At my 3-month post-op appointment, my surgeon lifted all my restrictions and said I can return to all activity, “just listen to [my] body.” She measured my X-rays (above) and said my lumbar curve decreased 20 degrees, and the thoracic is the same. Also, I grew half an inch. I showed her the scoliosis program I found in New Hampshire, and she was all for it. I’ve booked a furnished apartment in New Hampshire 4/20-5/31 and scheduled the 12 sessions of treatment at the PT clinic there. I’m hopeful that will help with my back pain, and maybe even reduce my thoracic curve. And right before that, I’ll be attending Bionicon!
My hip pain is still gone, but my low-back pain is where it was pre-surgery. The pain in my ribs is still intense. I wake up with my pain at a 4-5 and by the end of the day it’s an 8-9. The pain matches the compression you can see from these lovely mirror pics (morning on the left, bedtime on the right).
The cardiologist said my Holter monitor readings were consistent with anxiety. The pulmonologist I saw seemed confident that the embolism was triggered by my surgery, but he wants to rule out cancer just in case. Apparently a surgery and cancer can be the “perfect storm” for a pulmonary embolism. I’ve had 2 types of cancer already- skin and cervical- but they were both caught early (stage 0) and as far as I know, I’ve been cancer-free for 3 years. I’m told having one form of cancer increases your risk of developing others. The radiation from all the X-rays I’ve had to monitor my scoliosis over my lifespan has increased my cancer risk as well. My skin check last October came back clear, so the return of melanoma is unlikely. I am on the 2nd step in the process of ruling out cervical, breast, and colon cancers. So I’m still having several medical appointments each week. Not helping with the anxiety.
I’m feeling overwhelmed as a patient. I’m also overwhelmed as a pet parent. Bella continues to have recurrent ear infections, and her skin allergies have continued to progress such that she has lost patches of hair. I got an allergy blood test and ordered specialty allergy drops, which she started on 2/24. They could take 6 months to take effect, so in the meantime she is on a course of prednisone and wearing my T-shirts to protect her skin. Luckily, we wear the same size.
Week before last, I noticed some changes to Kaa’s spine, so I brought him into the vet for X-rays. The X-rays showed the osteomyelitis (bone infection in his spine) had progressed to the point that it was near fracturing, which would sever his spinal cord.
To save him from that pain and suffering, I decided to let him go peacefully on Saturday the 14th. We had a great afternoon. Kaa, the dogs, and I sat out back in the sunshine. Kaa loved sunbathing and exploring different textures, like this brick wall.
Then, we watched his favorite movie, Jurassic Park (one of mine too, of course- hence the shirt on Bella). The vet staff were so comforting and kind, and everyone there loved him so I know he was comfortable in his final moments. I know I made the right decision, but that doesn’t lessen the pain of losing him.
Yesterday when I came home from my GI appointment, which culminated in scheduling a colonoscopy, I really wanted a snake hug. My dogs are great comfort, but they can’t really hug. I wanted Kaa. I took comfort in still having him home with me in some way.
Then I went to my support group and got some great people hugs and comfort there. I came home feeling in a more hopeful mood, only to find Bella had decided to eat her glass bottle of allergy drops. Everyone at the vet loves her too, but I was not expecting to be back so soon. X-rays showed she has pieces of glass throughout her GI tract.
The vet seems confident Bella will safely pass the glass and plastic with supportive medication at home, so that is a relief. She has never chewed anything she is not supposed to before, or gotten anything off my desk before, so my mind is still boggling. She is offering 0 helpful insights.
At least Rex is doing fabulous this month. No X-rays or recent biting incidents of his to report, thankfully. He, too, has nothing to say about the glass fiasco.
That’s all for now!
Love,
Renée
Renée Gaubert, LCSW 
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