It has been three weeks since the halo came off! I haven't posted because I have only just gotten out of the shower.
Life post-halo has been a rollercoaster. I've been busy with work (up to 4 days a week now), uni (week 3), and moving (finally living with Greg in an actual house, not car!). I had a couple of drafts queued up but haven't posted anything because they all got a bit navel-gazing.
The Good:
I'm free! I'm light, and nimble, and no longer top-heavy! I've adjusted quickly. Last night I took my bra off like it was the most normal thing in the world. And I was like, "Wasn't I hanging out for this for three months? Shouldn't this be a big deal?" Then I got distracted by the sight of my shadow of a six-pack and thought no more of it.
I've lost weight around the trunk. I thought it was body dysmorphia, but Greg's mum commented on my skinny top half, so I think there's something in it. I wasn't even trying to lose weight, but you can only jam so much in there! My appetite is still less than what it was. So if you are considering losing weight, consider a restrictive halo brace. Actually, I don't recommend this method at all...
Showers. Are amazing. Never pass up the chance to have another. In fact, pause reading and go have one right now. That's fine, I'll wait.
Sleep is so easy. Though I'd forgotten how to use a pillow properly and kept sticking it under my shoulder. Took a while to remember that the pillow goes under the head. Wow!
I can probably return to work physically once I see the doctor, which will be nice because my coworkers at home are hella quiet.
The Bad:
I don't get to use "but I've got a broken back" as an excuse to get out of things anymore.
My neck and shoulders hurt. They never hurt at all in the halo, and now the muscles are stiff all the time. I am wearing a neck brace "off and on" (doctor's orders) and a fair bit of mobility has gradually come back, but I've probably only got a quarter of the range that I used to. Since the fracture was T1 to T4, it's probably muscular, but I won't know until I see the doctor. Some physio will probably sort it out but I can tell already, it's going to hurt.
On the muscular note, I have lost a lot of strength in my upper body. My arms are limp little noodles and my neck muscles apparently don't like holding my head up all day, though that's getting better. I've got some dumbbells, so as soon as the doctor allows it, I'm gonna smashing those weights. Hah!
Still can't drive and have to rely on lifts and public transport. Happily the new house is close to a couple of bus lines, even one that takes me straight to uni, so that's actually not too bad.
My posture is a bit better but my back hurts at the end of the day sometimes, and I seem to have developed a little hump around the junction of my neck and back. Maybe the fracture? Not sure, because I haven't seen the doctor with regards to my x-ray. So I'm not sure if that's going to fade away, or if I've got future costume options as the Hunchback of Notre Dame.
There is also the question of arthritis or other related problems in the future, but that's Future Roshy's problem.
The Ugly:
The halo has taken a bit of a toll on my body physically. I have two wounds on my forehead which I have confirmed now aren't even symmetrical! Granted the doctor was probably more concerned with getting my back, not the scars, straight-- but it's an annoyance anyway. On the back of my head, I've got an actual dent where the infection was raging, and on the other side I've got either some proud flesh or an abscess. The topography of my head has certainly taken some knocks. Good thing phrenology is no longer a science because my head right now has some crazy things going on in the areas corresponding to Caution (ironic...).
My shoulder-blades were the only part of the halo I couldn't reach to clean. Subsequently they developed some gnarly backne. Fortunately that is starting to clear up now and I hope won't have a recurrence.
My jawline has also developed acne due to my greasy face, and that hasn't really cleared up yet. My skin used to be fairly good and I'm hoping it will become good again now that I'm back to my usual habits. If it doesn't, I will be so annoyed!
So that's about it in regards to life after the halo. I'm definitely happy to be out of it, but it's clear that unlike a cold or gastro, there might be some effects that linger long after the injury.
Obviously I was very lucky and have had an amazing outcome, and am living the best case scenario. I just find it funny how quickly I've gone back to taking almost-full mobility for granted, and how put-out I am by really quite minor issues. If I was a better person it would be the other way around. :)
Life post-halo has been a rollercoaster. I've been busy with work (up to 4 days a week now), uni (week 3), and moving (finally living with Greg in an actual house, not car!). I had a couple of drafts queued up but haven't posted anything because they all got a bit navel-gazing.
 |
| Stargazing > Navelgazing |
The Good:
I'm free! I'm light, and nimble, and no longer top-heavy! I've adjusted quickly. Last night I took my bra off like it was the most normal thing in the world. And I was like, "Wasn't I hanging out for this for three months? Shouldn't this be a big deal?" Then I got distracted by the sight of my shadow of a six-pack and thought no more of it.
