Hey, I'm Rehabin' Too . . . . HELP!!!!

[aneagle]

Cathe,

First of all let me say that I'm a die-hard fan and I check into your forum every day looking for updates on your healing progress. In January '06 I started having lower back pain that migrating down my leg. After trying chiropractic care, physical therapy, accupuncture, oral steroids, steroid injections and traction, nothing worked and my surgeon and I decided it was time to take care of my herniated disk surgically. I just had lower back surgery 2 weeks ago and I have been so encouraged by your periodic updates on your own injury. I had my post-surgery check-up with my surgeon today and I'll be starting 8 weeks of physical therapy before I can (hopefully) return to full strength.

I've got 2 questions:

1. I did 4 rounds of steroids and fought with bouts of depression (no workout, no fun) before we finally decided on surgery and I managed to "only" gain about 15 pounds. I've lost 4 since the surgery, but I've gotten so used to eating less, sometimes I don't think I'm eating enough. Any advice?

2. I am/was so used to being active every day that being inactive is driving me nuts and every now and then I get the urge to test it (which is bad). I've written about a dozen 32-count step patterns in the last 2 weeks and I can't try any of them out except in my mind . . . AARRGGGHHH!!!! How do you keep yourself from "overdoing it" because you're so excited to be feeling better?

Cathe, I can't explain what a positive, healthy influence you've been in my life. I'd appreciate any advice you can give.

Thanks again,

Ang

 

[Cathe Friedrich]

I'm so sorry to hear of your back surgery Ang! I know how difficult it is to have to make this decision. But now it is complete and you are entering a very important phase of your recovery. Hang in there! While rehab is definitely no walk in the park, it is THE MOST important physical "medicine" for our body at this time. When the going gets tough, remind yourself that without your full commitement to this step, you have given up your chance to regain a healthy and hopefully pain free future.

As for your questions...

1) Try to eat six small meals a day (spaced out about every 2 hours)and remember that excellent nutrition is the best oral medicine to aid in recovery. I won't lie, you will be put through some painful exercises in therapy and you want good nutrition (including plenty of water) flowing through your body to help with muscle and bone recovery and cell regeneration.

2) You ask me "How do you keep yourself from "overdoing it" because you're so excited to be feeling better?"...My answer is "write ANOTHER 32 count step patterns and keep your mind stimulated while your body recovers" :7

While I'm partly kidding here, I can tell you that your rehab will have you sweating quite a bit at certain peak points. Movements that were done with great ease before you were injured will require quite an effort to do now. Restoring strength, balance, and range of motion will be much harder than you imagined. In the beginning of rehab this challenge will probably be plenty enough and as you get stronger you will slowly get the green light to do a little more and a little more. So it really is not that bad.

Remember, this time of "cutting back" is really a small price to pay for the promising outcome of your future.

Best of luck to you and keep your spirits up....we're in this together

:7