3 Weeks Post-Op

At my 2-week post-op visit last Friday, my surgeon was impressed with my mobility and said both the front and back incisions are healing well. She prescribed a 7-day course of Prednisone to help with the nerve pain, and between that and the Gabapentin, the pain in my legs is now more of a dull cramping and aching than an intense burning and tingling. I’ve been able to sleep 6+ hours most nights this week, and I’m down to only taking Oxycodone if I wake up in pain in the night. I do still get fatigued easily, and the days go by quickly when you have to rest so much! But I am feeling great about my progress! I am happy I had the much smaller fusion because while it didn’t correct my scoliosis, I believe it corrected the issue that was causing my most debilitating pain with a much easier and quicker recovery. 🤗

At my 6-week post-op appointment on 1/30/26, I’ll get a new set of X-rays to see how the fusion is healing and how my alignment may have shifted. I should be cleared to resume riding public transportation at that time, and to sit for 45+ minutes. I was discharged from at-home PT yesterday. My instructions are to keep walking and doing upper-body exercises until I’m cleared at my 6-week post-op appointment to start outpatient PT. For our last session, we walked to the subway and up and down the steps, so #goalmet. 🙌🏼

Yesterday afternoon, Bella and Rex had a dog training session during which we walked 2.5 blocks and back. We passed by Ethan Hawke! 😍🥰✨ I’ve mentioned he lives in the neighborhood before, but this was my first time actually seeing him. He was on the phone (not the Black Phone), so we didn’t interact. I have had some dangerous encounters here that have made me fearful of walking alone outside, especially now that I am even more physically vulnerable, so I decided to parlay this casual crossing with one of my favorite actors as a corrective experience and use it as motivation. This morning, I walked 3 blocks and back by myself! 🖤

My brother and sister-in-law returned to their offices on Monday, so I’ve been on my own during the day. I’m scheduling friends to come visit and walk with me (and the dogs) each day, which would not be possible if I hadn’t had the time and energy to put into building social support here over several months before surgery. This reminds me of some moments in therapy journeys when a client may think they waited too long to make a move, felt a relationship was wasted time, regretted a decision, or otherwise felt put behind, only to discover that they are actually right on time, right where they need to be. This simply couldn’t have happened any other way. 🔮

For my former clients, here is my return to work plan! 🥁

My surgeon’s recommendation was to return to work at week 12, which would be March 9th, 2026. I plan to reopen my practice on February 2nd to give me time to ease back in slowly. I’m going to take February to work mostly administratively- notifying all my former clients that my practice is reopened, determine who is interested in resuming therapy, working out a regular schedule, etc. During that time, I’ll offer the same free 15-minute consultation phone call I offer to prospective clients to all my former clients. That way everyone has an opportunity to connect with me on the phone, free of charge, to briefly discuss how things have been going for you while my practice has been closed and whether returning to therapy with me is the right move for you. If you’d rather just respond to my email and then jump right back in, that’s ok too! There is also absolutely no pressure to return- my goal is always to support you in doing what is best for you, even if that means continuing to work with someone else or going it alone.

I plan to open my availability for chat sessions on BetterHelp in February, then begin opening my availability for video sessions through my patient portal on March 2nd. There is no need to worry that if you don’t return in March, you’ll lose a spot to a new client. Once I reopen, there will always be room for you on my caseload to meet at whatever frequency is right for you. I will always welcome you back excitedly! The only exceptions would be if I determined it would not be appropriate due to safety, clinical, or ethical reasons, and I would of course discuss those with you directly. 

My fees and policies will remain the same, but I’ll have everyone review and sign new Informed Consent agreements before resuming therapy. If you have any questions or concerns about this plan, feel free to email me. I’ll begin responding to emails and holding consultation calls starting February 2nd!

I hope you are all taking great care of yourselves, and happy Carnival to all who celebrate! 💜💚💛

Love,

Renée