Greetings, earthlings!

I feel like I've been on a semi-trip away from real life, these past few weeks, hence the title of this post.

After the two week post-surgery mark, I was feeling a bit better each day. I've been able to get out and go to the zoo, more walks, attend a dear friend's graduation party, and go visit with family for a 4th of July BBQ.

Medically, I still seem to be in solid shape. At the follow up appointment with Dr. Hanscom, he advised me  to stay the course, so to speak. He wants me back to living my "normal life", asap, and he recommended tapering off the drugs within 3 weeks or so.

Also at this appointment, Hanscom removed the last wrappings from my incision- these tape like pieces called steri-strips covered it from top to bottom. He suggested my mom take them off that evening, then offered to do it himself. We were glad he did, considering about half my scabs came off as well. I think having my mom do that would have been painful for her (though it really didn't hurt me. haha)

Having my scar fully exposed has been strange. With the great weather we've been having, I've been careful to keep sunscreen on it while I'm enjoying making up for nearly a month indoors by getting a general tan :) The "worst" part of the scar for me isn't the way it looks. Sure, as a 20 year old woman, I'm going to have my moments of sheer regret over this glaring "imperfection", but overall, I'm proud of it. It's a visible mark of what will be (God willing) the last stage of a journey I've been on for over half my life, now. I think it's rather beautiful.

What does stink about the incision is that there's numbness all around it. Up between my shoulder blades, in particular. This is just a surface feeling, due to the surgeons cutting through some nerves during the procedure. In time, I expect my body will compensate in some way, and it will go back to feeling more normal. At the moment, if I touch any of those affected areas, all I get is a subtle brushing feeling, and some pressure. I've had to work on not letting that creep me out!

So far as tapering off drugs goes, I'm in the final stages of that now. It's been an interesting experience. I'm extra-sore, and extra-tired. My only withdrawal, "symptom" so far, seems to be full body chills. I'd been experiencing them for about a week, but only made the connection to the changes in meds yesterday. Can't believe I didn't figure it out sooner, since it's pretty strange to have full-body goosebumps on a gorgeous, 80 degree day. haha

More than anything, I've been struggling emotionally, the past few weeks. It's been hard to be cooped up in the house. I've had some visitors, but let me just say to anyone that is considering a major surgery and recovery; do not judge your friendships based upon who does or doesn't show up. I've had a handful of friends, mostly from school, who surprised me by consistently keeping in touch and offering to visit. However, I think it's honest to say that many people I expected to see didn't show up. That's what happens. Life goes on in your absence, and there's no use in holding a grudge over it. I've just had to forgive and let go, in a few instances where I was disappointed.

When I've been most in the dumps, it's been my mom and a couple close friends who have really helped me through. I'm pretty crappy at showing my emotions, and tend to bottle things up until I'm ready for a meltdown. These people have been a blessing as I've been working through this.

Right now, even as I feel really crummy, about to finally have breakfast at noon because it took me forever to get out of bed, and achy all over due to being almost off of my drugs, I'm still more hopeful than I have been the past couple of weeks.

I have quite a few outings and plans set with friends and family over the next weeks and months- the most exciting of which is my family's trip to see our Texas relatives at the end of July. I cannot wait for that! Though I am curious to see how my new hardware responds to metal detectors. I'm also in good enough shape that I should soon be able to start painting for my own enjoyment (unheard of!), and getting a head start on the few jobs I'm going to have during the school year.

So all in all, I'm just chugging along. Thank you again for your prayers and support these past few months; they have been truly priceless to me and my family :)

PS: One of my goals in the next couple weeks is to put up a blog post that is a "photo-journal" of my time in the hospital, and the first weeks home. Keep an eye out for that, if you like!

2 Weeks Since Surgery

I really can't believe how quickly the two week mark has arrived! Of course, time flies when you sleep half the day. haha.

This week I had the pleasure of spending time with a number of visitors. I also got to go over and visit my grandparents. My grandpa's health has not been good, and going 10 days without seeing them was strange for me, and particularly hard on my mom, who has been helping my grandma out on a regular basis. Though visiting with people can be physically tiring, it does wonders for my spirits! I am so excited to spend more time with family and friends in the weeks to come.

Today marked a few milestones for me. First off, I managed to shave my legs. I am ridiculously proud of this. Trying to keep a completely straight back while bending over in a slippery tub to reach your ankle is not an easy trick. Later in the day, I got to take my freshly minted, hair-free legs for a walk along the Orting Trail! This was my first real "outing" since I've been home.

Mom drove me down to the trail, and we went as far as the field full of cows (for those of you who have been there) and back to the car. It took around 30 minutes, which is the longest I've walked so far! We capped off the trip with a visit to the Orting Bakery, where I got a chocolate donut. I hadn't had one in ages, and it was the most delicious thing. So good!

