ALright, im 20 years old and almost 3 weeks post op fusion T10-L1. I am a hardcore cheerleader and gymnast and tomorrow is the first cheer competition of the season. I obviously am not competing but i need advice on how to get through the day. Cheer competitions are a long long day. We have to leave my house at 7am and its about 1 1/2-2 hour drive. (I plan to lay down across the back seat during the ride). We wont get home until Midnight. SO including the drive its a 17 hour drive. I have to go to this comp to coach and support my girls. The seats arent bleachers, they're like hard theater seats. I can sit when i want to or stand, but there are lots of stairs and probably a lot of walking. I'm bringing a pillow to sit up against in the chair and bringing my meds. Percocet and Dilaudid (my pain killers) and Flexeril (a muscle relaxant). But does anyone have any other advice?? Thanks a lot guys. :wave:

I have some advice for you but you aren't going to like it. Don't go! This is way too soon for you to take on hours of riding and sitting and you are going to end up in horrible pain, could do some damage, and most certainly will regret it. There is a chance of developing an inflammation in your spine from being up too long....I had it once and I swear you do not want to experience that.
Have you by any chance mentioned this to your doctor? I would bet not! You are young enough to put tons on importance on this event, but it isn't important enough to risk your whole future! And yes, that is what you could be risking. A failed surgery, more surgery in the future, pain management and a lifetime to regret one day.
I hope others will chime in here and discourage you from doing this.

Carol

I totally understand your advice. And i mentioned to my doctor what i wanted to do and he said I couldn't do anything to hurt myself as long as I didnt go out and lift weights. I'm also not supposed to bend over, and lift anything over 8-10 lbs. But he told me I couldnt do anything to hurt myself unless i did one of those things. It's not that I dont want to listen to anyone else's opinions because believe me thats why i posted this to get advice. My mom agrees and says I shouldn't go but if my doctor said i cant do anything to hurt myself than why are my parents saying i can?? I've told everyone I'm going and I may just change my mind, its not like i HAVE to go, i just didnt realize it would be such a problem. Ya know? More advice is appreciated. Hope everyone is well.

Ashley

Carol,
I totally agree with you and stated my position in a previous post. As the mother of a sixteen year old who is five months post op, I still call her dr to check on anything new we are doing. I know my daughter's dr would no way allow her to be gone like that at 3 weeks post op and he lets her do a lot more than I do at times.

First the drive alone is going to be way too long. She was just allowed in a car at two weeks for short drives. Even though the seats have a back that is really a long time to be up and gone from your house at three weeks. We went to a graduation party at about three weeks post op and stayed only an hour because it was too much for her to be gone at once. She needed to rest and then we went back again later.

You really need to take care of yourself this soon after surgery. You've worked hard to get this diagnosis, don't let anything ruin your chances of a great recovery. I have to keep reminding my daughter of this too. Someone can call you with the results and you can let the girls know you're supporting them from a distance.

This is probably not a good idea......Have you walked at all since your surgery? Besides around the house....Do you have any idea if your body would be able to handle this trip? I am 3 weeks post op from 360 fusion L4-S1 and because I was about to be committed to the loony hospital, today I went for a walk outside and could handle only 20 minutes before my back tightened up on me....try to know your limits before you go out and do something like this....just my opinion and I know everyone heals differently and being in shape is a big factor so I am not surprised I didn't last long......just make sure going outweighs the potential downside.....

I have been walking every day for about a week. Today i walked a good hour before i stopped. I probably could have kept going but it was pretty hot out and I was sweating. (Which i couldn't believe since im normally a gymnast and cheerleader being thrown 15-20 feet in the air, or tumbling and flipping all over the floor) I feel okay, a lot of the competition is sitting though. I can always go lie down in the car, or on some of the cheer mats, or on the floor if I have to. Ya know? I know its going to be a long day but I'm hoping I can handle it. I'm pretty sure I can. I know im probably going to be very tired Sunday and most likely sore. But soreness cant kill me. I was in horrible pain for 5 years. I can handle this. You know when your hurting and if you're sitting with friends or doing something you love it kinda takes your mind off the pain? Well cheerleading is my passion, ill be around all of my friends and people ive missed. I really think i can handle it. So wish me luck tomorrow, ill write back to let everyone know how it went and how i felt.

I think as long as you sit in a spot that allows you to get up and move around, don't climb the bleachers and take a walking/stretching break during the drive, you'll be okay. You may want to have your brace handy if you have one. And maybe take a pill for the ride there and back! Good luck to your team! Spent 7 years watching my daughter in gymnastics. That is the most demanding sport besides wrestling I can imagine. Just don't let the additional stress add to fatigue...

I THINK YOU WILL KNOW WHEN TO REST, You've been pushing yourself and know what you can do, just listen to your body and go rest when you need to. I push myself and know when to stop. Let us know how it went, cause know your going, just be careful.
Okie46

Hey guys, well thanks for the advice. As much as my mother didnt want me going I decided to go after all.I made sure that I had someone there that would be able to take me home the minute i wanted to even if it was 5 mintues after i got there, but I did suprisingly well!! The car ride was 1 1/2 hours there and about 2 back. I layed down on my side in the passenger seat reclined all the way back. With a few pillows and it was really easy. We left at 7am and got home around Midnight! It was a really long day and I stayed in bed most of the day Sunday. But I was okay at the comp. Before the comp I had started to back down on my pills not taking them as often, but i didnt want to take any chances so i took the 2 percocet every 6 hours like i did right after the surgery and i did ok. I got up and walked (but avoided the stairs) and found 2 seats to stretch out on and took naps after taking the meds. But i was able to coach and support my girls, and all but one of my teams came in first! They were very surprised I came, but happy to have me there! I'm really glad I went, I would have put it off more and more because i would be too scared to stay out for that long. It was also a good day which helped. Thanks for the advice everyone. Keep the Faith

Ash :wave:

AWESOME, Knew you could do it, glad you had a good time, but take it easy for a few days now. I beleive in pushing things to get better, but know when to rest as well.

Okie46