Guest guest Posted January 8, 2008 Report Share Posted January 8, 2008 Hi Everyone, It's been a while since I have posted and I have not kept up with the website as often as I would like. First of all, best wishes and prayers to everyone who recently had surgery or is scheduled to have surgery. here's a quick update from me. I had posterior surgery to remove the lower half of my old harrington rod, had two disks removed, two cages inserted, lordosis restored and some additional fusion. I have not experienced that old back pain since I woke up from surgery. For that, I am very grateful. However, I did experience nerve damage at L4/L5 during surgery and now have a dropped foot and less overall strength in my left leg. Dr. Boachie was hoping to see more progress with the partial paralysis in my left foot at the 4 month mark, but he said it takes a lot of time for bruised/streched nerves to heal. I am now 7 months post-op and doing pretty well. My foot is stronger and I no longer wear the AFO brace on my foot. I now wear something called a maelolock brace which stabalizes my weak ankle, but allows the foot more mobility. I have been in PT since ~ the 6 week mark and continue to do 4 session/week - 2 in the gym & 2 in the pool. My PT is now focused on strengthening the muscles in my left hip so I can walk 100% of the time without a cane. While this may all sound daunting, please note that I went back to work part-time in November and have travelled via Amtrak and airplane to meetings around the country. I am an HR director in Manhattan and am still on 60% long-term disability and work 40%. I do much of my work remotely, but do travel into Manhattan once or twice a week. I'll keep this posting (kind of) short, but am happy to answer any travel-related (or other) questions! Switching gears between physical therapy and work is very difficult and I am struggling with it, but I'm plugging along. Fatigue is a big issue, but I'm doing OK. I've been off meds since October, so my hair has finally stopped thinning! That's all for now. Positive thoughts to all of you.... Kind regards, Ann Marie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 8, 2008 Report Share Posted January 8, 2008 Dear Ann Marie, What a wonderful update , so full of good info for those coming behind you. I'm glad there has been improvement with you foot, hopefully with time it will continue to improve. I'm glad you are able to be off pain med's. Do you plan to go back to work fulltime after your PT is less daunting? Would love to hear any coping skills you have learned with traveling, not that I do a lot of it, but I do find head rests in planes very uncomfortable, especially airbus planes. I also after trucking around my carry on bag thru three airports going to and thro from the retreat very hard on me, especially all the walking dragging a bag in Chicago airport, to where I'll check my bags if I fly again with so many connections. The fatigue part just takes time, I really didn't feel like I got my full energy back till about 18 months after surgery. Recovery is hard work. I'm 5 years out from my revision and still find things are getting easier, I'm coping better, and things don't seem as stiff as they once were. Keep the faith, tons of good has come from the surgery already, some challenges too, while I didn't have drop foot I had real issues with my shoulders( which in no way compares) but do take some hope that things that are challenges do with time come around and are much better. PT really helped me, as it sounds like it is for you too. You have come so far, I'm proud of all your hard work, just look at all you accomplished, and back to work part time, way to go girl! Thanks for updating us all, and know I'm pulling for you! Colorado Springs [ ] Update from Ann Marie Hi Everyone,It's been a while since I have posted and I have not kept up with the website as often as I would like. First of all, best wishes and prayers to everyone who recently had surgery or is scheduled to have surgery. here's a quick update from me. I had posterior surgery to remove the lower half of my old harrington rod, had two disks removed, two cages inserted, lordosis restored and some additional fusion. I have not experienced that old back pain since I woke up from surgery. For that, I am very grateful. However, I did experience nerve damage at L4/L5 during surgery and now have a dropped foot and less overall strength in my left leg. Dr. Boachie was hoping to see more progress with the partial paralysis in my left foot at the 4 month mark, but he said it takes a lot of time for bruised/streched nerves to heal. I am now 7 months post-op and doing pretty well. My foot is stronger and I no longer wear the AFO brace on my foot. I now wear something called a maelolock brace which stabalizes my weak ankle, but allows the foot more mobility. I have been in PT since ~ the 6 week mark and continue to do 4 session/week - 2 in the gym & 2 in the pool. My PT is now focused on strengthening the muscles in my left hip so I can walk 100% of the time without a cane. While this may all sound daunting, please note that I went back to work part-time in November and have travelled via Amtrak and airplane to meetings around the country. I am an HR director in Manhattan and am still on 60% long-term disability and work 40%. I do much of my work remotely, but do travel into Manhattan once or twice a week. I'll keep this posting (kind of) short, but am happy to