[Rhodes22-list] Surgery

[Steve Alm]

Wow, Todd!  Mine is nothin' compared to spinal surgery.  Especially one that
major.  So...are you shorter now without the two disks?  8-)

My wife has been a great care-giver/cheerleader too.  Don't know what I'd do
without her.

Best of luck to you too!

Slim

On 5/21/04 4:39 PM, "Todd Tavares" <sprocket80 at mail.com> wrote:

> Slim,
> 
>    Glad to hear that your recovery is progressing well.   Let me know if you
> have any further problems.....I can give you the name of one of the best
> neurosurgeons in the country.
> 
>  This fine surgeon, by the name of Dr. Arthur Kobrine, removed two disks from
> my cervical spine and fused three vertibrae.  He braced my spine with a
> titanium plate (sorry Roger, but I dont know the # :-D).
> 
>  The surgery was on the fifth of this month, and I was able to ride the
> tractor yesterday to mow the lawn!!  *\o/*   I cannot go back to 100% full
> work status for 12 more weeks either.  I will be back on light duty in 4wks.
> During my after surgery 2 week check-up, the doctor asked if I had any
> post-surgery side effects.  I told him yes......I have gained ten pounds from
> sitting around all day eating Chips Ahoy cookies and watching TV.  LOL
> 
> Hope you feel better, and are back to tickling those ivories soon!
> 
> Todd
> 
> P.S.  ( *\o/* )That was my wife doing her cheerleader imitation for me being
> able to get off of the couch... which meant I could now go and get my own damn
> coffee  :-D.  If you need any perocet, let me know.  I have plenty left over
> ;-)
> 
> 
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Steve Alm <salm at mn.rr.com>
> Date: Fri, 21 May 2004 11:27:08 -0500
> To: Rhodes <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
> Subject: [Rhodes22-list] Surgery
> 
>> Hi all,
>> 
>> Due to an old athletic injury to my right elbow, I've suffered some nerve
>> damage to my ulnar nerve.  That's what we call the "funny bone."  This
>> chronic and progressive problem has recently taken its toll and I have lost
>> most of the strength in my little finger.  This really wouldn't be much of a
>> problem unless of course, one happens to play the piano for a living.
>> 
>> So on Tuesday, I underwent ulnar nerve transposition surgery.  That's where
>> they reroute the nerve to the inside of the elbow and tuck it under the
>> muscle, where it will hopefully lead a more comfortable life.
>> 
>> The surgery went well and I thought I received very good care/treatment at
>> the hospital.  The procedure requires a general anesthesia but is
>> out-patient, so after they woke me up, they sent me home.  My fingers are
>> warm, have no numbness and I can wiggle all 5.  That's a good start.  My arm
>> is in a cast and sling.
>> 
>> I spent most of the first two days sleeping.  Yesterday I went for a walk--2
>> whole blocks.  Today I'm feeling quite a bit better and the pain has
>> subsided considerably.  One-handed typing isn't so bad, but you should see
>> my left-handed handwriting.
>> 
>> The recovery will be pretty lengthy and I won't be able to go back to work
>> for approx 3 months.  And naturally, this gives new meaning to the term,
>> single-handed sailing!  I could probably sit at the helm and steer, but
>> that's about all.  We were planning a 3 week trip to Brazil in June-July.
>> The trip is now extended to 5 weeks since I can't go right back to work.
>> That's the good news.  I can just as easily recover on a warm, tropical
>> beach as anywhere else.  8-)
>> 
>> I'll keep you posted on my progress.  Wish me luck!
>> 
>> Slim
>> 
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