Re: update on Debbie Warren (Tampa) - 6 months out

[Guest guest]

Debbie,

Fantastic update! I just wanted to say that, believe it or not, if you

are starting to think that where you " are " today is as good as it gets

you are selling yourself very short! There is really a lot more healing

ahead of you. Yes, the bone forming and growing ends somewhere in the

next year....and I suspect our " orthos " think of that as the defined

period of healing. But most of us long term patients found that things

continue to improve for a long while after that. I guess it's first the

whole traumatic surgery healing, and then in the second year you sort

of start building on your strength and stamina and stretching

ability...which really is where you will see big gains down the road.

So, you go girl! Keep up the good healing and give yourself plenty of

time to expect true recovery to happen.

Take Care, Cam

[Guest guest]

Debbie,

What a great update! You were one of my many surgery twins July

was a busy month! I'm so happy for you, and I'm glad that you

noticed such a huge difference in what you can physically accomplish

in one day. I'm sure the holidays were much more enjoyable for you

this year I wish you the best as you continue to recover. Please

let us know how you're doing with those screws, and if you choose to

get the removed down the road.

>

> Hello everyone!

> Just wanted everyone to know that I am officially out of my brace

> now - exactly 6 months from my surgery date (July 9). I am doing

> great except for the muscle spasms that are pretty bad from being

> used to wearing that turtle shell so long. My left butt still

hurts

> which my surgeon wants me to tough it out about 3 more months or so

> before they remove my pelvic screws because I am doing so well.

[Guest guest]

Debbie,

Congratulations on your outcome and your attitude! For those of us

with upcoming surgery (Jeri and I are scheduled for the 28th and 29th)

it is great reading posts like this. Particularly on those days when

you really wonder if you are doing the right thing (which seem to be

constantly lately). Have a great year!

Donna T.

>

> Hello everyone!

> Just wanted everyone to know that I am officially out of my brace

> now - exactly 6 months from my surgery date (July 9). I am doing

> great except for the muscle spasms that are pretty bad from being

> used to wearing that turtle shell so long. My left butt still

hurts

> which my surgeon wants me to tough it out about 3 more months or so

> before they remove my pelvic screws because I am doing so well.

> They see a lot of white around my fusion which means the bones seem

> to be starting to grow. It's been a long 6 months and I just can't

> believe how much has happened during this time. I went from my

> worst EVER to my best in about 15 years!

> I told my husband Glenn that I don't feel the same. I don't feel

> worse. I feel BETTER ----and that was my goal. I will never feel

> perfect and will always feel stiff and achy but I am BETTER and I

> praise the Lord for that and for what HE has done in my life

through

> my surgery. I am glad I had my revision surgery and would do it

> again because my quality of life is so much better.

> Thanks so much for all of you support everybody. I actually came

to

> all of you a couple of months after my surgery from another site.

I

> seem to relate to all of you better and appreciate your advice and

> encouragment. I wish I could have been with this group from day

> one. I have enjoyed (and will continue to enjoy) hanging out with

> all of you.

> Christmas eve I cried to my husband when I laid down in bed that

> night because it was the first time in YEARS that I was up most of

> the day, cooking, wrapping presents, last minute shopping etc etc

> and didn't need to take a break every 6 minutes (literally) and

when

> I laid down I felt hardly any pain or achiness. THAT was a

> miracle!! That doesn't mean that I don't still have rough days -

> but I can handle them so much better and they don't knock the wind

> out from me as easily. I would say I am 80-90% better than I was 6

> months ago. For me, I'll take that!!!

> Just wanted to give a 6 month update.

> Have a great New Year everyone - and for those who are facing this

> surgery - be encouraged! There IS a light at the end of the tunnel

> and you will get through it.

> Hang in there!

> Debbie (Tampa)

>

[Guest guest]

Congratulations Debbie--being able to get out of your brace!! I had

to wear mine 6 months but didn't have to around the house. The doctor

mainly wanted me to wear it out in public.

I see we both have the " pelvic screw problem " . Mine are not moving--

at least that's what the doctor told me in September. I just have

some pain when I roll in bed and roll over the screw area. Don't like

the feeling at all!! For some reason the left one has a screw head

that sticks out farther than the right one. My rt. leg has been

having a nerve " pain " since surgery and no one seems to know what it

is. I'm hoping (against hope?) that maybe it's caused by the screw

also and having it out too can take care of that problem. I'm 10

months out now from surgery.

Carol

>

> Hello everyone!

> Just wanted everyone to know that I am officially out of my brace

> now - exactly 6 months from my surgery date (July 9). I am doing

> great except for the muscle spasms that are pretty bad from being

> used to wearing that turtle shell so long. My left butt still

hurts

> which my surgeon wants me to tough it out about 3 more months or so

> before they remove my pelvic screws because I am doing so well.

> They see a lot of white around my fusion which means the bones seem

> to be starting to grow. It's been a long 6 months and I just can't

> believe how much has happened during this time. I went from my

> worst EVER to my best in about 15 years!

> I told my husband Glenn that I don't feel the same. I don't feel

> worse. I feel BETTER ----and that was my goal. I will never feel

> perfect and will always feel stiff and achy but I am BETTER and I

> praise the Lord for that and for what HE has done in my life

through

> my surgery. I am glad I had my revision surgery and would do it

> again because my quality of life is so much better.

> Thanks so much for all of you support everybody. I actually came

to

> all of you a couple of months after my surgery from another site.

I

> seem to relate to all of you better and appreciate your advice and

> encouragment. I wish I could have been with this group from day

> one. I have enjoyed (and will continue to enjoy) hanging out with

> all of you.

> Christmas eve I cried to my husband when I laid down in bed that

> night because it was the first time in YEARS that I was up most of

> the day, cooking, wrapping presents, last minute shopping etc etc

> and didn't need to take a break every 6 minutes (literally) and

when

> I laid down I felt hardly any pain or achiness. THAT was a

> miracle!! That doesn't mean that I don't still have rough days -

> but I can handle them so much better and they don't knock the wind

> out from me as easily. I would say I am 80-90% better than I was 6

> months ago. For me, I'll take that!!!

> Just wanted to give a 6 month update.

> Have a great New Year everyone - and for those who are facing this

> surgery - be encouraged! There IS a light at the end of the tunnel

> and you will get through it.

> Hang in there!

> Debbie (Tampa)

>