A New Chapter Begins
- ArcticDiver
- I've Got Gills
- Posts: 1476
- Joined: Thu May 03, 2007 7:15 pm
A New Chapter Begins
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.
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.
The only box you have to think outside of is the one you build around yourself.
- John Rawlings
- I've Got Gills
- Posts: 5781
- Joined: Sat Feb 25, 2006 8:00 am
Re: A New Chapter Begins
Hooooray!!!!
“Don’t pick a fight with an old man. If he is too old to fight, he’ll just kill you.”
http://www.advanceddivermagazine.com
http://johnrawlings.smugmug.com/
http://www.advanceddivermagazine.com
http://johnrawlings.smugmug.com/
- Joshua Smith
- I've Got Gills
- Posts: 10250
- Joined: Mon Apr 03, 2006 9:32 pm
Re: A New Chapter Begins
Congratulations!
Maritime Documentation Society
"To venture into the terrible loneliness, one must have something greater than greed. Love. One needs love for life, for intrigue, for mystery."
"To venture into the terrible loneliness, one must have something greater than greed. Love. One needs love for life, for intrigue, for mystery."
Re: A New Chapter Begins
baby steps, baby steps. Thats great news though, specially from a surgeon.
=============================================
- I got a good squirt in my mouth
- I would imagine that there would be a large amount of involuntary gagging
- I don't know about you but I'm not into swallowing it
CCR discussion on Caustic Cocktails.
- I got a good squirt in my mouth
- I would imagine that there would be a large amount of involuntary gagging
- I don't know about you but I'm not into swallowing it
CCR discussion on Caustic Cocktails.
Re: A New Chapter Begins
Lack of pain is a wondrous state of being... Go slowly and keep it that way
Jim
Jim
<Penopolypants> "I, for one, would welcome our new cowboy octopus overlords."
<LCF> "There is ALWAYS another day to dive, as long as you get home today."
<LCF> "There is ALWAYS another day to dive, as long as you get home today."
Re: A New Chapter Begins
Sweet deal live life to the fullest with the second chance
Re: A New Chapter Begins
Great news! I'd start with an aluminum 80 and a gear jockey
Re: A New Chapter Begins
Wonderful!! Sounds like it was a long time coming, but the outcome was as good as you could have asked for.
- ArcticDiver
- I've Got Gills
- Posts: 1476
- Joined: Thu May 03, 2007 7:15 pm
Re: A New Chapter Begins
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.
The only box you have to think outside of is the one you build around yourself.
Re: A New Chapter Begins
Great news.
http://JanKocian.smugmug.com
I take photos because I like it, not because I'm good at it. by Unknown
I take photos because I like it, not because I'm good at it. by Unknown
Re: A New Chapter Begins
Sweet!!
More Pics Than You Have Time To Look AT
"Anyone who thinks this place is over moderated is bat-crazy anarchist." -Ben, Airsix
"Warning: No dive masters are going to be there, Just a bunch of old fat guys taking pictures of fish." -Bassman
"Anyone who thinks this place is over moderated is bat-crazy anarchist." -Ben, Airsix
"Warning: No dive masters are going to be there, Just a bunch of old fat guys taking pictures of fish." -Bassman
- Scubie Doo
- I've Got Gills
- Posts: 3027
- Joined: Mon Oct 26, 2009 3:13 pm
A New Chapter Begins
Very good news! Keep pressing forward and keep the updates coming.
Re: A New Chapter Begins
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
-Curt
Happy to be alive.
Re: A New Chapter Begins
Glad to hear your good news! Best wishes for many more years of adventure.
Ben
Ben
"The place looked like a washing machine full of Josh's carharts. I was not into it." --Sockmonkey
Re: A New Chapter Begins
Welcome back to a relative normalcy!
- sitkadiver
- Submariner
- Posts: 505
- Joined: Fri Feb 22, 2008 2:33 pm
Re: A New Chapter Begins
congratulations, and just in time for deer season.
I do not believe in taking unnecesary risks, but a life without risk is not worth living.
-Charles Lindbergh
-Charles Lindbergh