Here is a 2007 post-op pic, it's not the best as it only shows 3/4 of the length of the rods they put in. It's hard to tell what you're looking at, but trust me, it's straighter!

Six-Weeks Post-op

I went back to my surgeon today to have my first post-op check-up. This was a fun exercise involving more x-rays, - my stack is already too big to lug easily. I was feeling a bit sad on the way in, because it is very nerve-wracking to have to go to the surgeon and find out what he has to say, and to have to go through this on a regular basis isn't great. But today it was all good news. I told him when I came off all my drugs, that I have been driving, and what I have been up to, and he was amazed. I also told him that the most persistant pain site I had seems to be gone since the surgery, and he was pleased. He wasn't convinced that the surgery would do anything other than stop the curve from getting worse. So the reduction in pain, straighter spine, and smooth surgery was as much a surprise for me as it was for him. Having said that, my surgeon is known for having a very conservative outlook, and rare smiles. So I was pleased that when I said I was thrilled with the results, he actually looked like he was happy! I also haven't had any pain from my bone graft site, which has been really good. I had been told by many people how painful it is long-term, and I was afraid of having more pain than I already had. I think it is amazing how good I feel six-weeks out, and my surgeon was really surprised at how well I have recovered. For me, most of the time I feel better than I did pre-op. I am really tired though at the moment, and I do have some pain. But I am managing, and it is only sometimes where it is bad enough to make me drop everything and lie down.

I am finding it frustrating still not being able to do everything that I would normally, especially since Bryan still has to do all the housework plus try and catch up on his work. Because we went on our summer holiday for 2 weeks before my surgery, and him having to look after me full time since december, he is really behind. Also one of his staff has taken an extended holiday, so it's been really difficult. I really wish I could help more, and if I need stuff done it is adding to his workload. So all this time I have to think up ideas and scheme, is quite stressful for him! I need to bite my tounge when I think, 'hey, why don't we just do x y z to the house?' If anyone is feeling generous, I would love some help organising my office.

Our kitten arrives in two days, and we've narrowed names down to 1) Orion 2) Darwin 3) Leo, I think it's going to be Orion, but we are still undecided. Anyone who wants to vote can do so on my facebook page!

I'm hoping to be starting up thesis work soon, but I'm still feeling wiped out. There are lots of things that are small jobs that I could be doing, but don't have the energy. The days are going really fast, but I'm not sleeping well at the moment.

All up, I am so happy with how I've progressed to this point. The surgery was so major, but from all accounts I have done really well. It's been difficult at times, but nowhere near as bad as it could have been. I'm pleased that I have surprised my surgeon in a good way!

Five Weeks

My fifth post-op week has been a good one. I've managed to start driving again, and have been out for longer periods lately. I'm off all my drugs, but I get sore when I do too much. I've been for longer walks, but still get quite tired if I have to walk uphill. Just really unfit! I see my surgeon on tuesday, so I am hoping to get the all clear to start intensive physio. I also am hoping that all my fusion is solid, I really don't want to go through this again!

I've decided that I need to replace my car, I was having trouble prior to my surgery getting in and out. I've listed my car on trademe, and I've been looking for something with four doors and small. Something like a toyota echo, VW polo, or similar. I'm quite fussy though, and impulsive. This is a bad combination for car shopping, because when I see something I like, I want it right away.

We get our kitten next week which is exciting, still need to find a name for him! Any suggestions are welcome.

Four Weeks Post-op

Today is a bit of a milestone day, being four weeks since I had my big op. I am doing a little bit more each day, but mainly am still confined to my lazyboy chair. If I start doing things, people freak out and try to usher me back to a reclining position. Having said that, I have managed to convince Bryan on several occasions to take me out. I also have been on longer walks, which is nice.

I think it's time to step things up a little bit, as I haven't been walking everyday like I was at the start. I need to continue those things to make sure that I progress quickly, as I need to get my independence back. For the most part, my pain is less than what I experienced before surgery, but I am quite stiff and feel fragile. I'm not sure when I'm allowed to start bending again, but I don't feel like doing that yet. (Added later that day.... I think I spoke to soon about the pain, just went to Takapuna and had a look in some shops... really sore now, lasted out just over an hour, so I have a long way to go! I'm feeling positive that things will get better though, but as for being better than pre-op... well, only when I'm sitting around doing nothing!)

I'm looking forward to
1) driving
2)shopping
3) doing everything for myself
4) going for long drives
5) going for long walks
6) going away on the boat
7) swimming
8) starting pilates
9) going to the movies
10) going to some festivals, like the lantern festival in february

There are lots more things that I could add to the list, but those are the main things. I really miss exercising!

