ACHES & PAINS.

With all the attention I was giving the Bolted Bionic Dogs' health during their illnesses and recoveries, I realized I have severely neglected my own. After missing almost three weeks of Pilates sessions, I got back on the reformer Tuesday night. It was difficult and uncomfortable, and I had to work really hard to get back in the groove. When I woke up Wednesday I ached all over: my armpits, triceps, inner thighs, quads and calves were screaming. But it is a good sore, the kind of sore that reminds me that I cannot let that much time lapse between my Pilates sessions. They are vital to keeping me strong and limber, and they improve my mood significantly.

And the humidity we are experiencing here in the desert is not helping either - the moisture is attacking all my joints and I have pains all over, right down to my fingers and toes. So my sore muscles and achy joints are giving me the one-two punch today, and I plan to deal with it by doing my Pilates stretches and exercises at home tonight. You have to push through it to get to it.

As part of a little BBW experiment, my next two posts will feature guest writers. One is by Linda, a wonderful woman I met in a spine fusion chat group who recently had a spinal fusion and has recovered well. Her story will not only give readers a different perspective from my own on spinal fusion surgery and recovery, but also give you hope that people DO have successful outcomes with this surgery.

The second is by Bolted Bionic Sister, my 33-year-old sister and best friend, who was with me for the surgery and has been there throughout my recovery. Her story provides a family member's perspective on surgery and recovery, and will certainly give your loved ones a picture of what THEY can expect if you decide to proceed with a spinal fusion. Like I have said before, you cannot do this on your own, and a supportive network of family and friends is imperative to getting you the best care in the hospital and at home during recovery.

Stay tuned . . .