Thank You!

THANK YOU to each and every one of you for your get well wishes and comments! 

I am doing very well.  I saw my surgeon & PA on Wednesday and was told I can start bending and twisting slowly at the waist, which is a huge step forward for me (although it is still a bit painful).  I am still walking as part of my therapy, and that is a big help as well.  The PA also told me that by my birthday in March, I should be able to start riding my bike!

I was told I didn't need to make the 270 mile round-trip to the doctor unless I had issues, so basically, I've been released from further check-ups.  This time of year, it is a challenge driving through Glacier Park to get to the doctor's office (or as I usually say, "over the river and through the woods!").  We've seen alot of snow-packed and icy roads this winter.

I want to send special get well wishes to Chasn Paper - she is having shoulder surgery very soon and I hope she has a speedy recovery!  Many years ago I had reconstructive shoulder surgery and the only advice I have is to take full advantage of any physical therapy the doctor suggests. 

The best part of the doctor visit on Wednesday is that I can craft again - yippee!  I cannot sit for long periods of time, so that's when I do my walking and do my up-and-down the stairs thing.

I hope to be posting some new projects very soon!  Again, THANK YOU!

Successful Surgery!

I am now recovering from back surgery and the doctor said that, although it was a bit more involved than originally believed, he thinks it was very successful and I should make a full recovery.  Yippee!  I had surgery at 2:30 pm on Friday and was released to come home at 9 am the next morning.  Part of the quick turn-around was walking 15 minutes every hour at the hospital.  I knew I needed to be up and active to get better and get released!

I admit, yesterday I felt like day two after an extreme exercise day, but today, my back muscles are a whole lot less sore.  I am discovering how difficult it is to not bend or twist at the waist!  I finally feel that the end is in sight and I hope to be crafting soon and that I really will have my life back.  The doctor promised me that by my birthday in March, I will be able to ride my 21-speed bike.  I had no idea a gift that Gary bought me early last summer would be so fun, addicting, and good for me, too!  I cannot wait to ride my bike! 

I found out at my last visit with my neurosurgeon that he's a serious bike rider, too, as are many people in his office.  He told us all about a ride in Idaho and we've decided to make a trip to Idaho and ride the "Trails of Coeur d'Alene," which, according to my surgeon, is 70 miles of paved trails (that used to be railroad tracks) through the beautiful wilderness.  It's nice to have a surgeon who realizes how important "getting my life back" really is to me! 

So, to Dr. Douglas Griffith at the Kalispell Neuroscience and Spine Center and his entire crew, and Val (a wonderful nurse), and the rest of the staff who treated me at the Kalispell Regional Medical Center and Hospital - THANK YOU!