Re: kam's two-year update

February 12, 2008

Kam,

It

was wonderful to read your update and I can’t wait to someday meet

you. I would make the trip down to St. Louis

on 3/17 to meet you except I have to be in Springfield, IL

with my daughter for her doctor’s appt. that day. I love reading about

how active you are and am embarrassed to admit that I hire a cleaning lady for

all vacuuming and toilet work – yet I still do yoga. Is that like an

oxymoron?

As

for myofascial release, I totally understand. After my appointment with

Dr. Lenke in December, I increasingly felt I was getting worse. I thought I

would never last 2 more years. I was in constant pain. But last week I had a

session (for the first time in at least 7 years) with my rolfer (structural

integration) and I feel like a different person – almost free of

pain! She said I was holding my body like somebody had kicked me in the

side and everything was caving in. And I thought I walked in pretty straight!

The session was painful at times. She stretched a lot of the fascia which had

obviously tightened in response to my worsening back but also my emotional

response to the diagnosis. I think we cause further pain when we tighten

up in response to pain. Anyway, I post this only because I want to share this

wonderful modality with others who are suffering from pain. I don’t

think rolfing (structural integration) will correct my spinal curvature/degeneration

but it sure is making me feel light and relatively pain free in the

meantime. She told me I may want to go back every couple of months for

more work (because of the underlying structural problems), and I plan on

calling her if pain starts getting bad again, but in the meantime, I am one

happy camper.

Thanks

Kam for sharing your update with us all! -

From:

[mailto: ] On Behalf Of advokam

Sent: Tuesday, February 12, 2008

8:28 PM

Subject: [ ] kam's

two-year update

This is long and reflective, but I have a lot of time

for which to

account... you can blame and , it seems!!!

Miss you all and hope to see you sometime in the near future!

I am one of three people in the OKC Metro area that traveled to St.

Louis for Bridwell. We all keep in touch and we are all grateful for

what he has restored to us. I will be there again on St. 's

Day for my two-year follow-up and have on my " to-do " list to post my

progress report on the board [DONE!!!].

Currently, I work full-time as an Instructional Technology Trainer

and travel within a school district with 14,000 students training

everyone to effectively integrate technology into instruction. I pull

a backpack on wheels everywhere I go (loaded with laptops and iPods

and video/digital cameras, etc.) and manage to lift it in and out of

my car with a bit of effort. Sometimes I wear 2 " heels because they

look great with my outfit or because I am training administrators,

but I only buy them if they have great arch support and lots of

cushion. I put insoles in all of my shoes that aren't built with

sufficient shock absorption. I also am the wife of an absurdly active

spouse and the mommy of two canines, who weigh in at 61 and 69

pounds. I do laundry, load the dishwasher, vacuum the floors with my

new Dyson, and pick up the toys from around the house and yard (all

of which belong in the " pushing the envelope category " ).

I regret it when I clean the floors, the tub, the toilet or get

clothes out of the dryer. My hubby has agreed to do these things

(along with vacuuming daily to reduce the amount of white hair all

over our house - I will post pictures), but these aren't the most

rewarding tasks for my man, so there are times when I " just do it "

rather than asking and feeling inadequate because I can't/shouldn't

do everything.

Am I " pain-free " ? - NO. Is it because I have chosen to keep my active

lifestyle and practice my BLTS (bending lifting twisting stooping)

rather than avoid them? More than likely. Am I OK with that? For the

most part. I am not exercising consistently and I am not managing my

stress and sleep schedule effectively. I do work on continuously

improving these areas (exercise will help with both sleep and

stress). Who feels great without these practices at the ripe age of

37? (I am on the young end of the spectrum, but not the baby in the

group.) Not anyone I know with flatback!

Because I am a researcher and absurdly analytical, I have compiled a

mental list of all of the possible variables that may impact my

quality of life and compared it to all of the constants in my life

and have concluded that...

