Aaaaargh, broken back!

[OakLeaf]

That's great that you've been able to come off the pain meds so quickly (I'm assuming you ARE taking enough to control your pain, yes?)!

I'm glad you're hanging in there, taking care of yourself and staying in good spirits. Keep it going and you'll be better in no time!

[bmccasland]

Clock - So glad to hear you're doing better! Sorry about your cancelled holiday plans, but if you were planning to fly anywhere, seems they'd be grounded anyway.

[SLash]

So sorry about your accident. Wishing you a full and speedy recovery.

Susan

[NbyNW]

Clock,

Sounds like you are in good spirits and that you are getting better all the time! Good for you!

[jesvetmed]

Clock: I have no had much chance to be on TE in a long time. But I wanted to add in here, I am SO SORRY about your accident. Frightening. But it sounds like you are healing slowly but surely. Pay attention to what your body needs, and I hope the mind isn't driving you crazy having to sit around so much. Take Care!

[Heifzilla]

OMG, how scary! I hope you feel better soon!!

[owlice]

Wow, Clock! I haven't been checking in here very often, and I'm sorry I missed this earlier. Yeee-ouch, woman!! I'm sorry about your poor back!!

I'm glad you are doing so much better, and I agree with what someone else says: Listen to your doctor! A broken back is sooo not something to mess with.

The bike will still be there when you and your back are ready for it. They're faithful that way. Heal fast, heal well, heal strong!

[katherine]

Clock,
I hope you're doing ok and that the recovery is progressing well.
I thought you might like to know that my partner had back surgery in November (three lumbar vertebrae fused and a synthetic disc put in above that). He has persuaded me that he needs a new town bike, a custom to accomodate his new riding position, after watching what he went through recovering I couldn't say no. Perhaps this logic will work for you too...

[ClockworkOrange]

Cooooo, what a lovely surprise to see so many posts.

Do you know, the biggest thing for me is not to do too much, OMG I have my partner and my son who constantly nag at me, in fact my son gets really cross, he keeps inferring that I am stubborn and what am I trying to prove and don't I realise how much damage I could do to myself!

There is such a fine line between being independent and yes stubborn but not wanting to just lie about and having my partner running about for me all the time.

I am still gutted I cannot ride in the London Bikeathon, in fact I pleaded with my physiotherapist over the phone but she said definitely 'NO'.

This afternoon I watched TV coverage of the London Marathon, some of the runners and the disabilities they have, truly amazing but I wonder if their families nag at them. It was fabulous to watch, despite I have never run, not even for a bus, some of the funny costumes and of course the reasons people ran and all the different charities, I felt emotionally drained afterwards but in a nice way.

It will be five weeks this Thursday, on my 60th birthday since the accident, disappointed I am unable to even go out for a nice meal but I can always make up for that.

My pleasures in life are small at the moment, a long handled bath brush............yippee, I can reach my legs and feet. Cetaphil Moisturising Lotion that is great to use, I managed to buy that on Amazon.

Oh the frustration I cannot shave my legs, so should I become a Rasta, or have them beaded or braided?

Again, many thanks for the kind words.

Clock

[shootingstar]

I am still gutted I cannot ride in the London Bikeathon, in fact I pleaded with my physiotherapist over the phone but she said definitely 'NO'.

This afternoon I watched TV coverage of the London Marathon, some of the runners and the disabilities they have, truly amazing but I wonder if their families nag at them. It was fabulous to watch, despite I have never run, not even for a bus, some of the funny costumes and of course the reasons people ran and all the different charities, I felt emotionally drained afterwards but in a nice way.

It will be five weeks this Thursday, on my 60th birthday since the accident, disappointed I am unable to even go out for a nice meal but I can always make up for that.

My pleasures in life are small at the moment, a long handled bath brush............yippee, I can reach my legs and feet.

You are obsessed to ask your physio that question.
Yes, enjoy the small pleasures now.

[sundial]

Oh Clock, bless your heart!! I hope you will get back on your feet in no time. Maybe you can treat yourself to a spa visit and have them wax your legs?

[jessmarimba]

I was just googling cyclist recover from broken back - Clockwork, I feel so awful for you and I don't want to be a bother but I was hoping to get some advice from your experience! I burst T12 6 days ago and I'm trying to make a list of what will help when I get home from the hospital. I guess the sponge on a stick is a must! Also want something to sit on in the shower. Any other advice? How are you doing? Was it tough to get back to a normal routine? Do you still have restrictions? They're being so vague with me!

Thanks! Sorry to pester you!
Jesse

[roadie gal]

Somehow I missed this thread when it first started. I just wanted to wish you good, healing thoughts.

[NbyNW]

Hi Jessmarimba, I had an S1-S2 fracture years ago -- much lower than what you're dealing with, and as I understand it, a much more stable area to have a break, if there's any such thing.

Some things that helped me:

• My sister got me a table like this one, so I could eat/work in bed.
  
• I had a light stuffsack with shoulder straps from REI, which I used to carry small lightweight things around, since my hands were not free, using a walker to get around the house. I don't know if they make it anymore, but you might already have something that will work.
  
• I never figured out a good way to carry a cup of coffee from countertop to table, while using my rocker. I ended up putting my coffee on a chair and sliding the chair beside/in front of me to get it to the table.
  
• Staying mentally busy. I had papers to write, so I was able to stay occupied. I also ordered some language tapes and taught myself Italian.
  
• Do everything your Drs. and PTs tell you. If they tell you to rest, rest. If they tell you to do some boring, tedious, painful exercise, do it. And do it with the frequency prescribed. Be honest with them about any progress or setbacks that you experience. Listen to your body and don't try to rush your recovery.
  
• When you're ready for crutches, these are really great.
  
• Talk to someone about when and how to taper your pain killers. Strangely, no one talked to me about this in the hospital, perhaps because they assumed my dad the surgeon would. Except he's so wary of pain killer addiction he didn't want me to take them at all. I ended up getting good advice from a friend who has been through multiple surgeries.

[jessmarimba]

Wow guys, so much advice so fast! I am actually pretty lucky with a lot here - I am able to walk and get around on my own as long as I'm wearing a brace. No walker or anything necessary. So thankfully I can still carry my coffee . I'm also allowed (encouraged) to sit up as much as I can. Only thing I can't do yet is drive. We're just trying to think of other little things that will make my life easier and your input there has been great!