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.