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Jun. 22nd, 2005 07:01 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
cabensonI left for my post-op doc appt at 12:20pm today. I returned at 6:10. They had re-scheduled the day's appointments (had actually tried to cancel this one for a second time until they realized I was post-op) and didn't call to tell me that my new appt time was 3:20pm. I didn't want to drive across town to go home and wait because I am just getting used to driving again and I am still not comfortable. So, I went shopping. Three Batman graphic novels, 3 new sports bras, 1 Israel Kamakawiwo'ole Cd (love the "Over the Rainbow/Wonderful World" mix), 1 pair of swim bottoms-a size smaller, thank you very much, and a Starbucks iced Mocha later, I arrived for my 3:20 appointment. I am used to a couple hour at this office, but I did worry that they would all leave and lock me in when I spent an hour waiting in the exam room. They remembered.
So, an update. The surgeon not only removed a portion of the spinal facet (the load bearing part of the vertebra), but also removed a pinched off piece of disc that had become lodged under the nerve root. That explains why I am still having pain and burning in my leg...the nerve is still pissed off. I was encouraged to increase my walking, and most importantly, to start swimming again. I know that it will help strengthen my whole back better than any structured PT program. I can start stretching and doing some of the low-impact back exercises at home. If I don't feel that I am getting better, they will send me to PT. I just need to use common sense...which is harder than you might think. So I guess I need to reconsider standing around downtown for a Pride concert on Friday night :(
Because I am recovering from a second surgery, there are more things to be concerned with as I heal. The first 3 months post-op is the most likely time for a pinch to re-occur. I will also be dealing with scar tissue which can possibly adhere to the nerve root which cannot be treated. So, taking all of this into consideration, I will not be returning to work for at least another month. I am both disappointed and relieved by this news. I want to feel productive again, but I also know that I went back too early the last time. I see the doc again in 4 weeks, and by that time, I will have worked on stretching and strengthening. I most definitly do not want this to happen again. Next time I will have steel rods placed in my back and having had that done to my arm, I assure you, it fucking hurts.
So, tomorrow Mrs.B is taking a kick-boxing class at the YMCA and I will be getting a membership so I can start swimming. I wonder how many people pee in that pool?
So, an update. The surgeon not only removed a portion of the spinal facet (the load bearing part of the vertebra), but also removed a pinched off piece of disc that had become lodged under the nerve root. That explains why I am still having pain and burning in my leg...the nerve is still pissed off. I was encouraged to increase my walking, and most importantly, to start swimming again. I know that it will help strengthen my whole back better than any structured PT program. I can start stretching and doing some of the low-impact back exercises at home. If I don't feel that I am getting better, they will send me to PT. I just need to use common sense...which is harder than you might think. So I guess I need to reconsider standing around downtown for a Pride concert on Friday night :(
Because I am recovering from a second surgery, there are more things to be concerned with as I heal. The first 3 months post-op is the most likely time for a pinch to re-occur. I will also be dealing with scar tissue which can possibly adhere to the nerve root which cannot be treated. So, taking all of this into consideration, I will not be returning to work for at least another month. I am both disappointed and relieved by this news. I want to feel productive again, but I also know that I went back too early the last time. I see the doc again in 4 weeks, and by that time, I will have worked on stretching and strengthening. I most definitly do not want this to happen again. Next time I will have steel rods placed in my back and having had that done to my arm, I assure you, it fucking hurts.
So, tomorrow Mrs.B is taking a kick-boxing class at the YMCA and I will be getting a membership so I can start swimming. I wonder how many people pee in that pool?
