8 Month Post-op Update

 
     Here I am...at my 8 month mark already. I am so happy to share that I accomplished a BIG milestone in the world of PNE this last month. A year ago I never could have imagined taking a road trip with my family and enjoying it, just the idea alone seemed out of the question and completely impossible. Over Memorial Weekend I did just that, and it's the closest I felt to "normal" in a very long time.

     Last June my family and I did attempt a 4 hour road trip. We planned a trip to the Dinosaur National Monument with my husbands parents. My kids were so excited, it was too hard to say no, I did not want to disappoint them. I was extremely miserable, I hurt so bad and felt so discouraged with my bodies inability to perform and work like it use to. It was some of the most difficult pain I had endured, and one of my worst flares along this journey. It took 9 full days to recover from our 2 1/2 day get away. I spent the first 4 days laid up in bed after returning home, and it was about another whole week before I felt back to myself. After that experience, I didn't see myself going on very many road trips in the near future and I definitely didn't expect I would ever enjoy one again.

     I'll admit, back in March when my husband first told me that his family reunion was going to be in Idaho over Memorial Weekend, I was not in a position to give a definite answer on whether I'd be going or not. On the upside, I hadn't totally dismissed the idea all together, and the fact that I was considering the possibility of even going was huge all in itself.

     I had finally reached a point in my recovery where the things that I had missed out on for so long were starting to feel closer in reach and more of a reality rather than a distant memory or dream. For over two years now I'd stay home as my family walked out the door and pulled out of the driveway to enjoy various activities without me. It was in those moments that I despised PNE the most. I wanted nothing more then to be with my family enjoying life, but my physical limitations made this too difficult for me.

     On Mother's Day I decided that I was going to do it, I was ready to step outside of my comfort zone and go with my family to Idaho. With my pain levels beginning to develop into a new pattern I thought what a great opportunity, I couldn't think of a better way to try out my new and improved broken sitter than on this upcoming road trip. My kids were so excited about the news, there was no way they'd let me change my mind even if I wanted to. We would be traveling 4 1/2 hours to Miracle Hot Springs, which is located just outside of Twin Falls.

     Traveling to Idaho turned out to be more difficult then I had expected. We weren't even an hour into our trip when I had hit my sitting quota. When I hit this point I usually can't take anymore siting and it's time to get up. I thought to myself  "it can't get much worse than this", and I kept telling myself that "I can do this, if this is as bad as it's going to get, then I'll deal with it." I was wrong, after 20 minutes I had completely maxed my sitting limit, and before I knew it I had squirmed out of my seat and was down on my knees hunched over on the front seat. My knees can only take so much, so after a 1/2 hour I attempted climbing back into my seat. By this point we are only half way there...ay yi yi! It's going to be one very long and uncomfortable couple of hours riding in the car.

     Once we arrived in Twin Falls it was close to bedtime, I was glad because my pelvic muscles were tight and stiff, and my  broken sitter was on fire. I was so happy to climb into bed and let my body rest for the night. Surprisingly I woke up feeling great the next morning. After breakfast we finished the last 40 minutes of our road trip and finally arrived at Miracle Hot Springs. My next two and half days were filled with very little pain and I was able to experience life just like a normal person again....it was unbelievable!...it was a miracle! Hehe!!! I couldn't help myself....I had to throw that in.

This is where we slept...in the sleeping dome 

The view from the front door of our Dome

Complete with a queen bed, heat and air conditioning too

This was his favorite part about our whole trip

 

Interesting chair outside our door

We played and relaxed in the hot springs....

Playing a game of checkers

hanging out with the fam...catching up and relaxing

We even reserved a private hot spring for the afternoon  

 We drove about an hour away from the hot springs to visit a place called Mammoth Cave. I unexpectedly tolerated the drive and the short hike down into the cave. I was feeling extremely overwhelmed with happiness, I was living life again and enjoying every last minute. Wa Hoo!

All of us just outside of the cave entrance

12 and older were given there own lantern 

That was the temperature inside the cave

Favorite thing to do with grandpa...geocaching!

 

     Coming home we stopped in Twin Falls to a look at the Shoshone Falls. It's a beautiful waterfall located on the Snake River in Idaho. We were lucky enough to arrive just at the right time to witness this spectacular sight complete with a rainbow...breathtaking!

Wow! It was so beautiful!

A view of the Snake River

here we all are

The people I love...my family

     The drive home went much better than driving there. I think the lesson I learned is to start out a long drive after a good nights sleep versus running around like a crazed mom all day getting everything ready and then expecting my body to endure a 4 hour long drive like most normal people could.

     I really expected to return home and more than likely pay for the consequences from our weekend getaway. But, luckily it never happened. I got up Tuesday morning feeling like I always do and I just shook my head in disbelief. I still have bad days here and there, but I am really feeling good about where things are going in my recovery.

     As Memorial day approached it was evident as I  looked back over the last couple of month's that I had made it to a new phase and started a new pattern. My new phase in recovery is that my pain levels are staying down more regularly, and this has helped me with getting back into a routine with my family. It has been nice to have more predictable days more frequently, and my progress has left me thinking that I AM going to be okay.