[Rhodes22-list] Surgery

[Todd Tavares]

   Slim,
   Actually, I think I am now just a hair taller. When they removed the
   disks, they put in pieces of bone that were about twice the height of
   the disks so that the muscles and tendons will also help to keep those
   bone graft sections under compression until they calcify and fill with
   marrow tissue.
   My older brother is 6'5" and my younger brother is 6'4". All of my
   adult life I have been only 5' 11 + 3/4" tall. I am going to hold a
   level on top of my head and mark my height on the door jamb as soon as
   I get offline here. Maybe I can finally say that I am six feet tall!!
   :-)
   I was just joking about my wife making me get my own coffee. She too
   is a great care-giver and a true gem. I did make the mistake of
   jokingly answering her question of, "Where would you men be without us
   women?" by saying, "Probably still in The Garden of Eden." (I have an
   odd sense of humor you must remember) I think if I wasn't in that neck
   brace, I would have gotten a fat lip. : -q)
   Todd
   ----- Original Message -----
   From: Steve Alm
   Date: Fri, 21 May 2004 19:46:17 -0500
   To: Rhodes
   Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Surgery
   > 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" 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 Kobri ne, 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 co uch... 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
   > > Date: Fri, 21 May 2004 11:27:08 -0500
   > > To: Rhodes
   > > 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 Tuesd ay, 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
   > >>
   > >> __________________________________________________
   > >> Use Rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org, Help? www.rhodes22.org/list
   >
   > __________________________________________________
   > Use Rhodes 22-list at rhodes22.org, Help? www.rhodes22.org/list
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