My spine is fused from T-4 to S-1. If I jump up and down, there are

no shock absorbers in my trunk so the reverb has to go somewhere...I

feel it in my joints. If I bend (as everyone in the universe can now

see that I do on the web), my ligaments have to stretch more than

before revision to achieve the same results. This is likely the

source of much of my pain...which requires pain meds less than once a

month, so I am not complaining. Do I want to give up my flexibility

to avoid discomfort? Not yet. After exploring every treatment option

I've come across, I have learned that myofascial release provides me

the most benefit. There are two wonderful practicioners in my area,

but neither are very conveniently located. I am investigating a

physical therapist in the city where I work (I commute 25 miles one

way) that looks promising - she was trained by the therapist I was

driving an hour to see. My PT also recommended a massage therapist

whom I love, but she, too, is not located near my home or my office.

Nevertheless, when I do see one or both of them, it is instant relief

and it all seems to be related to alignment and myofascial kinks. I

know that when I get back in the routine of getting to the pool and

stretching in the sauna, this will be less of an issue. The sauna is

huge - deep yoga breaths and stretches in the sauna do wonders for

me. For the record, the vast majority of my myofascial pain is my

left side - hip (gluts and abdominal region), mid-back (especially

right over my kidneys), scapula, shoulder, neck. Sometimes, when I

bend over, I feel " stuff " (connective tissue) wiggling around in

there - like it's sort of loose, but mostly tight. Constricted is

probably a good descriptor. And I know that the pain is all

originating from the same source. That connective tissue is

functioning properly reminding me that it's all connected!

Anyone who considers surgery should think through these things

thoroughly before going forward. Dr. Bridwell is incredibly gifted

and leaves no stone unturned. His staff is fantastic and readily

available for questions. That part is in the bag. The real work is up

to you and it does take time. My birthday was Sunday and I asked my

hubby what we did on my birthday two years ago. Neither of us could

remember. I had my 3rd surgery January 26 and flew home from St.

Louis on February 6. I was totally miserable on my 35th birthday and

a bit depressed (as is common after trauma), but this was my best

birthday EVER. I took Friday off and overdid it (again) Friday and

Saturday, which required that I rest A LOT on Sunday to be certain I

could make it to work on Monday. It was totally worth it to me. I can

take a day off every now and then to live an active, joy-filled life

the remainder of my days.

I hope this helps you; it has certainly helped me!

Best wishes,

kam

February 12, 2008

You GO GIRL!!! Even with a crooked back, you've definitely got your head on straight - and that take charge, can do/will do attitude - I hope that's contagious and I catch it.

Loved, loved, loved reading your post. I'd say you took the bull by the horns and went with it. I hope to be walking your walk, talking your talk very soon.

I feel like I just ate a Pepperment Patty and feel the cool breeze of a refreshing blast of fresh air!

Congratulations on "doing" so well!

