Flippy - I Rant, You Read
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
My 3 Month Surgery Anniversary
We spent it at the Las Vegas 51s (Dodgers AAA team) vs Omaha Royals (Royals AAA team) game tonight. My back did well. My legs didn’t hurt much. My butt hurt, but that’s only because it was three hours of sitting on hard plastic. It was also like 100 degrees and humid the whole game. We were somewhat near the misters, but not quite close enough. We’d only get a bit of a mist every couple innings. It was nice though. The best thing about the night, other than my bladder acting completely normally (a nice giftie for the 3 month anniversary), was my Grape Shave Ice. It was awesome. Did I tell you how hot it was? Grossly hot for a 7p game.
A few of pictures from the game.
I got my shoes delivered last week. I didn’t want to write about them until I was sure I knew what to write. At first, they made me feel weirdly wobbly, but that’s because the heel is lowered, so it took a bit of getting used to. Then, after wearing them for a few minutes, my insteps started to hurt and hurt for a little while after I took off the shoes. I wore them again for a trip to get groceries and that time they hurt a little less. After I took them off though, my calves were achey. This is normal, I think, for someone who has been as sedentary as I’ve been since October. I think this means the shoes are giving my legs a little workout. Plus, today, my back didn’t hurt once while we were out.
Here’s a review of the shoes from the Los Angeles Times: Aug 1, 2005
By ROY M. WALLACK
These shoes are made for walking
On the streets and treadmills, brisk fitness walking is gaining in popularity, appealing to fitness novices and experienced athletes alike with its cardiovascular challenge, all-body twisting movements and a low impact that’s easy on your joints. Shoe makers have responded with walkers that provide stability, comfort and a number of innovations.
That ‘70s shoe
Earth Energetic: The ‘70s icon with a negative heel slope returns.
Likes: With its thick front sole and lower heel (the reverse of other shoes), this 15-ounce shoe effectively makes you walk at a 3.7% incline on flat ground. The company says the unique design provides a more strenuous workout that burns more calories. (I found this effect to be pronounced during hill climbing.) The lowered heel also puts you in a more erect position; the company claims the design will benefit your posture and might help ease back pain. Extra-wide toe box adds comfort.
For the post-surgical update, I can honestly say that I’m slowly getting better and better. I still have bad back days, but not like before. I still have bad bladder days, but they’re more infrequent and they usually show up for several days at a time and can disappear for a week or so. That’s a lot better than having it every day. Of course, it would be nice if I knew which days were going to be which before I make plans. Oh well, baby steps.
I think I forgot to post about my surgeon’s bill. It the last of the many many bills I received and I was terrified to have Leigh-Ann open it. After all, at that time, my pain management doctor was billing me $15,000 for mere injections. What would the actual surgeon cost? It could only be something that would make me cry, right? But, it wasn’t like that. I almosted wanted to cry in relief. This is the bill: 
I love Dr. Thalgott. Not only did he help me, he didn’t empty my bank account. Also, my PA, Ray, who assisted on the surgery...I loved him too. So nice, so helpful. Really, an office with a pretty terrific staff. Sure, they’re usually like an hour behind, but otherwise the experience there is professional and friendly.
