Beginning tomorrow.
Plus a surgery update, added the next day.
Image in public domain
My back surgery is scheduled for later this morning. I’ll likely be out of commission for a while so I won’t be able to photograph birds or post to my blog for at least a few days, although I’ll try to provide a surgery update as soon as is practical (family and friends keep track of me here).
If all goes well I’ll be released from the hospital by tonight or early tomorrow. There will be a six week recovery where my physical activities will be limited, especially no “BLT’s” (bending, lifting and twisting). But I’ll be able to walk, drive (as long as I’m not on pain meds) and potentially even photograph birds from my pickup so I’m hoping that Feathered Photography will be back very soon.
Let it begin.
Ron
Update early morning on Tuesday, first day after surgery:
I was released from the hospital late yesterday afternoon, same day as my surgery. I was still loopy from anesthetic so it’s a damn good thing I didn’t have to drive myself home, which I wouldn’t have done anyway. So far my pain isn’t bad without opioid painkillers but I’ll play that by ear. It’s still very early in my recovery and I’ve got the drugs if I need them. Last night I slept much better than I expected to, possibly due to lingering effects of the general anesthesia and exhaustion.
One thing that definitely got my attention was the size of the incision dressing. Several years ago, after a very similar back surgery, the dressing was less than 5″ long. This one is almost a foot long vertically.
I’m already seeing at least one sign (a possible symptom improvement) in my recovery to be cautiously optimistic about but there’s a couple of other things I need to keep my eye on that could go either way as I begin to heal.
I didn’t want to devote another daily blog post just to my recovery so I hope some of my readers, who may be curious, come back to see this update.
Godspeed in your recovery. Don’t overdue it and don’t skimp on physical therapy.You’ll be Back at it in time for fall migration.
Re addendum.
So far, so good!
Ron, it sounds pretty good, glad to hear you are not in too much pain. I hope your recovery goes well!
Thank you, Ed.
I am glad you are on the mend.
Thanks, John. Seeing your name brought back lots of memories! Oh, the “good” old days…
Glad you’re back home and feeling reasonably well. A foot-long incision dressing would get my attention, too. Take care!
Cathy, gotta admit that my eyes bugged out a little when I saw it.
That’s the look I got when I stated my physician said I have a perfect prostate. I have a pic in my wallet. Would you like to see it.
Thank you for the update, Ron! Good to know you are home and that things are going well so far. Sending all good thoughts for your recovery!
Glad you came back for it, Carolyn. Thanks.
Best wishes for a successful surgery, and speedy recovery.
I expect it will go smoothly, neurosurgeons have refined the process tremendously! Take good care, and I look forward to updates and eventually more interesting stories to go with your beautiful pics!
Best wishes for a rapid recovery. Let me know if I can provide any advice based upon my back surgery.
Good luck my friend !! My prayers for a speedy recovery are with you tonight..
Take all the time you need to recover and be well. The birds can wait for you and so can we. Positive thoughts are coming your way
Oh dear, so late getting to this — but the good news is, by now you’re out of a successful surgery and possibly even at home! You know, of course, I’m sending you my very best wishes, positive vibes & energy, and even 💖! Hope we’ll be seeing you back in this space soon (but NOT too soon, please, you definitely need to give yourself time to properly recover)!
Hi Ron, I had your surgery 12 years ago and stayed in Hospital for 4 days. Don’t be in a hurry to get out. Let them share their knowledge on how to maneuver pain-free.
My worse recovery was getting to the bathroom in time, since I was moving pretty slow. Best to you and I know you’ll be so better off! Linda Covey
Good luck. I will be monitoring this space.
Regards,
Dick Roemer
If positive thoughts make a difference, you’ll be back on your feet soon. I add my good wishes for a swift recovery. Please give us updates when you can, you have many friends pulling for you.
Thanks for keeping us in the loop, Ron. Back surgery is no joke, but back pain is even worse, so I’m glad you’ve found some help. Take care. We all look forward to seeing you back online soon.
So glad you’re getting taken care. Take care and get plenty of rest. Wishing you all the success with the surgery and a speedy recovery!
Wishing you all the best! Do what the doctors tell you and we’ll see you on the flip side! Much love! 💕
You will be in my prayers. I’ve kept your previous blogs, so I’ll go back through them and love them all over again.
Yet more good and hopeful wishes are flying across the ocean to you.
I don’t guess “break a leg” is appropriate even though you will be in the operating theatre!
So instead, I’m sending megatons of healing energy your way. May you surprise your doctors and annoy your physical therapists by healing faster than thought was possible.
