's 7 wk. check-up with Dr. Bridwell

[Guest guest]

I wanted to report on my 7 wk. check-up with Dr. Bridwell yesterday. I feel,

after reading

the other post from those who are having such difficult problems, that I am very

blessed,

lucky or whatever, but I'm doing great! My X-rays looked really good, and he

said that my

walking looked very good and to keep it up....no bending, lifting over 10

lbs...the usual

restrictions for this timeframe of recovery. He said I could go back to work

within the next

month...yikes...but to do it gradually. I am a cytotechnologist (screen pap

smears, fine

needle aspirations, etc. for cancer) and sit most of the day....I also work at a

laboratory 2

hours away, so I drive there on a Tues. and stay in a hotel and come home on

Friday.

Bernie, Dr. Bridwell's wonderful nurse, suggested that I try sitting more and

more during

the day, with frequent breaks, for the next couple of weeks. She said that she

was glad I

am doing so well, but she was afraid I would go back too soon, do too much, and

then

have a set back. I agreed with that, of course, and will do what was suggested.

My sweet

husband wants to drive me the first time I go back to work, stay there, and then

drive me

home so he can see how I handle things. My medical director is willing to let

me work a

few hours or whatever works for me. So, I'm thinking of trying this around the

last week of

June. I'm not taking any narcotics at all during the day....maybe something

before bed, if I

need it, but usually, I'm pretty good.

They copied my surgical report and gave it to me...wow..it is really is kind of

uncomfortable to read what all they did....sounds more like building a house

than back

surgery, doesn't it?!! The revision extends from T4 to the sacrum and pelvis.

I did take my

camera and took pictures of my x-rays, so I will post them soon. Dr. Bridwell

seemed

very happy....even joked with me!!! Bernie had told us that he might crack a

joke when

everything is done and he feels like it is a success!

I have to say, once again, how much this site has helped me throughout this

time. There

is so much information from other's experiences, and it was of great value. I

also have a

mentor who has been very helpful and supportive, and I will always be thankful

for her.

Sorry this is so long....I got carried away!!

MY best to all of you,

[Guest guest]

Hi, :

Congratulations. Sounds like your first check up went well. I'm

about 3 weeks ahead of you (10 weeks. I feel like I'm doing fairly

well (most of the time)...how is your pain level? I'm down to

narcotics only at night as well but have not tried driving yet. I'm

going to drop the pills in the next week or so.

I've been working part time from home since 4 weeks and have

probably been sitting in front of the computer for too long here and

there. I'm going to try to go into the office part time starting in

about 10 days, including driving (week 12). My commute is not

nearly as bad as yours. It's 20-30 min each way without much

traffic. I think the hardest part will be trying to not to sit too

long between the drive and work.

I hope you continue to feel good and that your return to work goes

smoothly.

>

> I wanted to report on my 7 wk. check-up with Dr. Bridwell

yesterday. I feel, after reading

> the other post from those who are having such difficult problems,

that I am very blessed,

> lucky or whatever, but I'm doing great! My X-rays looked really

good, and he said that my

> walking looked very good and to keep it up....no bending, lifting

over 10 lbs...the usual

> restrictions for this timeframe of recovery. He said I could go

back to work within the next

> month...yikes...but to do it gradually. I am a cytotechnologist

(screen pap smears, fine

> needle aspirations, etc. for cancer) and sit most of the day....I

also work at a laboratory 2

> hours away, so I drive there on a Tues. and stay in a hotel and

come home on Friday.

> Bernie, Dr. Bridwell's wonderful nurse, suggested that I try

sitting more and more during

> the day, with frequent breaks, for the next couple of weeks. She

said that she was glad I

> am doing so well, but she was afraid I would go back too soon, do

too much, and then

> have a set back. I agreed with that, of course, and will do what

was suggested. My sweet

> husband wants to drive me the first time I go back to work, stay

there, and then drive me

> home so he can see how I handle things. My medical director is

willing to let me work a

> few hours or whatever works for me. So, I'm thinking of trying

this around the last week of

> June. I'm not taking any narcotics at all during the day....maybe

something before bed, if I

> need it, but usually, I'm pretty good.

>

> They copied my surgical report and gave it to me...wow..it is

really is kind of

> uncomfortable to read what all they did....sounds more like

building a house than back

> surgery, doesn't it?!! The revision extends from T4 to the sacrum

and pelvis. I did take my

> camera and took pictures of my x-rays, so I will post them soon.

