Yeah all the RNs are counting me pace the hall - done like 3 30 minute walks up and down. No early six mile expeditions for me this time - experience and laminectomies acting as speed governors.

Doing well post op. Stimulation much better. Back pain starting to get better. Tylenol only during day. Hardcore stuff at night. Walking 2-3 miles a day. Pleased. Barring a later complication, Costa Rica is on. Have already found a surf school to take kids boogie boarding while I am still protecting myself. I can chill on the beach and watch!!

So glad to hear things are going well for you. Hoping you have a grand time on your vacation!

Thanks for sharing,
Tessa

So great to read the update.
BLASTing will become second nature without anyone ever really noticing because you become so smooth with it.

I will be in CR about 7/15...it is a stop on my first cruise ...probably the only time I will get off the boat....I hear it is just beautiful
Great place for romance too.



Johanna

Romance - i remember that. With a 7 and 6 yr old boy and 9 month old girl plus me and my overworked wife, i will settle for lack of disaster! As in kid, don't grab any frigging snakes!!!! I like to joke with her though - not allowed to have sex for a month, so a kiss IS just a kiss

a wink and a kiss goes a long way

I have an only child and as Bill Cobsy says...that is not having children.


J

When two of mine are gone, and I only have one, I always think wow, it's so quiet lol. No offense!!

MD, you are so funny!!

Initially paddle was missing feet. Now i have partial / decent coverage of feet - near total of legs. I will work the Medtronics rep till we have a few guns. Probably drive her nuts, but I think she likes me ok. Now 2 reasonable programs. Back really doesn't hurt much at all - I thought that would be misery - was not. Makes me realize how I got into this mess - was pretty insensitive to pain till my spinal cord got thrown into boling oil!

Went nuts today and did an 8 mile walk. Pod #7. Just the feet burned through at end. Then exhausted. But did play with boys in woods for a while and had a good birthday dinner with family.

I am really good at the pt aspect of this. The psych part i struggle. All of my friends are well conditioned, adventurous type As. Of course we all liked to read, talk, eat out etc, but my peers are an active bunch. I am trying to do the impossible and I keep doing it and it knocks me out. Pushing myself like an Ironman. How many miles is enough? 8, 10, 15? What's the point? I have trouble finding the balance especially off work. Filling out temporary disability forms- hard.

I can't be like them any more. Trying to let friends know I have major issue and it's hard. Some take it well. Some don't. It must be hard to know that your friend is in the ****. I hid away for a while. Time for me to try and reach out and find out who my real friends are - its a huge trust thing. They can't see it, but they know it's true - once I disclose my friends don't dress it down. They know what it means. Feels like I am "coming out" - it's a risk, but unlike being gay where U can hide it ifbu want with this it's near impossible.

Wish that I believed in god. Just don't. Took a picture of a large cross today and iPhone stuck on it. A sign??

Great news on the programs and yes it does help if your rep likes you,

Remember that pain threshold when reporting to your MD….I get it…a 5 on a pain scale is a 2 to me so it took me some time to realize I was close to suicidal with the pain.

Going nuts is inevitable…when I started to feel alive again I danced and danced…feels wonderful. So my gauge was how did I feel the nest day? How was my body recovering? Exhaustion is a blessing…it makes my mind stop. Isolation is not an option for you so telling the closest of friends is necessary. They are the ones that will say they need a break or rest when they know it is you that needs it. You are not who you once were and only you will know when enough is enough. It is very hard for my friends. Acceptance for you and them will take time…great friends maneuver it with you.

The pic of the cross is just too funny!!!

Just give this a thought…a cross is “balanced”….if the cross bar was lower into a “plus sign” it would fall over and be an “X”…yeppers I think it was just a sign of what you already have acknowledged….balance….your finding it…it is in the woods with the boys running ..things like that.

Your writings touch my core; hit a nerve; touch my funny bone; a soft spot; make me think and so describe feelings I have had. I am sorry for your injury although I am so happy you are sharing here.

Well enough from me….I am off to dance!!!!
Johanna
“miracles are supposed to happen”

Keep an open mind and an open heart
Just keep that open heart to be reseptive
and be very aware of divine intervention
Just to be positive and be kind to yourself
and others
As there was a man called Jesus Christ
who walked this earth and spoke of goodness
And kindness

This is someone who asked for him
To give me a sign that i am on the right
path and it was delivered

You are a good person
And sad to say under the circumstances
Has limited you up to the point you found
out yourself
Your true friends will show themselves


Someone who cares