Wishing you a speedy recover and best wishes for a good final out come! It’s a cloudy morning so you did not miss out on today for photography!
Ron, I’m relieved that you’re getting the operation and look forward to when you’re back and your back doesn’t ache (just had to get those two backs in there). You bring so much joy, inspiration and knowledge to so many of us, and we’ll all be out here chirping encouragement like avian parents. Who knows? You may come out so strong that you can even take your coffee black.
Virtual hugs,
Nanci
Best of luck, Ron. Please give me a call if you need anything.
All the best, Ron. We follow your blog with great interest and think of you often and fondly.
Long journey with your back – prayers for a successful surgery and recovery Ron.
Best wishes for a successful surgery and quick recovery. You’re tenacious and determined and that should serve you well in getting back to enjoying and sharing your love of photography.
All best wishes for your surgery and recovery, Ron. And the highest hopes for the surgical team to practice their great skill with dexterity.
I join the chorus in wishing you a perfect operation, quick and minimal-pain recovery, and dream-planning for those shots on your bucket list. Best to you.
Hoping for a quick recovery for you!
Well wishes and my prayers and meditations to a successful surgery and a quick and complete recovery! 😊
I’ll be thinking of you and wishing you the very best outcome from your surgery. I hope it brings you relief and that your recovery is swift!
Thinking good thoughts for you and your team this morning Ron!
Last chance to have me sub some of my photos for FP. Of course, they won’t be pictures of actual birds, just the perches they were on before they flew off. All those camera settings on my iphone take forever. Best you just hurry up and get back in the saddle again, pardner.
My prayers are with you my friend! Stay cool!
We look forward to having back again soon. Give yourself the time you need to heal and do the necessary rest and PT.
Best wishes for a very successful surgery Ron. We look forward to your return and your super photos. God bless.
I am crossing my fingers you’ll have a fast recovery. Those birds won’t photograph themselves!
(Please take care of yourself.)
I wish you a quick and successful outcome. Please, take care!
Kaye
Best for your surgery, pain management and recovery. We will look forward to hearing from you.
Ron, May your surgery go well with a speedy recovery.
“Let it begin” and let it be VERY SUCCESSFUL……and may you have
visions of beautiful birds and bokehs to comfort you while you’re “under”
and also later while you’re napping and healing…….
Best wishes for a speedy recovery – may you be back out in your truck photographing very soon!!
I hope the surgery goes well and that the recovery is quick and smooth so that you can continue to delight us with your wonderful photographs.
Sending you lots of healing energy to get through this ordeal, Ron.
Here’s hoping you come out of this feeling like a “spring chicken.” Had to get some sort of bird reference in there and it was the only one I could come up with after only one cup of coffee. Wishing the best.
Ron,
Count me in with your “posse” that is sending you best wishes for a successful operation and a speedy recovery.
Of course, I also echo that we all want you to get back to that which you and we love… Your photography and your stories, educational and otherwise!
Den DiMarco
Best wishes for successful surgery and recovery!
Hope all goes well, Ron……..I’ll be thinking of you! 🙂 I don’t know how people drink coffee with sugar and or cream! 😉 Of course, I’m accused of drinking “colored water” too……. 😉
Bon courage and best wishes for a smooth recovery! Soar on!!
Wishing you success and a speedy recovery. I’ll be looking forward to more of your excellent photos very soon.
Hello Ron, I hope your back surgery is successful to further enjoy life without pain!! Don
Good Luck, Ron!! Hope the surgery is successful & you heal quickly!! Prayers going up for you & your Surgeon!!!
Sending positive thoughts your way and wishing you a speedy recovery.
Slowing down to recover is a good thing!
I’m not going to know what the @#$% to do during my morning coffee!?!
Best wishes for a successful surgery and a quick and complete recovery!
Ken
Ken, I was limited to coffee without any cream (clear liquids) this morning. I love my coffee but I don’t know how folks can drink that stuff black.
Good luck on the surgery and recovery. Black is the only way to go :), plus one doesn’t have to keep cream and sugar on hand.
Wishing you all the best for a successful surgery and a full and fast recovery!
Best of luck. Stay strong
Our thoughts and prayers will be with you
Ron,
Jan and I wish you a successful procedure and a speedy recovery. Know that we are praying for you and the surgical team.
Your beautiful photography has been a joy to see all this time and in when you are fully recovered we look forward to seeing more beautiful work.
God bless.
Best of luck Ron! I hope the surgery and recovery go exceedingly well. Please take care of yourself, I’m sure we all can read through past blog posts to get our Feathered Photography fix for a short time. Will be thinking of you!