6 screws and 2 pins

My kids got a kick out of this and thought you might too...These are after pictures that were taken today.  We didn't get any before pics.  It was 35 dollars (and you know how my hubby feels about "crap" like this) to have OUR medical records released to us from Wesley.  You would think after the amount we payed them, they could throw that in...Heck a hotel atleast gives you breakfast and/or coffee for 80 bucks!

Anyway...they aren't too gross...
I have no idea of the angles these were taken at. 

The part with the biggest gap is the L-1.  The one I broke.  It's hard to see a difference with out the before and after.  I am hoping we can get some type of pics.  We will probably just bite the bullet and do it. 

Where it is hallow is where he cleaned out everything in between the vertabrae's. 

Post Op Appt. #1

My prayers have been answered.  For all that prayed for me these last 10 weeks, thank you is NOT near enough.  I could not have done this on my own.

We did NOT see the surgeon instead his PA.  She was nice and I can't say I'm real surprised by this, since she was the one we saw the last 3 days at the hospital.  I was released from wearing the brace.  That was my biggest worry.  Not because I was feeling bad, but just not healed enough to get rid of it.  She said everything looked really good. 

I am still limited in my lifting, still 15 pounds, and occasionly up to 20 pounds.  I can NOT run.  I can still walk and do my recumbant bike that I have but to manage all according to my pain level.  I will repeat xrays in 2 months.  Those will actually just be mailed to them and after review will do a telephone update and go from there.  If all goes well and I keep on this same progress its looking like maybe starting physical therapy in December. 

So for now its no brace and starting back to the daily routine stuff.  We started talking about house cleaning and Brent and started joking about it and then we never let the dr finish telling me what was ok and not ok.  I secretly think that was Brent's plan all along!!!  I'm thinking that as long as I handle all in a slow and easy going process I should be able to stay on track.

The natural curve of my spine around the L-1 looks real good on the xrays and the dr really did a good job of trying to keep that as normal as possible.  I think I should be able to retain almost all range of motion, but that will be later down the line.

Again, thank you for all your prayers.  Please continue to pray for my recovery and my PATIENCE.  I do not want to do anything that will set me back.

Erica

Less than 24 hours

I'm less than 24 hours away from finding out what my next step is in my LONG recovery of a burst fracture in my L-1 (doesn't that sound more official than "I broke my back".  )

Time has flown by, but has seemed to come to a skidding stop the closer I get to this appointment.  I'm nervous, anxiety-filled..A lot of "what if's" are running through my head today. 

I SOOO want to be done or atleast ready to move on to the next thing.  What I CAN NOT handle or DO NOT want to hear, is that I've "even(ed) out" and still need to wear the brace for 4+ weeks or longer.  10 weeks has been a long time. 

I feel good.  I really do.  I mean I still have soreness and muscle spasms everyday, but NOTHING like the first 4-5 weeks. 

Please Pray for me and my family tomorrow.  I'm ready to find answers and to know exactly what I need to be doing and where I should be. 

You all have been so AMAZING.  Prayers have been answered and I know this is all GOD"S Plan for me, but wow is it hard to trust right now.  THANK YOU ALL-

PS-If you see an orange glow south of town tomorrow night I am having a BURN PARTY or  Security will be dragging me out of dr's office Kicking and screaming.