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BunnyFlops 
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Joined: Jul/03/2008
Location: N. California
Posts: 202
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 Topic: A brand new day...
Posted: Jul/26/2010 at 10:37pm |
Hi Everyone! It's been a long itme since I stopped by, but I haven't forgotten you.I would first like to thank all of you who helped me through the most trying time of my life... you are all angels!
Now the news.... After a tortuous year and a half waiting to fuse, I finally got my hardware out April of 2009. I felt immediate improvement, phenomenal! Of course, I was still hurting, but no longer on the duragesic patch and able to start doing again. I gradually started being able to eat. I was 105 lbs. During the rest of 2009, I made slow recovery. I was still unable to work, but hoping to gain the stamina soon. In January of this year, I was introduced to Orenda. Feeling the need to do whatever it took to get my life back, I started using their products. Within a week, my GI tract was functioning significantly better and I had more energy. Over the next 2 months, I was able to stop taking ALL of my medications. ALL OF THEM.
Although I still have some permanent numbness over my right hip and pain where the scar tissue is at one of the screw sites, I feel like I have my life back. I am working two jobs. I have a huge garden. I've been landscaping my back yard. I can take long road trips. I clean my own house. I wrestle around with my kids. I take my rabbits to shows... and they win :0)
I pray that you are all on your way to complete and total healing.
Love,
Jenn
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work injury June 2006
ESI's January February 2007
A/P Lumbar Fusion L4-L5 and L5-S1 Oct. 16th and 18th 2007
Emergent Surgical Hardware removal/redo Oct 18, 2007
1 1/2 years of misery...
Hardware taken out on April 16th 2009
One year and counting... Life is Good!
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MonieMojo
Member
Joined: Apr/13/2010
Posts: 507
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Posted: Jul/27/2010 at 2:46am |
Hello Jenn!
Even though I was not yet a member when you were active here, I would like to congratulate you on your recovery! That truly is amazing! 
I wish you the best for a long, fullfilled, pain-free life!
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Thoracic spine:
1.)Dextroconvex curvature of thoracic spine (Scoliosis), Degree unknown
2.) 4 Schmorl’s nodes:
-T9-T10
-T10-T11
-T11-T12
-T12-L1
3.) 2 possible interosseous hemangiomas:
T7 vertebral body and T2 vertebral body
4.) Aberrant right subclavian artery
Cause unknown, possibly from birth
...
Lumbar Spine:
1.) Left paracentral disc extrusion. T11-T12. Indents left ventral aspect of the thecal sac
2.) Multilevel disc bulges:
L3-L4, indents thecal sac
L4-L5, indents thecal sac
L5-S1, touching L5 nerve root causing bilateral sciatica
3.) Disc dessication at L3-L4, L4-L5, L5-S1.
4) Arthiritis of the facet joints of the lumbar spine
...
Other Musculoskeletal Conditions:
1.) General Hypermobility Syndrome
2.) Left shoulder instability with possible bursitis
3.) Slight nerve damage in left elbow
4.) Distorted ribcage
5.) Carpal Tunnel syndrome and tendonitis in right wrist
...
Other:
Fibromyalgia
Treatments (non-medicinal):
Pool therapy as often as possible
Medications:
Amitriptyline- 150mg/night
Ibuprofen- 2400-3200mg/day
Methocarbamol- 1500mg 3x/day
Tramadol- 100mg 3x/day
Vicodin- 7.5mg/750mg 1 or 2 pills 3x/day if needed
Lyrica- 50mg 3x/day
Cymbalta- 30mg 1x/day
Vitamin D- 50MIU 2x/week
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Stevie
Admins
Joined: Jun/20/2008
Location: Tucson, AZ
Posts: 7749
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Posted: Jul/27/2010 at 7:20am |
Jenn--- I am thrilled for you  What great news, and just what we love to hear. We say "never give up" and you are proof of that. I remember how hard you struggled and how much you wanted to get back to work and your life. Please don't be a stranger. We would love to continue to hear from you and wish you all of the best. Jenn, how is Scott doing? I hope that he is also better. Hugs, Stevie
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Spinal Fusions L5-S1 and L4-L5. Cervical DDD, stenosis, spondylosis, spondylolisthesis and facet arthropathy throughout cervical spine from C3-C7. Tiny cervical syrinx. Thoracic Spine: dextroconvex curvature of the thoracic spine, centered at approximately T8.(Scoliosis with 20 degree curve). At T7-8, a disc bulge. Hemangiomatas from T7-T10. Degenerative disc disease T7-T9. Disc dessication from T3-T11.