I've lost weight around the trunk. I thought it was body dysmorphia, but Greg's mum commented on my skinny top half, so I think there's something in it. I wasn't even trying to lose weight, but you can only jam so much in there! My appetite is still less than what it was. So if you are considering losing weight, consider a restrictive halo brace. Actually, I don't recommend this method at all...
Showers. Are amazing. Never pass up the chance to have another. In fact, pause reading and go have one right now. That's fine, I'll wait.
Sleep is so easy. Though I'd forgotten how to use a pillow properly and kept sticking it under my shoulder. Took a while to remember that the pillow goes under the head. Wow!
I can probably return to work physically once I see the doctor, which will be nice because my coworkers at home are hella quiet.
 |
| Apart from Wilson, who can be quite chatty. |
The Bad:
I don't get to use "but I've got a broken back" as an excuse to get out of things anymore.
My neck and shoulders hurt. They never hurt at all in the halo, and now the muscles are stiff all the time. I am wearing a neck brace "off and on" (doctor's orders) and a fair bit of mobility has gradually come back, but I've probably only got a quarter of the range that I used to. Since the fracture was T1 to T4, it's probably muscular, but I won't know until I see the doctor. Some physio will probably sort it out but I can tell already, it's going to hurt.
On the muscular note, I have lost a lot of strength in my upper body. My arms are limp little noodles and my neck muscles apparently don't like holding my head up all day, though that's getting better. I've got some dumbbells, so as soon as the doctor allows it, I'm gonna smashing those weights. Hah!
Still can't drive and have to rely on lifts and public transport. Happily the new house is close to a couple of bus lines, even one that takes me straight to uni, so that's actually not too bad.
My posture is a bit better but my back hurts at the end of the day sometimes, and I seem to have developed a little hump around the junction of my neck and back. Maybe the fracture? Not sure, because I haven't seen the doctor with regards to my x-ray. So I'm not sure if that's going to fade away, or if I've got future costume options as the Hunchback of Notre Dame.
There is also the question of arthritis or other related problems in the future, but that's Future Roshy's problem.
The Ugly:
The halo has taken a bit of a toll on my body physically. I have two wounds on my forehead which I have confirmed now aren't even symmetrical! Granted the doctor was probably more concerned with getting my back, not the scars, straight-- but it's an annoyance anyway. On the back of my head, I've got an actual dent where the infection was raging, and on the other side I've got either some proud flesh or an abscess. The topography of my head has certainly taken some knocks. Good thing phrenology is no longer a science because my head right now has some crazy things going on in the areas corresponding to Caution (ironic...).
My shoulder-blades were the only part of the halo I couldn't reach to clean. Subsequently they developed some gnarly backne. Fortunately that is starting to clear up now and I hope won't have a recurrence.
My jawline has also developed acne due to my greasy face, and that hasn't really cleared up yet. My skin used to be fairly good and I'm hoping it will become good again now that I'm back to my usual habits. If it doesn't, I will be so annoyed!
So that's about it in regards to life after the halo. I'm definitely happy to be out of it, but it's clear that unlike a cold or gastro, there might be some effects that linger long after the injury.
Obviously I was very lucky and have had an amazing outcome, and am living the best case scenario. I just find it funny how quickly I've gone back to taking almost-full mobility for granted, and how put-out I am by really quite minor issues. If I was a better person it would be the other way around. :)
Hi! Greetings from a fellow broken neck survivor, who went through 3 mths of halo brace. Was reading your blog and it def brought back memories of my own experience. It was definitely not an easy period but im a firm believer that it just shows us how mentally and emotionally strong we can be, despite challenges. Plus, we are very lucky to have survived without sustaining any sci. I count my blessings every day.
ReplyDeletea year after my injury,i must say that ive been feeling very normal. No neck pain, and flexbility is back to 95% . As for the scars, it was my top concern too. I had plastic surgery done to "cut" away those "holes" and got them stitched. most pple dont even notice them these days... so dont worry too much abt it too.
Remember, patience and time are your best friends when it comes to healing. (:
Hi! Thank you for your comment! I found your blog when I was doing all my reading up, and found it very helpful to see what a rich life you have led when you got out of the halo. It's definitely a make or break experience.
DeleteI'm glad to hear that you haven't got any pain, and your movement is approaching normal. My flexibility is returning as well though I'm yet to see a physio to really iron it out. My scars are luckily hidden by my hair most of the time but I'm surprised how well they have healed. Most people either don't notice, or are too polite to point them out. The doctor did say that surgery was an option, but one I haven't pursued yet.
Overall, it's been an interesting experience and one that I feel lucky every day to have gotten through with no more than a couple of scars and some funny stories. :)
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