A New Chapter Begins

ArcticDiver · Post by **ArcticDiver** » Wed Jul 11, 2012 3:14 pm

As many know in May 2011 I fell on the ice from garbage can height. I landed on my back causing serious trauma. In July 2011, because I had been coping with back pain for years, a small surgery was attempted to put me back where I was. It was unsuccessful. On Good Friday this year I had a nine hour surgery that rebuilt my lumbar spine with titanium cages and braced it to the hip bones with screws. Today I saw my neurosurgeon for my three month follow-up.

He says the procedure was a success. My life long athletic life including formal weight lifting and toting loads had given me strong bones that allowed him to do the procedure in the first place and to use larger than usual screws. They are still strong and all the hardware is still where it belongs. No loosening or displacement.

He said: "Go live your life" "No restrictions" BUT, he warned me that it has been a long time since I did anything serious and my body is seriously deconditioned. I need to start reconditioning slowly and push with care. It may take a long time to get back to "normal". I asked when I could dive. He says I can dive as soon as I can physically handle the equipment.

It has been a l o n g 14 months. In almost everything there is something good that can be found. In this case, for the first time in over 20 years I am esssentially pain free.

I am indeed a blessed person.

Linedog · Post by **Linedog** » Wed Jul 11, 2012 3:48 pm

Awesome!

John Rawlings · Post by **John Rawlings** » Wed Jul 11, 2012 3:56 pm

Hooooray!!!!

Joshua Smith · Post by **Joshua Smith** » Wed Jul 11, 2012 4:01 pm

Congratulations!

Jeff Pack · Post by **Jeff Pack** » Wed Jul 11, 2012 4:34 pm

baby steps, baby steps. Thats great news though, specially from a surgeon.

RoxnDox · Post by **RoxnDox** » Wed Jul 11, 2012 5:20 pm

Lack of pain is a wondrous state of being... Go slowly and keep it that way

Jim

bucknaked · Post by **bucknaked** » Wed Jul 11, 2012 7:00 pm

Sweet deal live life to the fullest with the second chance

diverden · Post by **diverden** » Wed Jul 11, 2012 7:13 pm

Great news! I'd start with an aluminum 80 and a gear jockey

eliseaboo · Post by **eliseaboo** » Wed Jul 11, 2012 7:25 pm

Wonderful!! Sounds like it was a long time coming, but the outcome was as good as you could have asked for.

ArcticDiver · Post by **ArcticDiver** » Wed Jul 11, 2012 7:43 pm

Yes, indeed, it is all I could have asked for and more. Over this time, and I suspect well into the future, the emotional aspect has been just as important and challenging as the physical. Support from folks like you is vital and much appreciated.

Jan K · Post by **Jan K** » Wed Jul 11, 2012 7:53 pm

Great news.

Tom Nic · Post by **Tom Nic** » Wed Jul 11, 2012 9:38 pm

Sweet!!

Scubie Doo · Post by **Scubie Doo** » Wed Jul 11, 2012 11:33 pm

Very good news! Keep pressing forward and keep the updates coming.

oldsalt · Post by **oldsalt** » Thu Jul 12, 2012 11:40 am

Great news. I thought living in pain was just part of the aging process. As much as it pains me to say it, Jeff Pack is probably right when he says baby steps. You have a history of compulsive behavior when it come to exercise. Am I right? After what you have been through, what is a couple of months more in getting back? (Like I'm one to talk.)
-Curt

airsix · Post by **airsix** » Thu Jul 12, 2012 1:09 pm

Glad to hear your good news! Best wishes for many more years of adventure.

Ben

Emilyrc · Post by **Emilyrc** » Thu Jul 12, 2012 2:57 pm

Welcome back to a relative normalcy!

sitkadiver · Post by **sitkadiver** » Fri Jul 13, 2012 6:59 pm

congratulations, and just in time for deer season.

Northwest Dive Club