G

[ ] kam's two-year update

This is long and reflective, but I have a lot of time for which to account... you can blame and , it seems!!!Miss you all and hope to see you sometime in the near future!I am one of three people in the OKC Metro area that traveled to St. Louis for Bridwell. We all keep in touch and we are all grateful for what he has restored to us. I will be there again on St. 's Day for my two-year follow-up and have on my "to-do" list to post my progress report on the board [DONE!!!].Currently, I work full-time as an Instructional Technology Trainer and travel within a school district with 14,000 students training everyone to effectively integrate technology into instruction. I pull a backpack on wheels everywhere I go (loaded with laptops and iPods and video/digital cameras, etc.) and manage to lift it in and out of my car with a bit of effort. Sometimes I wear 2" heels because they look great with my outfit or because I am training administrators, but I only buy them if they have great arch support and lots of cushion. I put insoles in all of my shoes that aren't built with sufficient shock absorption. I also am the wife of an absurdly active spouse and the mommy of two canines, who weigh in at 61 and 69 pounds. I do laundry, load the dishwasher, vacuum the floors with my new Dyson, and pick up the toys from around the house and yard (all of which belong in the "pushing the envelope category").I regret it when I clean the floors, the tub, the toilet or get clothes out of the dryer. My hubby has agreed to do these things (along with vacuuming daily to reduce the amount of white hair all over our house - I will post pictures), but these aren't the most rewarding tasks for my man, so there are times when I "just do it" rather than asking and feeling inadequate because I can't/shouldn't do everything.Am I "pain-free"? - NO. Is it because I have chosen to keep my active lifestyle and practice my BLTS (bending lifting twisting stooping) rather than avoid them? More than likely. Am I OK with that? For the most part. I am not exercising consistently and I am not managing my stress and sleep schedule effectively. I do work on continuously improving these areas (exercise will help with both sleep and stress). Who feels great without these practices at the ripe age of 37? (I am on the young end of the spectrum, but not the baby in the group.) Not anyone I know with flatback!Because I am a researcher and absurdly analytical, I have compiled a mental list of all of the possible variables that may impact my quality of life and compared it to all of the constants in my life and have concluded that...My spine is fused from T-4 to S-1. If I jump up and down, there are no shock absorbers in my trunk so the reverb has to go somewhere...I feel it in my joints. If I bend (as everyone in the universe can now see that I do on the web), my ligaments have to stretch more than before revision to achieve the same results. This is likely the source of much of my pain...which requires pain meds less than once a month, so I am not complaining. Do I want to give up my flexibility to avoid discomfort? Not yet. After exploring every treatment option I've come across, I have learned that myofascial release provides me the most benefit. There are two wonderful practicioners in my area, but neither are very conveniently located. I am investigating a physical therapist in the city where I work (I commute 25 miles one way) that looks promising - she was trained by the therapist I was driving an hour to see. My PT also recommended a massage therapist whom I love, but she, too, is not located near my home or my office. Nevertheless, when I do see one or both of them, it is instant relief and it all seems to be related to alignment and myofascial kinks. I know that when I get back in the routine of getting to the pool and stretching in the sauna, this will be less of an issue. The sauna is huge - deep yoga breaths and stretches in the sauna do wonders for me. For the record, the vast majority of my myofascial pain is my left side - hip (gluts and abdominal region), mid-back (especially right over my kidneys), scapula, shoulder, neck. Sometimes, when I bend over, I feel "stuff" (connective tissue) wiggling around in there - like it's sort of loose, but mostly tight. Constricted is probably a good descriptor. And I know that the pain is all originating from the same source. That connective tissue is functioning properly reminding me that it's all connected!Anyone who considers surgery should think through these things thoroughly before going forward. Dr. Bridwell is incredibly gifted and leaves no stone unturned. His staff is fantastic and readily available for questions. That part is in the bag. The real work is up to you and it does take time. My birthday was Sunday and I asked my hubby what we did on my birthday two years ago. Neither of us could remember. I had my 3rd surgery January 26 and flew home from St. Louis on February 6. I was totally miserable on my 35th birthday and a bit depressed (as is common after trauma), but this was my best birthday EVER. I took Friday off and overdid it (again) Friday and Saturday, which required that I rest A LOT on Sunday to be certain I could make it to work on Monday. It was totally worth it to me. I can take a day off every now and then to live an active, joy-filled life the remainder of my days.I hope this helps you; it has certainly helped me!Best wishes,kam

February 13, 2008

Hi Kam,

Great report Kam. You are much better at words then I but I can say

that myofascial release has been my saving grace too at two years

out. I seem to have the same " stuff " wiggling around in there. I do

all of the above, bend, twist, etc. I can not remember the last time

I used the grabber for anything. I can not say I am completely pain

free but I am med free. Thanks for the update.

>

> This is long and reflective, but I have a lot of time for which to

> account... you can blame and , it seems!!!

>

> Miss you all and hope to see you sometime in the near future!

>

> I am one of three people in the OKC Metro area that traveled to St.

> Louis for Bridwell. We all keep in touch and we are all grateful

for

> what he has restored to us. I will be there again on St. 's

> Day for my two-year follow-up and have on my " to-do " list to post

my

> progress report on the board [DONE!!!].

>

> Currently, I work full-time as an Instructional Technology Trainer

> and travel within a school district with 14,000 students training

> everyone to effectively integrate technology into instruction. I

pull

> a backpack on wheels everywhere I go (loaded with laptops and iPods

> and video/digital cameras, etc.) and manage to lift it in and out

of

> my car with a bit of effort. Sometimes I wear 2 " heels because they

> look great with my outfit or because I am training administrators,

> but I only buy them if they have great arch support and lots of

> cushion. I put insoles in all of my shoes that aren't built with

> sufficient shock absorption. I also am the wife of an absurdly

active

> spouse and the mommy of two canines, who weigh in at 61 and 69

> pounds. I do laundry, load the dishwasher, vacuum the floors with

my

> new Dyson, and pick up the toys from around the house and yard

(all

> of which belong in the " pushing the envelope category " ).

