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A Happy Birthday Day

This is a discussion on A Happy Birthday Day within the The Lounge forums, part of the Social and Support Forums category; A year ago today I received the greatest gift, my granddaughter While I don't see her anywhere near enough, she ...

  1. #1
    Senior Member Katie's Avatar
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    Default A Happy Birthday Day

    A year ago today I received the greatest gift, my granddaughter While I don't see her anywhere near enough, she has been the most wonderful addition to my life, our lives. Thankfully they live within a reasonable drive, an hour and a half away, and I have had the joy of babysitting a few times when daycare didn't work

    So in less than a month last year, I had my life restored with my surgery by Dr. Pimenta, and was blessed with Caitlyn. She was born eight days after we got home.

    Here are before and almost now pictures Unfortunately I haven't got brand new ones on the computer yet. She's almost three months older than this and has way more hair But you get the idea...and I always said I wouldn't be one of 'those' grandmothers'.....ha!

    We get to watch her demolish her cake tonight...then I'll have more pictures

    A  Happy Birthday Day-cailtyn-bowl-b-w-10-days-old-pro-pic.jpgA  Happy Birthday Day-caitlyn-whats-up-me-ducky-dec-2010.jpg
    Severe compression of spinal cord, flaval ligament, etc. at C4/5 & 5/6.
    Herniation and compression, at L3/4 to L5/S1 plus spondylosis at the latter level. Severe allergy to most metals.
    Three level surgery in Brazil with Dr. Luiz Pimenta on March 17/2010 using non-metal appliances. L5/S1-PEEK cage, ALIF; L4/5-PEEK cage, XLIF; C5/6-NuVasive NeoDisc. Three separate approaches, two minimally invasive. Currently minor residual back pain, from SI ligament and still overdoing things . Therapy and chiropractic treatments helping immensely. Gone from being almost bedridden to near normal activities including gardening. Life is gooooood!

  2. #2
    Founder / Administrator Justin's Avatar
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    Default Re: A Happy Birthday Day

    Happy Birthday to Caitlyn!

    Justin Averna
    Founder & President, Spine Patient Society™
    www.SpinePatientSociety.org
    A 501(c)(3) Tax-Exempt Nonprofit & Charitable Organization


    • 1994: Football Injury, Severe Hyperextension
    • 1997: Snow Skiing Injury
    • 3/7/1997: Laminotomy L4/L5
    • 1999 & 2003: Motor Vehicle Accidents (not at fault both times) --> Grade V Annular Tears L4/L5 & L5/L6
    • 11/15/2003: 2-Level ProDiscฎ L4/L5 & L5/L6*, *lumbosacral transitional vertebra --> Dr. Rudolf Bertagnoli
    • 4/2008: 4.5 years pain-free before "new" leg pain
    • 5/14/2009: Dynamic Stabilization System L4/L5, Dr. Rudolf Bertagnoli
    I'm here to help.
    Questions? Suggestions? Need help with registering, creating a signature, etc.?
    justin (at) spinepatientsociety.org


    Disclosure: I have no financial relationships with any surgeons, spine clinics, device manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies, hospitals, etc. -- the SPS Board of Directors serve without compensation.

  3. #3
    Moderator KBear's Avatar
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    Default Re: A Happy Birthday Day

    How Sweet! Happy Birthday Caitlyn!
    31 years old- 1/06- In wreck with 18 wheeler at 25 years old; 6/06- Head on collision on Interstate, both wrecks other drivers fault. Numerous MRI's, PT, chiropractic, acupuncture, TENS therapy, massage therapy, facet injections, epidural injections, Nerve study, Discogram, confirms pain in L4/5, IDET, decompression, Bi-lateral neurotomy L3/4/5, denied by insurance twice, in Active L clinical trial, had surgery March 17, 2009 in Miami, FL- received Active L disc at 29 years old. Pain and medication free as of October 2010!Mommy to Emma- 8 years, Ava- 6 years & had baby Eli after ADR, via c-section on March 25, 2011 , completely pain free still!