NATIONAL SUICIDE HELPLINE 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
http://www.crisisclinic.org/
IN THE UK 0845790 90 90
http://www.samaritans.org/
For help for many things...
Canada: http://www.211Canada.ca/
U.S.: http://www.211.org/
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Stacey
Mod
Joined: Feb/15/2010
Location: Central MA
Posts: 700
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Posted: Jul/27/2010 at 10:12am |
This is great news Jenn! I am so happy you got your life back. I bet there is nothing better.
Hugs and best of luck!
Stacey
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"Pick battles big enough to matter, small enough to win." - Jonathan Kozol
DDD, 3 bulging discs one cervical, one thoracic, one lumbar. Periphial neuropathy. Undiagnosed pain rt. side of face, ear &jaw. Will update when diagnosis is known.
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Rocken Roni
Charter Mod
Joined: Jul/09/2008
Location: Alberta Canada
Posts: 1488
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Posted: Jul/27/2010 at 5:46pm |
Hi Jenn, I wish you Good Luck in your new life w/o the Hardware.
Don't be a stranger, Let us know how life is treating you.
Roni  
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 1st injured Feb, 1997. Was told it was "Soft Tissue" and sent back to work - no X-rays
Late 1997 attended 1st “Rehab Program” to strengthen back. Mid ‘98 PCP took me off work. Tried going back to work over the next couple years, mostly off work due to pain.
June 2000, met with OS for first time. Did MRI , damage was L5-S1 totally blown out. Surgery done Jan, 2001.
Another Rehab program late 2001, attempted to go back to work early 2002. Slipped on water, fell flat on back – screw fusion broke.
Went to 3rd Rehab program summer 2002.
Oct 2003 – 2nd Surgery, due to broken screw, had to operate from the front.
No improvement. Attended 4th Rehab program in 2004, at time it was decided NO work.
March 2006, had 3rd Surgery, this time fusion and instrumentation from Si to L3.
June 2008 Surgeon finally admitted I had Failed Back Surgery.
August 2009 WCB Finally put me on Long Term Disability
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sara1
Member
Joined: May/19/2010
Location: Canada-married
Posts: 437
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Posted: Jul/27/2010 at 6:24pm |
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Hi Jenn-great news! What kind of supplements did you take from Orenda? That's great to hear you have your life back and working. Sara
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Mild DDD throughout lumbar spine disabling unable to work. Facet joint arthropy lumbar spine. Cervical C6-7 nerve impinging. Healed L5-S1 herniated disc and tear recently. Off work for 2yrs 6 months since back injury.Treatments - Oxycontin 40-2-3x day,lyrica,cymbalta,voltaran,flexeril.PT,aqua therapy, acupuncture, TENs, infrared platinum heating pad. Last epi,fji's,SI and hip injections next set ESI and fji's and nerve blocks #5 Sept. 2/2010
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BunnyFlops
Charter Member
Joined: Jul/03/2008
Location: N. California
Posts: 202
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Posted: Jul/27/2010 at 7:58pm |
Thanks so much, everyone! I'm sorry I've been away for so long. It seems that I am just so busy playing catch up with all the things I didn't do for 3 years that I've had no time to check in. Truly, my household got so behind.. .whew! what a mess! I finally am feeling like things are getting done.
