Day 10 a little better

I was able to sit through breakfast and dinner without the excruciating pain. The past few days I really went downhill right after breakfast and it didnt happen so much today. This of course is all relative to the past few days. Im still bringing 3 pillows to the table - one to sit on and two behind me, it hurts but its not agony so I am headed in the right direction.

It was still more of the same Eat, Walk, Rest, Repeat. Tomorrow will be a repeat of today.

I packed a couple of things today so that I dont wear myself out doing it all on Saturday.

Yes David, Jean and I have been laughing because now my husband is quoting ya'll with "slow and steady wins the race" in his emails - too funny.

Day nine Post Op visit

We went to the Pro Spine Offices in Bogen today for my final check up. Dr. Fenk-Mayer examined me and said all was normal and as to be expected. She removed the bottom stitch and says the others will dissolve. The incision is healing nicely. She felt that the low back pain was normal inflammation from the surgery not discogenic. To me it feels exactly the same as the pain prior to surgery so I cannot help but worry that this did not work. Rationally, logically I know its early on but I worry anyway.

The rest of the day has been about the same eat, walk, rest,repeat.

We leave here on Sunday. The next few days will be more of the above in hopes that I can feel comfortable on the flight.

Day eight satus quo

Today has been about the same as yesterday. Short Walk, Eat, Rest, Repeat two times. I am hoping for a small improvement soon. Any little bit would help.

After dinner last night Jean and I went around the block and I did get a stabbing pain in my left groin which had me holding on to the fence next to me, not sure if I could take another step and brought me to tears. It left as quickly as it came on though so we got through it.

Tomorrow we go to Bogen for the final check at ProSpine.

Day seven a little bit better than yesterday

After dinner last night I was feeling better by the hour. When I finally went to bed after watching an entire season of Sex and the City on DVD I couldnt believe how much better my back felt. I woke up feeling really great. Then after breakfast it went downhill. I was able to walked a little but I cannot sit at all. I type this from the computer in the lobby that is condusive to standing. Its continues to be just the low back pain. No leg issues. The incision is healing nicely, it hurts but as expected I believe. All of the doctors were in awe at how straight it is. Jean and I laugh constantly as we remember each of their faces as the bandage was removed and they admired the work. I could care less what that looks like at this point.

There is a mental side to this no doubt. Did I drink some adr kool-aid? Am I going to be able to take care of my kids? Its brutal but Jean is here to help me through it all with humor.

We really are taking it so slowly.

Day six post op not good

Well, did I say the pain was tolerable yesterday? No true today. Jean and I walked a short distance to dinner last night and I could not sit. I had to circle the restaurant several times. while I understand this is normal I need to get this chronicled for future patients. It is a rollercoaster. Today has been m0re of the same. Walking a little and resting in bed. I am having a stronger med filled tomorrow. The post op medication situation is interesting here because they assume you are still taking any meds that you took at home prior to surgery. They will also prescribe you whatever necessary but the brand names are different. I never found much that worked real well on this level of pain at home without throwing up so I am relying on their prescriptions here. The opiod they gave me in the hospital worked well and I will take it tomorrow if needed. For reference pharmacies are closed on Saturday by noon and after that everything must be ordered on an emergency basis to the onlý on call pharmacy in town and at extra cost. Eckhard will help with this process but its just that a process you do not want to go through when in pain. Controlled substances are even more difficult to order so plan accordingly when leaving the hospital. They hand you the prescriptions in plenty of time so have them filled or have your meds from home.

I read through David and Chucks post op links last night with Jean and we both felt so much better because so much of it sounded so familiar - the late night waking, the coughing in pain etc.

Thanks for all the kind words.

I'm out of the hospital!!!!

It's Saturday afternoon and we are back at the hotel. Obviously I am in pain but it is tolerable right now. I get tired easily, move extremely slowly and cannnot bend at all. I am to wear a back brace (much like you see a weightlifter wear) for 8 weeks. The disks will not be fully set for 3 months. In speaking with Dr. B 3 days post op, he believes I should feel like myself in 4-6 months given the length of time I suffered from this and level of degeneration of the disks. He felt the surgery was difficult due to the limited space left between my disks yet nothing he did not expect or has not seen before. He felt I was a relatively uncomplicated case. They describe my recovery as uneventful. Good news but certainly not what my body says.

My aunt Jean has been amazing and because of her we have been able to laugh so much I have to worry about my stitches. She befriended the hospital staff to the point they would get in trouble for lingering with us. This has been a great time for the two of us to spend together. Many of you probably did not realize she is only 4 years older so shes much like a sister. She did it all for me here. she was there to take care of me without battng an eye. There is no way to thank her enough.


Obviously there is an important 6 days missing here that needs to be chronicled for any future patient - too much for me to handle now but if you are reading this and thinking of doing this please feel free to contact me. Past patients made a huge impact on me and I am here for the next. Mark and Chuck thank you for keeping in touch with my family. It is so inspiring to read about Marks progress as he had the same two levels done as I did. I hope to reach that level long term as well.

I spoke with my mom and Dave and heard all of your well wishes. Thank you all so much for the support. I will need more to come, this is just the beginning.

We are heading to the hospital this morning

Well, we had a great day yesterday walking around town. We spent hours trying to find the Deutche Bank machine that mom had google mapped for us but of course we forgot to bring when we left. We asked many Germmans directions but no one who spoke English knew. Althought the hotel and cab driver speak English we are finding that in the shops and restaurants there is a large language barrier. I was not expecting this. The year I spent travelling in Europe many years ago was mostly in big cities so we always found that many people spoke English.

Well, I'm off to the hospital. More news when I can.