rand and all is fine he gave me my

xrays

> to take home for show-n-tell..lol..I have to go back in oct. but he

> didn't want me to go back to work till I see him but I told him I

> wanted to go back in sept. when school starts back and he finally

> gave me the ok. when did you go back to work was it 4 months

> after your surgery? He also reminded my hubby that I'm still not to

> be doing anything just relaxing,and he said I'm not suppose to be

> doing all that walking just do a little a day as long as I feel

good

> but he said don't listen to that paper thay give you at the

hospital

> that says by 5 months you should be walking 5 miles that is not the

> case he said..I thought I was going to get yelled at cause I can't

> walk that far, I can do about 3/4 of a mile and he said that was

fine

> he didn't want me to do more. So he kept me on my meds and sent me

on

> my merry way..He is the best I really like him as a Dr. But I was

> there for about 3 1/2 hours to get xrayed before I seen him and the

> then the appt.. So Sharon you are in good hands and you will pull

> through that surgery great just like the rest of us that had

> Dr.Rand.. You must be starting to get nervous as the day gets

closer.

> Don't worry you'll be fine.I know it's easier for me to say it now,

> but I was just as nervous before the surgery when everyone was

> telling me it would be ok and they were right after the 1st month

or

> so I was feeling better and was glad I had it done cause that god

> awful pain I had going down my leg was GONE and it was all well

worth

> it.. So you will also be glad you did it..Good Luck and we'll all

be

> here pulling for you..Take Care and have a good

day,Vonnie .. -

> -- In , " heatherbenjaminnicholas "

> <heatherbenjaminnicholas@> wrote:

> >

> > --Sharon,

> > I think you should try to the best of your ability to enjoy!! It

is

> > just the first of your FUN times at NEBH, so why wait to enjoy?

> Start

> > that day, sit back relax and enjoy!!!They serve coffee and treats

> in

> > the main preop center...what is not to love about that? ,PA

> >

> > - In , " Sharon Green "

> > <sharon.green18@> wrote:

> > >

> > > Really? You mean I SHOULD enjoy pre-op? Sounds like misery to

> me.

> > >

> > > ;^)

> > >

> > > Thanks, .

> > >

> > > Sharon

> > >

> > >

> > > [ ] sharon

> > > > > >

> > > > > >

> > > > > > Hi Sharon,

> > > > > > How is it going? How is the preperation coming along?

> > > Anything

> > > > I

> > > > > can

> > > > > > do to help?

> > > > > >

> > > > >

> > > >

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

I do like vegie broth, but it might get tiring after a time. Ginger ale was my fave from Harrington surgery.

Sharon

[ ] sharon> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Hi Sharon,> > > > > > How is it going? How is the preperation coming along? > > > Anything > > > > I > > > > > can > > > > > > do to help? > > > > > >> > > > >> > > >> > >> >>

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the encouragement, Vonnie. I know I probably will be fine, and will be better off for the surgery. But I also know my case is not a straight-forward revision because of my congenital issues, and the only other congenital patient I know that Dr. Rand worked on couldn't be revised! So my gut-feeling right now is "YIKES". What if I turn out to be more than he bargained for, as did Ann?! My anomalies are not the same as hers. Of course not. I have a spur of bone sticking through my spinal cord, and it's split in two (diastematomyelia), but at least I don't have part of my spinal cord protruding out of my spine (myelomeningocele). And it IS good to finally have a better idea what is going on in that jumbled mess that passes for my spine. Dr. Rand has all my x-rays, but when I finally get around to digitizing and posting them I think it will amaze people how bad I am on the inside but still function.

I really do appreciate the encouragement, even when it sounds like I'm unable to accept it fully. This isn't to poo-poo what you and other idiopathic flatbackers have been through, as every case surely presents its own challenges. But it scares the hell out of me that I may not be finished landscaping my pond by Aug. 25! (comic relief -- you know me -- couldn't resist!)

