Here we are, a week shy of 5 months post-op, and I’ve had another follow-up visit. We did new X-rays and talked through everything that has been going on these past two months. It has been a wild ride! Can you guess how it went and what comes next?
State of the Fusion
We finally have fusion! Yes, folks, you read that right! We finally, FINALLY, have fusion! 6+ years and 13 surgeries later, what an ordeal! Take a close look here.
The large bone graft across the top has fully fused with the existing bone and the other parts have some better bone growth. It will continue to solidify and increase in bone density over time.
So, what does this mean? It means that I am now cleared to do anything I want, as my body is ready. That last part is the key here because just as in my last post I described what a huge jump it was to go from fully wheelchair-bound to allowed to do anything other than run or squat heavy weights, this is an equally huge jump. Permission doesn’t equal possible. Yet.
5 Months Post-Op Status
These past two months I have done a LOT of work to regain strength, mobility, bilateral balance, everything! Being in a wheelchair for three months absolutely destroys the body. I had very little lower body muscle mass or strength. Fortunately, I love a huge personal project, but wow, what a hole to climb out of! As always, I have stayed in my lane, but I’m always pushing against the edges to find and expand them. That’s the way I grow and advance. So, it definitely has not been a comfortable time, but the work is paying off.
Things I’m Feeling
One fascinating result is that I’m feeling muscles in ways that I never have in my entire life. Adductors, for example. Thanks to the bilateral hip dysplasia, osteitis pubis, and sclerotic bone, these muscles just never worked well/correctly/at all. At best, the origins would get very angry. But now, those muscles are ON! A few weeks ago I got the muscle bellies sore and it was a brand new experience. It is as if I’ve been using only half of my legs my entire life and now the rest is coming alive! Glutes and hamstrings, similar experience.
Another exciting result is that I’m finally appreciating the benefits of the bilateral PAOs (to correct the hip dysplasia). With the osteitis pubis and sclerotic bone, the pelvic, hip, and leg muscles were holding on so tightly to keep my body functioning as best as it could, I never fully experienced what was supposed to be the benefit of the PAOs. This is cool!
Yoga is easier and feels good rather than somewhat of a battle or attack on my pelvic bones.
The erg rower feels great now and is so much fun!
Hiking and fast walking are a work in progress, but I’m picking away at it.
Finally, while I’m still working on regaining muscle mass and tone in my legs, they are already AT or BEYOND pre-op strength levels. I can do a lot of exercises that were previously impossible or painful. Having a stable pelvis is literally KEY!! WOW! I’m super excited to see where things will go from here, giddy to get to my workouts each day.
So, YEAH, I’m excited and optimistic. It hasn’t sunk in yet that we really seem to have finally gotten things right. Unceremoniously but with a celebratory smile – “go forth and run, lift heavy, continue to get stronger, and please send us photos of your adventures.”
Thank you!
As a thank you gift and proof of my compliance, I spent around 175 hours knitting this enormous blanket for Dr. Stoneback.
PS – Willa was with me and was sure to ask if I was now allowed to jump on the trampoline. It was definite yes so we celebrated appropriately…
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