>

> I regret it when I clean the floors, the tub, the toilet or get

> clothes out of the dryer. My hubby has agreed to do these things

> (along with vacuuming daily to reduce the amount of white hair all

> over our house - I will post pictures), but these aren't the most

> rewarding tasks for my man, so there are times when I " just do it "

> rather than asking and feeling inadequate because I can't/shouldn't

> do everything.

>

> Am I " pain-free " ? - NO. Is it because I have chosen to keep my

active

> lifestyle and practice my BLTS (bending lifting twisting stooping)

> rather than avoid them? More than likely. Am I OK with that? For

the

> most part. I am not exercising consistently and I am not managing

my

> stress and sleep schedule effectively. I do work on continuously

> improving these areas (exercise will help with both sleep and

> stress). Who feels great without these practices at the ripe age of

> 37? (I am on the young end of the spectrum, but not the baby in the

> group.) Not anyone I know with flatback!

>

> Because I am a researcher and absurdly analytical, I have compiled

a

> mental list of all of the possible variables that may impact my

> quality of life and compared it to all of the constants in my life

> and have concluded that...

>

> My spine is fused from T-4 to S-1. If I jump up and down, there are

> no shock absorbers in my trunk so the reverb has to go

somewhere...I

> feel it in my joints. If I bend (as everyone in the universe can

now

> see that I do on the web), my ligaments have to stretch more than

> before revision to achieve the same results. This is likely the

> source of much of my pain...which requires pain meds less than once

a

> month, so I am not complaining. Do I want to give up my flexibility

> to avoid discomfort? Not yet. After exploring every treatment

option

> I've come across, I have learned that myofascial release provides

me

> the most benefit. There are two wonderful practicioners in my area,

> but neither are very conveniently located. I am investigating a

> physical therapist in the city where I work (I commute 25 miles one

> way) that looks promising - she was trained by the therapist I was

> driving an hour to see. My PT also recommended a massage therapist

> whom I love, but she, too, is not located near my home or my

office.

>

> Nevertheless, when I do see one or both of them, it is instant

relief

> and it all seems to be related to alignment and myofascial kinks. I

> know that when I get back in the routine of getting to the pool and

> stretching in the sauna, this will be less of an issue. The sauna

is

> huge - deep yoga breaths and stretches in the sauna do wonders for

> me. For the record, the vast majority of my myofascial pain is my

> left side - hip (gluts and abdominal region), mid-back (especially

> right over my kidneys), scapula, shoulder, neck. Sometimes, when I

> bend over, I feel " stuff " (connective tissue) wiggling around in

> there - like it's sort of loose, but mostly tight. Constricted is

> probably a good descriptor. And I know that the pain is all

> originating from the same source. That connective tissue is

> functioning properly reminding me that it's all connected!

>

> Anyone who considers surgery should think through these things

> thoroughly before going forward. Dr. Bridwell is incredibly gifted

> and leaves no stone unturned. His staff is fantastic and readily

> available for questions. That part is in the bag. The real work is

up

> to you and it does take time. My birthday was Sunday and I asked my

> hubby what we did on my birthday two years ago. Neither of us could

> remember. I had my 3rd surgery January 26 and flew home from St.

> Louis on February 6. I was totally miserable on my 35th birthday

and

> a bit depressed (as is common after trauma), but this was my best

> birthday EVER. I took Friday off and overdid it (again) Friday and

> Saturday, which required that I rest A LOT on Sunday to be certain

I

> could make it to work on Monday. It was totally worth it to me. I

can

> take a day off every now and then to live an active, joy-filled

life

> the remainder of my days.

>

> I hope this helps you; it has certainly helped me!

>

> Best wishes,

> kam

>

February 13, 2008

darn, we should have coordinated. I see Dr Bridwell the week after

you!