Saturday, 28 February 2009

• 8 weeks post op check up news

  Yesterday was my 2 month post op follow up appointment with the neurosurgeon. While the 3 hour drive to Yakima was uncomplicated we were nearly late because of other slow vehicles in White Pass. However....
  
  Dr. M let me out of the brace! I'm free to drive again - under the care of physical therapy of course. My longest stretch without the brace is 3 hours so far, he said I should start seeing improvement right away - stretch it to 6 hours, then 9 hours over the next few weeks. I got new x-rays of the neck extended and flexed and it all looks good. Fusion is occuring, it's just a slow process. Keep taking calcium, doing my PT and I'll go back in 6 weeks!! I nearly cried (okay, I did cry) when we left the office. Our first information was that I'd be in the brace 6-9 months, then 3-6 months and now I'm out!! I don't even have to wear the soft brace for sleeping. Yippee!!
  
  David took pictures of the x-rays with his phone, I'll post them when I can. We also have all my previous scans on DVD to store and share wherever necessary. I can't wait to see my post accident CT scan that discovered the fracture and then the MRI the following morning that shows the vertebra is no longer dislocated.
  
  At PT I'm doing isometrics in several different positions as well as just gaining more shoulder strength and range of motion. I love PT because it feels like every time I go they give me something that not only challenging but doable! I walk 0.7 miles to and from PT, they've given me modified Pilates for core and back stabilization, I have weight exercises for the arms and shoulders. I love it! Oh wait, it's 3x a week and I need childcare for up to 2 hours to include my walk time. Most of my appointments are predictable: every Monday it's about 11 am, Tuesdays it's about 10 am, Fridays are closer to 1 pm. If anyone is near me and available to help, I still need it but only until early April.
  
  Thank you to all the people who have given their time, money, gas, and food to help us out these last two months! I appreciate each and every one of you! I am especially grateful to those who have been available to drive me places - you have helped keep me sane!!
  

  Here is what a spine should look like:

  

  Here is what happeed to me - C5 dislocation and fracture:

  

  My x-rays from yesterday:

  

  Here I am in the neck brace:

  

  the incision after one week
  

  the incision after one month
  

  and our car:
  

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