Sunday, December 9, 2012

Scoliosis surgery

Hello my dear friends.
I'm soooo sorry to have left you hanging out there in blog land.
I've been a tad busy.
Actually let the pictures tell the story.

MY SCOLIOSIS
63 DEGREE CURVE





So I decided it was time to get this taken care of. I underwent a 10 hr. operation with 
2 Titanium Rods bolted to the length of my spine. I'm also fused in my lower lumbar.

On my way in. With a positive attitude and prayers I was ready. I was never scared. 
I knew I was in good hands.




My sweet GA peach CC sent me a box full of smiles.
I had my first drink when I woke up. I was away from Randy for over 13 hrs.
I was in the recovery room... I do not remember a thing : (

 

I was on my stomach the whole time, therefore chance of blindness, yup...

 Not sure how I got one of the nicest rooms in the ward. Look at my view.
Blue sky everyday I was there.
OCTOBER 11th, the day I will NEVER forget.
 71 staples in this new back of mine.. OUCH!!!

My back looks like a football player's back.
Look at those broad shoulders WOW. 
Funny when I see this pics. They truly blow me away.



Here is my nice curve. See the rods? Pretty cool huh?

From my sweet friend Jeanne. So me, she knows.

I had all my PINK blankets with me, and with all the morphine I wanted ahhh.
MY SURGEON DR. WAI.
Poor Randy. He and Colt were, and still are, the BEST caretakers EVER.
When one has this operation, 24 hr. help has to happen.
It was sooo nice to be home with all the pups. They totally missed me.
I was in the hospital only 7 days. No physio needed.
Of course my sweet SISTER LOLOTTE has been with me through it all.
She is my constant angel.
I have the BEST group of friends in the whole wide world.
Without their love and endless get-well wishes and support, I'm not sure I could have made
it through. I also belong to a group of ladies that I call my TWISTED SISTERS.
They helped me every step of the way. We have become great friends, and will try
to all get together next year. Some from Australia, UK, and all over the USA, and Canada.
Doctors appointments are sometimes a challenge, but I love getting ready, dressing up, and stepping out
with my new back. I'm 2 inches taller also. BONUS!!!!!

I'm not a fan of pills, and I'm taking more than I can swallow. Randy is my pain 
management doctor. He's been tweaking them for 8 weeks now. He's great, better than 
my other doctors, that's for sure. I'm hoping to be drug free by Jan. 30th. 


 I've been in my P.J.'s for 8 weeks, not counting the week in the hospital.
I have an endless supply, mostly PINK as you know.
 HOME with 2 out of 7 pups.



So there you have it. I'm a long way from finished.
6 months to a year to a full recovery. 
Can't drive for 4 months, no bending, no twisting, no lifting.
I'm doing very light chores. Keeping it simple.
I'll be good to go soon.
In the meantime I'm enjoying fb, my music, endless telephone calls to my girls
and most of all spending time with Randy. 
I've fallen in love with him all over again.
So see, I'm here, alive and well.
And MERRY CHRISTMAS to all of you my dear friends.

Love from my cottage always.












24 comments:

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Claudie, as I've told you via email and phone, I am so very, very thanksful you came through this so well. Seeing all the pictures just makes me so grateful that you got such good care and so many prayers.

Love you,

Sheila

RachelD said...

Oh, Sweetpea!!! What a wonderful early present to see you posting again!!

I feel as if I just watched a miracle. Thank you.

love and,

rachel

Linda @ A La Carte said...

I've been following all this via FB but it is so nice to see you posting again. Claudie I am so proud of you and Randy! I know he has been with you every step of the way. Big Hugs! Love you!
Linda

Julie Harward said...

I still say that you are the bravest bare backed lady I know of! What a pretty back you now have, amazing how long you have had to deal with that crooked one. Being in love again...that is the best part, I hope you have a truly wonderful Christmas...you sure deserve it and so does your love. :)

ruth@rutherupp.com said...

