I finished 15 ASMI treatments and physical therapy sessions at Coppola Physical Therapy. The machine definitely helped increase mobility and derotate my spine. Here are some pics of the progress. 

The cold snaps in the Northeast have been super unpleasant with my bionic spine. I’ve been told that since metal conducts cold differently than human tissue, cold weather changes how the metal feels in my body (i.e. pain).

I wanted to go to college in California. I had a scholarship to University of San Diego and loved it when I visited. But after being uprooted from New Orleans the summer before my senior year, and having to make my dating relationship of 2 years long distance, I wanted to return to New Orleans. I don’t regret my college life at Loyola New Orleans (or my Katrina semester at Loyola Chicago). But I feel like California has been calling my name ever since. I’m licensed as an LCSW in California since 2024 and most of my therapy clients are located there, so I feel connected there professionally, too.

Since it’s just me and the dogs, I’m taking my time to get there, camping along the way. Taking tons of pics, of course. More soon!

Love, 

Renée 

I’m writing from Goffstown, New Hampshire, where I’m in the next phase of my surgery recovery. 

First, some test results. My GI found a medium-sized, high-risk polyp in my colon, but good news is it is stage 0 and she removed all of it. Her recommendation is to repeat the colonoscopy in 3 years. My pap test came back normal, so I’m still cervical cancer free! My ultrasound showed a lesion on my right breast, so I have to get a second ultrasound to further diagnose it. My PCP said that about 70% of patients she sends for those do not have breast cancer, so that was reassuring. She also ordered a thyroid ultrasound because my thyroid antibodies were high, which can sometimes indicate a tumor there. I’m optimistic that everything will be fine. But I’m also really tired of having new things added to my list of medical to-dos and hope-nots.

On to the better news. I had an amazing time at Bionicon last weekend! It was so transformative sharing space with more than 50 other folks with scoliosis and spinal fusions. Meredith and her team did an incredible job, and I did not want the weekend to end!

A major highlight was the dance workshop that Meredith taught.

The lyrics and choreography were cathartic, and I can only describe the experience of dancing with other scoliosis warriors as magical. One of the ladies in the class was also from New Orleans and had a service dog, which made me miss my Eliza Jane terribly but was also healing in a serindipitous way. 

After not driving at all for 4 months, I have made 5 3-hour trips in the last 2 weeks. I’ve enjoyed being back behind the wheel, especially driving through Connecticut and Massachusetts for the first time, but my body has not. I took it easy my first week here, trying to balance rest and movement before beginning the 3-week Scoliosis program at Coppola Physical Therapy.

I had my first ASMI session today, and it was really cool! During the treatment, I felt nauseous and light headed and then straight-up high. My therapist said that is normal since we are shifting the spinal cord around. I felt really good when I got off the table, and I already felt a bit straighter. We’re going to do a “before” picture before my next session, so that’ll be great to see the visual difference after the treatments. 

This past weekend, I was able to explore 2 nature trails with the dogs. Saturday, we walked the Goffstown Rail Trail. 

Sunday, we walked through Stark Park. 

Being surrounded by tall trees is really calming for me. I love how small they make me feel, and by extension, how small they make my problems feel. I also had a super cool twisty tree moment that seemed to reflect my spine back to me.

It’s all beautiful.

Wishing everyone a belated Happy Earth Day 🌎

Love,

Renée 

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!

I’m walking without the cane and my balance feels back to how it was pre-surgery. 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 pics (morning on the left, bedtime on the right).

The scars are looking pretty good and the swelling is mostly gone.

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 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 (most of) 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 white specks).

The vet seems confident Bella will safely pass the glass and plastic with supportive medication at home, so that is a relief. She gets this creepy white bread to her diet.

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

Tomorrow (Monday) will officially be 12 weeks since my spinal fusion surgery. My pain has consistently been a 5 when I wake up and 9 at the end of the day. For the past 2 weeks, I’m having a lot of pain in my ribs. Sneezes are shockingly painful. I’ve been waking up in the night with pain from breathing. Laying down is usually the most comfortable position for me, but now that is also painful. I’m trying not to get discouraged since my surgeon said at about 3 months I would start to feel better than I did before surgery. I’m told my upper body is adjusting to the new alignment in my lumbar spine, so I’m practicing patience.

The pain in my left hip is still gone, so that’s definitely positive. I was cleared to walk outside without my cane on February 19th and I feel like my balance is almost normal. A combo of drop-in-like-it’s-hot squats and genuflects helps me pick things up without my grabber. I still use my cane for balance when I walk the dogs.