I think I'll be able to start my artwork soon, and start looking at some stuff to do with my thesis. I am really motivated to get going on my thesis, and start up at university again. I really feel like this year is going to be positive, and I'm hoping that my lack of pain now is an indication of how I'm going to be feeling from now on. I can't believe what I had to put up with, and how much Bryan has had to deal with stuff he really shouldn't.

Breaking out into the real world

Today I went on another outing, this one for an hour. I hopped into the car with Bryan, not exactly knowing where we were going... and suggested we head to Milford. We went to a cafe at the mall, and had to queue for a long time for a coffee in a small space. I was a bit nervous as the waitress kept sort of pushing past people to get through, and there wasn't really anywhere to go. Bryan stood quite close so that I would be sheilded from being bumped. After coffee, we headed to the stationary shop for some refil pages for my photo albums. I spent all of yesterday organising my photos from this year and last year, and ordered 160 photos. Weirdly, the photo album pages are going to be way more expensive than the photos.

Physically I'm feeling much better, I lasted an hour out today, and hadn't taken any pain relief today or yesterday (other than an anti-inflamitory). It's been feeling better than much of the time pre-op, which is something! If 3 weeks post op I'm in less pain than I had been, it's pretty telling of how bad it had been. I walked to the dairy yesterday unattended, after putting my foot down. I am finding it difficult being followed around everywhere like some fragile thing that might suddenly swoon. I guess that's a good thing! I have realised how independent I am.

The challenge is finding things to keep me occupied.

Christmas Day

As anticipated, today was a big day! I woke up at 4.30am in a lot of pain, so after several attempts managed to get up and move into the lazyboy. Bryan came and slept on the couch next to me until morning. I wondered how many kiddies would be lying awake wondering if it was too early to go jump on their parents beds, hoping for early morning present opening! When I got up, I had a shower and put on a nice dress and make up. It was fun to put on some normal clothes, and I was reasonably comfortable. Bryan has turned into quite the hairdresser, and did an excellent job of straightening my hair for me.

Garry and Glenis came for breakfast, and made us blueberry pancakes. I managed to sit at the table long enough to eat them too which was nice. Then we opened a huge pile of presents, which was really fun. By the time we had finished presents and had a cup of tea- despite my best efforts, I was yawning and struggling to stay awake. Garry and Glenis left, and I attempted a small nap whilst Bryan prepared the ham for round two at Adele and Dom's with my side of the family. I had a little nap before mum and dad came around, returning my 'borrowed' car with a new paint job! The paint had been falling off the roof and boot, so dad treated it to a re-spray, and polished out the worst of the ding someone put on the side of it.

Mum had made a trifle that had wobbled it's way out of the dish and into the bag she'd put it in, so spent a while in our kitchen rescuing it! I did my best to entertain dad with some photo's from our recent yachting trip to Great Barrier. Shortly after mum and dad arrived, Yvette and Moz came over. Everyone had presented themselves early at Adele and Dom's over the road, and were sent away to wait at our house until they were ready! We headed over to Adeles at 2pm, and I set myself up on their couch with a pile of cushions. I did ok, and managed to eat lunch at the table before retiring to the couch again. We opened presents, and watched Nelson play Santa. Nelson was great at matching presents with the right person!

After desert I had a quick look at Adele's new basement, before deciding that despite my best efforts I was knackered. I wasn't too sore which was great, but exhausted. I came home at 4pm with a plateful of leftover turkey and ham, and then had a massive nap until 7pm. Lucky for me, when I woke there was still some turkey left!

It was a really fun day, and I enjoyed spending time with my family even though I was exhausted. It was so nice to do something other than lie around in the lounge, AND, I put on something other than a hippie skirt and singlet! I'm getting a little better each day, and this was definitly a big milestone even if it was only over the street.

Christmas Eve Present

It's the simple things that make all the difference when you're stuck inside on a hot summers day, climbing the walls. Today I got my wish and went for a ride in the car to Brown's bay! I had forgotten how much bedlam it would be as it is the last shopping day, but I wasn't worried. The abundance of disabled parks frustrated me, as we couldn't find any normal carparks and I'm not really up to walking far combined with a car trip. We had just finished a circut looking for a carpark when we found one, and I hopped out elated that I was able to have my first real outing.

We went and bought icecreams, and took them to the beach. It was really sunny and windy, and we sat on a picnic table and looked out to sea. I was so happy, and best of all I wasn't too sore to enjoy it. On the way back to the car we bought some bread for lunch, and then headed home. Once I got home I was really quite sore, I think just from being up such a long time using muscles that have been chopped through etc. Bryan was really worried when he saw that I was in pain when we got home, so I'm hoping he wasn't serious when he said he shouldn't have let me convince him to take me out. It really wasn't that bad, and it is a step in the right direction.

The girls that I talk to in America that have just had this surgery have had to face 4 hour car-rides home from the hospital in ice and snow. If they can do that, 30min or so up for an icecream is nothing!