Dear Claudie, Welcome back! :) You don't know me, but I have followed your blog for a long time and enjoyed your little jaunts and photos with your friends.I always think your pictures are so darling! Read about your surgery on Jeanne's blog (she doesn't know me either, but I follow hers, too). What an incredible ordeal you have been through. Just wanted you to know I have kept you in my prayers all these months - - hoping some day you would be back - - and here you are! :) I am so glad you are on the road to recovery. Have a wonderful Holiday and fabulous New Year. Hugs from Minnesota, Ruthie

Pinky at Designs by Pinky said...

I have been following along on FB too and am now so glad you feel up to posting again! You are looking fabulous!!!!!!!!!!!! You are also my hero. XO, Pinky

Jeanne, backyard neighbor said...

Oh my gosh Claudie, This is a wonderful post on your journey to a straight spine. It brought back so many memories of all you have gone through. Sigh. I am so sorry you had to suffer so much and it is not over yet. My poor darling friend you are an inspiration of bravery. I love you so much.

I read Ruthie's comment and it is so sweet of her to have followed you all this time. I didn't know she followed me too. I am going to her blog to thank her.

We finally caught not one but two mice in our house. We went to Lowe's and bought a trap that doesn't kill them. We let one of them out on our way to church this morning. Just in case we will put the trap out again tonight. Ahhhhh country living. HA!

We are packing and getting ready to leave on Thursday morning for Atlanta. Our plane leaves at 5:30 pm. Diane will take us to the airport. We are really going. Yay!!!

I am so happy you posted. I have missed visiting your blog.

I must do my post for tomorrow and it is getting late.

Goodnight my brave friend.
I love you to pieces,
Jeanne xoxoxo


"Create Beauty" said...

Oh Claudie,
I have missed you. Thank you for sharing about your back surgery, what a huge thing to go through, and so bravely!!!

Praying for you,
Violet

Lori E said...

Hi there. I have not been by in ages because for some reason you blog is no longer on my feed????
Wow what a time you have had. So glad you are improving fast.
Keep on getting stronger.
Just think of the fun you will have at the airport metal detectors now.

Jen said...

I have missed you as well. How brave of you to go through this ordeal. I'm sure your positive attitude has helped you tremendously. So nice to see that your honey has been your biggest supporter. Oh and the pups look very happy!
Take care
Jeannette

Lily's Lace said...

A big Texas hello to you my dear friend! I am so glad you're recovering! You look wonderful and I'm so proud of you! You've had a hard road and you've cruised right through it! Take care pretty girl!!xoxoxoxoxo-cindy

wendy said...

HOLY FREAKING MOLY sweet girl. You blogged !!!!
that's good.
It is hard to believe you underwent this extensive surgery and healing process (which is still ongoing)
I've loved "walking this journey" with you. And you have had more people in your corner then I have dust bunnies in mine (corners that is)
Hugs and Love

Kathie Truitt said...

I am so glad you posted all of this! My sweet daughter has this and eventually she is having this surgery. I will show her the pictures. She will have to wait for a while, though as she is pregnant now and will have to put it off until her children are older and she isn't carrying a little one.

Sherry from Alabama said...

You are ONE BRAVE LADY! And you looked beautiful through the whole process. I'm so glad you're home with your loved ones and doing so well. You're truly blessed with that sweet husband of yours and those cute furry friends.

I was so glad to see your post come on the sidebar of my blog. I was afraid you had left Blogland and I would miss you so! You're in my prayers today.

Ann@A Sentimental Life said...

God bless you, for all you have been through...there is still that beautiful smile!
I hope you are feeling as good as you look. I am so far behind on my visiting, I was home for a week with family.

Shelley said...

So Happy to see you are back blogging...missed your posts. Here is to a quick recovery~ :)

Unknown said...

WOW what a difference! I'm glad everything worked out. You are one strong chick! How sweet that this brought you and your man closer too :0) Happy Holidays dear friend!

Sandy xox

Charlene said...

OMG!!!!! OUCH!!!!! Good thing you have drugs. Wow, my blown disc is a piece of cake compared to you baby! Hang in there! I'm soooo proud of you! HUGS!
Charlene

The Polka Dot Closet said...