The past 2 Wednesdays I went to my weekly support group meeting in Manhattan and was able to sit for the full 90 minutes (with a brace on). On Thursday I was able to stand and sit in alternating intervals and positions that allowed me to cut my hair and Nair my legs, which were both long over due. I did shave my legs using an “extender” tool early in my recovery, and that left me with lots of nicks and missed spots. Nair has come a long way since I first used it circa 1995! It’s up to 62 degrees in Brooklyn right now 😮. Not quite time for short shorts, but I’ll be ready when it is. 😎 I’m back to work full-time and enjoying resuming work with therapy clients. Life is starting to look normal for me.

In April, I’ll be attending the first-ever BioniCon, and I’m looking forward to connecting with other adults living with scoliosis and spinal fusions there! I’m really grateful for the community I’ve been able to access through my surgery journey, and I know it will continue to grow from here.

I think the rib pain I’m having is from my thoracic curve, so I really want to address that. I like my PT but she’s not trained in scoliosis specific exercises. Going back to the Schroth PT doesn’t seem sustainable given the sessions are only 30 minutes and my insurance is not likely to approve more visits since I’ve already had the max. A couple weeks before I went in for surgery, I had a consultation with a physical therapist in New Hampshire that has a nonsurgical scoliosis treatment program. This clinic uses the Advanced Spinal Mobilization Instrument (ASMI) to manually rocks vertebrae back and forth to encourage better alignment. Some people see correction in their curves with this treatment. I’m hoping to get clearance from my surgeon at my 12 week post-op appointment and then head there. I’ll live and work from an apartment in New Hampshire while I complete the 3-week intensive program. 

My next follow-up with my surgeon is on March 19th, so I’ll post my new set of X-rays and degree measurements after that. For now, here’s before and after X-rays of my lumbar spine.

And here’s a video I found helpful in explaining the surgery I had.

It’s International Women’s Day today, so I wish all the women reading this a day of recognition, respect, resistance, and rest. My feminine rage has a lot to say lately, but I’m saving that for a future post. Or 60.

Love,

Renée

My week started at a 10/10 pain on Monday and is ending with 3/10 pain today, so I’d say it’s been a great week for my surgery recovery! My best friend of 26 years (aka chosen sister) came for a visit last weekend. It was so fun hanging at the apartment together and also exploring NYC for her first time! We got pizza in the neighborhood on Friday night, and hit up the Banksy Museum on Saturday and the Museum of Modern Art on Sunday.

It was 4 degrees for most of the time we were out, so I’m very grateful she braved the weather with me! 🥶

We also ate some delicious food my brother and sister-in-law prepared while watching the Winter Olympics and Super Bowl. ⛸️ 🏈

I got around the city really well with my cane over the weekend, but had to stay in bed most of Monday to recover. I had PT on Tuesday and Thursday, and I’m happy to report the sessions are a full hour and really helpful! My physical therapist has a cervical spinal fusion, and it helps to know she gets it on a personal level. She applies a heating pad for 20 minutes and then massages the area where most of my pain is (left lumbar). Next, I do a few core-strengthening Pilates exercises on the table, at the barre, and on the reformer. I have 4 more sessions to go (insurance only approved 6). It definitely helps to be moving more and feeling stronger. 💪🏼

On Friday, I was able to make it to the Upper East Side to visit another chosen family member for a meal and a musical. 🎶

I’m now walking the dogs by myself (one at a time), and I can see all the work the trainer did with them paying off. Bella and Rex celebrated Valentine’s Day at daycare yesterday and with me today. I couldn’t ask for cuter valentines. 💘

My surgeon ordered a bone growth stimulator which arrived today. I wear it for one 2-hour session each day for the next 6+ months. 😬

It sends low-level pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF) that mimic the body’s natural electrical signals to increase blood supply to the fusion site. This stimulates bone cells called osteoblasts 🚀 that help bone grow over the hardware (fusion). 

It feels great to have my practice open again and I am thrilled to be resuming work with several clients. I got a new lumbar chair support so I’m ready for sessions, and #bonus- it doubles as a toy for Kaa.

Sending love to you all!

💕 Renée 

I am on the other side of my spinal fusion surgery and officially re-opening my practice as of today, February 2, 2026! To give me time to ease back in slowly, I’m taking February to work mostly administratively- informing former clients I’m re-opening, determining who is interested in resuming therapy, working out a regular schedule, etc. I plan to open my availability for chat sessions on BetterHelp on February 9. I plan to open my availability for video sessions through my patient portal on March 2nd.

