God bless you both!
 

:carrot: Hurray for all your joys and progress!:dance:
Had pc trouble for awhile and couldn't get some of my pages.
So glad I found your forum. Great news-this will soon be behind you and it will seem like a diastant memory. And you gained a few inches in height too.
((((((((gentle hugs)))))))) for you both. :grouphug:

Thinking about you today Howie and Kimberley..
It's awesome to see your post Howie..just so nice to see you are doing so well!!! Amazing!

LOVE YOU TWO!!!
:hug:
Linda

Hey you can't keep a good man down. It has been awesome here at the hospital. We have been able to inspire so many this week with our story. I hope I don't come off as sounding big headed. I just love the feeling of being able to help others work toward there goals and to let them know it can be done.

Yay, Howie!!!! I'm so happy things are going so well for you!! Wow, what a relief!!

I'm just so proud of you. :hug:

Howie..I have NEVER heard you sound big-headed!

There's nothing you could say to make it sound that way because, well...your accomplishments, bravery and strength are just too great...anything you say may just be an understatement!

xoxo
Linda

I agree with Linda. There is no way. Even if you were, you now have a stronger back to support that head :D :rofl:

I'm so excited for you both, what great news. You're both truly inspirations for us all.

~Dee

Thanks, you guys. I didn't think he sounded big-headed, either. He got out of Johns Hopkins Friday evening and has been improving each day. Great news...Today we went for an honest-to-goodness walk!

I just checked out the blog and the pic of our NEW Howie!

You look SO fantastically straight and tall! I'm amazed at how soon you are out of bed and walking!! In my mind..I assumed that having your entire spine rebuilt would cause weeks or months in bed...it's just a miracle to me that you can be up and around already!

I am so completely THRILLED to know that so much pain (physical and emotional) will be relieved for both of you. To be able to go for a walk together sounds so simple..and something that most of us take for granted every day.

I just want you both to know how much I truly care about you..and how deeply happy I am for you both :hug:

xoxoxo
Linda

Thanks so much, Linda. :) Today's kinda rough - He inadvertantly overlapped his dose of painkiller dose early this morning, so he's been feeling kind of queasy and clammy today. It's getting better, but he's still not feeling great. The long line of staples down his back is really irritating when he sits for long, too, so he's lying down a lot today. He worries so about doing something to hurt his back; he worried when he had his first surgery, too. I wish I could ease his mind.

Eek!
Sorry to hear that, Kimberley...the meds should regulate in a few hours and then he'll feel a bit better.

How long do you have to wait to get those nasty staples out? I'll bet that will be a good day afterwards :)

Sorry to hear it's a down day..but it will be over soon and I'm sure tomorrow will be better :)

:hug:
Linda

All the best to you and Howie, Kimberly! :hug: I also went on the blog today, and you guys look great. At the rate you are going Howie, you will be jogging soon! ;)

He gets the staples out in about a week. Yeah, it will be a great day. The incision's itching, so that's good - means healing. :) We both do feel better today, and we're getting ready to take a walk. The PT called and said they'd be out tomorrow unless someone can fill in and take his slot today. Might as well walk!

Great to see you up and about and looking so happy (both of you!) :)

Well, he's back down in bed. It's such a roller coaster for the poor guy. :( I think he might have a spinal headache from that dural tear. We have a call in to the doctor's office about that and for scheduling his 5-week follow-up appointment. He has a headache, is nauseated and feels light-headed, but feels better when he's lying down. I wish there was something else I could do for him.

Eating-wise, we're doing great. There is such an abundance of really good food here, and it's all healthy stuff to choose from. What a blessing that is.