answer any travel-related (or other) questions! Switching gears between physical therapy and work is very difficult and I am struggling with it, but I'm plugging along. Fatigue is a big issue, but I'm doing OK. I've been off meds since October, so my hair has finally stopped thinning! That's all for now. Positive thoughts to all of you....Kind regards,Ann Marie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 8, 2008 Report Share Posted January 8, 2008 Ann, Can you add this to your file under Member Stories? From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of amtl1110 Sent: Tuesday, January 08, 2008 4:55 PM Subject: [ ] Update from Ann Marie Hi Everyone, It's been a while since I have posted and I have not kept up with the website as often as I would like. First of all, best wishes and prayers to everyone who recently had surgery or is scheduled to have surgery. here's a quick update from me. I had posterior surgery to remove the lower half of my old harrington rod, had two disks removed, two cages inserted, lordosis restored and some additional fusion. I have not experienced that old back pain since I woke up from surgery. For that, I am very grateful. However, I did experience nerve damage at L4/L5 during surgery and now have a dropped foot and less overall strength in my left leg. Dr. Boachie was hoping to see more progress with the partial paralysis in my left foot at the 4 month mark, but he said it takes a lot of time for bruised/streched nerves to heal. I am now 7 months post-op and doing pretty well. My foot is stronger and I no longer wear the AFO brace on my foot. I now wear something called a maelolock brace which stabalizes my weak ankle, but allows the foot more mobility. I have been in PT since ~ the 6 week mark and continue to do 4 session/week - 2 in the gym & 2 in the pool. My PT is now focused on strengthening the muscles in my left hip so I can walk 100% of the time without a cane. While this may all sound daunting, please note that I went back to work part-time in November and have travelled via Amtrak and airplane to meetings around the country. I am an HR director in Manhattan and am still on 60% long-term disability and work 40%. I do much of my work remotely, but do travel into Manhattan once or twice a week. I'll keep this posting (kind of) short, but am happy to answer any travel-related (or other) questions! Switching gears between physical therapy and work is very difficult and I am struggling with it, but I'm plugging along. Fatigue is a big issue, but I'm doing OK. I've been off meds since October, so my hair has finally stopped thinning! That's all for now. Positive thoughts to all of you.... Kind regards, Ann Marie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 9, 2008 Report Share Posted January 9, 2008 Hi Ann Marie, My hair has become totally impossible to manage and I never thought it might be because of the pain meds. I went from having long hair to shoulder length to short after my fusion surgery, trying to find a cut that would allow me to wash and go. When I wake in the morning my hair looks like I have been spinning on the top of my head, and this is with me sitting up to sleep! I have tried all kinds of shampoos, conditioners, gels and moose as my hair is getting thin too. I used to have a light natural curl and could do just about anything with my hair, that it is very upsetting that I look like a wild woman most of the time. I just figured it was from getting older and grayer. Right now I have a pain pump implanted and take Actiq for break thru pain, plus lots of aspirin. I would give my right arm to get off the pain meds, but now is not the time. Maybe if I can find a revision surgeon and he does his magic I will be able to. Thanks for sharing.. Pat E. from Texas Hi Everyone,It's been a while since I have posted and I have not kept up with the website as often as I would like. First of all, best wishes and prayers to everyone who recently had surgery or is scheduled to have surgery. here's a quick update from me. I had posterior surgery to remove the lower half of my old harrington rod, had two disks removed, two cages inserted, lordosis restored and some additional fusion. I have not experienced that old back pain since I woke up from surgery. For that, I am very grateful. However, I did experience nerve damage at L4/L5 during surgery and now have a dropped foot and less overall strength in my left leg. Dr. Boachie was hoping to see more progress with the partial paralysis in my left foot at the 4 month mark, but he said it takes a lot of time for bruised/streched nerves to heal. I am now 7 months post-op and doing pretty well. My foot is stronger and I no longer wear the AFO brace on my foot. I now wear something called a maelolock brace which stabalizes my weak ankle, but allows the foot more mobility. I have been in PT since ~ the 6 week mark and continue to do 4 session/week - 2 in the gym & 2 in the pool. My PT is now focused on strengthening the muscles in my left hip so I can walk 100% of the time without a cane. While this may all sound daunting, please note that I went back to work part-time in November and have travelled via Amtrak and airplane to meetings around the country. I am an HR director in Manhattan and am still on 60% long-term disability and work 40%. I do much of my work remotely, but do travel into Manhattan once or twice a week. I'll keep this posting (kind of) short, but am happy to answer any travel-related (or other) questions! Switching gears between physical therapy and work is very difficult and I am struggling with it, but I'm plugging along. Fatigue is a big issue, but I'm doing OK. I've been off meds since October, so my hair has finally stopped thinning! That's all for now. Positive thoughts to all of you....Kind regards,Ann Marie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 9, 2008 Report Share Posted January 9, 2008 Hi Pat, I normally have fine, wavy hair and not much of it. Post-op it was really thinning out and was like straw. I always wore it in a ponytail. While I can't be 100% sure the meds were to blame, Dr. Boachie felt once I was off them it would get better. I stopped the oxicodone & valium in October and it seemed like my hair & skin very quickly got better. Certainly time played a part, too. Right after surgery your body is so focused on healing the important stuff, that it ignores the less important things like hair. Ann Marie > > > Hi Ann Marie, > > My hair has become totally impossible to manage and I never thought it might be because of the pain meds. I went from having long hair to shoulder length to short after my fusion surgery, trying to find a cut that would allow me to wash and go. When I wake in the morning my hair looks like I have been spinning on the top of my head, and this is with me sitting up to sleep! I have tried all kinds of shampoos, conditioners, gels and moose as my hair is getting thin too. I used to have a light natural curl and could do just about anything with my hair, that it is very upsetting that I look like a wild woman most of the time. I just figured it was from getting older and grayer. Right now I have a pain pump implanted and take Actiq for break thru pain, plus lots of aspirin. I would give my right arm to get off the pain meds, but now is not the time. Maybe if I can find a revision surgeon and he does his magic I will be able to. > Thanks for sharing.. > Pat E. from Texas > > -------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------ > > > Hi Everyone, > > It's been a while since I have posted and I have not kept up with the > website as often as I would like. First of all, best wishes and > prayers to everyone who recently had surgery or is scheduled to have > surgery. > > here's a quick update from me. I had posterior surgery to remove the > lower half of my old harrington rod, had two disks removed, two cages > inserted, lordosis restored and some additional fusion. I have not > experienced that old back pain since I woke up from surgery. For that, > I am very grateful. However, I did experience nerve damage at L4/L5 > during surgery and now have a dropped foot and less overall strength in > my left leg. Dr. Boachie was hoping to see more progress with the > partial paralysis in my left foot at the 4 month mark, but he said it > takes a lot of time for bruised/streched nerves to heal. I am now 7 > months post-op and doing pretty well. My foot is stronger and I no > longer wear the AFO brace on my foot. I now wear something called a > maelolock brace which stabalizes my weak ankle, but allows the foot > more mobility. I have been in PT since ~ the 6 week mark and continue > to do 4 session/week - 2 in the gym & 2 in the pool. My PT is now > focused on strengthening the muscles in my left hip so I can walk 100% > of the time without a cane. While this may all sound daunting, please > note that I went back to work part-time in November and have travelled > via Amtrak and airplane to meetings around the country. I am an HR > director in Manhattan and am still on 60% long-term disability and work > 40%. I do much of my work remotely, but do travel into Manhattan once > or twice a week. I'll keep this posting (kind of) short, but am happy > to answer any travel-related (or other) questions! Switching gears > between physical therapy and work is very difficult and I am struggling > with it, but I'm plugging along. Fatigue is a big issue, but I'm doing > OK. I've been off meds since October, so my hair has finally stopped > thinning! That's all for now. Positive thoughts to all of you.... > > Kind regards, > > Ann Marie > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 9, 2008 Report Share Posted January 9, 2008 I would definitely like some travel tips! The biggest problem I have had with travelling in the past has been the lack of assistance with luggage. I always request assistance (usually a wheelchair), but then have some problems with getting the wheeled carry-on bag on the conveyor belt or in the overhead bin. I am flying to chicago in a couple of weeks, and I am also wondering how to put my shoes back on after going through the security! I sometimes have problems getting my checked suitcase into the airport, but I believe my husband is going to get up early and drive me to the airport to deal with that. My carry-on bag is generally full of camera equipment and my laptop. > > Hi Everyone, > > It's been a while since I have posted and I have not kept up with the > website as often as I would like. First of all, best wishes and > prayers to everyone who recently had surgery or is scheduled to have > surgery. > > here's a quick update from me. I had posterior surgery to remove the > lower half of my old harrington rod, had two disks removed, two cages > inserted, lordosis restored and some additional fusion. I have not > experienced that old back pain since I woke up from surgery. For that, > I am very