I stopped the Med-Ex therapy for my cervical spine after I began to feel that it was setting off my C-spine. At that time, I scaled back on the lumbar therapy as well, substantially reducing the weight I was using. Last week, I decided to take a break from the lumbar therapy too. In a general sense, building up the specific muscles that Med-ex targets is a great idea, but for me... now, I don't think it's necessary to pull weights out at the extreme ends of my range of motion. I do believe that it was causing unnecessary pain and that that type of strengthening is not what I need now. I need to let everything heal, gradually picking up my activity level.

My cervical spine is still quite uncomfortable at times, but it has really cooled off since I stopped the therapy. My lumbar spine has quieted down too... so much that all is sunshine and roses again!

New Years Day, Diane and I took the dogs for a long walk and let them frolic in the park. Later, we carted the bikes down to the beach and took a wonderful ride up to the Huntington Pier, walked around a bit, then had a smoothie on the sand. (Sunshine) We watched the surfers and (I watched) the girls in the bikinis playing volleyball. It was a spectacularly clear day... we could see Catalina to the south, Palos Verdes to the west, Saddleback peak to the east, and the snow-covered mountains to the north. That night, we wend to see the movie, "Adaptation". (I was a little uncomfortable at times during the movie, but no big deal at all.) What a great day!!!

Yesterday, we left early to go see the floats from the Rose Bowl Parade. (There are the roses.) It was another unbelievable day... beautifully clear and wonderful, warm sunshine. We spent a couple of hours looking at the floats, probably walking 4 or 5 miles. We went to Old Pasadena for lunch, took in some antique stores, and found a wonderful bookstore (Vromen's). When we got back, I call a friend to go play some tennis.... I'd been chomping at the bit to try this for some time. I wasn't sure if I'd hit a few balls and decide that the twisting motion was out, or if I'd do OK, but pay later, or just be fine??? Well, I hit gently for about 1/2 hour and just loved it. No problem (except for spraying my forehand all over the place!) All the motion felt great, my stroke is smooth and even reaching for the low balls was not a problem. When we were leaving, we walked by a young couple who were kicking around a soccer ball. We played 2v2 for about 10 minutes... very gently running around, no bumping, sprinting or anything too strenuous, but enough to work up a good sweat.

I wanted to post this yesterday, but I thought I'd better wait to see what I was like this morning. OK, the verdict is in... I'M FINE!!! A little sore, but it's a good sore. No sharp pains or anything that would leave me to believe that I'd done anything wrong.

I have been uncomfortable leaving my "not all sunshine and roses" thread hanging out there. The sunshine and roses are back. What a great way to start the new year. Today, I'm going to help an old aunt get on the Internet, then I hope to go flying with my dad. It's another beautiful, clear, sunny day here. I've already had more fun in 2003 than I have in 2001 and 2002, combined!!!

I wish I could bottle some of this and send it out to you all.

Love to all,

Mark

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*** 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 won.

*** The AlphaKlinik was wonderful. My expectations were high, but the clinic, it's staff, and Dr. Zeegers far exceeded them!!!

That parade looked awesome on television. Did you see the float from Give Kids The World? While we stayed there during Emily's Make A Wish Trip all the kids were signing the little vials that they put the roses into before attaching them to the floats. I thought that was a really neat idea.

I wonder if some day the artificial disc will be used for domino effect ruptures. It seems to me that a less frigid repair would place less strain on the spine and hopefully prevent any further domino effect damage.

We can only hope!

Have a wonderful day!

They can use ADR next to fusion to arrest the domino effect, but not in the US until after FDA approval (maybe a year and a half away.) Both Bertagnoli and Zeegers will add ADR next to fusion, or do a combined surgery if there is instability at one level and discogenic pain at another. Bertagnoli has also combined ADR with Dynesys implants. Dynesys will address instability issues without fusing. Things are moving quickly!!!

Take care,

Yes, what a fantastic post! I am so delighted for you that things are back on track! I know how anxious how have been... good thing you held yourself back lately just so you could experience the "now" you are having!! Way to go!

Your day at the beach and the parade sound fabulous! Glad you were able to go do those things.

Keep up the remarkable progress!

Glad you're posting all that you are as it's great info for those of us considering ADR, just like it's good to hear from those with every other procedure on the board. Good to hear also about successes and what a normal day/life is like for someone not hindered by spinal pain. Thanks for taking the time to post this info!

Last time I went to the day after the Rose Parade was 1990, 6 months after my 1rst discectomy when I had recovered quite nicely. That was such a pleasure! Couldn't believe all the intricate detail flower/plant work on those floats!

Bet you'll be having more sunshine and roses in the days ahead!!!

It's so good to see you posting and having a wonderful recovery. I agree with you about letting things gradually heal and increasing activity gradually. At least that is what I was taught when I worked out in karate for 3 years to gradually streghten. Your body tells you what is acceptable.

I just think it is amazing that you are doing what you are doing right now.
Just you talking about what you are doing and sharing it with us, lets us feel like we are a part of your life also. It reads like a novel. (meaning ...it's fun to be reading additional ongoing chapters, sagas.....)

Hugs, Pearl

I am glad to hear that you are doing well...your last post scared me a bit but I knew you would end up doing better. I have faith in you and the discs...and I knew it would be a matter of time. I am so glad for you!

Take care and keep us updated!

Played tennis again yesterday. It wasn't as good the second day in a row. I think the muscles were sore from the first day so I tightened up and couldn't get loose again. Nothing bad, just learned to let myself rest between tennis days.

Today, I went rollerblading with the dogs and then we went to the Getty Museum.... what an awesome place. We went for the late afternoon and early evening. It was another CAVU (clear and visibility unlimited) day in So. Cal. We could see Catalina and San Nicholas Island... both are more than 50 miles away. The sunset was incredible. We watched for about 45 minutes while the colors danced in the sky. As the sky grew dark, the LA basin lit up like a bowel of jewels. The view from the Getty is like flying into LA... you can see everything.

I have to tell you that the Getty and the viewing of the floats was tough. My activities are fine, but the strolling and standing is still difficult. My low back and foot gets to hurt quite a lot. Resting makes it go away, but I'm not too keen on these kind of activities yet.

I have some leg symptoms that were also greatly improved. I thought the symptoms were permanent from a massive disc protrusion. Restoring the disc height can bring relief as some decompression can take place then. I think that is a lucky benefit. It is aimed at the discogenic pain.

Instability is a contra-indication for ADR. The structures that are failing to keep your spine stable would fail to keep the ADR intact. You can't get ADR if you have significant instability.

I'm really not pushing anything. I wouldn't call what I was doing, playing soccer... it was very mild. I never fall on rollerblades. My balance is as good as ever. I don't go too fast or get out of control... I'm very careful. The tennis, too, has been gentle... nothing competitive, just gentle hitting. If I wasn't already good at this stuff, it might be dangerous. I am not pushing too hard at all. I promise... I'm taking it easy!