Dr. Bridwell seemed

> very happy....even joked with me!!! Bernie had told us that he

might crack a joke when

> everything is done and he feels like it is a success!

>

> I have to say, once again, how much this site has helped me

throughout this time. There

> is so much information from other's experiences, and it was of

great value. I also have a

> mentor who has been very helpful and supportive, and I will always

be thankful for her.

>

> Sorry this is so long....I got carried away!!

> MY best to all of you,

>

>

[Guest guest]

& ,

I am 4 months post-revision and returned to work this past Monday. I

had thoughts of returning part-time about a month ago too, but my

employer would not allow part-time (at least not without me utiziling

all of my vacation time to make up for the hours that I wasn't

there), so I extended my 12 LOA to to June 16. I decided this week,

I was ready to go back. I am an education coordinator in a hospital

and for me, the hardest part has been the sitting. I start the day

fine and around 1-2 pm I start to get a pulling feeling in my left

sacral area. I do try to walk as much as I can, but sometimes you

get involved and you end up at the computer for hours. I guess my

point is don't rush back if you don't have to. You are both very

early in your recovery and shouldn't pressure yourself. I started

driving again probably at around 10-12 week post-op - that was not a

problem. I also had three weeks (3 sessions/week) of PT which really

helped. Ironically, I'm more comfortable on my feet now in contrast

to just before surgery when I couldn't even get my grocery shopping

done because I couldn't stand that long!

On a lighter note, last week before my return to work, my husband and

I spent five days in Mexico and I can state that in addition to

swimming everyday, I took mambo and salsa dance lessons! AND these

hips can still move though with some caution!

Best to all.

DonnaT.

> >

> > I wanted to report on my 7 wk. check-up with Dr. Bridwell

> yesterday. I feel, after reading

> > the other post from those who are having such difficult problems,

> that I am very blessed,

> > lucky or whatever, but I'm doing great! My X-rays looked really

> good, and he said that my

> > walking looked very good and to keep it up....no bending, lifting

> over 10 lbs...the usual

> > restrictions for this timeframe of recovery. He said I could go

> back to work within the next

> > month...yikes...but to do it gradually. I am a cytotechnologist

> (screen pap smears, fine

> > needle aspirations, etc. for cancer) and sit most of the day....I

> also work at a laboratory 2

> > hours away, so I drive there on a Tues. and stay in a hotel and

> come home on Friday.

> > Bernie, Dr. Bridwell's wonderful nurse, suggested that I try

> sitting more and more during

> > the day, with frequent breaks, for the next couple of weeks. She

> said that she was glad I

> > am doing so well, but she was afraid I would go back too soon, do

> too much, and then

> > have a set back. I agreed with that, of course, and will do what

> was suggested. My sweet

> > husband wants to drive me the first time I go back to work, stay

> there, and then drive me

> > home so he can see how I handle things. My medical director is

> willing to let me work a

> > few hours or whatever works for me. So, I'm thinking of trying

> this around the last week of

> > June. I'm not taking any narcotics at all during the day....maybe

> something before bed, if I

> > need it, but usually, I'm pretty good.

> >

> > They copied my surgical report and gave it to me...wow..it is

> really is kind of

> > uncomfortable to read what all they did....sounds more like

> building a house than back

> > surgery, doesn't it?!! The revision extends from T4 to the

sacrum

> and pelvis. I did take my

> > camera and took pictures of my x-rays, so I will post them soon.

> Dr. Bridwell seemed

> > very happy....even joked with me!!! Bernie had told us that he

> might crack a joke when

> > everything is done and he feels like it is a success!

> >

> > I have to say, once again, how much this site has helped me

> throughout this time. There

> > is so much information from other's experiences, and it was of

> great value. I also have a

> > mentor who has been very helpful and supportive, and I will

always

> be thankful for her.

> >

> > Sorry this is so long....I got carried away!!

> > MY best to all of you,

> >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Hi, Donna:

I love the fact that you took dance lessons...it made me smile and

gives me hope for what I'll be able to do soon. Also glad to hear

that driving was not a problem as I'm going to try this week.

Thanks!

