Since my last blog in June my world had shrunk - I have been having a lot of pain and discomfort with my back and was not able to get out to my normal groups, see friends, go out to eat with friends or Church. My back discomfort had gotten so uncomfortable for me I needed to take a lot of rest breaks throughout the day. I thought that my "Spinal Stenosis" was getting worse. I finally spoke with my Rehab Dr and asked for a referral to a Neurosurgeon. I had an MRI early August and got to see the surgeon 2 days later. My Diagnosis was very different than I thought, "Spondylolisthesis" Level II out of 4 - I asked what happened at Level 4 and he replied, "well the vertebrae fall's completely off the spinal column.",
We discussed surgery since L4 & L3 were both bad and Surgery was set for the 22nd of August, a day after my 75th birthday. Whoohoo! Happy Birthday to me. The surgery went well - He fused my vertebrae, L4 to L5 and L3 to L4. I spent 3 days in the hospital at UT Medical Center then was transferred to Rehab, Life Care of Jefferson City, where I spent the next four weeks of daily OT and PT to get me up and mobile again. They were phenomenal! Diane in OT became my mentor, and Carmen and Kyle in PT pushed me to walk and gain my strength back. I am their Success Story.
Today, Saturday, Sept 30th I have been home from rehab a whole week and already am more mobile than I thought I could be. I've been using my cane in the house and my walker outside. Yesterday I had my IV Therapy for my "Rheumatoid Arthritis". The challenge was to walk the long hall to Dr's office and back to the car. "I Did It"! I also so my Rheumatologist on Monday. Whoohoo! My day's outing - to the Dr's Ha Ha.
It has been very nice to be home again, I have Home Care for the next 3 weeks, (OT - 1 day a week & PT 2 days a week), I look forward to being completely on my own and do out PT - OT. I apologize for getting a little long winded but I am looking forward to the next phase of healing, I may still have pain and discomfort but my hope is more freedom and mobility.