@Stevie, Scott is doing ok. Thanks for asking. He has stuck to his strict diet of 4 foods for over a year and a half now. He is still working and has ventured to try a new anti-depressant. He still has daily headaches, but no debilitating migraines for some time now. He's holding his own, and that's the best we can ask for as of yet.
@sara1, when I saw my friend walk into the coffee shop one morning looking absolutely marvelous, I told her I wanted whatever she was taking! She put me through on the phone with a wonderful internal medicine doctor who went over all of my symptoms and told me exactly what to take and how it would help me. She was right and it has changed my life. I would love to talk with you more about Orenda. Please message me privately.
-Jenn
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work injury June 2006
ESI's January February 2007
A/P Lumbar Fusion L4-L5 and L5-S1 Oct. 16th and 18th 2007
Emergent Surgical Hardware removal/redo Oct 18, 2007
1 1/2 years of misery...
Hardware taken out on April 16th 2009
One year and counting... Life is Good!
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Spicey
Charter Mod
Joined: Jun/30/2008
Location: NW England, UK
Posts: 3832
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Posted: Jul/28/2010 at 4:36am |
Hi Jenn, Oh wow, it is so good to hear from you again, and even better than the news is so good! I am absolutely delighted that things have improved so much since the hardware removal  And the fact you are now working 2 jobs as well? That is just amazing. It's also good to hear that Scott is doing ok too. Thank you so much for stopping by, it's always a real boost to read a success story  You take care and keep in touch, Love and hugs, Spicey 
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37 yrs old, chronic pain since 1993
Decompression/stabilisation with Dynesys Apr'04, revision with PLIF Oct'08, several ESI's.
Still suffering with bilateral nerve pains in legs, plus in neck, arms & hands since Jul'09. SCS installed Apr'10. No significant improvement yet
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"Forever is just one long trail of nows. All you can do is try and live one now at a time without getting too worked up about the last now or the next now"
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NATIONAL SUICIDE HELPLINES:
UK: 08457 909090 or http://www.samaritans.org
US: 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or http://www.crisisclinic.org
Canada: http://www.211canada.ca/what.php
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BunnyFlops
Charter Member
Joined: Jul/03/2008
Location: N. California
Posts: 202
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Quote Reply
Posted: Jul/29/2010 at 12:03am |
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Spicey! Long time now see girl! Your picture is gorgeous... I hope you feel as good as you look ;) How is your SCS working for you? Hopefully it is worth all the trouble of having it placed. I sure have missed you all. But I think about you guys all the time and wonder how everyone has been. ((HUGS))- Jenn
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work injury June 2006
ESI's January February 2007
A/P Lumbar Fusion L4-L5 and L5-S1 Oct. 16th and 18th 2007
Emergent Surgical Hardware removal/redo Oct 18, 2007
1 1/2 years of misery...
Hardware taken out on April 16th 2009
One year and counting... Life is Good!
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Spicey
Charter Mod
Joined: Jun/30/2008
Location: NW England, UK
Posts: 3832
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Quote Reply
Posted: Aug/01/2010 at 9:53am |
Aw, thanks Jenn, you are very sweet. Sadly not much improvement since the scs was fitted 3 months ago, but I'm plodding on - thank you for asking  Sending big hugs back at ya! We miss you here too, but it's so great that things are moving in your life and I really am so delighted that you are doing better. It's so good to hear Keep in touch! Spicey
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37 yrs old, chronic pain since 1993
Decompression/stabilisation with Dynesys Apr'04, revision with PLIF Oct'08, several ESI's.
