Life Begins @ 42

Yesterday for the first time in well over a year I achieved 10,000 steps.  I never thought this would have been possible 6 months ago.  I had started looking at mobility devices as it was getting so difficult walking any distance. I still have some pain, especially after sleeping, but can now walk and no longer feel pain. I know there is a long way to go, with lots of physiotherapy, but I am feeling very optimistic about my recovery.

Was discharged a week ago from hospital after the 2nd part of my ALIF, which involved a posterior operation to add screws from the other side of the ALIF last month. The operation went well and I was out of hospital the following day.  The subsequent pain was more than I expected, perhaps because I had such an easy ride after the previous operation I thought this would be the same. Most of the pain is in my right leg, even though most the pain before the operations was in the left leg.  I am hoping it is just the result of inflammation around the operation error causing pressure on the nerves and it will reduce in the coming weeks.  I am able to walk okay, but it can be painful sitting down or bending. Anyhow, I'm staying optimistic.  It is early days before I need to start worrying that the operation may not have been 100% successful in reducing the pain.

I'm starting this blog as for the first time in years I am feeling optimistic.  I have been riddled with health problems over the past few years including spondylolisthesis, trigeminal neuralgia, dislocated knee, depression and possible fibromyalgia. The spondylolisthesis has been the greatest impact on my life.  For the past two years I have had to use a walking stick and been in considerable pain if I tried to walk any distance. It took a couple of years of trips to physiotherapists, chiropractors and doctors before I finally got a diagnosis.  Four weeks ago I had an ALIF spinal fusion for L5/S1 vertebrae and after a month I am finally able to walk pain free and a reasonable distance.  As I write this I am still in a body brace until next week when I will have the second part of the operation securing the cage and fusion from the rear.  Considering the progress I have already made I am optimistic that I will finally get my quality of life back. I will use this blog to