My spine surgery journey: from preparation to recovery

[bellbird]

Thank you so much @LuckiLee !

She said when she first stood up after her surgery it was the first time in decades she was able to stand without pain. ?

Sitting here getting teary -- soo happy to hear this about your friend!

It's interesting; even though I've been through my surgery now so stories like this don't have that [it'll be ok, you can do it! Look, others have!] vibe that my pre-surgery brain was comforted by, they still hit me just as much with that warm fuzzy joyful feeling and the marvelling at the abilities of the medical and surgical community.

It's amazing how far the medical field has progressed in some areas. I'm eventually going to need my knee reconstructed but I'm waiting as long as possible to get the most advanced technology. So not looking forward to it!! Ugh.

It really is.
I can't remember if this has been a self-directed question or if someone has asked me it, but "do you wish you would have had the surgery 10 years ago when you were first on the waiting list, rather than now?" Has popped up during this experience.
And to be honest, no - I don't wish I had had it back then rather than now.
a) I don't think I would have been as prepared or coped as well, and b) it meant that my surgeon had had 10 years more experience, that medical science had had 10 more years of development.

They can do amazing things. I had one doctor in surgery whose sole job was to monitor my nerves through sensors on my arms, legs and head.
On my last night in the orthopaedic ward, my 88 year old ward neighbour was taken for a hip replacement surgery (same surgeon) and the next morning he was up and walking! Quite incredible stuff.
There are so many measures in place so that the patient will have the best outcome possible.
You are one tough cookie, @LuckiLee ; I am sure that when you do have your knee replacement, you will surprise yourself with your strength ?

It sounds like you have a great support system. Even your boss is helping as much as he can. Awesome!!

I do, I feel very lucky.
And yep -- despite some other issues involving my boss, he really has been great with this.

 

[bellbird]

Ohh yeah, one more thing for today...
I can officially touch my toes again!!!!!
Ahhhhhhhhhh :happy::happy::happy:

 

[knuckles]

I am one big half-grinning smile reading your posts Bellbird. You are amazing - and what you are doing for yourself is admirable (I just looked it up "arousing or deserving respect and approval")

 

[bellbird]

I am one big half-grinning smile reading your posts Bellbird. You are amazing - and what you are doing for yourself is admirable (I just looked it up "arousing or deserving respect and approval")

Ohh @knuckles , I am incredibly touched by your sweet words. Thank you so much and for your support :hug: :hug:

 

[bellbird]

I'm a gym member! Can't say I ever thought I'd be saying that this time one year ago.

I met with a coordinator from the Green Prescription program this morning at the gym/pool complex.
I was feeling sick with nerves on the way, but I know they were irrational because I'd had to do a health disclosure on my self-referral form, so any way I presented (nervous, shaky, on edge) wouldn't have been all that surprising.

She was really nice, though. After her induction spiel, she showed me around the gym and pool areas. I'd never been in either before and it's actually a pretty extensive complex. Not too many people late morning on a weekday, either.
Then I thought, since I was there already, I may as well sign up to become a member since I knew that was the definite next step I wanted to take.

The green prescription gives me just over 1/3 off membership fees, which I'm very grateful for. On a 12 month contract. Done dealio.

I think I'll have some lunch and then head over for a swim.
Even after the 10 min walk to and from the complex this morning, my back (and body in general) was feeling so much better. I can't wait to see what swimming will do for it.

It's bound to be difficult at first, as I haven't swim in a few years and I certainly have never swum with two rods screwed to my spine before. But I'm really struggling to do any work for my research project after a very shit sleep, so now's as good of a time as any to swim (and in fact now (or after lunch) is a much better time than after 3pm when I assume it will be filled with school kids).

 

[Wendell_R]

I can't wait to see what swimming will do for it.

The gym will do great things for both your body and mind! I sleep better after I go to the gym.

 

[MrMoonlight]

I'm just so happy to see the way you are tackling life and recovery. You are an amazing woman n. Swimming would be a great low impact exercise. I hope to swim this summer too.

 

[bellbird]

I'm just so happy to see the way you are tackling life and recovery. You are an amazing woman

That really means a lot to hear you say that, thank you MrM.