  4. #4
    Senior Member ajj1001's Avatar
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    Default Re: A Happy Birthday Day

    aww, she is so lovely. glad you are getting to enjoy her, what a blessing.

  5. #5
    Moderator Cindylou's Avatar
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    Default Re: A Happy Birthday Day

    Happy Birthday Caitlyn! Katie, you are so right....these grandchildren give new meaning to life, don't they? We have only got 8 weeks left before our 2nd granddaughter is born. Can't wait! I hope you enjoyed your little bundle last night. Cindtlou
    • January 2000 MVA passenger, used jaws of life to retrieve me, neck injury and months of PT
    • June 2001 Bicycle accident, 2 compression fractures at T12/L1, Vertebroplasty Sept. 2001
    • April 2006 right hip, labral tear and repair
    • April 2007 3 level ProDisc @ L3/4, L4/5 & L5/6✷ ✷Lumbosacral transitional vertebra; Dr. Rudolph Bertagnoli
    • July 2, 2008 ALIF & Laminectomy @ L6/S1
    • July 30, 2008 re-opened 28 days later to remove bone cement that had leaked onto S1 nerve root
    • August 2008 Pulmonary embolism, double pneumonia, collapsed left lung, re-hospitalized 1 week
    • March 10, 2009 Right SI Joint Fusion
    • April 27, 2010 2nd right hip arthroscopy to remove adhesions and release psoas muscle
    • September 30, 2010 lumbar facet rhizotomy
    • December 9, 2010 12 bilateral lumbar trigger point and steroid injections
    • December 23, 2010 12 more bilateral trigger point injections w/o steroid
    • February 15, 2011 ESI bilaterally in lower lumbar...relief only for few days. Considering 1 more.
    Did Spinal Cord Stimulator trial from 5/11/11-5/17/11 with excellent results; Spinal Cord Stimulator surgery is Monday,
    July 18, 2011

  6. #6
    Senior Member Katie's Avatar
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    Default Re: A Happy Birthday Day

    As promised, here are birthday pictures, but just the basics My talented daughter made the cake...and she says she isn't artistic

    On a bittersweet note, we learned that my daughter's father died during the party (my first husband). Thankfully she had her phone turned off so as not to ruin the party. Time enough to grieve after that. He lived on the other side of the country...I feel so terrible for my girls. They had a chance to introduce Caitlyn to him in February, so have some nice pictures and memories at least.

    A  Happy Birthday Day-caitlyns-one-year-birthday-giraffe-picture.jpgA  Happy Birthday Day-caitlyns-birthday-cake-1.jpg
    Severe compression of spinal cord, flaval ligament, etc. at C4/5 & 5/6.
    Herniation and compression, at L3/4 to L5/S1 plus spondylosis at the latter level. Severe allergy to most metals.
    Three level surgery in Brazil with Dr. Luiz Pimenta on March 17/2010 using non-metal appliances. L5/S1-PEEK cage, ALIF; L4/5-PEEK cage, XLIF; C5/6-NuVasive NeoDisc. Three separate approaches, two minimally invasive. Currently minor residual back pain, from SI ligament and still overdoing things . Therapy and chiropractic treatments helping immensely. Gone from being almost bedridden to near normal activities including gardening. Life is gooooood!

  7. #7
    Moderator Cindylou's Avatar
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    Default Re: A Happy Birthday Day

