Some pretty 50th birthday cards I'd like to share, after all I'll only turn 50 once.

       Here are the cards I received for my 50th birthday last weekend.

       They are all lovely that's why I'd like to share them with you.

I love pink and green especially.

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This 50th card is from my DH,

      I think it's lovely and so sweet of him

 to choose something so pretty. He's a good fella.



Well it's quite warm here today compared to the last month or so. It's already 18c and about 70% humidity so it feels warmer than it really is. Let's just say that from wearing up to 6 layers of clothing, today I have only a t-shirt and cords on. It feels quite liberating actually. It's starting to cloud up again so let's hope we get some rain, as it's much needed here on The Darling Downs at least.

I am becoming SO frustrated now. 9 weeks post op TLIF and still quite a lot of pain, so continuing with pain killers. I am walking briskly up to 30 mins most days so that is a major break through but sitting is not good at all, and it's not getting any easier so that is annoying, not to mention that car travel is far too painful so none of that either. Therefore I am even slightly more housebound than before the operation, hence you can see where the frustration is coming from.

I still can't even put my lace-ups on, not to mention basics like cutting toe nails etc. The only trim I've had in 9 weeks was performed by my father. The shape of my nails still tells the tale.....LOL

6 weeks today

Today marks 6 weeks since my TLIF (single level L5/6). I am now walking twice a day again. Hopefully last week's 4 day glitch will not be repeated. I am less than impressed with the fact that I cannot sit for very long, it is worse than before the surgery in fact.
However I can definitely walk much further and without pain so that really is a breakthrough. The full name of my operation is Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion and it was performed by a Brisbane Neurosurgeon.
I am itching to get back into some sewing, gardening, and/or papercrafting. It's getting very frustrating.

I still cannot bend or pick much of anything up, like for instance my scotty Liza, who weights 8 kg and who needs to be brushed regularly. I still can't wash up or do housework but do cook the evening meal with some help lifting heavy things. It is very cold atm but that is to be expected here on the Darling Downs in the middle of winter.

Giving walking another go

It's been a slow process of recovery since my major back surgery on 13th May this year. After staying with my parents for 3 weeks after 10 days in hospital I finally arrived home 11 days ago. Was up to 2 x 20 minute walks per day and then last Friday that all stopped. I had new pain and was not up to walking around much at all. This morning my DH put my lace ups on for me and I went for a little walk of about 6 mins. I was not walking as fast as before last Friday and it all felt quite tender but never-the-less I did it.

Sitting is still a big problem, I just don't like doing it at all. Sick of lying, sick of it all quite frankly.
I don't think this cold weather is helping any either. Wish I could fast forward a few months. I was very hopeful of a new life after this surgery until last Friday when it all seemed to go pear shaped. Only time will tell of course.
My neurosurgeon said recovery could take up to 12 months. Even though my walking has deteriorated in the last 5 days it is still better than before the TLIF so I suppose that is something isn't it?
My weight loss still continues, even though it is hard going at the moment in such cold weather.
Since I first found out about this surgery on 7th February this year I have lost approximately 9kgs. All my own doing, and hardly any exercise (due to back pain and disability).
If you want to find out how I lost the weight, just ask me.