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.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
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.
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.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
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.
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.
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
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.
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.
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Post-op, 2 weeks
1.) Sitting beyond 30 minutes is definitely a NO NO. I've done it a couple of times and the pain that follows is not worth the few minutes of extra comfort.
2.) My right foot woke up a little this morning. Some of the feeling came back to the top of my foot. It smarted a little at first, but now its seems to be back to normal. Still have some numbness left, but the prospects for that going away are looking up.
3.) No change in the left foot, still numb. I have manage to build up some strength into my foot from walking.
4.) Knees and hamstrings are still bothering me at the end of the day. It's kind of a good/bad pain because I know their sore and tired from having an active day.
It's much easier now to roll from side to side in bed now. The incision hurts less and in fact is now starting to itch which is a sign that it's healing. I'm now walking 5 miles a day again. Definitely need the exercise being that I've already gained 11 pounds since my surgery.
With the exception of one bad day, week 2 has been very productive as far as healing goes. Tomorrow is my first post op appointment with my surgeon and pain management doctor.
2.) My right foot woke up a little this morning. Some of the feeling came back to the top of my foot. It smarted a little at first, but now its seems to be back to normal. Still have some numbness left, but the prospects for that going away are looking up.
3.) No change in the left foot, still numb. I have manage to build up some strength into my foot from walking.
4.) Knees and hamstrings are still bothering me at the end of the day. It's kind of a good/bad pain because I know their sore and tired from having an active day.
It's much easier now to roll from side to side in bed now. The incision hurts less and in fact is now starting to itch which is a sign that it's healing. I'm now walking 5 miles a day again. Definitely need the exercise being that I've already gained 11 pounds since my surgery.
With the exception of one bad day, week 2 has been very productive as far as healing goes. Tomorrow is my first post op appointment with my surgeon and pain management doctor.
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Post-op, 1 week
Thought those that are thinking of going down this road of fusion might be interested in knowing where I stand after 1 week. For starters, don't expect to much. If you do, you will be disappointed.
1.) When sitting, it hurts a lot when you sit back for obvious reasons. My back is very bruised and sore where the incision is.
2.) The entire top of my right foot is numb and I have drop foot. This is most likely because of the nerves being moved around in my back. It's a weird feeling but doesn't hurt.
3.) Left foot is almost completely numb. I have next to no strength in this foot. Some of this can be attributed to nerves being moved around during surgery and some of this was permanent damage that I already knew about. I sure hope my foot gets back to the way it once was, otherwise I'll never be able to trust my footing again. I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.
4.) Both knees and pelvic area are extremely painful. Not sure why, but this is the source of most of my pain by the end of the day.
5.) Back pain beyond belief if you do anything bad, bend or twist. My back is extremely sore by the end of the day. I hate to think how it would feel if I actually did something all day.
It's very difficult to get in out of the sitting position for me. I can only sit for about 30 minutes per stretch and walk/stand for about 5 minutes. Lying down is by far the most comfortable position. I permit myself to lie down once in the afternoon and then in the evening before bed.
This surgery was my last option to return to a somewhat normal existence. Prior to going this route, make sure you have exhausted all other options. You can not change your mind once its done. In fact, I must now fuse my vertebrae because the discs between them have been removed.
1.) When sitting, it hurts a lot when you sit back for obvious reasons. My back is very bruised and sore where the incision is.
2.) The entire top of my right foot is numb and I have drop foot. This is most likely because of the nerves being moved around in my back. It's a weird feeling but doesn't hurt.
3.) Left foot is almost completely numb. I have next to no strength in this foot. Some of this can be attributed to nerves being moved around during surgery and some of this was permanent damage that I already knew about. I sure hope my foot gets back to the way it once was, otherwise I'll never be able to trust my footing again. I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.
4.) Both knees and pelvic area are extremely painful. Not sure why, but this is the source of most of my pain by the end of the day.
5.) Back pain beyond belief if you do anything bad, bend or twist. My back is extremely sore by the end of the day. I hate to think how it would feel if I actually did something all day.
It's very difficult to get in out of the sitting position for me. I can only sit for about 30 minutes per stretch and walk/stand for about 5 minutes. Lying down is by far the most comfortable position. I permit myself to lie down once in the afternoon and then in the evening before bed.
This surgery was my last option to return to a somewhat normal existence. Prior to going this route, make sure you have exhausted all other options. You can not change your mind once its done. In fact, I must now fuse my vertebrae because the discs between them have been removed.
Saturday, August 18, 2007
Post-op, Day 3
Climbed two stairs this morning and given thumbs up by PT to go home. Also went on a walk without the walker. I've been feeling real cocky all morning thinking this recovery isn't so bad. Got released from the hospital after 1:00pm. Arrived home around 2:00pm. I need to write the Virginia Department of Transportation, cause these roads suck. Here are my rules laid out by my doctor and my wife:
1.) No sitting for more than 30 minutes.
2.) Walk around house at least 10 times a day.
3.) Do not go up or down stairs on my own. Already got in trouble for this one.
4.) Take pills on time.
For the most part, my pain is associated with the surgery. I expect this to be the case for several weeks maybe longer. Right now, I'll take it day by day. This is by far the most painful surgery I have ever experienced in my life. I am very weak and walk using a cane to support my self (I don't trust my legs, especially my left one). I don't know if this surgery was worth it. That will be a discussion for another time.
1.) No sitting for more than 30 minutes.
2.) Walk around house at least 10 times a day.
3.) Do not go up or down stairs on my own. Already got in trouble for this one.
4.) Take pills on time.
For the most part, my pain is associated with the surgery. I expect this to be the case for several weeks maybe longer. Right now, I'll take it day by day. This is by far the most painful surgery I have ever experienced in my life. I am very weak and walk using a cane to support my self (I don't trust my legs, especially my left one). I don't know if this surgery was worth it. That will be a discussion for another time.
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