Hello! Recovering from spinal surgery. Looking for friends to support and motivate one another! :)

Elliemphipps

Hello! I am recovering from an open heart thorocotomy after getting hit by a 7x drunk driver while on my way to the gym on a Saturday morning at 6:30am. I suffered 5 herniated discs in the thoracic region of my spine. The surgeon removed 6 vertebrae (the bones), 5 spinal discs and two full ribs. I lost the use of half of my right lung and suffered heart damage from having to paddle and shock my heart back to life three separate times during the 12-hour operation. The accident also dislocated my right hip and tore the labrum inside the joint. I was an avid outdoor athlete before getting hit and enjoyed mountaineering, rock climbing, kayaking, trail running, mtn biking, surfing, etc. All of which I can no longer do because of my spinal injuries. BUT, I believe the body and mind are amazing things. I truly believe I will be able to work my way back to some of these things I am passionate about. The surgery was 36 months ago - but I was in a rigid, full TLSO half body cast (shoulders to below hips) for 20 months - almost two years. I am still in a heavy duty brace with a sternum rod (which I wear 6-8 hours a day) and have 2 permanent 9" rods and 6 custom metal brackets (one for each vertebrae I lost) in my spine. Needless to say, going from trail running, working out, biking, etc 5-6 days a week to completely sedentary for 36 months has created a weight gain situation. I am 165 and my goal is 140lbs.

I am looking for new friends on here to keep up with and motivate, support and cheer one another, on etc. I am 49, female and live in western Colorado. Anyone game?

Thanks, Ellie