October went by scary fast. I had a cortisone steroid injection in my hip, which brought my hip pain to 0 for about 3 hours the next day. I also had a Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injection (TESI) in my L5 region, which brought my back and hip pain to 0 for 2 glorious days. These outcomes are bittersweet. They gave me a glimpse at what my body could feel like without the inflammation and pain I’ve gotten used to, but they only lasted for a brief period.
Schroth PT has been helpful in managing my pain. It’s been a lot of using props to passively put my spine in straighter alignment, and then breathing in that position. So again, the relief I’m getting may be a glimpse of what I’m likely to experience after a fusion surgery.
My physical therapist also stresses that doing these exercises now is great preparation for surgery, since my muscles being more accustomed to holding the spine in a straightened position should allow for a greater correction of the curve in surgery. I saw the sports medicine doctor at the Harkness Center for Dance Injuries, who said my curves are more severe than anyone she’s worked with before. She said I’m fine to continue dancing as long as it doesn’t increase my pain; the problem is that it does increase my pain. I left that appointment feeling like delaying surgery would not be in my best interest.
I have an appointment with the spine surgeon on November 4th to discuss my options, considering the new information that these non-operative treatments have given us.
Kaa is doing well! He is eating and eliminating normally now! His spine looks pretty gnarly at the segment where the infection is; the bone looks almost like a fracture, and the scales look scarred. But it doesn’t seem to be slowing him down anymore, so the vet said we can just monitor him from here forward. I’m feeling relieved that he is not rapidly declining, and hopeful that I’ll have a few more years with him. He seems to be enjoying all his curves.
I came across this online, and have taken it as inspiration for this in-between time.
I’ve been making sure to do something fun and values-based for myself at least once each week. I think I’m hitting a good balance of solo and social adventures. I’m also being patient with myself when I need to just rest and recover for a day or two. Here are a few photos and videos from my October outings.
Psycho with the NY Philharmonic (with my brother and sister in law)
Spooky Spine and Wine with the Bionic Project (with new scoli-friends)
It’s been so encouraging! to speak with
ballerinas with spinal fusions! 🩰
Hocus Pocus at the Rooftop Cinema Club (solo)
Death Becomes Her on Broadway (solo)
No Kings Protest in Brooklyn (with a new friend)
Petey USA at Webster Hall (solo)
Hike in Fahnestock State Park (with my brother and sister-in law, and her coworkers) during a weekend upstate.
George Takei speaking at Brooklyn Public Library for Banned Books Week (with new friends)
I’ve also been taking Broadway Jazz classes at Mark Morris
And taking Rex and Bella to Fort Greene park, reading under the trees 📚🍂
Brooklyn really goes all out for Halloween!
And Ethan Hawke lives in the neighborhood! I was too shy to trick-or-treat him though 🙈
I enjoyed handing out candy with our fam, though!
I miss all my former clients and think of you every day! I always enjoy hearing from you and I’m sending you lots of love back. ☺️
Thank you all for reading and sharing this space with me. I hope it inspires you to keep forging ahead on your own wellness journeys, even when it’s exhausting and confusing and lonely and time-sucking. And to still spend time on the activities that give you more life.
Happy Scorpio Season!
Love, Renée 🦂
Renée Gaubert, LCSW 
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