> > >

> > > I wanted to report on my 7 wk. check-up with Dr. Bridwell

> > yesterday. I feel, after reading

> > > the other post from those who are having such difficult

problems,

> > that I am very blessed,

> > > lucky or whatever, but I'm doing great! My X-rays looked

really

> > good, and he said that my

> > > walking looked very good and to keep it up....no bending,

lifting

> > over 10 lbs...the usual

> > > restrictions for this timeframe of recovery. He said I could

go

> > back to work within the next

> > > month...yikes...but to do it gradually. I am a

cytotechnologist

> > (screen pap smears, fine

> > > needle aspirations, etc. for cancer) and sit most of the

day....I

> > also work at a laboratory 2

> > > hours away, so I drive there on a Tues. and stay in a hotel

and

> > come home on Friday.

> > > Bernie, Dr. Bridwell's wonderful nurse, suggested that I try

> > sitting more and more during

> > > the day, with frequent breaks, for the next couple of weeks.

She

> > said that she was glad I

> > > am doing so well, but she was afraid I would go back too soon,

do

> > too much, and then

> > > have a set back. I agreed with that, of course, and will do

what

> > was suggested. My sweet

> > > husband wants to drive me the first time I go back to work,

stay

> > there, and then drive me

> > > home so he can see how I handle things. My medical director

is

> > willing to let me work a

> > > few hours or whatever works for me. So, I'm thinking of

trying

> > this around the last week of

> > > June. I'm not taking any narcotics at all during the

day....maybe

> > something before bed, if I

> > > need it, but usually, I'm pretty good.

> > >

> > > They copied my surgical report and gave it to me...wow..it is

> > really is kind of

> > > uncomfortable to read what all they did....sounds more like

> > building a house than back

> > > surgery, doesn't it?!! The revision extends from T4 to the

> sacrum

> > and pelvis. I did take my

> > > camera and took pictures of my x-rays, so I will post them

soon.

> > Dr. Bridwell seemed

> > > very happy....even joked with me!!! Bernie had told us that

he

> > might crack a joke when

> > > everything is done and he feels like it is a success!

> > >

> > > I have to say, once again, how much this site has helped me

> > throughout this time. There

> > > is so much information from other's experiences, and it was of

> > great value. I also have a

> > > mentor who has been very helpful and supportive, and I will

> always

> > be thankful for her.

> > >

> > > Sorry this is so long....I got carried away!!

> > > MY best to all of you,

> > >

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I'm glad you are doing well, also. I know that sitting for long periods of time

will be an

issue, but I plan to get out once during the 2 hour drive and walk around, and

also get up

often at work. They are very understanding at work, so I'm very blessed to have

such great

people to work with. My pain level is pretty much nothing!!!! I honestly can

hardly believe

it! I haven't taken any narcotics for a couple of weeks, and I am definitely

more " myself " in

my personality....I mean that I could cry on a dime when I was on narcotics, but

I'm now

just crying at really sad things!! I was telling a girlfriend today that, for

the first time since

I was 11 years old (when I had my first Harrington Rod surgery), I actually have

no pain to

speak of! I just can hardly believe it! Sure, there is a little discomfort

once in a while if I

do too much, but I am so thrilled. I'm almost afraid that I'll wake up one of

these days

feeling awful, but so far, so good! I will definitely be very careful going

back to work and

ease into it. I don't want to set myself back, that's for sure.

I went on longer than I should have.....I am just so very thankful for Dr.

Bridwell and for

everyone who has supported me...this website has been such a huge part of my

presurgery time and my recovery.

I hope you continue to heal and become more and more comfortable every day,

.

> >

> > I wanted to report on my 7 wk. check-up with Dr. Bridwell

> yesterday. I feel, after reading

> > the other post from those who are having such difficult problems,

> that I am very blessed,

> > lucky or whatever, but I'm doing great! My X-rays looked really

> good, and he said that my

> > walking looked very good and to keep it up....no bending, lifting

> over 10 lbs...the usual

> > restrictions for this timeframe of recovery. He said I could go

> back to work within the next

> > month...yikes...but to do it gradually. I am a cytotechnologist

> (screen pap smears, fine

> > needle aspirations, etc. for cancer) and sit most of the day....I

> also work at a laboratory 2

> > hours away, so I drive there on a Tues. and stay in a hotel and

> come home on Friday.

> > Bernie, Dr. Bridwell's wonderful nurse, suggested that I try

> sitting more and more during

> > the day, with frequent breaks, for the next couple of weeks. She

> said that she was glad I

> > am doing so well, but she was afraid I would go back too soon, do

> too much, and then

> > have a set back. I agreed with that, of course, and will do what

> was suggested. My sweet

> > husband wants to drive me the first time I go back to work, stay

> there, and then drive me

> > home so he can see how I handle things. My medical director is

> willing to let me work a

> > few hours or whatever works for me. So, I'm thinking of trying

> this around the last week of

> > June. I'm not taking any narcotics at all during the day....maybe

> something before bed, if I

> > need it, but usually, I'm pretty good.

