Edbear in hospital

**Edbear** · 15th October 2010, 08:03

Originally Posted by MyGSXF

You jus keep on keeping on sunshine...

all good things come to those who wait.. & believe.. & trust!!!

xx you know what I mean

Thanks Sweety! I live in hope!

I'm being well cared for and count myself a very lucky man! I have the original pics from the Herald photographer and have asked if I can post them up here without breaching copyright. If I can I'll put them up.

**Edbear** · 16th October 2010, 14:17

What a beautiful day today! While Mrs. Bear was out weeding the garden, I thought I'd sit out and watch... I'm good like that, I help around the house...

So being so sunny and warm, it was time to soak up some Vitamin D. Can't take my shirt off as yet as I can't get up without the brace on, so here's to what I could do!

Click image for larger version.

Name: 16102010_002_.jpg
Views: 25
Size: 47.0 KB
ID: 221305

**JimO** · 16th October 2010, 17:18

hi mate i havnt read the whole thread so forgive me for asking , how long do you have to wear the brace??

**Edbear** · 16th October 2010, 17:57

Originally Posted by JimO

hi mate i havnt read the whole thread so forgive me for asking , how long do you have to wear the brace??

Well it was 12 weeks the first time, so I'm not sure this time. I see my surgeon on Wed so hopefully he can let me know then. It will be a while though as progress is very slow and the pain levels are still pretty high.

**JimO** · 16th October 2010, 18:14

better than the alternative though eh

**Edbear** · 16th October 2010, 18:34

Originally Posted by JimO

better than the alternative though eh

Ahhh... yeah... Becoming paraplegic wasn't an appealing option...

I just have to make sure I don't stuff it up now.

**Edbear** · 20th October 2010, 15:29

Had my followup appointment and x-rays this morning, and the surgeon was pleased with progress. The x-rays were freaky to see all the screws and rods.

They're going to send me copies so when I get them I'll post them up.

They must have taken a fair chunk of bone from my hip to rebuild the crushed vertebrae though as the before and after shots were very different! No wonder my hip is a bit sore...

He reiterated that it was a major op though, so I'm in the brace for another 7 weeks at least and I'm not allowed out of bed without it on.

But at least I can walk around and don't feel too bad after today's tripping around. We went and visited our daughter in Penrose afterwards. It's the movement of the car, not just over bumps but also braking that gets me. I learned to relax the torso and use my hands to steady me under brakes as tensing up hurts a bit.

Same turning over in bed, I have to do it slowly and deliberately, relaxing the tummy muscles and use my elbows and hands otherwise my back goes into spasm, ouch!

But Hey! I'm happy, and alive, and drugs are good and I'm getting spoiled every day!

**Ratti** · 20th October 2010, 19:40

That's great news Ed. Although there are advantages to being older- fast healing is not one of them.

Take care and one day at a time.

**Edbear** · 28th October 2010, 11:00

Got a pic this morning, healing up nicely! Feels weird, though! Got a bulge in my left side that's got the Doc a bit puzzled, so he's sending me for an utra-sound at Nth Shore, and I emailed my surgeon the pics as well. No pain with it, but it looks strange, the look on the Doc's face was priceless! He'd never seen anything like it!

I also got hold of the pics the NZ Herald photographer took of the accident.

**crazyhorse** · 28th October 2010, 15:08

Originally Posted by Edbear

Got a pic this morning, healing up nicely! Feels weird, though! Got a bulge in my left side that's got the Doc a bit puzzled, so he's sending me for an utra-sound at Nth Shore, and I emailed my surgeon the pics as well. No pain with it, but it looks strange, the look on the Doc's face was priceless! He'd never seen anything like it!

I also got hold of the pics the NZ Herald photographer took of the accident.

Heres hoping the bulge isn't too serious

**Edbear** · 11th November 2010, 12:45

Got my next appointment with my surgeon today, it's on 8th Dec. so here's hoping for good news! Also today arrived in the mail the DVD I asked for of my scans! So for a feast of pictures for you I've attached a before showing the collapsed vertebrae and three after the op.