Northwest Dive Club

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.

Awesome!

Hooooray!!!!

Congratulations!

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

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

Jim

Sweet deal live life to the fullest with the second chance

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

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

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.

Great news.

Sweet!!

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

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

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

Ben

Welcome back to a relative normalcy!

congratulations, and just in time for deer season.