walking with a stick

Published on October 23, 2004 By dharmagrl In Misc

I had to see the neurologist yesterday about my back.

He's referring me to the neurosurgery department at Barnes Jewish hospital in St Louis..thinks that the time has come or is coming for me to get operated on. I have a herniated disk at L2 and osteoarthritis in L1 and L2. Rather than do a diskectomy, he thinks I should have a spinal fusion done instead....have the disk taken out, then use either cadaveric bone or some taken from my pelvis to fuse L1 and L2 together. This is just the neurologist's opinion though, the surgeon might say something totally different.

In the meantime, he suggested that I consider using a cane to walk with on days that my back really bothers me, or if I know I'm going to be walking for a while (like when I'm shopping etc).

Surprisingly, I'm for it. I thought about it, and realized that I'll probably be able to go for longer and be in less pain afterwards if I have a little assistance. There was a time when I would have rejected the notion straight away, I wouldn't even have entertained the possibility. Now, however...if walking with a cane means that i can walk around the park with my family and not be up all night in pain afterwards, then I'm all about that.

Besides, it'll be useful in getting the sympathy vote. People will be more likely to give up their seat for me on a crowded Metro-Link tram if I'm using a cane...LOL

Comments (Page 1)

MasonM

on Oct 23, 2004

I feel for you. I went through the surgery myself in '99. The cane is a good idea, it really does help. After the surgery, the pain was a great deal worse than beofre, but my right leg worked more or less normally again and still does most of the time.

I still carry a cane in the truck with me for the days when getting around is especially painful. Thankfully those days are far less frequent than they used to be.

Use the cane, but don't count on it as a miracle, it's still gonna hurt, but it will help maintain balance and ease the tension on the back caused from trying to maintain balance.

Good luck on the surgery.

dharmagrl

on Oct 23, 2004

Use the cane, but don't count on it as a miracle, it's still gonna hurt,

Yeah, I know....I'm not expecting to run a marathon with it, but if it helps me to walk the dog and not have to lay on the couch afterwards....then I'll be happy with that!

I too am looking forward to less painful days....

Shovelheat

on Oct 23, 2004

I've always thought that if/when the day comes I need a cane, I'm gonna get one with the hidden flask of bourbon in it...

dharmagrl

on Oct 23, 2004

I've always thought that if/when the day comes I need a cane, I'm gonna get one with the hidden flask of bourbon in it

I wanted one that has a sword/knife in it....but alcohol will work as well!

I saw one today that has leopard print on it...not for me, but I do like the thought of having a funky cane. P'raps I'll paint the one that I get...personalize it.

Texas Wahine

on Oct 23, 2004

Bless your heart, dharma. . . . at least get yourself a badass cane . . . I recommend looking for something like Saruman's staff . . .

dharmagrl

on Oct 23, 2004

at least get yourself a badass cane

Oh yeah, that's a must!! I wanted something really ornate and carved..I saw a pic of johnny cash's cane, it had a owl and snake carved into it - but that's not going to be practical. I saw a copper-colored adjustable one that I'm thinking about getting, and I'm serious about painting/decorating it!

Mr_Frog

on Oct 23, 2004

You need to get the one with the pewter fist of power on the top. That way if someone messes with you, you can clock them upside the head.

-- B

dharmagrl

on Oct 23, 2004

You need to get the one with the pewter fist of power on the top. That way if someone messes with you, you can clock them upside the head

I was thinking earlier of all the ways I can fuck with people if I have a cane...... I like the fist idea.

zweihander01

on Oct 24, 2004

Its a tossup between:
Biff's cane from Back to the Future II
Sword cane
GUN cane
A Gandalf cane.

The first is for obsure movie references. The second and third are for pulling on punk ass kids. The last is for standing in the middle of a bottleneck and shouting "YOU WILL NOT PASS!!!" Decisions decisions...

MasonM

on Oct 24, 2004

recommendation: wal mart and other places sell a cane with a large offset handle. it's a kinda curved looking handle with a large flat horizontal top where your hand goes. you should recognize what I mean when you see it.

I've tried several different kinda, and these offer the most support with the least amount of arm/wrist strain. check it out.

MasonM

on Oct 24, 2004

I found a web page that shows a picture of what I mean.

http://www.absorbentsolutions.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=ABSO&Category_Code=CANE

It's about half way down the page. Adjustable Aluminum Offset Cane.

Not the prettiest thing, but if you plan to use one, you'll be glad you have this one.

dharmagrl

on Oct 24, 2004

a cane with a large offset handle.

My husband's grandmother has one of those, I took it for a test run the last time we were over there and found it really comfortable. I checked out ebay and found one just like it...so I'm keeping an eye on it.

I also found some gorgeous cane-toppers...they're pretty but not practical.

dharmagrl

on Oct 24, 2004

Oh, and thanks for all your help Mason...that's really touching, and very helpful!

I've settled on a bronze offset handle adjustable one. Practical and comfortable.

Myrrander

on Oct 24, 2004

hey dharma, as somebody who had back surgery just a year ago (mine was for a tumour in the middle of my spinal cord) -- I know how much this is sucking for you. I did the cane thing for awhile, and it's not so bad -- hopefully surgery will help you out a lot. There's always going to be some nerve problems though, but it gets better than before the surgery and it certainly doesn't get any worse.

good luck and hugs

dharmagrl

on Oct 24, 2004

Myrr, thank you so much. I'm sorry that you had to go through it, but I'm thankful that you and Mason know how it is.

I'm hoping that the surgery will help out a lot. I'm not expecting a miracle, I just want some relief without the aid of narcotics.

Hugs to you too!

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