WPKat's Journey to Stenum (Artificial Disc Replacement L3-L4 & L4-L5)

**trkdoc714** · 10-14-2010, 07:50 PM

K,

That's great news! I'm glad you've come as far as you have in 4 months. I agree with Kathy about making yourself get out to do things. I made it a point to go to the park once a week and throw stale bread chunks at the pigeons. It was good therapy.

By the way, I can touch my toes too. It's pretty cool for those of us that had to wear loafers or slip on shoes before surgery.

Congratulations!

Bob

**Cindylou** · 10-14-2010, 10:20 PM

K,

What an encouraging post. I am so proud of you for your work out stick-to-it-ness. And the progress you have made. Like Kathy, I was probably still glued to the couch as well at 4 months, except with ice, not heat. lol I think the homebound lifestyle is very common Kathleen. I remember it well. I still spend a fair amount of time at home, but I MAKE myself take a walk, or a gingerly bike ride if weather is good. It will do you good too. What about the public library? That's free, and you're around people too. You could collect your book (s) that you want to read and even hang out there for a bit and start your book. Just a thought. Coffee shops involve money but if you limited yourself to say, once every week and a half or so, that shouldn't set you back too much. I find coffee shops so comforting and the people watching is good too. I guess my other big thing is making sure I get some sunshine everyday. That could be a challenge for you in Alaska....at least where my brother lived in Juneau, it was pretty rainy every time we flew to visit him. If that's the case, consider investing in a therapy light. I swear by mine in the winter. I really do. That's about it. It's so good to "hear" from you!

Keep up the good work!

CL

**Hooch** · 10-14-2010, 11:03 PM

Hi, that's good recovery and plenty of hard work.

Are you working with a physio? Unless you've got plenty of experience with rehab a well-respected physio with plenty of experience in rehabbing disc replacements will be critical to you.

Form is everything, make sure you've got excellent activation and endurance of TA, multifidus, pelvic floor, gluteal dominance. If you know what I'm talking about you're obviously well on your way, and I apologise for the lecture.

I typed bowflex into youtube. I'd stay the hell away from that thing until you are genuinely pain free. Walk and swim will serve you better. My 2c.

Best of luck to you,
Chris.

**WPKat** · 10-15-2010, 12:34 PM

KBear, Cindylou, Bob, Chris,

"Bipolar" is an apt description indeed as the up's and down's of recovery are akin to riding a roller coaster. In contrast though ... the roller coaster eventually comes to a stop and you can finally get off the darn ride. Speaking of which, CONGRATS Kathy on your recovery success AND the new baby to come ... how exciting!

Because of this Forum and contacting many prior patients, I knew that recovery from ADR surgery would take time; anywhere from several months to 2 years with the mean being somewhere in between. I hoped for the best and set my sites on the end goal. Some folks believe I should be completely recovered by now; they just don't get it.

I have worked out nearly all of my adult life. Prior to my lower back finally giving out, I was in Karate and have studied three different styles at different times over many years. It took the doctors two years to discover that my back had serious issues and was the main cause of the many pain episodes. During that time in limbo, after the pain subsided I went back to class because it is a great way to stay in shape and I really enjoyed Karate. Proper form, stance, balance, endurance ... are taught and constantly stressed as well as proper breathing. On the off days, I often worked out on my ellipitical and bowflex as well. It wasn't until the pain brought me to floor a few weeks before my first back surgery and refused to subside that I finally cried "Uncle." Obviously, I am stubborn and do not give up easily.

I never recovered after my first back surgery, however, and the difference in my physical condition was shocking. I went from an active, self-sufficient, independent soul to a virtual cripple in constant pain. I could not stand up straight, sit, stand or walk without a cane for more than half an hour. Walking on the treadmill at 1.1 mph for 20 minutes would spark major pain and I would be down for a week. It was a depressing time indeed. When you compare what I can do now to that; it is nothing short of a miracle even though I am not 100% yet.

I went to physical therapy then and realized no improvement after completing the initial program because my lower back still had major issues. The exercises they showed me are the ones I talk about doing every day. My pain specialist referred me to physical therapy over a month ago, but somehow it has fallen through the cracks. I checked into it once, but obviously need to do it again. Although I am no stranger to working out and proper form, I am always willing to learn more ... and hey, I would also have another reason to get out of the house!

No worries, Chris, I have kept the bowflex workout to a bare minimum with light weights. I have found that the best approach to my workouts has been to add only one thing at a time (speed, time, incline, exercise type, even reps). If it hurts a lot the next day or two, I either stop doing what I added or break it down into even smaller increments. I add only 0.10 mph or 1 minute, 1 new bowflex exercise and 1 repetition. Although it sure seems like slow going, over time it all adds up.

My approach to working out long before my lower back ever blew up was virtually the same (but faster going). I found that working out intensely without building up endurance quickly backfired because my muscles would scream out in protest and would stop me from working out again for days, which completely defeated the purpose. One must be able to walk before they can run.

