I have some serious rehab to do. My back muscles have become so very weak. I still can't sit long without discomfort, but I can sit longer today than I could yesterday, longer yesterday than the day before...

Yesterday, we walked about 2 miles through the English Garden. It's so beautiful there, with dense forests, large grassy areas, historical monuments, streams and the Isar River. We watched surfers, carving up a standing wave in the fast-moving Isar. The weather for the last few days has been warm and sunny, so it's perfect for these types of outings. The ice cream sold by the bicycle-cart vendors is excellent. After the stroll through the park, we took the U(nderground) back to the station near the AlphaKlinik, then walked the 1/2 mile back to the hotel.

Today I am 12 days post-op. We had breakfast in the hotel restaurant, then headed towards downtown Munich around 11am. We walked the long way to the U, at least a mile. It's only about 10 minutes (maybe less) to our stop in the shopping district. From 11 until 3, we walked, shopped, and toured the historic sights. We took one short break for beer and pretzels in a beer garden.

I am not pain free and I'm still on more Oxy than I was before I came here. 2 or 3 times during the day, I looked for a place to lay down on my back with my knees up for a few minutes. I have not done this in a restaurant since before the surgery.

At 3pm, it was time for me to head to the AlphaKlinik. I insisted that Diane didn't need to escort me there, so I left her and took the U back to the clinic. I stopped at the Back Section and asked for a Dr's letter stating that it was OK for me to fly home (anticipating problems with the airlines.) They got one right away. At 3:30 I had a 1/2 hour PT session, followed by a 1 hour massage. (I love this place!) Done at 5, I went to the hospital area to visit with a patient who had a 2-level done last Friday. She has been ON HER BACK for 2 full years and is having trouble getting mobile again.

After such a busy day, I would have thought I'd have taken advantage of the clinic's shuttle bus that was ready to take me to the hotel. I didn't even consider riding. I walked the 1/2 mile back to the hotel, stopping along the way to buy some fresh rolls, cheese, cold-cuts, and some desert pastries.

Back to the hotel at 6pm, 7 hours after I'd left. I feel great and am looking forward to another fun outing tomorrow. I won't know where I stand until I'm off the meds, well into rehab, and can see how much pain I'll be left with. But, everything looks good so far and I am so, so happy!!!

Love to all,

Mark

------------------
*** L4-5 and L5-S1 Disc Replacement (SB Charite III) 9/20/02 by Dr. Zeegers, AlphaKlinik, Munich, Germany ***

2/25/00 Microdiscectomy/laminotomy L4-5, 10x15x7 mm left paracentral protrusion

9/23/00 CANCELED L4-S1 360 fusion CANCELED

9/15/01 emergency microdiscectomy L5-S1, 14x13x10 mm left paracentral protrusion

Both discectomies resolved hip/leg/foot symptoms, but left the underlying back pain. Residual left foot pain and numbness. Lost axial reflex (left ankle).

Researching artificial disc options. ProDisc vs. SB Charite III looks like a toss-up, but you can see which one one.

*** The AlphaKlinik is absolutely the best medical facility I've ever seen! My expectations were high, but the AlphaKlinik, it's staff, and Dr. Zeegers far exceeded them!!!

Glad to see that you're doing well and soon to rejoin us in the good ole US of A! Best wishes for a painless flight back!

That's terrific that you're doing so well so soon after surgery. That's a lot of walking for one day. Sending you my wishes for continued healing and getting better every day.

Your progress is absolutely amazing. I am very happy for you. Have a good trip back on Saturday.

Fantastic! All I can "say" is

Keep it up!

Jim

So nice to read of your recovery.

God Bless!

Good news!
This part is an emotional roller coaster isn't it? It is amazing at the how the human body can be so bad and then so good.

Take the rehab in your stride and don't hurry to get back into life - it will still be waiting when your more recovered.

Alison

This ain't no sh*t, (what we say when we storytell in Texas) I had a one hr massage today then my hubby took me to the market (Albertson's) for coldcuts. I bought Oscar Meyer baked ham

2 miles Mark? You've got me beat. I seem to be going downhill this week. My blasted allergies have sucked the life right out of me. I'm too stubborn so far to get back narcotics. In time, I may be forced to as my knuckles are staying pretty white from the leg pain

It's so nice to hear you and Diane are finally coming home. I guess you know we are about to get pounded by a Level 4 hurricane. Her name is Lili. Sounds like she's going to be one mean b*itch.

Titanium Hugs,
Vic

Love,Lisa

My God, how I'm greening with envy, even in the Autumn of both the year and my life...

Much love and

Your progress is unbelievable and your post made my day. The improvment in your gait and control over your foot says it all. Sounds like you are on your way.

Although nothing heals the spine like motion of walking which brings blood and nutrients to the surgical area, I know you'll keep the walking pace slow to make sure you catch all the sights!

This is so encouraging. I just can't imagine walking so much right after any type of surgery, period. (Only because after any surgery I have had, I can barely sit up, so I am going by my own experience as usual).

But with the artificial disc surgery, it certainly is possible as we are hearing time after time. I am so happy for you.

I hope when you get back, that you and Dr. Whitworth will have some more of an ongoing discussion under the topic of ADR = Artificial Disc Replacement, so others can look up the information easily when they do a search.

Specifically discuss again and maybe in more detail, the two reasons he stated, why people should have fusions (more detail)(foraminal stenoisis)(a question I had would be of exactly what) and go into that a little bit more, with more of an explanation, why it doesn't work for those two reasons (he named something else).

And the other thing I would like to see covered was the statement of the leg pain issue which you brought up.

Because there are instances, where people have leg pain, then get a certain type of surgery, aleviating the leg pain, then later go on to get an artificial disc replacement.

I am really ignorant, I thought most everyone that has back problems has leg pains, but I guess not.

So if that is possible, I would like to see more of a discussion on that possibility also, for others down the road (if that is so). (Who may be able to have a lesser surgery and wait for the better surgery of a ProDisc or Charite).

It would open their eyes to possibilities.

Prayers for your continued healing and a safe trip home for you and your wife.

Love, Pearl