Well my victory post didn't make it up, thanks Blogger app on the iphone.
I'm happy to report that I'm free!
It was a whirlwind day in the end. I rocked up for my last halo clinic early to get the x-ray done, and just as well because an hour later, the line for x-rays was out the door. I think it was Bone Clinic Day because there were just casts and braces everywherrrrrre.
My xray was sent to the doctor who must have seen them, because the word came down that I could have the halo off! Unfortunately I didn't get to see him so didn't get to ask fundamental questions like, "What do I do now?"
Fortunately the halo clinic staff had done this all before, and they whipped it off faster than I could say, "I need this on me another day like I need a hole in the head." It was super-easy. One of the ladies held my head while everyone else unscrewed me. I was expecting a magnitude of pain like I had on the application, but it wasn't even a twinge on the scale of having the screws tightened. It was great.
The only instruction I really received was, "Wear the soft collar on and off, and don't try to move your neck for a month". I'm not forcing things, but I'm pleased to say that I can now nod yes and shake my head no, and these are very exciting actions after three months of doing it all with my waist! The Aspen collar is not the most comfortable thing, but definitely better than the halo.
My neck is still extremely stiff and painful in the morning but limbers up during the day-- to a degree. The thing it probably feels the most like is DOMS-- fine until you try to move it. The bobble-head action never really came, about to everybody's disappointment. I still can't drive for another month which is a bit annoying, but again-- life is still better than with the halo!
In all honesty, the three months with the halo wasn't too bad and I can attribute that to a super support network. I'm not allowed to use the "but I have a broken back" excuse anymore but think I'll be able to get a bit of mileage with "my neck is really sore!". I had a lecture this afternoon that I was late to, and the lecturer, spying my neck brace, gave me a very sympathetic look instead of a dirty one. So I might keep this on for a while.
Needless to say, the first shower was THE BEST THING EVER. I will never pass up a chance to have a shower again. The holes in my head have sealed up and scabbed up already, and aren't too noticable on my forehead (I personally think so, anyway). The first lie-down was also amazing, but I have forgotten exactly where the pillow goes on the body, so it's fun re-educating myself about that. And it is also really nice to hug people without having to warn them to watch out.
I'm happy to report that I'm free!
 |
| Can't wipe the smile off my dial. |
My xray was sent to the doctor who must have seen them, because the word came down that I could have the halo off! Unfortunately I didn't get to see him so didn't get to ask fundamental questions like, "What do I do now?"
Fortunately the halo clinic staff had done this all before, and they whipped it off faster than I could say, "I need this on me another day like I need a hole in the head." It was super-easy. One of the ladies held my head while everyone else unscrewed me. I was expecting a magnitude of pain like I had on the application, but it wasn't even a twinge on the scale of having the screws tightened. It was great.
The only instruction I really received was, "Wear the soft collar on and off, and don't try to move your neck for a month". I'm not forcing things, but I'm pleased to say that I can now nod yes and shake my head no, and these are very exciting actions after three months of doing it all with my waist! The Aspen collar is not the most comfortable thing, but definitely better than the halo.
My neck is still extremely stiff and painful in the morning but limbers up during the day-- to a degree. The thing it probably feels the most like is DOMS-- fine until you try to move it. The bobble-head action never really came, about to everybody's disappointment. I still can't drive for another month which is a bit annoying, but again-- life is still better than with the halo!
In all honesty, the three months with the halo wasn't too bad and I can attribute that to a super support network. I'm not allowed to use the "but I have a broken back" excuse anymore but think I'll be able to get a bit of mileage with "my neck is really sore!". I had a lecture this afternoon that I was late to, and the lecturer, spying my neck brace, gave me a very sympathetic look instead of a dirty one. So I might keep this on for a while.
Needless to say, the first shower was THE BEST THING EVER. I will never pass up a chance to have a shower again. The holes in my head have sealed up and scabbed up already, and aren't too noticable on my forehead (I personally think so, anyway). The first lie-down was also amazing, but I have forgotten exactly where the pillow goes on the body, so it's fun re-educating myself about that. And it is also really nice to hug people without having to warn them to watch out.
No comments:
Post a Comment