Having this 10 day vacation was a marvel to me. It's been several years since I've been well enough to travel, and even this one looked pretty if-fy for a while. Before I went I had a maximum of pain treatments: the facet blocks, acupuncture, and feldenkrais. I emailed the places I was staying, as well as the travel agent who booked me, and told them I was unable to sit in a car. I used frequent flier miles which I'd earned by charging everything (clearly, I didn't earn them flying!) to upgrade to business or first class for myself. (not the kids).

As soon as we landed, we were greeted by a guy driving a large van. The first benchlike seat in it, behind him, was covered, and I mean COVERED, with pillows! They didn't know how many pillows I'd need to be comfortable, or what kind, so they just threw everything they had into the van. For each excursion we took, I traveled lying in the van.

There were mayan ruins to visit, rivers to canoe, caves to explore for archaeological remnants of mayan culture, birds to watch, and other sports like things like zip line tours of the canopy, tubing, etc. I "hiked" on the grounds of the lodge, which was enough for me. My shoes did not grip enough in the mud, and I'm not sure that any shoe could have done better. I slid and once fell, but I walked with a guide, and when he saw my difficulty, he held my hand. It was a short "hike" of about a mile, but slippery. I think the best shoes would have been my rubber beach shoes which can grip, but I didn't know this then.

For bird-watching I was with the guide, again, and an older couple (mid 70s).
The woman had had a spinal cyst herself! She'd gone to Mayo to have it removed, and didn't require as much reconstruction as I did, as they were able to get to the cyst without laminectomy. But she and her husband had lightweight collapsable walking sticks, and lent me an extra. I am going to get one of these. They make just a walk in the park safer.

And I had almost no pain at all until the 9th night of the trip. My butt didn't hurt, my back didn't hurt, and I was amazed. The 9th night we did a night dive, snorkeling in the blackness of night with flashlights, to see the nocturnal fish. At that point my back began to hurt and I couldn't kick. The guide pulled me. Towed me along. But it was too late---that was my first re-appearnace of pain. And the last day there we took out kayaks. We were in a kayak for three, both kids and me, so I wouldn't have to row. But I picked up a paddle and gave a whack, mainly for the photo op. One stroke and I felt the screws pull out, and pain returned.

But I've now learned that if I live healthy, and don't spend my days sitting, I am in way less pain, almost none, as long as I don't do anything totally dumb. Like pretend I can kayak.

People were great about the whole thing. Just letting people know in advance that I had a back issue was the most helpful thing of all. There are lots of people travelling with "issues", and there are travel agents and guides used to dealing with their "issues".

The rainforest was magnifcent, and the snorkeling and fishing were magnificent. Two hours of fishing gave us 4 dinners!

And now, back to work....