Suzanne Calling

Screws look good. Back spasms apparently are normal. Laundry is a no-go. Back in six weeks. Now, if only I didn't feel like crap from Friday's visit to the laundromat...

Ever since our washing machine died, we've done the bi-weekly trek to the local laundromat. Each time I went, it was apparent that my neck troubles were getting worse. Mind you, I was really going AMA, since my neurologist said no lifting over ten pounds. Still, clothes need to be cleaned, so I went. Two weeks ago was my first time back doing laundry-but Chef did all the lifting. I basically supervised. Today, I thought I'd be fine-he could lift the baskets into the van, I could deal with them there, then he'd bring them into the house after I was done. Not so much. The other day, I had a suspicion that my lift restrictions may be permanent, based on how my back reacted to something simple I did. Still, I have an appointment Monday, and usually the six week follow up is the one where a patient is given the all clear to resume normal activities. So, I was optimistic that things were good. Earlier today, I felt pretty good. Not 100%, but 75 or 80%, which ...

I think I can skip the pictures this time around, because there really isn't much change in physical appearance in the past two weeks, other than my hives finally being gone! So, four weeks after fusing C5 and C6, where am I? I went back to work this past week. Surprisingly, I did 4 of 5 days, laid down for 15 minutes the first day and an hour yesterday, but I actually worked 29 of my 30 hours for the week, something I really didn't think would happen. What I'd do different is bring my Omni Cervical Relief Pillow with me and spend time laying on the floor after I teach my kids each day. Ten minutes on that pillow does help somewhat in positioning things better and reducing some of the pain. Yes, I still have pain. Any doctor that tells you that you will wake up from surgery and be miraculously healed is one I would not ask to do surgery. That said, the pain is different. If you used the Likert scale, my pre surgery pain hovered between 7 and 9 on most days. ...