Still suffering with bilateral nerve pains in legs, plus in neck, arms & hands since Jul'09. SCS installed Apr'10. No significant improvement yet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Forever is just one long trail of nows. All you can do is try and live one now at a time without getting too worked up about the last now or the next now"
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
NATIONAL SUICIDE HELPLINES:
UK: 08457 909090 or http://www.samaritans.org
US: 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or http://www.crisisclinic.org
Canada: http://www.211canada.ca/what.php
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
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bigcat
Charter Mod
Joined: Jun/27/2008
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 856
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Quote Reply
Posted: Aug/03/2010 at 12:12am |
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Good to hear you found something that worked for you, take care
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Moderate disc bulge at L-5 S-1,meds Loratab 7.5mg neurotin ..robaxin 1200mgs,nortriplyne....
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BunnyFlops
Charter Member
Joined: Jul/03/2008
Location: N. California
Posts: 202
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Quote Reply
Posted: Aug/05/2010 at 6:43pm |
I took the boys on a trip to the Trinity Alps with the cross country runners from their school. Last year when I went, I had packed a large bag full of medications, lidoderm patches, my heating pads, and extra pillows. I had gone on one hike which I felt very proud to have been able to go on.
This time, I packed only my supplements and Tylenol. I forgot my pillow. I went on 3 hikes, one being 3 miles up a mountain climbing up boulders and down in crevices. I gold panned, fished, and cooked for the whole group. I admit, on the evening of the second day I was very sore, but I woke up the next morning feeling great! What a fantastic time we had! And hiking is awesome exercise... it works all your muscles!
-Jenn
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work injury June 2006
ESI's January February 2007
A/P Lumbar Fusion L4-L5 and L5-S1 Oct. 16th and 18th 2007
Emergent Surgical Hardware removal/redo Oct 18, 2007
1 1/2 years of misery...
Hardware taken out on April 16th 2009
One year and counting... Life is Good!
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Stevie
Admins
Joined: Jun/20/2008
Location: Tucson, AZ
Posts: 7749
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Quote Reply
Posted: Aug/05/2010 at 8:55pm |
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Oh Jenn,
How great is this? And thank you SO much for coming back here and telling us how well things are going.
You know, you are the poster child for someone who went through hell and back and can now come on here and give others hope.
Don't ever be a stranger. Your expertise as a nurse and also having gone through all that you have will help so many people.
Thank you Jenn. Stevie
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Spinal Fusions L5-S1 and L4-L5. Cervical DDD, stenosis, spondylosis, spondylolisthesis and facet arthropathy throughout cervical spine from C3-C7. Tiny cervical syrinx. Thoracic Spine: dextroconvex curvature of the thoracic spine, centered at approximately T8.(Scoliosis with 20 degree curve). At T7-8, a disc bulge. Hemangiomatas from T7-T10. Degenerative disc disease T7-T9. Disc dessication from T3-T11.
NATIONAL SUICIDE HELPLINE 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
http://www.crisisclinic.org/
IN THE UK 0845790 90 90
http://www.samaritans.org/
For help for many things...
Canada: http://www.211Canada.ca/
U.S.: http://www.211.org/
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Spicey
Charter Mod
Joined: Jun/30/2008
Location: NW England, UK
Posts: 3832
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Post Options
Quote Reply
Posted: Aug/08/2010 at 11:51am |
Wow Jenn, how awesome! I can't put into words how happy I am for you. You are the 2nd person know who manages to go hiking after having had spinal surgery. It really does bring hope to everyone who is struggling. Thanks so much for keeping us posted. Big hugs, Spicey
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37 yrs old, chronic pain since 1993
Decompression/stabilisation with Dynesys Apr'04, revision with PLIF Oct'08, several ESI's.
Still suffering with bilateral nerve pains in legs, plus in neck, arms & hands since Jul'09. SCS installed Apr'10. No significant improvement yet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Forever is just one long trail of nows. All you can do is try and live one now at a time without getting too worked up about the last now or the next now"
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
NATIONAL SUICIDE HELPLINES:
UK: 08457 909090 or http://www.samaritans.org
US: 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or http://www.crisisclinic.org
Canada: http://www.211canada.ca/what.php
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
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