our new pond garden and fountain… with water lilies, coy, goldfish, and now a few frogs… makes for entertaining meditations…
Originally published 8/2/2007
just a little catch up…
Thursday, August 2, 2007
okay… so this may not be my most coherent addition to my blog. but since I’ve received many emails and calls for this or that, I figured I better post something just to bring you up to date.
Monday, I had surgery on my spine (neck/back) where I had two vertebrae fused with a metal disk and then a titanium plate bolted to the vertebrae to hold them still. The surgery was done through the front of my neck allowing them to avoid cutting any muscle, etc. but this requires pushing aside trachea, esophagus, carotid artery, muscles, etc. so they can get to the “front” of the spine and do their magic. I’m a little hoarse from the abuse but overall can talk okay…
Apparently all went very well… done in less than an hour and required only one night in the hospital… I now have to take it easy, walk just a little, sit just a little, but I lay down a lot (probably cause the meds make me sleepy or loopy). No driving for a couple of weeks and no lifting of any more than about 10-15 lbs for a while longer.
I’m very very thankful to my husband and daughter who have been helpful around the house allowing me to get whatever rest I feel I need…. and also very thankful to my colleagues (and even a former student!) at Mott who have picked up on some activities I was supposed to attend to but haven’t been able to… I plan to start back at the office for a half day in another week and ease myself back into things.
If I had to describe my overall post-surgical wellbeing, I’d say it looks/feels like a sine wave with some good hours and some not so good. More good ones each day…
So for anyone who cares (or who is depending upon me for something), I appreciate your patience and promise to give it my best attention upon my return in another week or two.
Thanks for your best wishes and understanding. I look forward to my return to more regular work and contributions with a healthier happier spine…
Meanwhile, for my reading entertainment, I am amusing myself with J Maartin Troost’s “Getting Stoned with Savages: A Trip through the islands of Fiji and Vanuatu.” It’s particularly amusing since I know most of the places he writes about (and generally agree with his bemused assessment)…
with warmest wishes,
mjf
Mara Jevera Fulmer's Blog 