Routine maintenance...

Well, all I can say this week is that after 5 months I finally have some sort of routine - albeit, one almost without diversity or excitement! My routine revolves around exercise and rest, although I have been getting out and about a bit more now that the weather has turned.

The good thing to come out of all of this is that I have shaped up. Literally. I spoke in an earlier post about my 'new toosh' - well it doesn't stop there. My body shape is changing before my very eyes - although there's not much movement on the scales I have dropped a dress size. Reason I'm surprised is because I was doing Pilates, core and swimming regularly pre-op... there's obviously something I'm doing now that is making a HUGE difference though. Not complaining... nor is Dr. Vic LOL.

Second bit of good news is that my hair, nails and skin have started to improve - hair is still thinning but there's definitely a slowdown and it now looks shiny and healthy. Nails are rock-hard. Improvement is primarily down to specific vitamins / products recommended to me. If your body is depleted post-op and you're experiencing similar problems to me, try these... Redken hair products and Perfectil / Nutracap vitamin supplements. Splurged on some facials but that's more as a itsy-bitsy feelgood treat than a fix ;-)

Exercises handouts available

Just a quickie for you 'spineys' out there who are interested...

My Core Stabilisation, FitBall & Hydro Exercise Handouts are now available. Should you want a copy please contact me via Facebook's email system - this way, neither you nor I have to publish our email addresses on the www!!

Keeping on doing what I'm doing...

Yep, that's about it really - nothing new to report, same ol', same ol'...

Cobbling together a document detailing various Core Strengthening, FitBall and Hydro exercises specifically designed by physios for 'spineys'. Many of us back sufferers are helped enormously by our surgeons, physios and GPs but I'm finding that there are equal numbers out there who are getting 'bugger all' help from anyone. So these exercises are a guide only for them (obviously with the proviso that they run them by their GP first).

Dr Vic has the envious task of scanning them all in - hoping to post them up here and on the FB group soonest.

Surgeon update...

Had 4 x-rays today - hips, pelvis & back and the good news is....

• hips and pelvis are OK
• Dynesys hardware is stable & secure - apparently the x-ray would display a halo effect around a screw if it was moving/unstable.

Soooo... my hip pain could be muscular or could be caused by inflammatory chemicals or could simply be post-op trauma/pain. Mr Shepperd again stressed that it's still early days for me and that it will take time for things to settle. However, he's not being complacent - I've got an appointment for 12th May and if things are not any better by then he will be injecting my spine for the pain and hopefully to help me heal.

I mentioned this blog and the support group on Facebook, no surprise to him - he too is a member of FB!!!! I really hope he pops in someday and posts an entry.

All quiet..

Not much to report this week... Hydro and back circuits, on-going and continue to dominate my week. Not had a lot of sleep these past 5 days, been in quite a bit of pain in the night (probably due to the increased physio activity) - resisting the urge to pop extra drugs.

The Dynesys group on Facebook continues to grow and there are now 25 members - most of whom found their way to the site via this blog. There's a strong spirit of support in the group - with members asking questions, offering advice or simply sounding off about their pain. I'm abs. chuffed because I started this blog and the FB group to inform and put Dynesys patients (past, present, future) in touch with each other. In fact, two of our members had their Dynesys surgery yesterday. My thoughts and prayers are with them and all of you out there suffering from chronic daily pain, regardless of affliction.