Just One More Glitch??

Well, I have an unexpected glitch in my recovery. I have been having bladder problems (won't describe all of what's been happening) and this weekend I finally put two and two together. I went to the doctor on Monday to confirm my suspicions and I was right - I have a bladder prolapse. It is a Stage 4, which is the worst stage, and the only correction is surgery. My doctor in Mayo is out of town until next week so I don't know when this will take place. I should have suspected it sooner since I was told at Mayo that, with my neurogenic bladder (the nerves are destroyed because of the spine problems not being taken care of soon enough) that at some point the bladder would fall. Now we have to stop any strengthening exercises below the waist and the only things I can do for the time being are some short walks and go to the warm water pool at the Wellness Center and move my legs around when I'm hanging in the water and do some stretches. We want to avoid making it worse than it already is. I'm sure it's been part of the lower back pain that doesn't seem to get better. The surgery will also delay us some on getting down off the meds - at least for a while. But I'll know more what to expect next week when I talk to Dr. Hussmann. It seems like I keep getting hit with unexpected obstacles but eventually I know it'll all get better. Keep praying. JAN

Good News

We went to Minneapolis for my 6 week return visits to the surgeon (Dr. Perra) and the Physical Therapist (Paul). Both had very encouraging news. Dr. Perra showed us the difference in my new x-rays compared to the x-rays before surgery and it was like they were from two different people. My spine is in the correct alignment (only 1 degree off perfect). So far my body has not produced any new bone but hopefully that will begin soon. I go back to see Dr. Perra in 3 months. He said things are looking great but that it'll be a long process - a year's recovery would be typical - and that I can screw it up if I don't take it slow and do what I'm told I can and cannot do. This surgery is not the end of all my problems but it gives us so much more hope to have better quality of life. Dr. Perra kept quoting the Tortoise and the Hare and said I must consider slower to be better. Paul then was also amazed at how well things were going. He said I was not as short as he thought I was!! He has started me on some very light strengthening and stretching exercises and we will proceed from there if this goes ok. In another week or so, I can start to try walking more again and I can re-try the warm water pool. He emphasized slow, slow, slow and that my body has been through so much (not just this surgery but everything else too) and that if I don't pay attention and only do what I am allowed to do with my back situation, I will screw up what we're starting to accomplish. So I must really work on my own frame of mind. I have always been the doer and I feel that I am lazy when I am not doing everything myself and I must get over that and do what I am able to do and appreciate those things. So I have a long road ahead of me but we are really headed in the right direction and it was so wonderful to hear that for a change. Thanks for the prayers - keep them coming - they really do help. Love, JAN