Low grade spinal cord injury

[afm199]

Well recovery continues well, the doc is amazed at how quickly I have bounced back, but still taking it easy for weeks to come. Pain levels gratefully down to annoying rather than debilitating, like a kid on my lawn.

[tzrider]

Originally Posted by afm199

...like a kid on my lawn.

You should be right at home!

Really glad to hear it's going so well. I had a similarly fast bounce back from my procedure too but was very careful about the muscles that had been detached and reattached. Regular walks, several times a day were very helpful.

Eight months out, I free soloed a 120' frozen waterfall and sent a photo to the surgeon. He was stoked, which reinforced that I'd found the right guy, as it sound like you did.

[peterhively]

Great news!!!

[afm199]

Originally Posted by tzrider

You should be right at home!

Really glad to hear it's going so well. I had a similarly fast bounce back from my procedure too but was very careful about the muscles that had been detached and reattached. Regular walks, several times a day were very helpful.

Eight months out, I free soloed a 120' frozen waterfall and sent a photo to the surgeon. He was stoked, which reinforced that I'd found the right guy, as it sound like you did.

Right on, Andy. Thanks. I'm at that point now, where I want to hop a bicycle trainer and go, but I won't put any muscle strain into my neck for some time to come. Six weeks sounds perfect. i'm walking daily and doing stuff like dishes and light housecleaning.

[afm199]

Just got the bill for the surgery, just about $250k. I'm on the hook for $480 total. Damn.

[bikewanker]

Health insurance was a damn good investment for you. I’m guessing your insurance company payed less than $40k

[afm199]

Originally Posted by bikewanker

Health insurance was a damn good investment for you. I’m guessing your insurance company payed less than $40k

I suspect it was around that. The research I did would indicate that. The bill included $10k for two fucking nights in a "semi private" room, which I was glad for, only me there, but I considered maybe a bit pricey, lol. And over $1000 for "occupational and physical therapy," which was a total of twenty minutes with a tech who watched me climb up a set of stairs twice.

[DrSwade]

Again, just staggered back onto this thread in the forum. I was just about to ask Beau if he heard how you are doing.
Glad to hear you are doing well. Being fit cannot be underestimated when it comes to recovery from surgery. I still credit being healthy and fit to my ability to walk still.

Speaking of, I am having all that crap removed from my foot and ankle that I was gifted by that track day almost 10 years ago. They are removing it almost exactly 10 years after it was installed.

Maybe in the Spring you should come for a nice visit to Cabo?

[budman]

Hey Ernie.

Been a week since your last update.

How goes it??


Rob
Good luck with the metal removal. Hope that goes smooth and easy.

[DrSwade]

Yes Ernie, update please?

Cheers Dennis!

[afm199]

Progress continues. Good to hear from you both, Rob and Dennis.

Pain levels continue to drop, haven't used codeine in a week and don't see that I will be.

Doing some light exercise on a fixed bicycle trainer, just spinning to keep moving for an hour or so 4-5 times a week. That's got me happy.

Doing some really light weights, I mean nothing. 40 pound bench press, probably will move that down, easy enough to lift but the neck says not to. 20 pound curls. Probably won't go beyond these levels for weeks, apparently it's going to be another two months before the bone is well knit and the implants well anchored.

Mood is good, I am glad to have gotten through that experience in one piece more or less.

Rob, I can't believe it's been ten years. Seems like yesterday and thirty years ago simultaneously. Thanks for the invite, brother.

[DrSwade]

Ernie, don't be stubborn. I know that might be a tall order but please don't push it. My first spine fusion failed and I might be able to attribute it to my propensity to constantly challenge myself. I would HATE to see you need to do a redo also.
Same thing happened to my pelvis. Over did it. (From the wheelchair! How does that even happen?) Had to get it redone.

I sincerely hope for the absolute finest outcome for you.

All the best my friend!

[tzrider]

Don't go to the chiropractor for a while either.

[afm199]

Originally Posted by DrSwade

Ernie, don't be stubborn. I know that might be a tall order but please don't push it. My first spine fusion failed and I might be able to attribute it to my propensity to constantly challenge myself. I would HATE to see you need to do a redo also.
Same thing happened to my pelvis. Over did it. (From the wheelchair! How does that even happen?) Had to get it redone.

I sincerely hope for the absolute finest outcome for you.

All the best my friend!

Yeah and thanks. I'm really wanting to push it but everyone is telling me not to , and even a little push ( bench 40 pounds x 30 ) ends up with a sore neck, so I am really striving to keep the weights light, the reps low, and be patient. It's hard for me. I'm the guy who drove home with a broken neck after he was completely paralyzed for five minutes and in in intense pain.

And yeah thanks again for reminding me I am not the only stubborn asshole around.

[tzrider]

This is one of those times where slow is fast.