Wednesday, June 4, 2008

Post-op, 42 weeks (9 1/2 months)

Had my 9 month check-up today, couple weeks late due to scheduling. My CT Scan came back showing that I am completely fused at L5/S1 and only half fused on the right side at L4/L5, plus the bone bridge on the right side is solid. All in all, I am fused. I did however grow a new bone spur in the vacated area that is pressing on the L5 nerve root which might explain the problems in my legs. The nerve issues were also verified by the dreaded EMG test a couple weeks ago which left me with a huge charlie horse in my left calf for a couple of days.

The prognosis is very upbeat, I will be having my hardware removed on June 16th which should alleviate the minor back ache I get in the evening and the occasional pinch I get from the hardware. My OS is also going to do a revision Laminectomy, so I'm hoping that will clear up the remaining issues with my legs, and fill in the holes (a little spackle never hurt anyone) left behind by the screws. There is no guarantee on the leg issues but I'm determined to be optimistic.

I'll be glad to hopefully get rid of the remaining issues that I have even though I have not let them put a damper on my life to this point. For the record, I rode every roller coaster at Busch Gardens a month ago and had absolutely no problems. I don't recommend the 4D rides for those with back issues, man did that hurt and I couldn't wait for the ride to be over. I played my first round of golf a week ago and for the first time in my life I broke a hundred with a score of 95. My goal is to play bogey golf which would be under 90.

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