Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!know!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!usc!cs.utexas.edu!yale!bunker!hcap!hnews!360!1.59!Nadine.Thomas From: Nadine.Thomas@p59.f1.n360.z1.fidonet.org (Nadine Thomas) Newsgroups: misc.handicap Subject: Am I handicapped? Message-ID: <15236@bunker.UUCP> Date: 27 Oct 90 03:27:34 GMT Sender: wtm@bunker.UUCP Reply-To: Nadine.Thomas@p59.f1.n360.z1.fidonet.org Distribution: misc Organization: FidoNet node 1:360/1.59 - Augusta Forum, North Augusta SC Lines: 60 Approved: wtm@bunker.UUCP Index Number: 11354 In a message to Nadine Thomas <19 Oct 90 6:51:00> Ruthie Hoffman wrote: RH> I won't quote all of M'Linda's message, but I have to tell you RH> ...and her...that her note really hit home. I have been an observer RH> to this echo for a little while, and the SPINAL_INJURY echo for a few RH> months. I had a lower lumbar laminectomy almost a year ago RH> now.(Actually, I am a bit confused about that term..I ws told that was RH> what it was, but they did NOT remove all the disc or do a spinal RH> fusion) Well, I have had 2 lam. and fusions - my understanding is that they are seperate procedures (but I could be wrong). Lam. as explained to me was a partial or complete removal of the disc. RH> Unless I do absolutely nothing for a week or so, I am in continual RH> pain of some degree or another. I too feel that I am losing RH> perspective on all this. I sometimes think it must all be in my head. NO! It is NOT in your head. I went through what you are going through - I would have to stay in bed for a couple of weeks, feel good, then do a minor something and I would be back to zero again. I finally had a specialist from the Hospital For Special Surgery check me out and I had to have the surgery done again - this time the procedure worked. This doc was not just an orthopedist - he was a spine specialist, head of the department, teacher, and the best in New York. I would recommend that hospital - I was VERY impressed with their procedures and techniques (and that was back in 1969). It may not hurt to get another opinion if you feel that your living standard has been significantly reduced since the surgery (or not any better). BUT IT IS NOT IN YOUR HEAD. RH> My in-laws, for example (ok...they are really the MAIN ones) keep RH> telling me how all their retired friends who have had this type of RH> surgery were playing tennis and golf and jogging only a few months RH> after their surgery. I have been swimming 3x a week since about a RH> month and a half after the surgery, and I am damn proud of that! So???? That is them and you are you. You have a lot to be proud of - you are not sitting around - you are doing something to help yourself with excercise. RH> But...sigh..I too am very good at beating myself up about this. Gee, I didn't notice (grin). RH> Well...enough of me...what I really wanted to say was that M'Linda's RH> message, generally, could have been from me, and that YOUR response RH> helped me ALOT. Thanks!!! Your welcome. Glad you are here. Nadine -- Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!360!1.59!Nadine.Thomas Internet: Nadine.Thomas@p59.f1.n360.z1.fidonet.org