grateful. However, I did experience nerve damage at L4/L5 > during surgery and now have a dropped foot and less overall strength in > my left leg. Dr. Boachie was hoping to see more progress with the > partial paralysis in my left foot at the 4 month mark, but he said it > takes a lot of time for bruised/streched nerves to heal. I am now 7 > months post-op and doing pretty well. My foot is stronger and I no > longer wear the AFO brace on my foot. I now wear something called a > maelolock brace which stabalizes my weak ankle, but allows the foot > more mobility. I have been in PT since ~ the 6 week mark and continue > to do 4 session/week - 2 in the gym & 2 in the pool. My PT is now > focused on strengthening the muscles in my left hip so I can walk 100% > of the time without a cane. While this may all sound daunting, please > note that I went back to work part-time in November and have travelled > via Amtrak and airplane to meetings around the country. I am an HR > director in Manhattan and am still on 60% long-term disability and work > 40%. I do much of my work remotely, but do travel into Manhattan once > or twice a week. I'll keep this posting (kind of) short, but am happy > to answer any travel-related (or other) questions! Switching gears > between physical therapy and work is very difficult and I am struggling > with it, but I'm plugging along. Fatigue is a big issue, but I'm doing > OK. I've been off meds since October, so my hair has finally stopped > thinning! That's all for now. Positive thoughts to all of you.... > > Kind regards, > > Ann Marie > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 10, 2008 Report Share Posted January 10, 2008 While I've avoided having checked luggage since I don't won't to lift it on/off the baggage carousel, what I used to do before surgery was to do curbside check-in. When it was time to retrieve my luggage, I usually asked a fellow passenger to lift it off for me. My carry-on fits under my seat, so I have not had to use the overhead bin much, but again, have found passengers or flight attendants willing to help. I think because I use a cane, people offer assistance without me asking. As for the shoes, I don't take mine off because of the foot brace I wear. I tell the security agents ahead of time and they have been extremely understanding and helpful. They just hand-scan me which takes a few minutes more, but it's a lot easier than dealing with my shoes. Perhaps if you tell the agent ahead of time that you cannot easily get your shoes back on, they may accomodate you. My hardware does not set the alarm off, but I do carry a note from the doctor's office just in case. That may be helpful to explain why taking your shoes off is difficult if you don't otherise appear like you need assistance. Right now it is clear that I need assistance since I wear the back brace, foot brace & walk with a cane! I make sure I go through security nice and early so that I don't get stressed over being late. I have not encountered very long security lines, but if I do, I will not hesitate asking for a wheel chair to zip me through. I hope this helps. Happy travels! > > > > Hi Everyone, > > > > It's been a while since I have posted and I have not kept up with > the > > website as often as I would like. First of all, best wishes and > > prayers to everyone who recently had surgery or is scheduled to > have > > surgery. > > > > here's a quick update from me. I had posterior surgery to remove > the > > lower half of my old harrington rod, had two disks removed, two > cages > > inserted, lordosis restored and some additional fusion. I have not > > experienced that old back pain since I woke up from surgery. For > that, > > I am very grateful. However, I did experience nerve damage at L4/L5 > > during surgery and now have a dropped foot and less overall > strength in > > my left leg. Dr. Boachie was hoping to see more progress with the > > partial paralysis in my left foot at the 4 month mark, but he said > it > > takes a lot of time for bruised/streched nerves to heal. I am now 7 > > months post-op and doing pretty well. My foot is stronger and I no > > longer wear the AFO brace on my foot. I now wear something called > a > > maelolock brace which stabalizes my weak ankle, but allows the foot > > more mobility. I have been in PT since ~ the 6 week mark and > continue > > to do 4 session/week - 2 in the gym & 2 in the pool. My PT is now > > focused on strengthening the muscles in my left hip so I can walk > 100% > > of the time without a cane. While this may all sound daunting, > please > > note that I went back to work part-time in November and have > travelled > > via Amtrak and airplane to meetings around the country. I am an HR > > director in Manhattan and am still on 60% long-term disability and > work > > 40%. I do much of my work remotely, but do travel into Manhattan > once > > or twice a week. I'll keep this posting (kind of) short, but am > happy > > to answer any travel-related (or other) questions! Switching gears > > between physical therapy and work is very difficult and I am > struggling > > with it, but I'm plugging along. Fatigue is a big issue, but I'm > doing > > OK. I've been off meds since October, so my hair has finally > stopped > > thinning! That's all for now. Positive thoughts to all of you.... > > > > Kind regards, > > > > Ann Marie > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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