While I was in the hospital, Dr. Hanscom had asked me to gain about 5 pounds. He felt that it would help with the healing process. Alas, once all of the water weight from surgery escaped me, I weighed myself and found that I had actually lost about 5 pounds since surgery. So now I'm looking to gain around 10. As such, I feel that having donuts and ice cream in the same day is perfectly acceptable :)

We have been slowly backing me off of my pain meds. I was taking Oxycodone every 3 hours when I first came home, and we've eased back to every 4 and 1/2. So far, so good! I have a follow up appointment with Dr. Hanscom, at Swedish, this coming Tuesday (21st.) He will be checking my incision, asking questions about how I'm doing, helping us figure out the best timing and a way to switch to less aggressive pain meds, and who knows what else! It should be fun to go back and see everyone's reactions to how well I'm doing :)

Fifth Day Home

Hellooooo! This is Amelia. I'm back to the land of the living, and posting blog content for myself again.

First off, thank you all for your prayers. I have no doubt that my success this far was a gift from the Lord. He is good!

Yesterday and today, (Friday and Saturday, respectively) were fairly uneventful. That is to say, nothing too exciting to report, and no negatives, either. PTL!

I have settled into a routine. Or, as I should say, my mom and I have settled into a routine. She has been incredible, rarely far from my side and providing the best care I could ask for.

My days now consist of getting out of bed after morning meds, (roughly 7am,) shower, breakfast, some tv. Typically back to bed for awhile, then up for a walk, lunch, some more tv. This basically repeats all day. My mom has been up with me 3 times each night, since I am on a 3 hour pain med schedule. She is exhausted. Jacob offered to get up with me tonight, giving mom some much needed rest. So that should be interesting :)

One thing to note from Friday. Since it was one week from surgery, it was the day to remove the bandages from my incision! I would post pictures, but thought it might be best to spare the squeamish that experience. Everthing looks to be healing up well. I have a lot of "sticky" stuff left on my skin from the tape and bandages, and there are band-aid like steri-strips still covering the incision.

Mostly, this change has allowed air in and fabric to rub against the incision. It itches. Not so fun. Also, without the added padding back there, it seems like I can "feel" the hardware. Not so sure if that's my mind playing tricks on me or what, but it's tripping me out.

Today was the first day I didn't nap! I was awake from 7:30 this morning all through the day! I also sat up in bed for the first time, and changed out of my "lounge wear" into pajamas all on my own. Combine that with the waking every three hours with my mom, and I feel like I'm getting to consciously experience what it must be like to be an infant. Everyone is so excited by the littlest things you do! haha

I am thankful to be doing so well, but monotony has begun to set in already! If you want to visit, please give us a call or shoot me a text and we can arrange a good time. I am hoping to start a few books or find some other "more productive" ways to pass the time. However, nothing compares to visiting with a friend :)

Settling in !!

Ok, the blog has been black for a day but that is because we were developing a routine. Today's blog will be a combined effort of me, Amelia's dad and Elaine, Amelia's mother. Which will probably mean I will write and Elaine will edit. : - )
I have been fortunate to be able to work from home so that allows me to assist Amelia and Elaine whenever needed.
Amelia is progressing well. It is hard to believe that we are still less that 6 days from the surgery. She is spending more and more time out of bed. Sitting in the rec room, walking around. She even walked down to the mailbox to get the mail, assisted by her friend Josh. It is about a block away. I could not watch. She has developed some "puffiness" in her lower back below the incision. The nurse says this is from blood/fluid collecting. Not unusual, should absorb but we will be keeping an eye on it. Amelia had her first shower at home....was a process taking a shower sitting on a stool in the bath tub. Don't want water directly on the incision.  Her pain on her left shoulder has diminished. Her body/muscles are adjusting to new alignment.
We are also monitoring what appears to be thrush in her mouth as a result of the medication.....bummer.... does not feel good, inhibits taste buds etc.....we are trying some home remedies, including introducing the ole good bacteria....hopefully, that knocks it down otherwise we would  most likely be loading her up in the vehicle to make a trip to the GP for a prescription. Whatever happened to Dr. home visits. Lastly, and I am sure Amelia would not be happy that I am updating you on this but in the spirit of full disclosure, she remains ..how should we say...backed-up...the body functions are not all firing properly..... poor thing, we have tried many options with limited success....this has limited her appetite and made her nauseous. This morning she was throwing-up....try throwing up when you are standing -up without bending your back...it was quite the scene...Elaine standing behind her, with her arms wrapped around her holding a pillow to Amelia's chest(a technique Elaine remembers reading in a book about the surgery)....  I was holding a bowl under Amelia's chin when she could not do so...her eyes watering as she was throwing up multiple times but it made her feel better. So we are progressing to Dulcolax and Mineral Oil this morning. Please continue to keep her in your prayers that all the above resolve itself without further complications and that an infection does not develop.

