home from the hospital

Met with Dr. Nelson this morning who says my x-rays look good (exactly how they're supposed to), and he signed the papers for my release from the hospital. Met with a Physical Therapist who showed me how to do things like put on my clothes, go to the bathroom, and take a shower. Also met with an occupation therapist who showed me how to use the walker and how to go up and down stairs. They both said I was doing well and OK'd my leaving the hospital.

My pain level is still high. It feels like somebody hit my back about 50 times with a 3-iron. I am off the morphine and onto percocet. I am taking 2 (325mg oxycodone) percocet every 4 hours which equates to 4500mg/day (whoa!). I am also taking flexiril (10mg cyclobenzaprine) -- a muscle relaxant -- because my back muscles seem to be constantly on the verge of spasm and intense pain. I take that three times a day. The only medication which is the same as before surgery is the gabapentin (100mg neurontin) which I continue to take twice per day.

The pain level is bearable (4-5) with occasional stabs of 8-9 if I move wrong. I am able to walk pretty well with a walker and go up and down stairs. And I seem to be moving a bit better each day.