"Slow and steady wins the race," right Kathy!

I have thought about going to the park and public library, and there is even a coffee shop at a book store down the street. I just need to MAKE myself go ... another challenge!

The winters here are definitely cold and dark, Cindylou ... not unlike Minnesota. I am not a cold winter sports fan though and stick to the indoors (and I live in Alaska ... ummmm). I am used to the darker winter hours and it doesn't bother me. We are either gaining daylight hours or loosing it; one makes up for the other. I know folks who swear by the natural lighting though and would definitely consider buying one.

Thanks for all the input!

K

**Justin** · 10-16-2010, 12:34 AM

Kathleen,

Congratulations! It's wonderful to read how well you are doing. You deserve a dancing banana.

**WPKat** · 01-25-2011, 02:50 PM

Almost 8 Months

I know it has been a long time since I lasted posted my progress, in my defense, life has certainly gotten mighty busy. I've heard that you should watch what you ask for ... what an understatement! I was looking for a reason to get out of the house and by golly, I got it.

I started physical therapy three days a week in November. We began with therapy pool to see how well I tolerated the exercises. Most of the indoor pools in Anchorage make my teeth chatter relentlessly, however, I was pleased to find the therapy pool to be nice and warm. The first day's exercises were deceptively easy. The next day, I was so sore that I had to use furniture to pull myself up off the floor. I laugh heartily now as I recall that day because it came as a big surprise to me. But in reflection, all the hard work I had put into walking on the treadmill pretty much worked one set of muscles and pool therapy clearly worked others. It only took the next day to recover though and after that I was fine.

After just a week of physical therapy, my son was in an accident during gym class at school that landed him in the hospital with a severe concussion and a broken right collar bone. I've not had any experience with concussions before and hope to never again; it was frightening. I spent the next two weeks tending to his medical needs and was so relieved when he finally bounced back.

We continued on with pool therapy until after the holidays when we moved to floor exercises. I asked (rather pleaded) to be spared from any machine that required I sit (a painful position for me still). Thankfully, she agreed and started me off on the ellipitical trainer; one where you don't use your arms. I have both a treadmill and an ellipitical at home, but was learly to move over to the ellipitical. I need not have worried, however, as I have no trouble at all with it. In fact, it's easier on my body than the treadmill.

After time on the elliptical each session, we move on to the shuttle; where I lay down on a row-like machine to do a series of squats using tension rods to add resistence. Prior to my ADR surgery, the shuttle machine sparked major league pain for days so I was quite reluctant to try it again; fearing a repeat performance. She started me out on a low tension setting, and by golly, I had no trouble with it at all. Each time she adds a tension rod, I pay for it the next day, but now there are only 2 more tension rods left for me to conquer.

We recently began working on squats, balancing, planks, etc. We have really just started to move forward and I only have two weeks left. I am going to ask for and hope to get an extension on physical therapy.

I wish I could say that I was painfree ... not yet. I can say that I am continuing to improve my ability level and endurance, but I still have blocks of time throughout the day where my pain spikes. I still cut my pills in half and am able to get by on about 10 mg of Vicodin a day,1500 mg of Gabapentin, and about 7.5 mg of Valium at night. My latest motto is, "Do More On Less" and I am trying very hard to push my limits without needing more pain medication.

Although I am far more active then before, there are still blocks of times throughout the day where I need to lay down because of increased pain and/or mid-back spasms. I mentioned problems at the thoracic level before and was told by my pain specialist that it was probably muscular, but after 8 months, I think it's time to take a closer look. We'll see. There are also still days where I, "crash and burn," and do very little because of increased pain (which I fault myself for pushing so hard); but the good news is that I recover faster and generallly bounce back by the next day.

As for now, I am plugging along and I really don't think I could try harder to improve unless I started training for a marathon (hahaha). My family and friends have noticed and are commenting on my progress. I personally have felt that old determined spark reappear ... and that feels pretty darn good.

Still wishing for painfree, but not at all unhappy with the progress I've made so far!

K

**Hooch** · 01-25-2011, 07:00 PM

Awesome!

Good on you for getting in there and having a go! Work on your deep core! You will like clinical pilates, and it will get you strong.

Fwiw I've seen a number of people comment on thoracic discomfort post lumbar adr. Muscle problems will drag on until they're seen to, hopefully with you getting fitter throughout your body those problems will subside.

Awesome work, congratulations!

PS. Yes head injuries are scary. I'm glad it all worked out.

**Justin** · 01-25-2011, 09:18 PM

Kathleen,

Congratulations! It's great to read that you are making steady progress. Slow and steady wins the race.

**KBear** · 01-25-2011, 09:44 PM

Kathleen- Sounds like you are doing really good. I know pain free is the goal, but you are on the right track. Remember for some of us it takes a bit longer for full relief, don't give up on pain free, it may still be in your future. Awesome that you are doing so much too, especially on such a small amount of meds. Like Justin said, slow and steady wins the race!