And yes, that's how I'm dealing with it. Getting sweaty and dirty and covered with OFF and moving rocks around to finish the living painting in my back yard. My house can go to hell in the meanwhile. I'll get done what absolutely has to be done, and call me a whack-o, but that pond comes first. And I'll post pond pics first and maybe eventually I'll get around to the x-rays.

Nighty-night,

Sharon

PS: Ms Val, little son, and I had a nice time catching up by the beach and over pizza Sunday. She's certainly another testimony in favor of revision! It was great seeing ya, Val.

[ ] sharon> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Hi Sharon,> > > > > How is it going? How is the preperation coming along? > > Anything > > > I > > > > can > > > > > do to help? > > > > >> > > >> > >> >>

[Guest guest]

Hi, . I'm ok. I left you a voicemail message this afternoon. I'll try to call again tomorrow.

Sharon

[ ] Sharon

Sharon,How are you? Ok, I haven't seen you post..Let's make a date.

[Guest guest]

Hi, .

Yeah, I'd love to get together. Not sure just when but I'll get back to you. It's still 23 days off -- Ack! I'm getting nervous about how slowly I'm getting things done.

And thanks for the stuff.

The class was ok, especially the over-the-top chocolate cake. I can't say I learned that much. But we were a good half-hour late because I had to wait and see the cardiologist before I could leave pre-op. That was an amazing production. I think I saw 6 specialists including x-ray. It was a zoo in there but I was impressed by the efficiency of the craziness!

I saw the cardiologist to check out my heart murmur, and he wants me to have the EKG and echo in his Brookline Ave. office next week. He was really nice about getting it scheduled the same day as the original one was scheduled, the same day that I will see Dr. Rand again. He says it could be nothing or it could be a small probem, but he doesn't think it will prevent me from having surgery. I'm just glad he's giving it a serious look, as I've always wondered if I should be getting pre-medicated for dental work.

I had nasty shooting pains in my mid-spine that made it very hard to sleep last night, although they were gone by the time I dragged myself out of bed at 2:00 pm. That was 14 hours of sleep, since I'd had to get up at 6 yesterday. I don't know the source of the pain, and it's not something I think is explained by the diagnoses I've received so far so it will be a big ? for Dr. Rand next Thursday.

Sharon

[ ] Sharon

Time for one more quick visit before your surgery? I have stuff for you. How was class?

[Guest guest]

Sounds good, Val.

Sharon

[ ] Sharon

Sugar...i forgot to call. Tomorrow I will, in the afternoon, for the date.

[Guest guest]

Kam, that's so sweet of you, especially with your current gall bladder woes. I've hardly been reading the site. Not sure if I saw your email, but I'll double-check.

was here this afternoon. She and her little guy fed my goldfish and made friends with my bird. She gave me a copy of the CD and I just now finished hearing it for the first time (!)

She was here at just the right time, as I had awakened with the thought that I can't possibly do this and I'm nuts to think I should.

Thanks, Val.

And thanks, Kam.

Sharon

[ ] Sharon

I emailed you privately. Did you get it? Also, I'm wondering if you have a copy of the surgery CD.Thinkin' 'bout you.kam

[Guest guest]

Sharon,

All of us in Houston plus Suzanne will be thinking of you on

Saturday Aug. 26 when we meet for lunch at the Cheesecake Factory!

Kathy

>

> Kam, that's so sweet of you, especially with your current gall

bladder woes. I've hardly been reading the site. Not sure if I saw

your email, but I'll double-check.

>

> was here this afternoon. She and her little guy fed my

goldfish and made friends with my bird. She gave me a copy of the

CD and I just now finished hearing it for the first time (!)

>

> She was here at just the right time, as I had awakened with the

thought that I can't possibly do this and I'm nuts to think I should.

>

> Thanks, Val.

>

> And thanks, Kam.

>

> Sharon

>

> [ ] Sharon

>

>

> I emailed you privately. Did you get it? Also, I'm wondering if

you

> have a copy of the surgery CD.

>

> Thinkin' 'bout you.

