Hey everyone!
I just wanted to write in and fill everyone in on how everything is going. I saw my surgeon yesterday (6/13) and he wrote me a script for another month of physical therapy, X-rays in about a month, and to see him back in another month. He was so happy that I am not on any medications anymore, and that I am not getting any pain in my Right leg at all since surgery. I also told him that some days are easier, and I still do have bad days but that I feel so much better than before surgery and I still have a ways to go before I'm back to 100% (hopefully!). He asked how physical therapy was going and I told him my hamstrings were SO bad, but other than that its going great. We have been adding in new stretches and I am continuing to do them at home which is important as well. He asked if any of the stretches cause pain in my back, and I was happy to say "no" to that. =] They cause discomfort and I am sore afterwards just because everything is so tight and hasn't been used or worked in so long, so that is expected. He was ecstatic. He said clinically, he is so impressed with how well I am doing and that some patients are still on pain meds 3 months out and still not able to do much.
I think a huge part of it all is really taking the time to do YOUR part, the surgeon can only do so much, and its up to you to continue to perform your part. Everything from walking right when you wake up from surgery (which is not easy, but it will only help in the long run) to not sitting for too long, to being cautious yet pushing yourself a little bit with walks and exercises, to committing to doing physical therapy stretches and exercises at home. It takes work, but it is so worth it knowing that you will be better than you were before and you will one day have a quality of life back. I can't wait for that!!!
My surgeon said he can't wait to see my X-rays and I know I can't either...I think it will be cool to see the 1st set compared to the second set; and hopefully it is nothing but good news/everything is fusing correctly. I will definitely be posting pictures of my x-rays when I get them. =]
Last time I posted, I was just starting to use a serum on my scar (Scar Away) to help fade the scar, even the skin out, and improve the look of it. I have been using it 2 times a day, and even after the first week of using it, my physical therapist said that my scar looked and felt so much better already!! It definitely feels a lot smoother and more even and it also looks lighter. I think next time I write I will put a before/after picture up but so far I love this stuff!!
My biggest struggle right now is that ever since I got my brace off, I do things without thinking and sometimes hurt myself. I feel like since I don't have the brace on, I'm "normal" because I "look normal". If that makes any sense. When my surgeon said people always end up missing their back brace, I was thinking..no way will that be me! And it was me, not anymore because I'm doing better now, but in the beginning I did miss it. Its just hard to think I can do things and I attempt to do them and then I cant, or I end up hurting myself in the process. I just need to be more careful. It can get frustrating, especially towards the end of the day where I am very sore and really need to just 'relax' and not over-do it...which for me, is not easy. Those are really my only complaints. I still have pain, and still learn day to day what I can and cannot do, but the pain is bearable, and I can deal with it. The car is finally good again, however, I took a long car ride last weekend, and boy did I pay for it...so just take everything in moderation, if I could go back and re-do that car ride, I would have taken Tylenol before I left, and taken a few breaks to stretch and walk. One other thing I would suggest, make sure you have good posture!! It really is important, and at times, its hard sitting up straight, especially in the beginning, but try your hardest to have good posture.
Considering I am not even 3 months post-op, I am very happy with where I am at and where I am heading. =] Questions or anything, feel free to ask! I would love to somehow be able to help people going through this, you're not alone and you're stronger than you think so keep your head up <3
