I'm finally back home from hospital
. The operation was a success but far more extensive than originally planned. I've now got a fused spine across the S1, L5, L4, L3, L2 & L1 vertebrae. For those who don't know what fusion is, it's using titanium screws and rods to separate vertebrae whose discs have degenerated, so the pressure (=pain!) on the nerves is relieved. So the op was 10 hours and pretty major. Hence the longer than expected hospital stay and a 35 cm scar.
I can now get around with one walking stick but have a long, long way to go for full recovery. Eg. can't sit or stand for too long. Worst casualty was my right arm which got crushed nerves during the op (too long in the one position) and is more of a pain than my back! I seem to be taking a lot of restricted pain killers now which is both exciting and worrying as one is particularly addictive. However, I'm gradually weaning myself off that one!
Haven't kept up with the forum much during my absence as the rehab hospital (physio and hydrotherapy) was in one of the worst reception blackspots I've ever come across. But I can sit at my PC for a while now so I'll gradually get back into it. I did take the printed AMOS sources with me for some light (sic) reading which made me miss my PC tools even more. But it did give me great insight and much food for thought...
Anyway, I'd better cut this short as I still can't sit for too long. I'll catch up as soon as I'm able. Recovery will take months rather than weeks so expect sporadic posts for a while
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Topic: Not Absentia! (Read 5400 times)