Titanium Woman

That is my lower back. New x-ray taken yesterday, on the 1 year anniversary of my spinal fusion. The hardware in my back is with me for life and it does feel a little odd at times but I have gotten used to it over the past year. The significance of this post is that yesterday I got the official stamp of approval from the surgeon who put together my spine to return to my “normal” activities!

I was worried. From earlier visits the surgeon didn’t seem too keen on me running long distance. When I went in yesterday I had steeled myself for battle — after all I did flout his earlier orders to avoid running and ran two half marathons this year and half a dozen shorter races, though I can’t say I ran them like a competitor or seeking a PR. Mostly I had warnings in the back of my head to take it easy and I mostly did. Still I hadn’t expected the conversation we had. I decided ahead of time to lay it all out there. Tell him exactly what I intended to do now that my one year of waiting was up. Our conversation went a little like this:

Me: “Doctor, can I run now?”

Surgeon: “Yes.”

Me: “I mean, can I run marathons? Can I start training now for a spring marathon? And maybe an ultra marathon next fall?”

Surgeon: “Sure.”

I am in stunned silence because I didn’t expect him to agree and he’s smiling so I think it might be a cruel joke. He’s going to say “just kidding” in a minute.

Me: “Really?”

Surgeon: “You can sky dive if you want, it would take a lot to do damage to your spine and running is fine, as much as you can tolerate.”

I am thinking Oh my God, Oh my God…pinch me someone!! So I decide to push it a little.

Me: “I have to know everything I can do now…can I do rappelling, climbing, zip lining?”

Surgeon: “Yes, you can jump out of airplanes if you want. ”

Me: “I don’t want to jump out of airplanes.” (what is it with him wanting me to jump out of planes?)

Surgeon: “Okay.”

And the list goes on. I can do yoga, even the Cobra position, horseback riding, skiing, yeah pretty much ANYTHING!!! Except he was not really keen on the idea of stock car racing and demolition derbies which I told him I wasn’t likely to be participating in but he has another patient who does and he’s had to repair his back again.

Bottom line…I got my life back and it’s pretty wonderful. From the surgeon’s office I drove to a running store to pick up a race packet for this Sunday’s Holiday Run. Yes, I pre-registered, I knew I would do it regardless but it makes it sweeter knowing I can do it legally, legimately with my surgeon’s blessing!