Hi everyone, I am sorry I have been away so long I have had to deal with my other health problems and ended up in the hospital again in February. I hope that you all are doing okay and you are always in my thoughts and prayers. I have some exciting news and question that hopefully someone can help me answer. I have been doing really good in my early childhood classes and I just got an offer to be a substitute teacher at a preschool center I am very happy for that because now finally I am going to be a teacher and those who know me remember all the struggles I was having when I was trying to get my elem ed degree. I love working with the little kids and now I am doing volunteer work and working and going to school so very excited to finally have a life again! Does anyone know if we have physical limitations because of our stimulator? I mean way past the surgery recovery mark like for the rest of our lives? I can't remember if we have lifting restrictions and bending/twisting restrictions. I no longer see that doctor so I can't go call them up and I have to get this information for my work physical. If anyone could help me I really appreciate it I will be back around after I get my homework done. Take care and thank you for listening

It always makes my day when you pop in!

Thank you for the update! And may I extend a heartfelt CONGRATS on your latest achievements! I always pictured you working with kids. You've certainly got the heart for it. I'm so happy for you.

As far as your limitations....After this much time has gone by, the leads are well scarred in, so the post op restrictions aren't at the forefront so to speak. We all must 'listen' to our bodies and know our limits. In my case, I've slowed down aLOT since getting the SCS and I am not near as active as I once was. If I worked harder at exercising and keeping in shape, I'd probably be able to extend myself further, but I just don't seem to have the drive these days. I'm always battling spasms it seems and I try hard to avoid these breakthru episodes.

Now, I'm not completely up to date on the condition of your back, so if you have extenuating circumstances, only you'd be the one to make that call of how far to push yourself.
I'm just so happy that you are feeling this good and you are back in the swing of things!

God Bless you my dear friend! God has answered my prayers for you. As I reflect back on how much you have struggled in the past - I know you felt like a sinking ship back then. But your strength and trust in God brought you thru those heavy trials and look at you now!

AMEN!

Rae

Yes she does.... and very well at that. You know your body best, Tara, and YOU along with your doc are best to figure out the routine.

I like to point out our dear KZLRogue, I love that name..... an army veteran, SHE who protected freedom, and she has taken up golf again, karate again..... I do not know whether she has resumed skydiving..... but then she is too busy living life to write much.

Just listen to your body, it knows its limits.... like the last time we moved, and my physical therapist felt of the muscles in my back then took a stern look into my eyes, crossed his arms and asked "so Mark, what have you been doing lately." Filling boxes for our move was my reply.... the truth. Darn, I am not allowed to life a single thing, not allowed to climb a ladder because my lower legs are numb, but they are also on fire, hot to the touch, changing color......... ARGHHH. Red. Something bad is on my horizon..... oh well, pray more for this as well I reckon.

But as for you Tara, I am absolutely THRILLED you are TEACHING!

God bless you,
Praying,
Mark56

Tara,
So glad to hear you are doing so well. I would think the reason for the stimulator still exists and keeping the stim working well is an important part of your continued success. Thoughts of the necessity to be a little more cautious about lifting, bending is something that should be in the forefront. Heed any warning signals. You know your body best.

Mark,
You have come so far, only to push beyond what you know to be no..no's. That fire redness is telling what you already know. Hire, let, others do the things you are not to be doing. You are not free from the circumstances the stim has helped cover up. They still exist.

I suffer from the hot red color burning in my feet and ankles, legs do not get as red but heavy, somewhat numb and painful. This is what helps; give it a try..... Get those legs and feet elevated several times a day. Don't wait untl they are on fire. Sitting too long, cuts off circulation as well adding to the redness and burning. If you are not already wearing men's knee hi support/circulation socks, please try those as well. Those signs are telling me ...get off my butt and elevate those feet. I think you are getting the same message. Nip this before it gets out of hand.
As always, prayers are with you dear friend.

(Ger)

Thanking you for the needed admonition. I cannot elevate feet at work yet, but could at home. Also, I see my pain management specialist next week. I will follow through with him, disclosing all.

Thank you so much Ger,
Mark56

Another thing you may already be doing; that is to get something to raise your feet when sitting. I have one at the kitchen table/computer. Also, take a box to put under table at restaurants. Even with numbness; the circulation is soooo important. Also, the support/circulation men's knee hi stockings. I am really sounding like a nag, nag, nag,. Because I care,
(Ger)

As with prayer.... pour it ON my dear friend!! Pour it on!!! All nagging accepted here with cheer and grace. You are PRECIOUS in a Christian way, NOT in the way of the Tolkein books.[that last bit is a horrible example of my horrid sense of humor. most people usually at this time go "ugh" or turn around and walk away, or stare disbelieving at me]

In all sincerity,
I do appreciate the nagging very much for the reason you intended. Everyone pile on and have a Group NAG of Mark!
Moi

Hi everyone, thanks for the replies I appreciate it. Yesterday I was volunteering that the children's shelter and one of the kids ran into my back where my battery is while riding a scooter! That did not feel good but it was not that bad although I usually don't like if anyone even touches my battery area but me because its sore. The bad thing was that when I was trying to leave and after sitting on the floor and in tiny chairs all morning my leg did that nerve thing where it burns and then goes dead and I have to drag it around! I was really upset about that because I have to be up and down and sitting on the floor and in tiny chairs in order to be with the kids...so I am kind of worried and plan on talking to my doctor tomorrow about that and the rest of my limitations. I think you all gave me good advice about it and I do listen to my body for the most part but its very hard when you are excited to do something but yet don't want to be held back any further because of health issues! Its also been frustrating because this whole time for probably over a year I have been trying to get help for my other pain (abdomen) and we finally are supposed to get a date next week for my exploratory they had to get my aneurysm in my heart checked out first and then I also ended up having surgery again (for the fifth time) to remove kidney stones! I just want to feel better even slightly better would be great especially since I want to do all of this stuff and work and volunteer! Its also been rough the last few months because my brother got diagnosed with skin cancer and my mom is going through major health stuff and it makes me feel horrible because I can't fix everything. Its like I have gotten used to being sick and in pain so it does not bother me as much as when my loved ones are sick or in pain then it makes me feel very depressed and sad. The good thing is that I still have my husband the one that some of you got to talk to and he has been so good to me and Gigi! He was the only one there for me during the last surgery and he was great and I know I can count on him for anything and I love him and thank God for him everyday Now I am praying that I do make it to be a full time teacher and help young children and that someday I get to become a mom too either through fostering or adoption. That dream has gotten me through all the rough medical stuff and will continue to keep getting me through all my medical treatments and surgeries. Well, sorry for rambling like this its just been one of those weeks or months Thank you all for the thoughts, prayers, and advice I will let you know what the doctor says and if anything else exciting happens! I think about you all everyday and always keep you in my thoughts and prayers! Thank you all for being there for me since the beginning of my stim journey to right now! I appreciate each and every one of you Tara