Live has been hectic. I’m packing my rental house up to move to my own house at the end of the month. This will be my third move in 15 months. Long story, but the synopsis is that while my spine decided to finally go out of commission in June 2023, I decided that it was time to leave my 23 year relationship. So I’ve been dealing with my health, divorce and moving cross country all at the same time. Anyway…

11 weeks today and pain is pretty minimal compared to prior to surgery and after surgery. The turning point was around 8 weeks and has gotten better by the week. It doesn’t mean I’m not in pain, it just isn’t excruciating and the only thing I can think about 24/7.

Even though the post op surgical pain is subsiding, new pains have come up. Prior to surgery, since June 2023, I had a pain in my left calf that was sciatic nerve pain. That pain has come back. I was told that pain is most likely permanent nerve damage. It did go away for about 10 weeks after my first surgery in Oct 2023. It came back then and it’s come back now. It occurs in the evenings when I’m tired and is bad enough that I need to take tramadol. Also my left toes are numb, like before surgery. My left thigh goes numb, like it has novocaine, at night time. Also something I had prior to surgery. All of that to say that these new pains are most likely permanent and if that’s the only pains I have after this long fusion, then I’ll take it.

Driving is still dicey, but I think it will always be that way. Not being able to twist to look behind me or to look at blind spots is anxiety provoking. However, I’m learning to trust my car technology and trying to be calm about it. Getting in and out of the car is getting easier. I carry a dollar store grabber stick in my car and take that into stores. I have plastic crates in the back of my SUV to hold bags of groceries. That way I can just pull the bin forward and not have to worry about items rolling around and out of reach.

I’ve been sleeping really good. I got a 6″ thick rectangular pillow to use between my legs. Regular pillows are too fluffy and it was causing my hips to be out of line. And a regular knee pillow doesn’t support my whole legs. I still use the pop up bed rail to get out of bed in the morning. That may be a permanent addition to my bed. Pushing up from a mattress is not enough support to stand up and be steady. Here’s the link for the knee pillow I’m using https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CHMHRD55?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_2

Daily life is a challenge and I’ve had some difficulty with anxiety related to the ‘what ifs’. Like what if I drop a credit card in the store? I can’t bend to pick it up. My grabber stick can’t pick it up. My service dog can’t pick up a flat card. What if my dog gets sick and I need to carry him to the car? He’s 60lbs. I can’t pick him up. Can’t bend to pick him up. What if I fall? I have a medical alert system now, but there’s the fear of falling and damaging my hardware and fusion. Ugh. Every thing I do now requires thought. I get easily frustrated and exhausted from all of that.

Dressing and ADLs are becoming easier but still take time and several tools. Shower is still sitting down but I’ve gotten used to it and I’m ok with maybe not standing to shower any more. A long handled shower brush is way better than a sponge on a stick. Takes some time to find the tools that work for the situation. I can dress upper body without difficult. Pants require a grabber stick but I’m getting better at controlling the stick. I’m able to figure 4 with my left leg but not right leg. Sock are a challenge and require a sock aid. I only wear slip on shoes or sandals so far. Nothing with tie laces or zippers.

I’m still sitting in my recliner. I have a lot of difficulty getting up from a regular couch. And leaning back is just uncomfortable. My back is like a solid board. I can’t just sink into the couch. Regular chairs are also out of the question unless it’s for a brief amount of time. I did get a gel cushion to put behind my back if I have to sit in a regular chair. It helps but isn’t really a good substitute for being able to sit up against the back of a chair.

Those are the basics of what is going on right now for me. I have great help from Brian and my home health aide. I’m alone a lot so I still need to be as independent as I can. There is a light at the end of the tunnel. I’m still very pleased with my surgery outcome and glad the horrific pain is over (hopefully).

Please leave comments if you have any questions.