Getting it all into perspective...

Below is an extract from a dear friend's story regarding CANCER. As I am at the one year stage regarding Dynesys, I quote her at the same stage in her recovery (thankfully she is celebrating 2 years in remission this month). I include this because there are times in our lives when it doesn't do any harm to put our own shyte into perspective...

QUOTE
So, what happens when everything finishes. Certainly no trumpet fanfare, but I have to say everybody keeps their eye on you. My headaches continued resulting in a brain scan. Niggling pain in my shoulder resulting in X-ray. Urine infection resulting in Bladder and Kidney scan. All accompanied with sirens and whistles in my head each time I have to wait for the results. This panic when awaiting results, will hopefully diminish in time, but will probably never completely leave me.

It is now a year on. I have had my mammogram, everything is fine. I frequently think of the past year and during the early months would have given anything to have my body and mind back as they were pre 20/07/07. It is such a cliché, but, without a doubt everything has to happen for a reason. Making sense of the reasons can be hard. Something had to happen to slow me down. Yes, I would rather have sprained my ankle, but, as my mum said ‘It would take more than that to stop you’. I would have carried on with crutches!!

Why me?

Well, I just know I really could not have coped if my children or family members were given the diagnosis of cancer. And, the same for my friends who are lucky enough to have not been directly affected by Cancer…

I was the best person for the job…

It just had to be me…
UNQUOTE

In awe! Floored!

You're one special lady J who deserves THE BEST and ALL that life has to give x

The witching hour approaches...

HAPPY HALLOWEEN FOLKS!!

Here's hoping that all family, friends and spineys out there have a fun and safe evening.

1 year on...

Can't believe it... 1 year post op today! Feeling pretty good. Thought it deserved a little treat from Hobbs... so last night I managed to pour myself into a size smaller than usual dress and jeans. Tempted fate even further this morning by jumping on the scales, to reveal an overall 11lbs weight loss. RESULT. Slimming World Green and all the exercise is finally doing it for me (and Dr Vic who's lost 13lbs)!

As for celebrating champagne-stylie - well I'm not in much of a celebrating mood on account of sad news this morning that one of my closest pal's dad has died... yet another good life taken by that evil disease cancer - how I despise it! God Bless Mr T.

Coming up to a year!

Can't believe I'm coming up 12 months post-op. Pretty much everyone asks me if it was all worth it and I can say without hesitation that it has been. I believe though, that my response says a lot about my expectations from the outset. You see, my surgeon was always very clear about the potential outcomes/risk of Dynesys, so I knew that following the op I could be :-

1. pain-free
2. in less pain
3. the same, or
4. worse off

I was always optimistic of the outcome but law of averages told me that I would be pretty lucky to come out completely pain free. It's interesting though, that the Facebook group (now numbering 62 members) pretty much divides as above - we have members who are completely pain-free following the recovery period, as well as others for whom there has been no change, or failure...

So where do I fit? Well I fall solidly into the 2nd category. I'm pretty much drug-free but not pain-free. I still experience pain daily, but it is wholly manageable. It's not the jump out the window, no sleep, can't do anything type of pain. I continue to exercise daily either in the pool or Pilates and when I don't exercise, I know it. I still have an afternoon siesta. I am mindful of the things I do, and for how long I do them. But I can do more than before. Sure, I have my moments but a handful of paracetamol /co-codamol seems to do it for me. One thing for sure though, the recovery was lengthier and far more difficult than I ever imagined. To this day I still have to be extremely disciplined and work hard to maintain my 'new' back - exercising daily and forcing myself to rest when things are not so great is crucial.

Overall, Dynesys has been a resounding success for me. I feel more like the old me - 46 instead of 96! The reduction in pain obviously plays a massive part but I hadn't realised 'til a few months ago how the cocktail of drugs had affected me. How 'un-me' I've been! Not nasty, horrible or anything, just "The Kelster" but 'dampened down', if that makes sense.

Now... gggRRR, there's a tiger in my tank (again), and I've got a million and one things going on in my head!! I've just had to accept that I will never downhill ski again (my passion), but look forward to cross-country, snow-shoeing and bedding down at the Ice Hotel in Quebec! As for heels girlies, well they don't agree with me any more. I salivate over Manola, Lamboutin & Choo but the reality is I'm wearing Fitflops, MBTs, New Balance, Ecco & Clarks!!! None of which do anything for "me ol' street cred" LOL xxx

Back to 'normal'

Amazing what a few days rest can do...

Ooops

Took days to recover from holiday - only started exercising again on Monday. Then... just as things were getting back to normal I did a new move at my Pilates class yesterday and felt something 'ping' in my back. Combination of pain, realisation that I'd done something wrong and fear meant that tears were not far behind. What a wimp eh??? Mind you, it's only the 2nd time in 6 years that I've burst into tears during class. Spent pretty much the rest of the day in bed.

Hips and back are pretty bad now. Tried swimming (lengths) this morning to shift the pain. Popping Advils like they're going out of fashion. Ain't looking good. Hey ho, more bed rest...

DYNESYS - doing what it says on the tin!

Sorry for radio silence these past 12 days, been with in-laws in Toronto and totally powered down! Wedding was fab. Did I dance my ass off? You bet! Paid for it the next day, but boy was it worth it :-) Did plenty of walking and even got some gentle canoeing / kayaking in up at the lakes. Got back this morning after a 7 hr flight - pain was do-able but feet swelled up elephant-man stylie despite getting up plenty and exercising during the journey. Stiff now.

If you'd told me a year ago I'd be doing any of this stuff I would've laughed. And hard... Sure I suffer afterwards but with the right exercise and some meds, it passes.

So... all you out there post-op, hang in there. 11 months on, I'm doing 'stuff' and pretty much drug free!!! Woop woop. Recovery's been slow and I've had setbacks BUT dynesys is doing what it says on the tin! Please don't despair or give up.