Swimming would be a great low impact exercise. I hope to swim this summer too.

Yeah it is :) both surgeon and GP recommended I swim in post-op.

The gym will do great things for both your body and mind!

I think so! Fingers crossed for better sleeps.

Oof. I have to admit. I'm just getting my things ready to head out for a swim, and I am feeling proper nervous.
I think it's less nerves about trying to swim for the first time since op and more nerves about being there with people all around; you're kind of super exposed in a pool right, and that's not really a feeling that I'm overly fond of.

Also there's this thing about water. One of my close friends drowned just over 5 years ago, and I know (though multiple sources which I still don't know why tf they told me) basically most details about what happened and his last moments.
Now I've been in water plenty of times since where I have been perfectly ok, but I just still get nervous, you know. This is definitely something I need to process with T.

 

[bellbird]

Oh my god that was so liberating.
I'm home now. I've showered, got into my pyjamas, and decided to chill out in bed for a bit.

I did 500metres, in a mixture of freestyle, breaststroke, aqua jogging, and kicking with a flutter board.
Then 8 laps of aqua jogging in the leisure pool to warm down, and then sat in the spa for a few minutes.

I feel amazing. The endorphins and being able to move my body like that, I don't even know how to put it into words.
I have the happiest tears running down my cheeks as I write this.

First off, I teared up in the changing room when I saw what I looked like in my swimsuit for the first time.
Now read this keeping in mind that every single time I've seen myself in a swimsuit until today, I'd never been able to see past a pretty obvious physical deformity of my hips, waist, ribcage and back.
Today I honestly couldn't believe what I was seeing. Like that's my back!!!! And I get to keep it!! Oh my god. This is unreal.

Then I got into the lane pool, and swam my first 50metres. And then I started tearing up again in my goggles. I can swim!!! My back felt a little foreign, and I learnt pretty quickly what feels good and what doesn't; what modifications I need to make in the strokes (eg. not kicking while I twist to take a breath in freestyle). But oh wow, I can actually do it.

And just now, in the shower, I cried again.
I'm aware I probably sound overly emotional but after that experience, I really can't help it.
In this moment, I feel the best I've felt since having my surgery. My back feels so good; no pain, and the muscles that got worked during the swim, particularly those on either side of my spine, feel so much less tense.

10 weeks ago I was in hospital on PCA morphine. Today I just swam 500metres.
No words.

 

[MrMoonlight]

Woohoo, way to go Bell! You really deserve it, all the hard work and leaps of faith you have taken got you here. I'm smiling ear to ear thinking of you tonight. Really happy. Hope you enjoy your evening relaxing tonight.

 

[blackemerald1]

Yay bellbird! I love swimming too & it's been so good in every aspect of my life. I hope you continue to enjoy it & reap all the benefits too.

I understand what you mean about feeling somewhat exposed. I felt that way too. I've found if I have my bather's underneath my clothes I can minimize the time from locker to pool. Once I'm in the water I'm fine. I've also noticed that in the lap lane's most ppl are only interested in the swimming. :)

 

[bellbird]

Thank you @MrMoonlight and @blackemerald1 :hug: :hug:

Had another very rough night, but it's morning now and I just had my first appointment with my GP since having surgery! (she left for a holiday just before I got back).
We have a really good working relationship; she has been my GP for 4 years now, and she is so supportive and encouraging of me to reach my full potential.

She had a look at my scar and my back, and said my scar has healed very well (I've been so happy with how it's looking but it's always nice to have confirmation), and said my back is so straight that you could put a ruler down it. Hearing things like that about my (!!!) back (yes bellbird, you get to keep it!) fills me with the warmest fuzziest feeling.
I remember when GP had a look at my back pre-op and even the lightest touch on it would have my bunched up tight muscles on the convex side of my curve spasming. Now, nada.

It's also now one month that I haven't needed any pain meds, and she was also so pleased hearing that. I think I was equally so in telling her.
GP told me that she has never had a patient take their surgery and preparation so seriously as I have, and that she was amazed how I managed in spite of my complications. My mind is totally buzzing right now.