Like Mark I am so happy that you have a chance of justice for your case . did not read that part of your story before but my got Tara you have been through it!!

Just came on to wish you and Jerry a very merry christmas and hope the picture of Gigi brings you both much joy and that somehow it will help you through this terrible pain you are in right now!! how long now before you can turn your scs on??

Well from little old, very cold and snowy Ireland I would like to wish you and Jerry a very Merry Christmas and Happy healthy and more pain free new year!


Nollaig Shona Duit!! Jenna

ThanksJenna, I added more pics of Gigi, they just sent me! And yes, they do make me feel more hopeful and motivated to keep getting better. I was feeling really down today because I had to miss my usual Christmas family trip to Grandma's house and Jerry is working today and tomorrow so its just me playing video games lol. But anyway, my mom called me and sent me the pictures and I heard the puppy for the first time! I know it probably sounds weird but it made me so happy and excited like this big hole in my heart was being filled up or something Here, I am sitting here in pain but when I heard Gigi and could see her it made me tear up. You all probably think I sound crazy right now but its been such a rough few months for us that we need this joy and little puppy right now I hope you have a great Christmas as well and get to spend time with your family! Oh yeah, I was in an accident 2 years ago and its been really complicated and upsetting because it involved a school bus and other cars. It happened on my way to school (college) in the winter and let's just say it changed my life forever and is why I ended up needing the stim I don't bring it up too much because it is very stressful and I still have nightmares about it. I won't be able to get my stim on until my appointment on Jan 7th! That is my post op appt. Well, take care and hope you have a good night! 'sTara

Hang in there! I can relate, my SCS surgery was the 10th of Dec. I still hurt, and still wonder, "its been so many weeks, I should be feeling better now". Not quite sure who's yardstick I am using to measure the feel better part of things, but when you feel as if you are hitting a brick wall, its discouraging. I am just now starting to feel my energy coming back, the battery still gets sore. I had the glue that closed my incisions not staples, the glued itched, but I think i prefer to staples .
Hang it there, hoping you are having a good day.

Here is my message of hope for all of you that the spost surgical pain will soon abate. Yes, it does take time, and a different rate for each of us, incapable of measurement and will try our patience until we think we have nothing left, BUT each day, each hour of each day your body will be healing even just a bit at a time, and maybe the next day you might feel, "hey, getting out of bed wasn't quite as hard this time" or "getting down to or up from the toilet or a chair wasn't quite so bad this time."

You will get there. I hope all of your caregivers taught you the tuck, roll and rise means of getting out of bed that I was taught after fusion. Roll to the side of the bed nearest to you, bring your legs up to a tuck and let them down gently over the side of the bed, then push up with your arm/arms until you are sitting up. Wow, you are that much closer to standing, then, use your legs to stand. Go slowly as you must. I know after SCS surgery no one said anything to me about it, but they saw I was already accustomed to doing it so maybe that is why they didn't try to teach me. It minimizes the pain of arising from bed.

Time is passing. You are healing. The surgical part will subside. Then you will be thinking in terms of "well now, what else can I do!"

Cheering for you all,
Prayin,
Mark56

What a wonderful post!
Thank you for the detailed description of how to get out of bed....I'm gonna stuff THAT in my left pocket fer shure!
All they ever told me was to do the 'barrel roll', which isn't that helpful, other than to indicate not to 'bend' while getting out of bed.....but a BARREL will just ROLL OFF THE BED and ON to the FLOOR
Tucking the legs up like you describe makes for a MUCH more 'graceful' way to get out of bed. No one ever told me about that. Maybe 'they' all just ASSUME that we all have the common sense on these things......but I sure as heck didn't

I'm even going to go a step further this time around and get a high quality lumbar belt to wear during my revision recovery......

Much appreciated!
Rae

Hi, sorry I haven't been on lately but I got Gigi yesterday and she has been keeping me busy! I hope everyone had a great Christmas, I spent mine in pain and sad but am doing much better now. I only got maybe 3 hours sleep last night because of mom forgot the cage and we had to watch her constantly. We also still have our cat because she goes to her new home tomorrow! She does not like Gigi so we cannot keep her it made me sad but I am doing okay with it now. I love Gigi so much and she fills up that hole inside me that I got after my hysterectomy and I kinda feel like a new mom in a way. She loves to cuddle and falls asleep in my arms or on my chest. She is also very playful and sweet and likes to play and chases after my husband. I am trying to keep in mind I am recovering though and trying to still be careful but its hard because when you see her you totally forget all the bad stuff that is going on I have hardly eaten or slept so tonight we are going to actually sleep and I am going to sneak some food while she is napping.
I am so glad to have her because the pain has been bad like I said and now my legs are burning pain and then numb because my stim is off. Also my incision still hurts too spasms and burning inside but they look okay. I can't wear a bra either because it catches on the incision so when company comes over I just double my shirts. I also am only wearing sweats anyway since anything against my incision is uncomfortable still but that is okay because I think people understand. Also, I still have trouble with bathing and have to have help. Mark, glad you mentioned the roll to get out of bed. I knew about that but not the tuck in your legs part they had me roll on my side push up with my arms and have one leg off the bed so that is what I have been doing. Sometimes I forget though and move a certain way and it will hurt so I am still learning. Since I didn't have the post op appt yet I really didnt get many restrictions except lifting so I just avoid twisting, bending and stuff like with the other stim surgeries. I also have been cutting down on my pain meds by cutting them in half and I think that is why I am hurting bad again too. Well, this is all I have time for because little one just woke up. I will catch up to the posts when I can. Have a great week everyone and to those recovering, I hope things go smoothly and you feel better very soon! And for those wating for news, I hope you get some news soon and things get scheduled! Take care'sTara aka Gigi's mommy

Tara how great to hear that you have gotten Gigi......AND Ive just looked at your pics......she is just gorgeous. She will bring you hours and hours and hours of happiness and fun. Ive 3 dogs now, Westhighland Terriers, white one, well generally they are but not this time of year but I get so much joy from them and they are so lovable! Enjoy Gigi but also be careful. Its SO easy to forget your aches and pains when you are about to 'jump' to catch her or 'bend' to pick her up.....so just be mindful of all the pain you have gone thru and you dont want to mess that up!!! Im one to talk Im the worst one in the world when it comes to taking heed, I kinda forget but you know what I mean

Each new day is a day nearer to your full recovery AND a day nearer to your stim being turned on. Im amazed that you havent had it on yet, but hopefully once its on , hey presto, your life will be one BIG party

Happy New Year Tara and Jerry

Jackie