>

> kam

>

[Guest guest]

Hi again, Kam.

I did receive an email on 8/11. I ended up replying to the original post you had quoted in the email.

Wait a second. I just saw that I never sent the reply. It was in my "drafts" folder. Dang! Double oversight!

Ok, I'm going to make SURE it posts this time. I'll send it right after this message.

You're so patient with me and I feel like a cross between an ass and a space cadet! Maybe that should be flibberty-gibbet!

Thanks for being such a good friend.

Sharon

[ ] Sharon

I emailed you privately. Did you get it? Also, I'm wondering if you have a copy of the surgery CD.Thinkin' 'bout you.kam

[Guest guest]

Just don't eat any cheesecake for me. Might make me sick!

:^)

[ ] Sharon> > > I emailed you privately. Did you get it? Also, I'm wondering if you > have a copy of the surgery CD.> > Thinkin' 'bout you.> > kam>

[Guest guest]

Correction, Kam, I had replied to your personal email but for some reason it had ended up in my "drafts" folder. I think my ISP had been down the night I wrote it. You should have it now.

Hugs,

Sharon

[ ] Sharon

I emailed you privately. Did you get it? Also, I'm wondering if you have a copy of the surgery CD.Thinkin' 'bout you.kam

[Guest guest]

Sharon,

My pleasure to be a reminder that there is life after revision.

Though recovery is tough, I will never doubt that it was the right

thing to do, no matter what the future holds for me. Your tough

and optimistic, you'll make it through. My little guy is still

talking about the fish named " " with the heart. It

was soooo sweet of you.

[Guest guest]

Sharon,

I saw your post re: your pre-op visit with DrRand and your worries

and how conflicted you were feeling. I could see your anguish...but

I have to assume that DrRand felt that the surgery will be a benefit

to you or he wouldn't undertake it....no?

I am not surprised that he will not " oversell " the benefits or

promise that pain will not necessarily improve. He is a very

conservative guy. I think you are right to think that the benefits

will be more long term in that improving your alignment will

probably improve the chances of keeping you mobile and comfortable

much longer, or forever.

I think second thoughts race through all our heads the week before

surgery, it is a stressful time. In your rational, clearheaded mind

you probably know this is the wise course of action....the emotional

mind can always find a hundered reasons to turn tail and run. I

think the CD was especially helpful in calming my mind at night just

before sleep when all the sugical " boogey men " seemed to appear.

I wish you a week of calm and serenity about your decision.

Peace, Cam

[Guest guest]

Sharon,

I seem to recall your saying that you are not checking the email very often these days as you get ready for surgery, so while it's a bit early, I'll wish you lots and lots of good luck. You will be so relieved when it's over!

Bonnie

[ ] Re: Sharon

Sharon,I saw your post re: your pre-op visit with DrRand and your worries and how conflicted you were feeling. I could see your anguish...but I have to assume that DrRand felt that the surgery will be a benefit to you or he wouldn't undertake it....no? I am not surprised that he will not "oversell" the benefits or promise that pain will not necessarily improve. He is a very conservative guy. I think you are right to think that the benefits will be more long term in that improving your alignment will probably improve the chances of keeping you mobile and comfortable much longer, or forever.I think second thoughts race through all our heads the week before surgery, it is a stressful time. In your rational, clearheaded mind you probably know this is the wise course of action....the emotional mind can always find a hundered reasons to turn tail and run. I think the CD was especially helpful in calming my mind at night just before sleep when all the sugical "boogey men" seemed to appear.I wish you a week of calm and serenity about your decision.Peace, Cam

[Guest guest]

Just wanted you to know I was thinking of you daily. Have time to

put up a new " pond " picture?

Hugs,

Kathy

>

> Well, I'm already planning my depression... At least I've warned

Amit. He's been there so I am hopeful he'll understand.

>

> Sorry for the nutty answer to a serious question, but it does seem

very likely for me, especially as winter approaches. So I figure if

I plan on some misery and depression I may actually get a nice

surprise.

