Just wanted to say things are moving along or at leats I think so. Three days this week I have managed to walk .50 ,.75,and then a mile today. I went for my longest outing Saturday 1.5 hours one way. After we got back home I resteed and then went to the grocery store. Sunday with help I cooked dinner(big one) for my family. I don't go back until the 12th of July for my Drs. visit, but I spoke with the nurse I told her about the difference in the colors of my legs and she was going to tell the Dr. haven't heard anything so maybe no news is good news. I'm trying to get my stength built up because we leave for Gatlinburg Tn on July 1 for a week. Thats a 6 hour ride for me. Lots of stops. But I think I'll be okay. I've got to get out of this house before I go crazyyy. I hope this helps some who are having PLIF in the future. It's not all bad.

Angela:

I am glad to hear that you are doing so well! I recently found this forum, looking for some votes of confidence and support before I go in for two level posterior lumbar fusion from L4-S1. It is great for me to hear that people are doing well after the surgery. I worry because it seems like a 50/50 chance that I will actually get better. For every good story, there is a bad story. But, it is still grest to hear the good ones because it gives me a little hope that all will be well! Keep up the great work, I am sure you will be in TN before you know it! Enjoy your vacation, you definitely deserve it!

Best Wishes,
Looking4somehelp

Hi Angelahprice, I remember you mentioning about your legs being different colors. Do you know if you have good circulations. Sounds like it would be a circulations issue. Do have any pain in the leg that is the off color- no chance of blood clot is there? that is very strange but I would find out from the dr what might be the cause of that. I do know they used iodine on my stomach for my alif and it was discolored for a couple week. I'm not sure if its actually gone yet, i should look :). But I do know that you could see a square outline and it was dark where they put it on me. Hope that helps at all.

jd

Hi Angela - how many levels did you have fused?

It was L5S1 and I had rods and screws, no bone graft. As fas as the leg the only other symptom I've had was some burning feeling but not that bad just slight. Today I went with my son and we went to the movies and it was nice to just get out of the house.

Wow Angela.. only 3 weeks fused and already... sitting at the movies for that long? WOW! You are doing fantastic!!! So glad to hear that. keep it going. Take care. Tammy:wave:

Thanks for all the positive replies. I took a loner trip this weekend. Rode 170 miles for famil reunion. We drove up one day and home the next. The only problem is I had a little twinge coming home yesterday. Other than that it went well.
My cousin was telling me her daughter had a two level fusion and her Dr. won't let her ride far. She couldn't believe mine allowed me to make the trip. Has anybody elses Dr told them no to ride? MINE SAID IT WAS OK AS LONG AS STOPPED EVERY 45 MINS. FOR ME TO WALK AROUND. I hope its ok we leave for Gatlinburg this Saturday and its a 6 hour drive :dizzy: Lots of stops. The good thing is I can rest for 7 days before the return trip.I've gone from wanting to win the lottery(it would still be nice) to just want to get out of my backbrace. That and the Dr. telling me the fusion is fusing.

wow youre way ahead of the curve, my doc said no riding as a passanger except for doc visits and positively no driving until cleared by him and my 1st visit is in 3 weeks (makes 4 weeks at least no driving total).

I had an ALIF so maybe theres a difference.