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P R O G R E S S R E P O R T
PHASE I - ACUTE PHASE OF TREATMENT, DOCTORS ASSESSMENTS, BEGINNING REHAB
October 16 - December 31, 2009
Oct .16 - Nov. 10: Unable to work; complete rest; heavily ice back; three doctors assessments; Ultrasound on back; hand massage; body adjustments; upon to listening to three doctors' recommendations I decide to completely shut down my landscape business; file a disability claim; contact family and clients.)
Nov. 11 - Dec. 15: Physical therapy assessments; begin a very light cardio warmup and very light core strengthening rehab exercises; at times warm up on NordicTrack Commercial 1300 Eliptical Exerciser; Physical Therapy one to three times a week at clinic; begin selling landscape equipment.
Dec. 16: Try more intensive Core strengthening. This proved to be too much as I paid for it later in the afternoon and following day - on the floor and period iicing and pain killers; back to light core strengthening through the end of the year.
Personal Note: We discussed what appears to be Lumbosacral Facet Syndrome. I have problems with my lower spine as muscles tense and spasm easily, putting pressure on vertebrae and resulting in nerve issues/pain. Very similar to a sports injury when muscles are extremely overused. This is yet to be determined, however, symptoms are almost identical. Even the intense craving for salty foods.
Dec. 17-31: Light cardio warmup on stair stepper; very light core strengthening rehab exercises; shoot some baskets on the court and slowly retrive ball for my kids to shoot baskets.
PHASE II - SLOWLY RECOVERING AND WORKING THROUGH REHAB
January 2010
Jan. 1-6: Light cardio warmup on stair stepper; very light core strengthening rehab exercises.
Personal Note: Still have approximately 10 percent loss of neck rotation when turning to the left; Still have lesssened flexibility when doing supine knee rotations to the left; still have loss of reach going down quadrisep to side of knee. Some days my back feels good and I wake up with no pain, others days, I wake up feeling horrible, extreme lack of flexibility, dull aching pain radiating across lower back; recently have felt Sciatica radiating down buttocks and both legs. Only a pain killer dealt with this.
Jan. 7-13: Continue light Core strengthening program and also try again the more intensive Core strengthening program that we tried on December 16 and increase cardio workout on NordicTrack Commercial 1300 Eliptical Exerciser.
Jan. 14-31: Officially disabled regarding my previous Landscape / Fire Safety occupation. Currently working through paperwork, monthly medical assessments, etc.
PHASE III - FIVE MONTH STRETCH
February to June 2010
February: Qualified for Disability. Intermittent back pain persists.
March: Currently on Disability. Displaced home and office due to storm damage.
April: Finally resettled in new living location. Slow back recovery.
May: Chronic - Intermittent back pain persists.
June: Chronic - Intermittent back pain persists.
PHASE IV - ASSESSMENTS AND CONTINUED REHABILITATION
July to December 2010
July: Six-month back assessment on Monday, July 26.
Chronic day-to-day pain in lower lumbosacral area.
Now awaiting MRI sceduling and assessment in August.
August: Continuing rehabilitation program.
Rehabilitation exercises, cardio-workout and use of light weights.
Light ocean paddling to strengthen upper back muscles and shoulders.
September: September 14 - MRI on back - Lower Lumbarsacral area.
MRI revealed two fissures in lower spine area. Apparently no nerve damage and no sign of buldging or herniated discs. Still experiencing random muscle spasms, hyper-sensitivy/pain in lower spinal area. Cannot sit for too long and cannot stand for too long. Still having problems sleeping, however, a new bed has helped tremendously. I can now at least sleep through half the night.
October: Further assessments by two more specialists scheduled for mid October.
November: MRI and Ergonomic Mobility assessments completed. Doctor, Physical Therapist and Insurance Company all confirm medical disability problem that I have. Confirmation again that I cannot return to the type of labor intensive occupational work that I was involved in before my injury.
December: Pain management/rehabilitation conrtinues as does a new consideration of vocational training for either a new line of occupational work - or continued work in the field of Christian missions, ministry, and/or pastoring/church planting. The latter here is my personal preference as this is what I have been doing now for close to 20 years.
Personal Note: It's been over a year now since my injury and altogether my lifestyle has changed dramatically. I am physically much weaker than I was a year ago and have had to make some major emotional adjustments in accepting my injury.
Also, due to having to accept my physical limitations I have hit some major potholes at times with depression and the frustration of not being able to fully support my family on my own. We have suffered financial setback and the loss of my personal business this past year as a result of my injury. I have always been physically active and now at 42 years of age, this life trial has hit me full force.
Nonetheless, I press on, we press on..."And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28).
PHASE V - CONTINUED REHAB
January to September 2011
Partially Disabled: According to my doctors and my insurance company I am officially "partially disabled." Practical maintenance is needed in order to alleviate further muscular problems and avoid injuries. My back muscles spasm when they are tired because they are damaged. When this occurs it puts intense pain on my spinal column in the center of my back. I end up on the floor with ice packs, etc.
Although my very active lifestyle has changed, I am still able to accomplish what is necessary as a father and husband. I am grateful that the Lord has strengthed me and that I have been able to at least recover thus far.
October to December 2011
Recently met with insurance agent (October) again and have also been to a doctor again numerous times. Beginning new round of stretching and back and stomach strengthening.
Physical therapy on muscle knots in back throughout the Fall season. Back muscles continues to spasm from over-use and damage from injury.
January 2012
Use of free weights for basic training, Nordic Track eliptical stair-stepper, eating healthy and losing some weight. |