One Week Post-Op

I have to say, I am impressed with Sandy’s progress. She is not back playing tennis, but she is moving around periodically and is doing it reasonably well. Surgery was just a week ago (yesterday), and this was a huge procedure. Considering that she was told that she would be in the hospital for a full week, the fact that she is this mobile and “independent” is pretty remarkable.

Remember, they removed an entire vertebra (T2), inserted a spacer, fused three vertebrae above and below T2, and reinforced the entire structure with two rods that measure 8” or more. In the xrays, the spacer looks a bit like a piston, with an adjustable height. The rods are titanium-cobalt alloy common to many types of medical implant devices, if I recall. The incision runs from the top of her neck to about 2/3 of the way down her spine and is marked by staples every centimeter or less. It is an impressive zipper. There is also a temporary drain that runs out of her back. If you have ever considered back surgery to solve your aches and pains, this might change your mind.

She can get out of bed and take care of things like brushing her teeth, getting dressed, and so on. A few days ago, I was not sure she would be able to do any of this on her own for a while. With each day, she is able to do this with just a little more ease. It still takes perhaps 20 or 30 seconds or so to sit up in bed before standing up, but that is considerably less than the minutes that process consumed a few days ago. I noticed some involuntary movements during the day before yesterday, such as a slight nod, and even a small shrug of her shoulders. Today, she is moving her head from side to side with limited range, but with some ease. All things that give you confidence that she is healing. The staples will be removed next week and then perhaps some physical therapy. There has been discussion of additional radiation treatment, but I suspect that was only being considered if part of the vertebra were to remain intact. Complete removal would seem to obviate that.

We really do not know what to expect after this. Hopefully, she will continue to heal and will be able to resume normal activity. I am sure it will be a slow recovery from this surgery, but Sandy already confirms that the pain in her back and right arm which required the surgery is indeed gone. Little victories. We’ll take them.

The first big test will be Saturday, when Sandy plans to go to Haley’s gymnastics meet. Her sister, Beth, will be here to take her and run any blocking and tackling in the bleachers, if necessary. Beth isn’t very big, but she’s feisty and protective of her sister, so she’ll be fine.

Regrettably, I won’t be there. I had a ski trip planned with a group of guys. Sandy and Beth (and a few others) insisted that I needed the break and should continue with the trip. I’ll admit that my arm is not sore from any twisting and I am thoroughly JACKED UP to be going! I call it “Downhill Therapy” – a regular necessity for me and something from which I always benefit. I really appreciate the group of guys that are rallying in Utah for five days…and the understanding that we’ll undoubtedly need from local authorities and barkeeps.

Oh sure, I talk a big game—we’ll all be crushed by 9 each night, I am sure.

Back home, Sandy and Beth will have a great time without me in the middle, Hannah and Haley will love seeing their Aunt Bethie...and Haley will definitely appreciate having the additional audience at her meet.