Already a Year!

It's crazy to think that it has been one year since my surgery.  I am so pleased with how well I have been healing.  Yesterday I went back to Seattle to see my surgeon.  This Spring he was named the medical director of the Virginia Mason Neuroscience Institute  (that's how skilled he is) so I went there to see him instead.  I wasn't sure how all that would work but no problems getting to see him over there instead and they are all just as professional and friendly as the Group Health offices.

First, I went to get new x-rays.  According to my husband I got x-rays there after my surgery.  It didn't look at all familiar but I do remember them telling me in the hospital that they would take x-rays before I checked-out.

Next, I met my surgeon's PA.  She introduced herself, showed me my x-rays and went to get Dr. Sethi.  He had looked over my x-rays.  Everything is still looking good.  No loose screws and you could see more growth of the bone graft all along the spinal fusion.  So, next check-in will be at two years, but this can be a phone visit.  Then I'll  head back over at five years.

So, overall I feel like things are normal.  I have a great friend who lives across the street that I exercise with regularly.  I have been able to see more progress and strength return.  It is very slow and I'm still learning to be patient with myself.  It feels great to exercise though and to feel stronger than I was when I started.  There are some things that I have to modify because I either can no longer move/bend like that or because I still have more back and ab strength to regain.  I actually feel quite strong.  I've been helping people pack and move, and carrying things around and it hasn't been too challenging.  People always tell me to be careful and not hurt my back.  I just tell them "I'm titanium!".  I wonder if I really can hurt my back?  It's not really going anywhere. So it's not like someone who twists wrong and hurts it because my spine doesn't twist! :)  I am very careful when lifting to squat and preserve the last few un-fused vertebrae I have.  When I'm cleaning and picking up often my lower back gets tired so I really try to focus on squatting or doing a lunge to reach stuff on the floor.

Also, I was feeling early on in my recovery that I would always notice my rods but I actually don't notice them all that often.  Generally I really only notice during exercise or walking and I'm swinging my arms around.  There's definitely a solidity there that is noticeable.  While bending of course I am aware of my limited range of motion.  But I'm okay with all that.  I no longer have pain.  Occasionally I am sore or a little stiff but that's it.  Being pain free is such a blessing!

I'm amazed at how well my incision has healed and the scar is really quite faint compared to past photos.

Free at Last!

I can't believe it's been nearly six months already.  I saw my surgeon this week.  He pointed out on my new x-rays where the bone graft was growing.  You can see a faint white line.  He looked at each screw to make sure there were no spaces around them that would indicate any loosening.  Everything is looking right so all my restrictions have been lifted.  Happily, I no longer have to wear my back brace!  I am now allowed to bend, twist and lift things over 10 pounds.  I don't have to do any physical therapy but can do whatever exercise I'd like.  My doctor just advised me to back off a little if I have a lot of pain or pressure.  He also said it is going to be difficult and slow because I haven't used my muscles in a very long time.  In reality it will be like starting with no muscle because I've been taken apart and put back together and everything is now in a different place. I've started right in on lifting (very small) weights and using resistance bands to rebuild my muscles.  I've missed my yoga and it's amazing how much flexibility I've lost.  I used to bend in half and now I can only make a right angle.  My hamstrings have been super sore with all the stretching I've been doing and my back muscles have been aching.  It's a good pain.  It means progress and growth.  

So my final numbers are in...The thoracic region went from a 59 degree curve to 18 degrees.  This is the curve my surgeon said was very stiff and would probably only be corrected to about 30 degrees.  The lumbar region was corrected to 20 degrees from 47 degrees.  These are HUGE improvements.  I feel so blessed to have found such a skilled surgeon and that my spine was able to be corrected so much.  

In another six months I'll go back for a one year check-up.  Then again at the five year mark.  In the meantime I will continue to make myself stronger.  Looking back there was such horrific pain and terrible struggles but I truly feel it was worth it.  My quality of life is already such an improvement to the misery I lived in before.  I can already do so much more, without any pain, than I could pre-surgery.  Yes, it was all worth it!