Things I have learned

[New-disc]

Hello,

Just felt the need to share.......

These are a few things I have learned before,
and after surgery.

1. Do not lift anything more than 5 lbs

2. Look high, and low for all options

3. Don't feel like a burdon asking for help

4. Gravity is our greatest set back

5. Don't let any one push you more than your body
will allow

6. Don't let your employer or ins. off the hook

7. Be loving to whats left of your spine

8. Enjoy the simple things life has to offer

9. Walk as often as you can ( straight lines )

10. After surgery (walk on even ground)

11. Teach your loved ones about your pain/injury

12. Never give up hope

Please feel free to add................

Todd

[KBear]

Very well said. As far as asking others for help, I had someone put it to me in a unique way and would like to share.
As humans, most of us would like to help someone in need. If we hear of a need, we instinctively want to help. When someone dies, what do we do? Take food, why? Because it makes us feel helpful, like we are doing something for the family. When we offer to help someone, would we be offended or think less of them if they took us up on our offer? Of course not. We would be thrilled to help. It would make us feel good to help them, purposeful. It is a wonderful feeling to help someone, to feel the joy and happiness of knowing you made a difference for someone.

So, by denying someone the right to help us, in whatever way they want to help (getting groceries, babysitting, cleaning, fill in the blank), we are refusing them the ability to be charitable. We are denying them a way to feel purposeful, helpful, and they are not able to use their gift of service. This is selfish of us, to think so much of ourselves, that we are willing to deny others from helping us. We are so worried about what others will think and holding up an image of ability, when in fact we aren't able or shouldn't be doing the task they are wanting to do. When all that want is to genuinely help us.

I hope this gives some perspective, probably not as eloquently said as I had it told to me; but I think I got the point across.

[Toebin]

KBear you sure did... allowing others to help is allowing them to show they care. It's a gift WE get and give in so many situations.

New-disc, nice thread !!!

[kimmers]

Todd,

I am curious. The not lifting more than 5 pounds rule. Is that your idea or a doctor's recommendation to you?
I used to lift way over 5 pounds and I get the feeling that those days are bygone.
I did hear from someone that their doctor said ADR patients should lift no more than 30 pounds.
Just curious.

Kimmers

[rhatzy]

One guy who had a two level lumbar done in Germany in January with me is a weight lifter/body builder/trainer last August said he was back at work and squatting 315 pounds. It makes me cringe when I think about it, but that's what he has always done. So who knows what the max is for lifting weights.

Mark

[kimmers]

Rhatzy,

I did find in the literature that a ProDisc ADR failed because of lifting weights like that.
I mean i used to leg press over 200 pounds and do free weights (50 to 100 pounds). Now, I would be really careful because it is basic physics, if we put enough stress on the ADR, it wlll break.
Yet, it has held up to car accidents and falls.
Everywhere I have looked, heavy weight lifting is not recommended.
What do you think, or what have you heard?

Kimmers

[Harrison]

Todd, very insightful post.

Through my trials of pain with a lumbar problem that disabled me, while fighting insurance, I learned about virtues I never really understood before: humility, hope and compassion. Looking back, I now know that these lessons are never really completed. So thanks for “paying it forward!”

[New-disc]

Hello,

I choose not to lift more than 5 lbs due to....

1. I'm only 44 yrs old ( gravity alone will eat away
at whats left of my joints as I age.)

2. Don't want to risk doing more damage to whats
left of my spine

3. Most doctors like to see people come in the door, so
if you lift something to heavy.... woops ( more $
for them)

4. Lifting up to 5 lbs, and being carefull on how I do
things seems to work best for me.

5. I'm sure the implant can take the weight ( but
why risk it? )

6. Walking keeps me fit.... running/weight
training is not a good idea, and for me
something of the past.

7. I've had doctors tell me do whatever you want.. lift up to 30 lbs...

( I say that's crazzy )

8. Why take the chance and go back to that very dark place full of pain ever again?

9. My laptop PC is only 4 lbs .... so it's a safe bet .. I'll
be on line for yrs to come.

Happy trails ..... travel light!!

Todd

[JudyW]

I agree with limiting any weight lifting. After all, being over weight is a hard on your back so it stands to reason that lifting extra weight would have the same effect (albeit a shorter duration). I stay thin, and I don't lift anything heavy if I can help it. It may come up in my career that I have to lift someone or something in an emergency but that is very rare. Of course, I would do what I had to do in a life threatening situation. Every day life I don't lift more than 15-20 pounds (my cat is 12).