    Oh, adorable. Thanks for sharing these Katie. I definitely see "you" in Caitlyn's sweet face. And the cake? Wow. Any significance with the giraffe theme? Caitlyn must love giraffe's! CL
    • January 2000 MVA passenger, used jaws of life to retrieve me, neck injury and months of PT
    • June 2001 Bicycle accident, 2 compression fractures at T12/L1, Vertebroplasty Sept. 2001
    • April 2006 right hip, labral tear and repair
    • April 2007 3 level ProDisc @ L3/4, L4/5 & L5/6✷ ✷Lumbosacral transitional vertebra; Dr. Rudolph Bertagnoli
    • July 2, 2008 ALIF & Laminectomy @ L6/S1
    • July 30, 2008 re-opened 28 days later to remove bone cement that had leaked onto S1 nerve root
    • August 2008 Pulmonary embolism, double pneumonia, collapsed left lung, re-hospitalized 1 week
    • March 10, 2009 Right SI Joint Fusion
    • April 27, 2010 2nd right hip arthroscopy to remove adhesions and release psoas muscle
    • September 30, 2010 lumbar facet rhizotomy
    • December 9, 2010 12 bilateral lumbar trigger point and steroid injections
    • December 23, 2010 12 more bilateral trigger point injections w/o steroid
    • February 15, 2011 ESI bilaterally in lower lumbar...relief only for few days. Considering 1 more.
    Did Spinal Cord Stimulator trial from 5/11/11-5/17/11 with excellent results; Spinal Cord Stimulator surgery is Monday,
    July 18, 2011

  8. #8
    Senior Member Katie's Avatar
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    Default Re: A Happy Birthday Day

    Thanks CL! Yes, she will pick out a giraffe from a stack of toys and hang on for deal life ;-) Go figure, I was hoping it would be ponies, but I'll take anything with four feet and wean her over slowly
    KBear and Cindylou like this.
    Severe compression of spinal cord, flaval ligament, etc. at C4/5 & 5/6.
    Herniation and compression, at L3/4 to L5/S1 plus spondylosis at the latter level. Severe allergy to most metals.
    Three level surgery in Brazil with Dr. Luiz Pimenta on March 17/2010 using non-metal appliances. L5/S1-PEEK cage, ALIF; L4/5-PEEK cage, XLIF; C5/6-NuVasive NeoDisc. Three separate approaches, two minimally invasive. Currently minor residual back pain, from SI ligament and still overdoing things . Therapy and chiropractic treatments helping immensely. Gone from being almost bedridden to near normal activities including gardening. Life is gooooood!

  9. #9
    Senior Member Gilbert P's Avatar
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    Jackson Hole WY
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    876

    Default Re: A Happy Birthday Day

    Hi Katie

    Just catching up The photos are great. Too Cute

    Gil
    L5-S1 lam 1994
    L2 to L5 DDD
    L3 -L4 hern Dec 2007.
    L4-L5 Annular fissure with mild central stenosis and moderate facet hypertrophy.
    L5-S1 bilaterial neural foraminal narrowing with inferior effacement.
    L2-L3 Right-sided neural foraminal narrowing
    L3-L4 related to posterolateral hypertrophic spurs and facet hypertrophy.
    C3-C4 limited DDD
    15 injections Depo. P.T. 18 months 9 dose packs,
    Nerve Block Injections.4 ESI S1
    L5-S1 Foraminotomy 09
    L4-L5 Microdiscectomy 09 ReHerniation 4-2010
    Surgery 6-29-11 L4-L5-S1 Decompression Fusion L5-S1 and Coflex F implants


  10. #10
    Senior Member Katie's Avatar
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    Default Re: A Happy Birthday Day

    Thanks Gil You know you're a devoted grandparent when you get up at 5 am to drive an hour to babysit for the day Dear Son-in-Law sent out a rescue call last night when his sitter had to cancel. My daughter is gone for a few days for her dad's funeral.

    To think just over a year ago I wouldn't have been able to pick her up, and now I spent the whole day chasing her around and giving her two baths...just for the fun of it

    ....and now I think I'll hit the sheets I think I'm getting old....
    Severe compression of spinal cord, flaval ligament, etc. at C4/5 & 5/6.
    Herniation and compression, at L3/4 to L5/S1 plus spondylosis at the latter level. Severe allergy to most metals.
    Three level surgery in Brazil with Dr. Luiz Pimenta on March 17/2010 using non-metal appliances. L5/S1-PEEK cage, ALIF; L4/5-PEEK cage, XLIF; C5/6-NuVasive NeoDisc. Three separate approaches, two minimally invasive. Currently minor residual back pain, from SI ligament and still overdoing things . Therapy and chiropractic treatments helping immensely. Gone from being almost bedridden to near normal activities including gardening. Life is gooooood!

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