It's been a while. Things suck. But I bring a gift.

[ryanbytes]

It's probably been a year or so since I've been here. I've been fused from L3-L5 and am getting an SI fusion on June 5th. Life kinda sucks right now and I'm going to miss another summer recovering. The fusions didn't reduce the pain I was having but they did stop it from increasing so I reluctantly call them successes. I'm hoping for more for the SI fusion since, to me at least, it's a more simple thing. I look at it like screwing two pieces of wood together. Simple! While the lumbar fusions were like screwing wood together while dealing with wires everywhere. Not simple!

Anyway about the gift. If you like the outdoors I discovered something that might help. It's called the Access Pass and it's good for 50% off of pretty much everything offered by the U.S. Park service, Fish and Wildlife, Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and Bureau of Reclamation along with the Army Corps. of Engineers. So basicallt camping is 50% off, park entry is free, some permits have discounts, stuff like that. Since I live in Chicago I love any chance I can get to get out of the city and into the quiet. My fiancee and I wanted to go camping this year but once we added things up things would be too much. Especially if we wanted a cabin with bunks. Now maybe we have a shot when I'm all healed! It's also a lifetime pass so who said being gimpy didn't have benefits? :P

Sorry for blabbing, I'm just really happy. This made my day after a massive headache and screwing my back up scooping poops from litter.

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[Mark N]

Ryanbytes, How did the SI fusion go? I hope it provides you with the relief you are looking for and recovery goes well. Thanks for bringing up the access pass as people that can still get out fishing, camping, or hunting could use the savings with the way things are going right now.

I hope you can get on the computer soon and let me know how you are doing following another spinal surgery.

[ryanbytes]

I had the fusion done on Tuesday and I'm still in the hospital. When I woke up in recovery my right leg was numb and in excruciating pain at the same time. The numbness has gone, the pain remains.the doctors don't know what to do.

[Mark N]

Ryan, sorry to hear the pain is still there as my surgeon always told me that if it worked I should have different pains. I hope as the healing goes on the pain gets less and less until you realize you don't have pain any more. Keep your chin up as it is depressing when the pain is still there but we don't know how the future will be.

[denisat9]

Hello ryan.
I've been reading about your experience with the si fusion using ifuse and i was wondering how's it going after 2 years since the surgery.
Thank you!

[Mark N]

Ryan, I too was wondering how you are doing to years after the SI fusion. I hope you are in far less pain and doing better now.

denisat9, welcome to the board, it is good to see a new member here. Things use to be hopping around here and I hope along with you we will see new members and things get hopping again. I have been here since 1998 and have gone through 3 spinal surgeries including 2 major fusion surgeries. I am more than willing to offer support and advice or giving my experiences about the pain, surgeries, and conditions that go along with spinal issues. It has been tough on my marriage but my wife and I have worked through it and I am thankful for her perseverance as life as a partner to a spinie with CP isn't easy. Feel free to ask any questions. Once again WELCOME.