>

> Sharon

>

> (It's three days from tomorrow morning! Yikes!)

>

>

> [ ] the downside of revision recovery

(an informal poll)

>

>

> For those of you who are officially 'revised', I have a quick

> question.

>

> Have you, at any point since your surgeries, experienced

depression

> or notable set-backs in your recovery and if so, at what point

(give

> or take) did such occur?

>

> Thinking back over the recoveries I've witnessed, it seems these

> things are fairly common (Lorrie, P., , myself, to

name a

> few) and I suspect there are others. Sometimes I sense this

group

> errs on the side of optimism and I don't like sugar-coated

(unless

> it's my dessert) and would not want to mislead anyone into

thinking

> that recovery is straight-forward and easily graphable.

>

> So, for the sake of considering multiple perspectives, will

those of

> us who have 'been there, done that' use this thread to express

the

> most challenging parts of recovery? We can keep it all

contained, but

> I think it could be a useful archive for those in recovery-mode

to

> feel a bit more 'normal'. I know I was sometimes afraid to

complain

> because I was afraid I'd scare someone away from this life-

changing

> commitment. HELLO!!! We should be scared! If we're not somewhat

> frightened by the notion, we're not being realistic.

>

> Naturally, if you don't want to share, don't. If you don't want

to

> read, skip this thread. But it might help someone more than

you'll

> ever realize.

>

> kam

>

[Guest guest]

Kathy, if you get posts in your email you should be able to see this (I hope -- haven't tried it since the change in 's format.)

I'd try uploading to the site but don't want to spend time on learning curve.

I wouldn't put "pond" in quotations. It's only about 6000 gallons, but it's a pond!

:^)

Here's my waterfall...

[Guest guest]

I thought you guys might also like to see my blue-headed frog. I haven't seen him since I took the photos, unfortunately. Blue mutation green frogs are pretty rare. Most likely a once-in-a-lifetime find.

Sharon

[Guest guest]

Sharon! Your pond and frog are just beautiful – I would love to

have a pond in our backyard, but I know it takes so much work daily! Kudoos to

you!

Lorrie Snyder

From:

[mailto: ] On Behalf Of Sharon Green

Sent: Tuesday, August 22, 2006

1:03 AM

To:

Subject: Re: [ ]

Re: SHARON

I thought you guys might also like to see my blue-headed

frog. I haven't seen him since I took the photos, unfortunately.

Blue mutation green frogs are pretty rare. Most likely a

once-in-a-lifetime find.

Sharon

[Guest guest]

Thank you, Lorrie. It's not necessarily a huge job to maintain a pond, but can be a lot of work at times. A good filtration system helps a lot.

:^)

RE: [ ] Re: SHARON

Sharon! Your pond and frog are just beautiful – I would love to have a pond in our backyard, but I know it takes so much work daily! Kudoos to you!

Lorrie Snyder

From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of Sharon GreenSent: Tuesday, August 22, 2006 1:03 AM Subject: Re: [ ] Re: SHARON

I thought you guys might also like to see my blue-headed frog. I haven't seen him since I took the photos, unfortunately. Blue mutation green frogs are pretty rare. Most likely a once-in-a-lifetime find.

Sharon

[Guest guest]

Hi Sharon, you are one lucky lady that they were able to fix your neck via

fusion.

My husband had it done 3 years ago and ,,,,,,unfortunately it did not help.

One of the docs said that 'no one' will touch your neck again because during

surgery - possible- they accidenlty injured spinal cord. (MRI before did not

show any damagae - MRI after DID..now..to prove it is another thing.

My husband can not even have injections.

So for the rest of his life he will live wiht pain in neck, zingers going

down his arms and now his lower back is getting worse..

and he never had any car accident or fell of the horse or ...he was just one

of heck active guy..tennis..running..football in college...

now..he is almost a veg...

Every day I read your posts I admire you and your strenght..

Please send some of your strenght to my husband...

he needs it...

Wishing all day without a pin.

Izabela.