Post-op, 9 weeks (2+ months)

1.) Have no idea if the right foot is improving anymore. It's still numb on the top of my foot and my big toe is partially numb. Still have some drop foot but I think it has improved.
3.) No change in the left foot, still numb. I think this is as good as this foot will ever get. Been like this for 5+ years except for the big toe being numb which is new since my surgery.
4.) Back still sore when I first get up in the morning. Adjusting of my sleep number to 50 has helped ease the pain a little in getting out of bed in the morning.
5.) SI Joints and hips are still acting up.
6.) Actually have been sleeping a little better this week.

Continued water PT on my own. Still walking 2 1/2 miles a day during the week and 5 on the weekend. Started land based PT this week. Got an award from my therapist for having the tightest hips he has ever encountered. He says that this is my biggest problem right now, so we're gonna work on loosening me up. Sure was in a lot of pain this afternoon from being loosened up.

I'm sure I improved a little this week but its barely noticeable. I get a little frustrated at times because I'm just not where I thought I'd be. I'm not complaining (maybe a little) cause I do understand that it takes a long time to heal. A friend of mine is going in for knee surgery and their recovery is supposed to be about 4 months. Completely recovered from major back surgery after 9 weeks is probably a little over optimistic.

Post-op, 8 weeks (2 months)

1.) Sitting is not a problem anymore, but I limit how long I do it.
2.) No improvement on the right foot this week, still have the drop foot.
3.) No change in the left foot, still numb.
4.) Back still sore when I first get up in the morning. Can feel some swelling at the incision site. Doctor says this is good cause we want the inflammation. More like he wants the inflammation, I want it gone. Have been adjusting my sleep number on my bed in hopes of helping the problem.
5.) SI Joints are still acting up and hips are now joining the party.
6.) Meds still interfere with my sleep.

Continued water PT on my own. Still walking 2 1/2 miles a day during the week and 5 on the weekend. Mowed the lawn again this week which resulted in a lot of pain the following two days (little bit of morphine fixed this right up). Medication combinations (Percs in the morning, and 1/2 dose during day topped off with Robaxin before bed) still seem to be working.

I'm still improving little by little each week. Don't see any marathons in the near future but the reality of it was I wasn't planning on running one anyway.

Post-op, 7 weeks

1.) I'm able to sit beyond 30 minutes now, but I limit how often I do it.
2.) Right foot is a little better this week. I can finally walk on my heels for a couple of steps.
3.) No change in the left foot, still numb.
4.) Aches and pains aren't as bad now, must be the calm before the storm (i.e. start of land based PT).
5.) Back still sore this week, especially when I first get up in the morning.
6.) SI Joints are still acting up.
7.) Meds still interfere with my sleeping.

Continued water PT on my own. Still walking 2 1/2 miles a day during the week and 5 on the weekend. Medication combinations seem to be working now. The goal is to be off the meds and have limited pain.

I can definitely tell that I'm improving. I'm really trying my best to follow my Doctors orders (NO BLT) and live my life at the same time.

Post-op, 6 weeks

1.) Sitting beyond 30 minutes is still a NO NO.
2.) No improvement in the right foot this week.
3.) No change in the left foot, still numb.
4.) Ankles, Knees, hamstrings, and hips are bothering me at the end of the day.
5.) Back still sore this week, especially when I first get up in the morning.
6.) SI Joints are still acting up.
7.) Meds still interfere with my sleeping and still have been waking up from soreness in my back.

Lost 1/2 pound this week. Continued water PT on my own. Insurance Company has authorized an additional 5 sessions. PT still seems to flare up the nerve in my right leg. Still walking 2 1/2 miles a day during the week and 5 on the weekend. Added Percoset back in during working hours but have cut out Robaxin to see what that does. I'm gonna figure this med thing out eventually.

Post-op, 5 weeks

1.) Sitting beyond 30 minutes is still a NO NO.
2.) Right foot may have a little improvement, not sure.
3.) No change in the left foot, still numb.
4.) Ankles, Knees, hamstrings, and hips are bothering me at the end of the day (the list is growing a little).
5.) Back has been a lot sorer this week, especially when I first get up in the morning.
6.) SI Joints are now acting up. Physical Therapist says that I'm transferring some of my fused joints functionality to the SI Joints and their not happy.
7.) Meds still interfere with my sleeping and have been waking up from soreness in my back now.

Lost 1 pound this week. Continued water PT. Didn't get approval from Insurance Company to extend PT beyond 5 sessions. Authorization will come but is delayed cause I didn't follow the rules. Water PT will have to continue on my own. PT still seems to flare up the nerve in my right leg. Only walking 2 1/2 miles a day during the week and my normal 5 on the weekend. Work is going well and am now back full time. Cut back on the Percoset during working hours, so I'm only taking Tylenol and Robaxin. What a difference, I can think again but the pain is WOW, almost a 5. I've worked like this before so I just have to get used to it again. I take the good stuff when I don't have to think. At least I know where my pain is so if the Doctor asks me I can tell him. Kind a sucks when you have to plan your life around what medication and how much pain you can tolerate.

Post-op, 4 weeks

1.) Sitting beyond 30 minutes is still a NO NO.
2.) Right foot is starting to show some improvement, Water PT must be working.
3.) No change in the left foot, still numb.
4.) Knees and hamstrings are still bothering me at the end of the day.
5.) Back has been sore with the increased activity.
6.) Meds still interfere with my sleeping.

Lost a 1/2 pound this week, funny how you gain weight fast but take it off real slow. Continued water PT and actually made it to the pool twice on my own. PT really seems to flare up the nerve in my right leg. Last night the leg was fine after PT so maybe more progress is being realized. Had to cut my walks down to one 2 1/2 mile walk a day. The reduction of walks is due to time constraints. I'm gonna have to find a way to work in the treadmill now. Just not enough hours in the day. Work is going well. Have been going part/full time over the last week in the office. This has been a real pain in the butt, so no more half day stuff. I'm full time in the office from now on.

Post-op, 3 weeks

1.) Sitting beyond 30 minutes is still a NO NO.
2.) My right foot went back to the way it was when I first came home from the hospital. Can't have everything be perfect.
3.) No change in the left foot, still numb.
4.) Knees and hamstrings are still bothering me at the end of the day.
5.) Back has been sore with the increased activity.
6.) Drugs really interfere with my sleeping.

Started back on my diet since I've gained all this weight back. Mowed the lawn last Saturday, that was lots fun and felt great to just be out there. Had my first water PT appointment yesterday, which was a drop in the bucket compared to the walks I do twice a day now. Went back to work yesterday. It was nice to be doing something productive with my day rather than sitting on my butt.