Back to Work

It has been 4 1/2 weeks post surgery and....I'm back to work. Now I think maybe I am insane because every single forum and blog I read from other scoliosis surgery patients overtly state that there is no way someone should be returning to work till at least 3 months. Now I do count myself blessed because I work for my mom and dad and therefore, if I am tired or sore I am able to go home early or take a break. However, I am doing amazingly well and seem to be able to jump right back into my daily duties. I am counting this as a huge win! 

Nevertheless, there has been moments where the pain still kicks in. I had a weird pain yesterday I had not felt before. It almost felt like my muscles were tearing off of my spine when I went to lift myself up off he couch. Then it was followed by a general weakness where my spine felt very fragile. I am a lot better today but it was definitely not pleasant. I no longer taking pain medications except for the occasional tyenol and therefore have forgone the numb feeling in my back. I frequently have this weird, and justified, feeling like there is something in my back. Which yes of course there is :) 

The one main symptom I am still experiencing is stomach distention - in the mornings by stomach looks normal but by the mid afternoon I could be easily mistaken to be 6 months pregnant. I have read some literature suggesting that this is normal following spinal fusion and it will go down eventually, it just could happen faster.... Preferably before bikini season. Finally have a straight body and a swollen belly is not something that I want to be concerned about. 

Overall, everything is looking bright and cheery - my doctors appointment is May 6 so hopefully everything continues to progress the way it is currently progressing 

Ps. My scar is looking awesome

Happy Updates and Thank-you to Everyone

Feeling significantly better - completely off the pain medications, walking around like a champ, and went to work yesterday for the first time in a month. Overall, everything seems to be looking up. I really truly believe this surgery was the best thing to happen to me, not only have I secured a healthy future with a decreased risk of progression of the curve, I have a different outlook on my current health. For the first time in a while I can look in the mirror and not see an obvious deviation of my hips from normal. I am holding myself taller and stronger, I feel like my breathing capacity is greatly improved, and lastly, I can actually stand in one place for longer then 5 minutes without my hips and lower back flaring into pain. 

My appointment with Dr. Mahood is on May 6 and my X-rays are on May 5. I will be able to post pictures of the screws and rods along and in my spine at that point. I am excited to be able to show off how "made of metal" I am. I have had a couple questions from people asking what exactly went into my back; therefore, here is the explanation ----- 

I have two rods in my back both are about 10" or 12" long and I have 6 screws which are about 2" long screwed into my spine holding the rods in place. Dr. Mahood used bone grafting to fuse my spine. This process is like " welding bone to my spine" ultimately it is this fusion which has corrected my spine the rods and screws are just support for when the fusion is healing. However, the rods and screws stay in forever because the surgery to remove them is not worth the risks. Some patients do need to have the rods removed later on in life due to complications or severe pain. However, I am crossing my fingers that will not have to happen to me. I will explain more about the rods and screws and instruments used when I have the awesome X-ray pictures. 

I really want to say thank-you to everyone, my family and friends have been unbelievable with their support and love. My grandma, who used to be a nurse, was there the entire time I was in the hospital making sure I was safe and healing properly. My aunt from Toronto has been calling me with words of support, and hooking me up with some awesome reading material to help speed up the at home recovery. My parents have been here every time I have any needs, driving me around, cooking for me, and being some of the best company I could have asked for. My boyfriend has been my personal nurse, and my best friend, Ayleen, has been wonderful girly company to help make me laugh and smile through this. Holli- Anne, a friend from university, who has been through many of her surgeries has been passing on tid bits of wisdom to help me know what to expect. Overall thank-you everyone - you are very special to me and I could have not gone through this without you! 

There is the Good Days.... and then there is Today

     Today has been on of those "down" days they tell you will happen periodically. I woke up in tons of pain and stiffness which was severe enough that my parents went out and bought me a nice memory foam mattress. I have tried napping on it throughout the day and I think it will be a lot better then my current mattress - Fingers Crossed for tonight -
     In addition, for the last week the right lower side of my stomach has been getting more and more tender and swollen. I didn't know what it was and kept passing it off as just part of the healing process because I had kind of successfully started using the washroom every second day or so. Well when mom came over today and took one look at my bloated distended stomach she realized that it was my bowels and I was seriously constipated - ugh - It is the major downside to the hard pain medications I am on; they cause severe constipation. Even though I am on laxatives and stool softeners daily they were not enough to stop the back-up. So yeah, this afternoon I had to use a suppository to get things moving. Yes all my humility and embarrassment feelings have flown out the window during this surgery process. However, this really is no laughing matter, it hurts and it can cause permanent damage, I am just grateful I have a mom that can recognize a bad situation when she see's one :)

Therefore, today I am in bed, no walk, little to no cleaning or cooking, it is boring but not everyday is as bad as today. On the positive side my incision is looking wonderful and I even went to the grocery store two days ago. It was so nice to be out in public and not coped up in my little apartment.

Well here is to hoping tonight's sleep is more relaxing then the last few nights

Update on my Insanity.

I am currently experiencing an odd phenomena where I wake up after sleeping 10-11 hours to frantically clean the house then to crawl back into bed. I have never been a stay at home person, I have always been slaving away at school or work, or visiting friends and family, or simply outside enjoying life. All this time coped up indoors has led me to become a bit crazy when it comes to cleanliness of my home. However, with this increased desire to scrub baseboards, clean walls, disinfect toilets comes the stark realization that my body just can't move into the positions necessary to accomplish these tasks. And yes this is driving me insane - and not to mention with the surgery and all the presence of friends and family coming to visit has quadrupled - ho hum  - what shall I do.

Nevertheless, I am getting stronger every single day. I went outside for a 20 MINUTE ! walk near my house. The fresh air was exhilarating. I have also begun reading more books, paying more attention to my cat, thinking of grad school options, and trying to make a 10 year financial plan. It is amazing what one can get accomplished when stuck indoors or in bed the majority of the day. As well, I did my hair and makeup today and proceeded to post a nice picture of myself on instagram. It was a confidence booster to see myself all done up pretty and such when I have been living in PJ's for a few weeks. Oh and I am wearing a bra today :) This may seem like an odd thing to be happy about but it means that my incision is healed enough where the material of a tight bra rubbing against it no longer causes pain. It is really wonderful to learn to appreciate these small achievements.

Here is a wonderful picture of my incision. It is looking amazing - Dr.Mahood did an absolutely wonderful job and I really believe the scar will be neat and small when it all done healing.

Proud of the Scars That Make Me Stronger

The before and afters are shocking me. It is amazing how quickly I already forget what it was like to have a crooked lean to the left and how easy it is to accept the new straighter me. I am recovering very well though and very quickly. I am on oxycodone 15mg every 4 hours and various stool softeners, gabapentin, multi-vitamins, and Tylenol; however, my body seems to be accepting them very well. Addiction is a concern when someone is on drugs this strong; however, it is important to note that when pain killers are taken properly and not in excess your body will not become addicted. It is the abuse of drugs that causes addiction. Already I have found that I am able to reduce some of the 4 hour oxycodone to 10mg from 15mg which is an excellent step.