> >

> > They copied my surgical report and gave it to me...wow..it is

> really is kind of

> > uncomfortable to read what all they did....sounds more like

> building a house than back

> > surgery, doesn't it?!! The revision extends from T4 to the sacrum

> and pelvis. I did take my

> > camera and took pictures of my x-rays, so I will post them soon.

> Dr. Bridwell seemed

> > very happy....even joked with me!!! Bernie had told us that he

> might crack a joke when

> > everything is done and he feels like it is a success!

> >

> > I have to say, once again, how much this site has helped me

> throughout this time. There

> > is so much information from other's experiences, and it was of

> great value. I also have a

> > mentor who has been very helpful and supportive, and I will always

> be thankful for her.

> >

> > Sorry this is so long....I got carried away!!

> > MY best to all of you,

> >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Donna,

I told my husband that he needed to take me to Mexico before I go back to work,

too, but

he didn't buy it!!! Rats!! Dancing....that sounds like so much fun! It's been

so long since

I've felt like doing that! I will be very careful about going back to work.

They are very

understanding at work, and I know they will work with me. I have started

driving, but it is

very difficult to see behind when you can twist or turn. I've had that to some

extent since

I've been driving, but it is certainly harder now. I wondered about getting a

mirror with a

handle on it (like you would use to look at the back of your hair in the

mirror)....would

that work by sticking that out the window? You could move it around so you

could see

what you want to see, I guess. Just a thought....is that a problem for you?

Thanks for the information, Donna. I feel so good now, and I will be very

careful not to

ruin that. Bernie, Dr. Bridwell's nurse told me that she didn't want to burst

my bubble, but

she didn't want me to have a set back and be really frustrated....I totally

understand that,

and I'll take it one step at a time.

> > >

> > > I wanted to report on my 7 wk. check-up with Dr. Bridwell

> > yesterday. I feel, after reading

> > > the other post from those who are having such difficult problems,

> > that I am very blessed,

> > > lucky or whatever, but I'm doing great! My X-rays looked really

> > good, and he said that my

> > > walking looked very good and to keep it up....no bending, lifting

> > over 10 lbs...the usual

> > > restrictions for this timeframe of recovery. He said I could go

> > back to work within the next

> > > month...yikes...but to do it gradually. I am a cytotechnologist

> > (screen pap smears, fine

> > > needle aspirations, etc. for cancer) and sit most of the day....I

> > also work at a laboratory 2

> > > hours away, so I drive there on a Tues. and stay in a hotel and

> > come home on Friday.

> > > Bernie, Dr. Bridwell's wonderful nurse, suggested that I try

> > sitting more and more during

> > > the day, with frequent breaks, for the next couple of weeks. She

> > said that she was glad I

> > > am doing so well, but she was afraid I would go back too soon, do

> > too much, and then

> > > have a set back. I agreed with that, of course, and will do what

> > was suggested. My sweet

> > > husband wants to drive me the first time I go back to work, stay

> > there, and then drive me

> > > home so he can see how I handle things. My medical director is

> > willing to let me work a

> > > few hours or whatever works for me. So, I'm thinking of trying

> > this around the last week of

> > > June. I'm not taking any narcotics at all during the day....maybe

> > something before bed, if I

> > > need it, but usually, I'm pretty good.

> > >

> > > They copied my surgical report and gave it to me...wow..it is

> > really is kind of

> > > uncomfortable to read what all they did....sounds more like

> > building a house than back

> > > surgery, doesn't it?!! The revision extends from T4 to the

> sacrum

> > and pelvis. I did take my

> > > camera and took pictures of my x-rays, so I will post them soon.

> > Dr. Bridwell seemed

> > > very happy....even joked with me!!! Bernie had told us that he

> > might crack a joke when

> > > everything is done and he feels like it is a success!

> > >

> > > I have to say, once again, how much this site has helped me

> > throughout this time. There

> > > is so much information from other's experiences, and it was of

> > great value. I also have a

> > > mentor who has been very helpful and supportive, and I will

> always

> > be thankful for her.

> > >

> > > Sorry this is so long....I got carried away!!

> > > MY best to all of you,

> > >

> > >

> >

>