'Bye for awhile...

I'm going in for neck surgery this Thursday so I'll be off the boards for awhile.

They're going to roto-rooter out the vertebrae, install new discs (from bone from my hip :eek: ) & fuse the whole mess together. I'm told I'll be off the bike for 8 weeks. :(

I have a genetic predisposition for arthritis but riding a road bike for 15 years hasn't helped. I just keep telling the spine doc, "Just get me on my bike."

April 30 - Tour of the Tucson Mountains 70 miles - I'm there!

Happy holidays to everybody! Hope Santa brings you all wonderful bicycle things!

(Oh, here's the take home message. If your neck hurts a lot and especially if you start to experience numbness in your shoulders, arms, etc., get it looked at right away.)

Dogmama - sending wishes for a speedy recovery. Merry Xmas and look forward to hearing about your rides when you are fit and healthy.:)

Good luck. I know it must be scary. We'll all send good thoughts your way and anxiously await an update when you can!

y

I' sure hope that this helps you feel better! Take care of yourself, take your drugs and rest!

Yikes Dogmama! :eek: That doesn't sound like any fun AT ALL!!! Good vibes for a speedy recovery are headed your way. http://QB.smugmug.com/photos/49063422-Ti.gif

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Sending Positive Healing Energy your way so the docs know what they're doing and you're back on your bike ASAP>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Off your bike so short a time? I just had my collarbone plated (not half the operation you are going to have) and I'm at 6 weeks looking at another 6 weeks before I can think of riding. I'm very jealous.

Best wishes to you. Take it easy, and follow doctor's advice (yeah right!)

My best wishes are with you.

Surgery right before the holidays? Well, at least you'll be healed and ready to bike again come the spring season.

Please let us know how you are doing, whenever you feel you are ready!!

The time WILL go by quickly. At least, most of the time.

Be strong. Heal well.

annie

Take very good care, Dogmama - glad you're getting it taken care of, and I look forward to hearing how your recovery goes. Happy cycling dreams and day-dreams in the meanwhile!

I'm sending lots of good wishes your way. Good surgery, fast recovery, but patient recovery too. Although I know it will be hard, remember that your bikes will be there waiting for you when your body is ready to ride.

--- Denise

Dogmama,
Sending you lots of healing thoughts for successful surgery and smooth recovery. I see you flying on the bike pain free!

Linda

(((( hugs))))) sending goodvibes your way. do what the Dr. says and see you on your bike soon.

Seconding all of the above emotions. Hang in there, and let us know how you're doing as soon as you can. ((((Dogmama)))) Lise

Thinking of you & sending healing thoughts your way. Wishing you a champion recovery & restful (no choice) Christmas. Looking forward to reading your feed-back. xxxoooxxx

Wow, you ladies are fantabulous. That's a new word because there are no words to describe the support on this board!!!

A friend of mine (quite athletic and about five years younger) said, "If the doctor says 8 weeks, it's really 4 weeks for people like us." I'm trying to ignore that - as much as I wish it were true. I have lupus and that usually slows down recovery.

I like what Denise said about riding when the body is ready. I'm going to remember that every time I look longingly at my bike hanging right next to me in my bedroom, crying out, "I'm bored! Lets go somewhere!"

Good Luck!! I see a ton of patients through my job, and they all seem a lot better after surgery, and are happy with the results!!

Be glad they're using _your_ hip bone, otherwise it would come from a cadaver. (Which isn't a _bad_ thing, since I really support/advocate organ/tissue donating!!)

Nanci

Sending quick healing vibes to you, Dogmama! I hope everything goes perfectly and you are back on the saddle again soon! Have a restful Christmas!

Best wishes and quick healing!! Just think how much better your riding will be after your recovery!!

Dogmama... my Mom had this very same surgery Oct 04. They fused 3 vertebrae using cadaver bone... she was very nervous but constantly in pain prior so decided to heed the docs advice and do the surgery. It has been one of the VERY BEST things she has ever done for herself!!! She no longer has migraines, can turn her head both directions with ease, and can also look up and down now with ease! :) She bought her first bike about 6 months ago and has been learning to ride... she just wants to ride with the grandkids, but it's more than she ever imagined she'd do before the surgery! I will have you in my thoughts and hope you have such amazingly positive results as well! Big hugs! Just listen to the doc and follow the recovery advice to a T... :)

Keeping you in my thoughts Mama!! Hoping everything works out for you! If possible have someone let us know how it went!

Hang in there Dogmamma. I join the others in sending good healing vibes your way. I look forward to hearing from you again when you are back on line.

-traveller

Best wishes for a speedy recovery and good results. 8 weeks will go by and it will still be late winter, early spring. Good timing for restarting cycling.

Dogmamma- Don't forget we are all here for you and anxiously await the day when you can let us know how you are doing. Bike or not, you're still part of the family!

Hope to hear from you soon. The bikeangels will be watching over you during your surgery.:) :) :) :) :)