Saturday, January 28, 2012

6 Weeks Post-Op Spinal Fusion L5-S1 (1-23-12)

My body continues to heal and get stronger every day.  I have decreased my medicine to only taking Tylenol in the morning and Norco at night.  I'm now walking up to 2.5 miles 5 days per week.  Sleeping is better as well.  I still have some throbbing pain in my leg/foot in the morning, however it gets better after I take my medicine and increase activity.

I saw the physical therapist and my doctor this week.  I was given some stretching and strengthening exercises to do twice a day.  I'm amazed at how weak and stiff my muscles are.  I never have been very flexible even when I was in shape.  That is something I hope to get better at.  I don't have to wear my brace all day long, I can wean my self off of it, starting with 2 hours on then two hours off and increasing the time until my body has adjusted and I no longer needs it.  I was given the okay to do more things around the house, like vacuuming (so happy to have cleans floors!!!), etc., as long as I'm careful not to strain my back.  I use my legs a lot when lifting and picking things up.  

X-rays were taken and I got to see the difference in my disc space since having the surgery.   My sciatic nerve should have plenty of space now to function normally.  Nerves can take weeks/months to heal, so I'm hoping by summer that I'm pain free.

My goal for next week is to walk 3 miles 5 days a week and start lifting weights to strengthen my arms as well.  

Thanks everyone for your prayers, thoughts and well wishes.  They have helped a lot!!

  

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