Neurosurgeon follow-up

 

One year follow-up with the neurosurgeon!

It was my last appointment with the neurosurgeon!

Looking at the x-ray above you can see there is only a small gap between the bones which will continue to fill in. I have been cleared 100%. He gave me the okay to start running and weight lifting. Reluctantly he said I could ride 1 rollercoaster at Disney. Space Mountain here I come!

How can I thank someone who has given me my life back?

I can go the distance

This was an amazing week for me!

 

I have 80 days until my runDisney events. Training started on the 21st. First week is complete and WOW. I have walked 23 miles total which comes to a time 7:51:24. I completed all 5 days of training!

 

I am making other changes too.

 

If you know me you are aware of my love for Diet Dr. Pepper. I can easily drink a six pack a day. That is on a stress free day! Over Christmas break I cut back to 1 20oz bottle a day. The rest of the day I drink water, lots of water. On average 96oz a day. I pee a lot!

 

I have a Garmin vivosmartHR that I wear religiously. I was not always religious about getting my daily steps in. This past week I have hit my goal of 10k everyday. There was day I reached 15k.

 

I am tracking my food again on my fitness pal. I still struggle with eating healthy and getting the calories within range. Eating breakfast everyday is my current goal. Made egg muffins this weekend and that has really helped. I have also meal prepped my lunches for the week. Dinners are a challenge because we are never home at night.

 

There is one nice benefit to all of this...I have lost 5lbs. Since no one really reads this I will post my "before" pictures.

 

 

Neurosurgeon appointment will be next week. I am hoping to be cleared to return to all activities with no limits. Hoping he will tell me that I can ride 1 rollercoaster during my trip to Disney.



One year ago...

So much can change in one year. I am living a pain free life! I am back to work and smiling almost everyday. I am attending swim meets and wrestling tournaments.

Thank you to Dr. Spitz for giving me my life back!  

I Beat the Bridge!

Obi Wan Kenobi you are my only hope

I DID IT!

 

Ben and Kathryn were at my side for the entire race. During the last mile I needed their support to help me cross the finish line.



I'm in it for the bling



Why would you walk over a bridge? The views!

Training for the bridge

 

The month of October is dedicated to training for a 10k.

 

 

I'm nervous because:

 

Not sure I can finish the run in the time allocated.

I haven't walked this distance in a long time.

I hate this bridge!

 

 

School is back in session

 

Some of us were more excited about the first day back to school. For me it was back to work without pain. I'm excited to get back to "normal". It's going to be a great school year.

 

Talked some wonderful friends and my daughter to compete in the DC Color Run. Everyone had a wonderful time and added more bling to their collection.

 

When making your follow-up appointments with the neurosurgeon I recommend that it is prior to any activities like a 5k. He was a worried when I told him that I was experiencing pain (but it was just muscle pain). He told me I was a "neurosurgeons worst nightmare" and wanted to know if I would be jumping out of planes any time soon.

 

I forgot to download the x-ray for the follow-up appointment. My back is healing well. The neurosurgeon said that they consider this a fusion. I will still need to follow-up with him at least one more time but he is very happy. I haven't been cleared to run yet but it's coming. 

 

August is for spending time with the family

Every year we travel to northwest Pennsylvania to spend time with my husbands family. It is our little slice of heaven. The kids catch pollywogs in the pond and there is no set bed time. We sit around the table playing cards and laughing with multiple generations. At night you fall asleep listening to the peepers.

I was able to complete my virtual run in August. Since Pluto was the mascot for this years race I took the puppies with me on the last "run".

 

September I will be see the neurosurgeon again. I hope that everything is healing well.