Message from Christina

Hello Dear Ones,

I hope this fine winter's day finds you enjoying the beauty in it.

The kids enjoyed cross country skiing for the first time yesterday, what a thrill it is to be back in the midwest, enjoying the seasons and all they have to offer!

I wanted to say hi and give you an update on my back woes. I haven't been well the last 12 days, being in 10+ pain for days was a final reminder that I need to move forward with a surgery that, Lord willing, will bring me back to normal life again.

Although surgery is a scary step... the agonizing pain, that comes and goes, has clouded out those fears. I have been told, numerous times, that without surgery, my condition will only worsen. I have mulled over my two options: (1) - life like this or worse forever or, (2) - take a chance to restore my life to normal. I have decided on surgery. I have surgery, tentatively scheduled for Monday, February 5th. I am in the process of working out all the insurance details, which will finalize the date.

The procedure they will perform is major, and will leave me facing a long road of recovery. In my case, surgery involves an anterior/posterior fusion. (Warning: if you don't like surgery details, skip this paragraph) well... okay... it's not that bad... the surgeon will make an incision in the front (anterior) of my body and enter the spine through my stomach. Through this incision the surgeon would remove the disc and attach graft bone to the front of my spine. (between L5 & S1, lowest vertebrae and tail bone) Graft bone is used to help the spine fuse. Once fused the L5 will no longer move, this is my main cause of pain. Next, the surgeon will make another incision through my back (posterior), attach a piece of graft bone to my spine, and support everything using titanium screws. Yuck! Sounds like Frankenstein!!

Listening to the explanation of the procedure has left me afraid but also excited at the positive outcome of living life actively again. I will listen to my doctor and follow his instruction to a T before and after surgery.

My goals include finding a way to deal with the pain right after surgery and to heal quickly. The doctors will follow my recovery for 12 months. My post-op will include walking, therapy and exercise. I hope to be much better by the 5-6 month point.

I ask you to please keep me in prayer, along with my doctors. I have research all my options and I am ready to move forward.

We'll definitely keep you all posted on all that progresses. I will welcome e-mails, calls and visits from the local gang;-)

That's the latest... hugs to all.

Ciao!

Christina

PS. I am currently studying Italian, anything to keep my mind distracted on whats to come!

My goals include finding a way to deal with the pain right after surgery and to heal quickly. The doctors will follow my recovery for 12 months. My post-op will include walking, therapy and exercise. I hope to be much better by the 5-6 month point.

I ask you to please keep me in prayer, along with my doctors. I have research all my options and I am ready to move forward.

We'll definitely keep you all posted on all that progresses. I will welcome e-mails, calls and visits from the local gang;-)))

That's the latest... hugs to all.

Ciao!

Christina

PS. I am currently studying Italian, anything to keep my mind distracted on what's to come!