When I met with my spine surgeon on November 4, she said she thought that since I did get total pain relief (for 2 days) after the epidural steroid injection into L5, it is likely that surgery at that level could give me total pain relief long-term. While it’s clear that my scoliosis has progressedContinue reading “Surgery is Scheduled for December 15”
Author Archives: Rg
October Update
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. TheseContinue reading “October Update”
September Update
Happy fall, y’all! In the past few weeks, I’ve met with the orthopedic spine surgeon I mentioned before, a physical therapist, and an orthopedic hip surgeon. I like all 3 of these providers. I felt heard, understood, and collaborated with in these appointments. I felt like the focus was on addressing what I am feelingContinue reading “September Update”
Anniversaries
It’s the 10th anniversary of this post I wrote about anniversaries, so I thought it’d be cool to repost it. https://reneegaubert.com/2015/08/31/anniversaries/ Anniversaries are cornerstones in therapeutic journeys. Therapy is a safe space to share the unique experience we have on anniversaries. Like having one foot standing in the past and one in the present, weContinue reading “Anniversaries”
August Update
I had to switch insurance plans a second time, so my August appointments have been moved to September. I’m trying to take everything one day at a time, and being gentle with myself each time I come up against a roadblock that takes me on another detour to surgery. Meanwhile, my pain levels have stayedContinue reading “August Update”
July Update
I hit some roadblocks in healthcare coverage. At first, this frustrated me, but now I am grateful that it gave me an extra month to pause and reflect before going ahead with the surgery plan I was given before my move. Coincidentally, my snake Kaa was also just diagnosed with an irreversible spinal condition, andContinue reading “July Update”
Greetings from Brooklyn
I’m safe and settled in Brooklyn! Thank you for all the well wishes on my journey here. The space my brother and sister-in-law have created is beautiful and welcoming, and it’s already feeling like home. I am still in the process of getting a NY health plan and searching for the right surgeon, so IContinue reading “Greetings from Brooklyn”
Greetings from Virginia
Just checking in from the road! My brother and I had a blast at all the theme parks! Bella and Rex got to go to Dog Daycare at Disney and made lots of new friends. I recently found this photo of what must be my first theme park ride with my brother, so we recreatedContinue reading “Greetings from Virginia”
Made it to Florida!
Stopped in Tallahassee for the night. Rex, Bella, Ryan and I enjoyed dining al fresco at Outback Steakhouse 🐨 Today we’ll arrive in Orlando where we’ll be for the rest of the week: Universal Studios Islands of Adventure on Tuesday 🦖 Hollywood Studios on Wednesday 🪐 Epcot on Thursday 🚀 Magic Kingdom on Friday 🏰Continue reading “Made it to Florida!”
Asking for Help
As a therapist, I have emphasized the importance of honoring our needs and asking for help meeting them. I always say the goal is neither independence nor dependence, but interdependence. Planning for my surgery has been a great opportunity for me to practice this myself. I asked for help from friends and family before leavingContinue reading “Asking for Help”
Renée Gaubert, LCSW 