What a difference a week makes...

Well, I cannot believe the change from last week. Sure, I'm still in pain but the past couple of days has seen the pain no higher than 6 and I've managed to 'lose' some tablets at 4am and 2pm (5 tablets in all). This in itself is good news plus it might mean that I can cut out the other tablets I'm taking for severe constipation!!!

I'm showing a marked improvement in back and core capability - I can see / feel it when I do the prescribed exercises and moving around. Hamstring length is improving, although I've got some funny niggles in my right groin tonight which I'm not happy about, so perhaps I've overdone that one. I've been told that I should try to start putting my back into extension - I've always struggled with this, particularly when lying face down, but over the years I have built up resistance. But I am now back to square one - I could only do it for about 4 seconds x 3 yesterday - I don't like how it makes my back feel, I'm a little bit scared of pushing it too far.

Still can only sleep on my back with a pillow under my knees - have tried lying on my side, whilst it doesn't hurt as such, it is v. uncomfortable plus (and I know this might be psychological) it makes me feel sick because I think I can feel the Dynesys in my back! As for 'jiggy-jiggy' - don't even go there - my Pilates Back Book has some wonderful positions in it, yeh, right!!

Still need help with showering particularly back, legs, feet and hair. Hair washing and drying is a real challenge, v.tiring - looking a bit like the wild man of Borneo at the mo'.

Scar is healing nicely - District Nurse recommended Aqueous Cream to heal and lubricate it. It's a wonder cream as it is also curing my scaly, dry back and legs (I guess from laying in bed a lot) and the hard skin on my heels. AND as a bonus it is so cheap - £1.99 for a huge tub from the local chemist. No longer will I salivate over the Molten Brown counter in JL - I'm a convert.

The experts have told me that 3 things are of the utmost importance to safeguard long-term relief from pain and the integrity of the Dynesys hardware:-

1. respect my back and the hardware in it and don't do anything silly - if I've got to think about it, I shouldn't do it
2. exercise (pilates / swimming) every day for the rest of my life
3. maintain a healthy body weight and BMI

No problem with 1) and 2) - been doing them for 4+ years. But as some of you know, I'm a bit chunky (as my surgeon said post op.2!!! tee hee... ) so 3) will be a challenge. It's been hard controlling my weight these last years when I have been unable to do any 'proper' cardio - runner, x-trainer, bike - but it can no longer be an excuse. I am determined and as such have already lost 8lb since the operation (I have no appetite at the mo' though). I'm in this for the long haul and I am determined that NOTHING I can control will put me back in daily pain or the operating theatre - I've made this promise to myself and to Dr. Vic - that much at least I owe him after all he's had to put up with these past 4+ years...

Lastly, Mom and Dad (in-laws) in Canada have bought be a Nintendo DS to wile away the hours in bed. Big sloppy kiss, mwah! It's great fun - but I am a bit worried that I'm going ga-ga - so far my brain age has been 80, 65, 58 and 57. Even worse Dr. Vic is beating me - his best score is 35, I'll never live that one down.

My friends who have had major ops have told me I may experience some 'fizzing' in my body as the inflammation subsides and my nerves kick back into action. Also to watch out for post op / anaesthetic low moods. Flak jacket and helmet on, I'm ready... x