Oh my goodness, I was wondering were you had been....Why to hell and back. I missed the whole thing, so glad I caught you one the mend! And wow 2 inches in height, what a nice little side effect, I bet all of your clothes will fit better, can't wait to hear more! Take care!

Carol

~CC Catherine said...

Honee...revisiting this journey with you again on this post is just an amazing reminder of how much God blessed you with EVERYTHING you needed along the way! wOW! You R loved! :-) I can't wait to hug you and your new back! Xoxo

Bluebirds and Butterflies said...

Hi there Claudie,
I am sorry I have been absent for a while. My Aunt Ruth (my Mom's last living sibling who was a couple of year's older than my Mom) passed away suddenly in March of 2012. She was 80 years old and a beautiful woman. Wore make-up and dressed each day up to the day she died. My aunt fell one morning as she leaned over to unplug her cellphone, sadly. My Mom passed in 2008, so all her family....except my brother, sister, and I and our kids now...are gone. So, I flew to Florida to help my sister handle my Aunt's estate and attend her services. I kind of took a hiatus from blogging after May when I visited my son and his wife in Houston. I have posted a couple of times since then....the most recent, about a week ago and am back in the blogging world again. I have missed being in connection with all my blogging friends. I see that I have missed a lot with you! I read that you had surgery not too long ago and I see your beautiful back and what a great job they did on you. I am so thankful that everything went well with your surgery. I am sure this type of surgery will take some time to heal completely from but know that my prayers are with you for a full recovery and know you will be out dancing and prancing soon! :) Wishing you a wonderful 2013 and happy upcoming Valentine's Day! I am going to try to change my post at least every week or two as I head into the new year....one of my resolutions. Have a wonderful week friend. xoxo Kim @ Bluebirds and Butterflies

Red Rose Alley said...

Oh Claudie,
I thought you quit blogging forever. I didn't know you had such a long surgery on your back! I'm so glad that you are recovering well, and you will be back on your feet in no time. You have been through so much, dear, and your husband sounds like a peach. I'm happy to see your smiling face again, I missed you so. Take care, and get plenty of rest. I will be here when you return, my sweet beautiful Claudie.
~Sheri at Red Rose Alley

Curtains in My Tree said...

I liked reading about your surgery. I need surgery on my back rods and fused etc.because of degenerative disks.however since I live alone I have to go to a recovery /nursing home for a month after . So I won't do it. Also I would have to close my shop and miss my cat on and on LOL
I love your little dogs I always had pugs and both have died so I adopted a stray cat
Your a beautiful lady and that handsome husband of yours !!!wow

Kimberly said...

Let me share this on your lovely blog, A neighbor of mine developed dementia & diabetes, then her husband died, no children or family nearby. I am thankful our closest neighbor, an African American woman, introduced Dr Itua Herbal Medicine, A traditional herbal doctor in which we purchased a herbal product for her through his Dr Itua online herbs store. A former social worker stepped in and led the way to place the widow in a care facility. We visit nearly every week until she finishes drinking Dr Itua herbal medicines, if possible. The two of us take simple games, puzzles, and matching cards to do with her, staying about 2 hours. Jenga, Trouble, puzzles 100pcs or less, 20 cards to match (total-not 40!). The fishing game where the fish open and shut their mouths as they go around is lots of fun! We sit and chat with her until she gets well again, then we pull out a game and the three of us laugh together as we play. We take a variety of things to do so that we won't get bored. She finished Dr Itua herbal medicines and she's fine now and doing better with the help of Dr Itua herbal medicines, Dr Itua cures different illnesses with his herbal medicines. Anyone having a sick person should reach Dr Itua email drituaherbalcenter@gmail.com Dr Itua Cure Alzheimer's,Cancer,Parkinson,Hiv,Herpes,Hpv,Kidney disease,Diabetes,Hepatitis, We hug and hold hands a lot. Having two of us go together really helps. But I can go alone, my neighbor cannot, as she saw so much of this during her years as a social worker. I hope this specific list helps others in this situation.
Thanks.