My schedule has become quite busy with PT, massage therapy, and my own rehabilitation efforts. I love the way Bill is challenging me without compromising my back. In fact, he constantly checks for proper form and asks about any pain. To clarify: I am SORE! But a different type of sore, the sore you’ll get from a good workout. It’s awesome (you know what I mean)! My back never flared up, even though at times the muscles in my lower back would be a tad tight, but that would go away after stretching and some time on a heating pad. Oh, yes, I wanted to mention that from time to time, I do use a heating pad to loosen-up muscles and promote blood flow to the area. It has helped me very much throughout my recover. So far, my new disc is performing as advertised 🙂
According to Bill, I am progressing fast and consistent but because of that, he also cautions me to not over-do it. We added upper-body workouts with weights but since I am either seated or pulling the weights toward me, and not actually picking them up, it doesn’t strain my back. But it does work my abs and my chicken wings, which I really missed (not the chicken wings, the workout). I am now doing squats (arms up and only squatting ¼ down), step-ups with a “raised-leg pause” on top, and resistance side-steps with rubber bands (not as easy as it looks like). I also started doing planks, which I hated even before I got injured, but you got to do what you got to do!
My hamstrings are beginning to lengthen a little but with that issue, I still have long ways to go. The “burning” soreness in my calves, on the other hand, has greatly improved. I was truly sweating when I was done, there is no rest for the wicket!
I also see Ben intermittently to keep my muscle supple and to work out any kinks/adhesion/peas. That also really helps with my progress and to keep up with my rehab program.
The busy bee I am, I attended another meeting during this week: the “Emergency Nurse’s Association” (ENA) local chapter meeting, which was held at Celebration Hospital this time. I sat without issues through a lecture on the “Management of North American Pit Viper Envenomation”, so if you ever get bitten by a rattle snake, I’ll have you covered. Since the ratio of being bitten by a snake is 3:1 in men, here is a public health announcement: Guys, I know you really want to, but do NOT pick up that snake! It takes 12-18 (!) vials of anti-venom and it takes 3 years to make those vials, which explains the price tag I suppose. Besides, those bites’ manifestations can be quite nasty…just saying 😉
At the end of the meeting, it was time for our group picture. This is where I realized the horror others feel when you tell them that you just had back surgery. So, I ended up in the front and was about to squat down a little, which was absolutely no problem, when my friend said, “Iris just had back surgery, she shouldn’t bend or squat!”. I tried to respond with “It’s all good, I can squat and bend, no problem”, but it was too late.
Group: “Oh, noooo! Don’t let her squat!”
Me: “Uhm, guys, I am ok, really…”
Group: “Get her a chair, she needs to sit down!”
Me: “No, no really, I….” *as someone already carried said chair to the front*
Group: “Sit down, sit down!”
Me: “But I…”
Group: “No, really, you should sit down”
Me: (resigning) “Alright, I am sitting down, but please, I really don’t want to sit here all by myself, that’s silly”.
*Two more chairs are now dragged to the front line*
“Say, Cheese!”
Wow, the stigma that comes with having back surgery cannot be denied, lol!!! I guess I still have lots of education on ADR to do here…
I did have a really good time and loved the lecture (yeah, I am an ER-nerd). Thank you, Bonnie, for reminding me of this meeting and actually pick me up for it. Can’t wait to the next one!
Another highlight of this week was my birthday present: dinner at the fancy "Boheme Restaurant", followed by a show at the “Dr. Phillips Performing Center of Art”, where I got to experience the amazing David Blaine illusionist. Mind blown!
