So I'm nearing week 10 post-SCS and I have to ask all y'all seasoned SCS veterans here...

I have such a logical mind and I'm just struggling with this.

So at the 11-week, 6-day period, I can't lift more than 10lbs, bend, twist, or reach - but at the 12-week zero-day I can do ... all of the above? Can I pick up my 2-yr-old granddaughter (not overweight but she's a BIG girl for 2)? Can I pick up a 50lb box @ work? Can I bend double at the waist to pick something up?

I am S C A R E D of moving this thing, even after this time. BTW, don't know if I shared this, but I think I DID move it slightly and...it moved in the RIGHT direction giving me BETTER coverage. So, if I moved this slightly at the 4 or 5 week point does that 'reset' the 12-week clock at all? If it slipped slightly then whatever scarring that's there was perhaps ... ripped slightly?

Dunno, I just have to think everything through to the max cuz I'm so analytical (not to mention I don't want to repeat that surgery anytime soon!)

It's funny you say that!! I've wondered the same thing. Is it like a switch flips? I ad to have a revision, so I'm terrified to move period. Coupled with the blood clots, I'm a hermit. I'm interested in input from others.

The restrictions are all, and I mean ALL scarring related. The doc wants to be comfortable the product and wiring are scarred in to the full betterment of the patient need. This is why I will not be able to say SURE tote that barge, and lift that bale [although that song from Showboat is certainly a good tune] and will absolutely defer to your doc.

There are others here who have learned the hard way a bale of hay is kinda on the heavy side when they are affected by a lead which shifted.

I deferred on the side of caution. Besides, my family would not allow me to do things..... even after I was less at risk.

Erring on the side of caution,
Mark56

I'm sure it is all about 'case-by-case' and perhaps I need to ease into things a bit...but I'm such a perfectionist I want to know EXACTLY what I can/can't do, ya know? In our home it's just my beloved and me and she's a little 5'2" lady that is not strong enough to do some of the things around the house that have been left for me to handle (like crawling under a sink, heating a pipe with a torch, breaking it free so we can replace a faucet). She's tried a few things (like the aforementioned faucet) and simply couldn't handle it - that's fine, that's what I'm here for - but do I dare do something that requires me to twist up my body a bit to get into this rather small opening (especially with me being about 40lbs overweight )? I know, no one out here has that answer - it's just frustrating not knowing exactly where those limitations are. So probably not the faucet job but so - when?? It has to be done at some point.

One positive is my doc is supposedly ordering PT for me and the gal I'll be seeing is one I've had before and she is good!! Her focus will be strengthening the extremely weak leg and building some cardio (as well as plenty of stretching out that pathetic leg - this is something I am really dreading!).

Anyway, thanks for letting me vent (as usual). I do plan to call the doc and ask some pointed questions about all that and hopefully get some answers in the next 2 weeks...and hopefully the PT gal will have some good ideas as well.

long handles, big wrench, short work of cranky faucet..... well, anyway, it sounded good.

been there, done that, big body, twist this way n that, spill a little cussin, all because I'm fat.

pipes are always hidden, leaks are hidden more, gotta fix em soon or you lose the whole darn floor.

yup,
i actually fixed a faucet this past season
took a while,
never what one estimates,
Mark56

Please do what you are told, not what you think you can get by with. Years ago, I was dumb enough to throw a big birthday party for a toddler grandson the day after I came home from a three level discechtomy/laminechtomy. I had it all set up before going into the hospital with all of the paper goods picked up, balloons purchased and helium, and cake ordered. I just needed someone to pick them up on the great day and set up for me. I weas an absolute wrech the following day after having grandchildren crawling all over me and pretending that everything was WOMDERFUL. Most of us have similar stories. Before going in the hospital, even for same day surgery, take stock of any repairs that need to be done and do it then or have it done. Those things have a way of becoming a crisis at the worst time. Take care, be blessed and well..............and behave yourself.

I'll be more careful this time, as I was out of hospital and lifting and bending right away. Mainly because I was on my own at home.

It's really frustrating but I'm really going to give the DO NOTHING MUCH a go this time

Oh, I hear you. I have gone through eight spinal surgeries on my own and it is soooo difficult to overlook things that need to be done. I usually pre cook and freeze ahead but right now I am in such pain that it is almost impossible to do meal prep even from a wheelchair. When I have a good day, I cook and freeze now as a matter of course. I have a feeling I will be stocking up on Lean Cuisine and Stouffers too and throw in a case of Ensure for when I don't feel like dealing with the microwave. That gets old. I am blessed that I have an aid who does what I can't/shouldn't three days a week. She can increase her level of cleaning without telling the company

Your aide sounds like an "Angel" in diguise. Gald you can count on her.

Gerry

I've been real careful, really. I've made my mistakes by forgetting and doing something so fast I barely had time to think about it before I was doing something I shouldn't have and standing there saying, "I should NOT have done that"...but mostly I've really been careful. I had NO desire to repeat that surgery. Being so awake and alert all the way to the point of her ready to actually slice me open was an experience I never want to repeat (course I now know I can refuse a specific anesthesiologist so I would do everything in my power to refuse this schmuck). Sorry, I don't normally name-call but that was pathetic and unbelievable...and my pain doc actually very quietly backed me afterwards (few weeks later) saying she knew I was too awake but of course couldn't say a thing even though she's one herself.

Oh well, onward and UPWARD to that "higher calling".