08/19/2023
So I know that I haven’t posted lately, but wanted to let the people following my page know that I have recently went through a little rough patch. I was told early in July that I had critically Severe Stenosis at my C5 and C6 section of my spinal column. I seen the surgeon on July 11 and he stated that the damage was so bad that he was surprised that I was walking. He scheduled the surgery on July 17th.
I have never had surgery, but knew that this one wasn’t for a beginner. They went through the front of my neck, moved the vital items aside like my esophagus, arteries, vocal cords and muscles and used X-rays to get to the front of my cervical spine. Once there they removed the damaged disc, put in a spacer and cage and fused my other two disc together. About a 5 hour surgery.
Waking up from this operation was no fun! I was fully paralyzed on the left side and partially on my right. The surgeons were talking about the possibility that I had a stroke during the surgery. They ruled out a stroke with a MRI and the rest of that day and the next was spent slowly getting use of some of body parts back! Yes it was a challenge for the first time in my life to move. What was to be an operation and an overnight stay turned into a 4-day terrifying ordeal. The morning after the surgery, I couldn’t take a step without falling. I was fitted with a Walker and a belt that two guys had to hold on, so that I could practice taking a steps. That day doctors we preparing to move me from surgical ICU to a regular room and then to an inpatient rehabilitation center for a couple weeks or longer.
To state that I was scared is an understatement! I was given a few small exercises to move my feet and legs on that day after surgery. I have always been physically active and just could not see myself staying in this nonfunctioning state for much longer. So I performed those exercises all day and most of that second night in the hospital bed. The next day I was walking the hospital ward with a walker and no assistance by those two physical therapists. They stated after that display of progress that I had exceeded any requirements for inpatient rehabilitation and that in a couple days I would be going home!
I got out of the hospital on Thursday. I was still using the walker, but could dress myself, shower and do all of the required personal hygiene items on my own. My son met us at the house just to make sure that I got in the house without falling. Home nursing was stopping by on Friday and Physical Therapy came to our house by that weekend. The next day after coming home, I walked our driveway 0.2 mile with my walker. I kept pushing myself!
By Monday, a week from waking up paralyzed, I was walking without the Walker and even took a trip to my favorite coffee joint (Bobbi driving of course). By the end of that week, I was walking 1.5 miles with no support and getting that pace up also. I was feeling stronger and stronger each day.
I still have some numbness in my hands and feet, but have exceeded surgeons, nurses, physical therapist and occupational therapists expectations with my recovery pace. This past week I was able to get back to teaching my Water Aerobic Classes and working on projects with my clients in my Management and Consulting Firm.
I am not at 100%, but improving each day! I now know that sometimes moving can be a real challenge, but moving keeps us alive and healthy! I am committed even more these days because of my recent experience that Move to Live is a message worth voicing and a Lifestyle worth living!
Thanks to all my family and friends for the support they have provided over the last month.