Hey, it's Elaine. We are hanging in there.  Yesterday, Amelia was nearly in tears.  As I write that, I realize how amazing it is that she has not been in tears before now.  If I were in her shoes, it wouldn't be a pretty picture.  Anyway,  we are working on adjusting her medication schedule, so she and I will be able to get a better sleep schedule.  Tough to go to bed, wake 1 1/2 hour later, then every 3 hours for the rest of the night, sometimes being up for 1/2 hour for bathroom trips, etc.  She did not last the 3 hour stretch a few times because of pain in her hip when laying on her side.  She cannot move herself in bed, but needs assistance.  So every time she has her meds, we get her in a new position....she has quite a nest, built with many pillows, when we are through.   She and I keep our cell phones nearby, so I have received a few texts in the middle of the night and daytime too.Tomorrow, 7 days from surgery, is the day we remove her last bandage covering her incision.  Pray that goes well.  I spoke with the surgical nurse yesterday.  They are vey helpful and avilable around the clock by phone.  They really emphasize doing everything you can to prevent infection, so each day is clean sheets and 6 clean pillowcases, and clean nightshirt.  Thank goodness Pat has been able to be here to help, I am stretched thin .  Keep us all in your prayers.

Below we have a few new pictures.





Last picture from Hospital Bed!





Leaving hospital 6 PM Monday





Loaded-up




Finally my own bed at home!





Getting caught-up on current events















HOMECOMING !!

Well, everyone else in the family has made a post on Amelia's blog, so I guess it is my turn.  This is Elaine, Amelia's mom, writing to let everyone know that Amelia really did come home yesterday, at about 7:00 pm!
There was lots of activity in the morning, with the last of 3 IV ports being removed, one last blood draw being done, 3 different visits from doctors, including her surgeon. We did find out that they fused 9 vertebrae from T4 to T12. They had thought the would fuse down to L1 but decided not to.  He was so pleased with her progress and several of the nurses and dotors commented on how well she was doing.  Her daytime nurse yesterday said there were rumors going on about Amelia.

  They really pushed her from the first day to get moving and I thought, wow, do they remember she had spinal fusion surgery yesterday!! They really had her doing anything she seemed up to doing.  The thing about Amelia is she is accustomed to pain and she is not a complainer.  Through all her years of physical therapy, braces, both hard and soft, and the many programs and exercises she followed, she just did it all with the same tremendously sweet spirit. .  The physical therapist was just amazed by her and said most 20 year olds are reporting pain at a 9 or 10.  Amelia was never reporting over a 5 or 6, 10 being the worst pain.  I think she is an under-reporter on the pain scale!  One of the nurses said she was bragging about Amelia to her family, saying how she was the ideal patient!  We told her she had youth and the power of prayer on her side.

Amelia's good friend Josh came in the morning.  Pat had to run into work for a while, so Josh hung out with us.  The gal came in with discharge papers and we got her medications ordered to the pharmacy and she had breakfast and lunch.  All that was left was for her body to cooperate and the last bodily function to happen. We were able to get her dressed and out the door in a wheelchair by 6-ish.  The good thing about the timing of it all was there was not much in the way of traffic to slow us down.  She did fine on the drive home, owing to the oxycodone and the valium they gave her!  Wow, you don't realize how bumpy the roads are until you are transporting someone home who has had spinal fusion!

My primary concern in bringing her home 2 days early, was how comfortable she would be in her own bed.  We had a foam bed wedge and lots of pillows and she is doing great.  The big advantage, in being home, is being able to get your medicine in a timely fashion, which helps you stay on top of the pain. Amelia and I were awake every 3 hours during the night,  doing meds and repositioning her in bed.  She needs help moving around in bed, but she is moving around really well on her own otherwise.

We will get some new pictures posted later today.  I hope this all made sense, as I am operating in a sleep deprived brain fog.  I cannot tell you what a relief it is to have the surgery portion of this journey over and know that Amelia is doing so well!!  Praise the Lord for his grace and mercy!

Before and After

Amelia had another good day today. She continued to progress, and was up and down a lot. Both walking around and sitting in the visitor's lounge while visiting with some old friend's, the Hanleys, in town from Chicago.

She had some new aches and pains today, however, this is nothing out of the ordinary. It is to be expected as her body adapts to being straighter. We are praying she has a restful night's sleep. The plan as of this evening is that she will be coming home sometime tomorrow afternoon.

Pictured below are the photos of Amelia's spine before and after. The difference is amazing!

Before

After

Way ahead of schedule!!

Good morning. This is Amelia's father posting this morning. I spoke to Elaine at the hospital at about (:30. It was a typical night of interruptions about every 1 1/2 -2 hrs. With the combination of medications and some Valium, Amelia was able to fall back asleep rather quickly and get some rest. Elaine has not had that benefit. Elaine has not left Amelia's side the whole time. She has been able to sleep in the room because they make a recliner or small roll-away bed available. She did go outside for about an hour yesterday when I was there to enjoy our 79 degree weather.She sounds very tired. Tested Amelia's blood and found her hematacrit was a little low so they prescribed some iron supplements. She was visited by her surgeon at 7:40 this morning. He has her get up and walk an check on a number of things and indicated...here is the great news...that she can go home tomorrow!! Praise the Lord. He said that she is doing better less that 48 hours from completion of her surgery than most on their fifth day. She is doing everything required except having a bowel movement so pray for poop people!!
Speaking of prayer, I want to take the opportunity to thank everyone for their prayers and support. We are so blessed by family and friends and the amazing staff at Swedish from the surgeons to the nursing staff to the people who bring the food in...we are so grateful from the bottom of our hearts. Jake and I are off to church and we will be at the hospital this afternoon.