For my former clients reading this, there is absolutely no pressure to return to therapy with me. 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. There is also no need to worry that if you don’t return now, you’ll lose a spot to a new client. There will always be room for you on my caseload to meet at whatever frequency is right for you, and 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. 

If you have any questions or concerns about my practice re-opening or resuming therapy, please reach out! My contact info is below. I’m so excited to get back to work!

Love,

Renée

Renée Gaubert, LCSW

renee.gaubert.lcsw@gmail.com

504-315-5663

moving-through-trauma.com

Like all trauma recovery, surgery recovery is not linear. My back pain has returned to an 8/10 the past week, which has had me pretty down. At my 6-week follow-up with my surgeon on Friday, x-rays showed my hardware’s still in place and many of my restrictions were lifted. My surgeon said my incisions have healed well and the scars look great. She said the pain in my feet is likely the nerves still adjusting to their new position. She suggested I put lidocaine patches on the tops of my feet, since that is where the burning and shooting pain is localized when I point and flex my feet. She added Tramadol as a step-down from Oxycodone, and said starting outpatient physical therapy should help reduce the pain. It doesn’t look like I’ll be able to resume working with my Schroth PT just yet, so I’ll have to find a new PT for now. I took the subway home from the appointment and was able to navigate that pretty well with my cane and bag. I’ve been able to tolerate sitting for longer periods of time, though I still find I need to lay flat on my ice pack to manage pain throughout the day. I’m cleared to use a heating pad and take baths again, so hopefully that will help, too. My hip pain is still at a 0, so I am very happy about that. My next follow-up with the surgeon will be May 1st.

More good news- my repeat CT scan showed the blood clot in my lung has resolved. My cardiologist recommended I stay on the blood thinner for the full 3 months and follow up with a pulmonologist, just to be safe. He reviewed the heart rate data from my Oura ring and talked with me about my recent stressors. He said the rises are consistent with anxiety and ordered a Holter monitor, which takes continuous ECG readings for several days, to confirm. I also had a telehealth visit with a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) to review my psychiatric medications. She put me back on Vistaril for anxiety since I can’t take Xanax with my pain medications.

Speaking of anti-anxiety medication, the vet increased Rex’s Prozac. He still bit the trainer (for the second time), so we are using treats to condition him to wear this lovely muzzle.

We also had a family session where Ryan and Aubrie practiced using the “consent cue” that the trainer developed with Rex during his “boot camp” last summer. We reach out a hooked finger to Rex and wait for him to bow or step forward and touch us, which lets us know it’s okay to touch him. Y’all know how I love consent! Rex is still going to daycare about once a week, and he got a glowing report card last Friday. Progress over perfection!

I never have to worry about Bella!

In other news, we got about a foot of snow last Sunday!

I am on track to re-open my psychotherapy practice tomorrow as planned! I’ll begin responding to emails and taking care of other administrative tasks over the next 4 weeks, and should have my full availability open for scheduling by March 2nd. I’ve loved reading all the messages I’ve received while my practice has been closed, and I’m very excited to get back to work! I am curious to explore how this experience (closing my practice to have surgery and blogging about the surgery) impacts the therapy process on both sides.

I plan to continue posting on my blog regularly because I believe that surgery, like all trauma, is not something you get over, but something you move through. I’ll continue to share about how I’m moving through my traumas in hopes it helps my readers, whether you know me as a therapist or otherwise, move through yours. Thank you for being here.

Love,

Renée

My recovery is still going well! My back pain is down to a 1/10 most of the time without any medication, and my hips don’t hurt at all. My nerve pain has reduced to just my feet, and the quality of it is different, which hopefully means my nerves are almost fully healed. My only concern is that my heart rate hasn’t decreased since leaving the hospital. My primary care doctor re-ordered a CT scan to see if the clot in my lung is dissolving or not, and that is scheduled for tomorrow.

My sleep is still sporadic, and I still get fatigued easily caring for myself and my pets. Rex has had some trouble adjusting to me not being able to pick him up and walk him myself, which he is unfortunately expressing by biting. I’m working with a dog trainer to help both Rex and Bella behave better when walked by others. Emotionally, I feel grateful and hopeful.

Provided everything looks as expected at my 6-week follow-up appointment with my surgeon next Friday, I’m on track to re-open my practice on February 2nd. 🥳 I’ll post a formal announcement at that time.

Thank you for your continued support! 💕

Love,

Renée