melissa bikes
my adventures in cycling
  • Welcome
  • About Me
  • Favorite Routes
  • Cycling Deals

Category: Spine Issues

Conspiracy aka Spinal Fusion: Month 4 Update

Conspiracy aka Spinal Fusion: Month 4 Update

Posted on October 25, 2017April 4, 2018 by Melissa Bikes

I announced to my boyfriend that I had a new set of restrictions, or rather, a rewinding or revoking of privileges. After rattling off the list, he looked at me warily and said “Well, this just sounds like a conspiracy.”

Posted in Bicycling, Spine Issues, Updates Leave a comment
Setbacks

Setbacks

Posted on September 30, 2017April 4, 2018 by Melissa Bikes

“Interesting,” I thought, “my left big toe feels a little tingly. Hmmmm. Well, it’s cold outside, maybe I’m just cold? Yeah, I’m just cold…”

Posted in Bicycling, Mental Health and Motivation, Spine Issues 3 Comments
Spinal Fusion: Month 3 Update

Spinal Fusion: Month 3 Update

Posted on September 19, 2017April 4, 2018 by Melissa Bikes

I wanted to know what I could do to lower the load on my spine going forward. The surgeon looked straight at me and said “Lose weight. Make your stomach smaller. Work on your core strength.” I nodded in agreement.

Posted in Bicycling, Spine Issues, Updates Leave a comment
Spinal Fusion: Month 2 Update

Spinal Fusion: Month 2 Update

Posted on August 28, 2017May 27, 2018 by Melissa Bikes

I’m exactly two months out from spinal fusion, and already I can ride more than I could before surgery. Check out the post for details on my progress!

Posted in Spine Issues, Updates Leave a comment
Can't Ride? Buy a Bike.

Can’t Ride? Buy a Bike.

Posted on August 12, 2017April 4, 2018 by Melissa Bikes

When you can’t do much actual riding, you have too much time on your hands to sit around and dream about new bikes, pore over their specs, scrutinize geometries, and conjure up visions of your glorious return to riding outdoors. Trust me.

Posted in Bicycling, Spine Issues, Updates Leave a comment
Spinal Fusion: 1 Month Update

Spinal Fusion: 1 Month Update

Posted on August 3, 2017April 4, 2018 by Melissa Bikes

I’m 5 weeks post spinal fusion – it’s been a bumpy road but in general my trajectory is up!

Posted in Bicycling, Spine Issues, Updates 4 Comments
The War in my Head

The War in my Head

Posted on July 25, 2017April 4, 2018 by Melissa Bikes

I’ve been in my head a lot lately during my recovery process, and one of the things that struck me hard today was that often, how I feel about a situation is decided by my vantage point, not the actual facts about the situation.

Posted in Mental Health and Motivation, Spine Issues 2 Comments
Spine Surgery Prep

Spine Surgery Prep

Posted on July 10, 2017July 7, 2018 by Melissa Bikes

A write-up of how I prepared for spinal fusion surgery

Posted in Spine Issues Leave a comment
Calling my Bluff - The Emotional Side of Spine Surgery

Calling my Bluff – The Emotional Side of Spine Surgery

Posted on July 8, 2017April 6, 2018 by Melissa Bikes

I had an intuitive friend basically call my bluff the other day. She asked via email, “Your [Facebook] posts sound pretty positive – are you actually miserable, or are you doing ok?” The short answer is both …

Posted in Mental Health and Motivation, Spine Issues 1 Comment
Competitive Recovery

Competitive Recovery

Posted on June 19, 2017April 6, 2018 by Melissa Bikes

“Competitive Recovery” should be a sport! I’m ready and raring to go when it comes to beating my surgeon’s estimates for when I’ll be back to certain activities, and he can tell. He’s making the fusion extra secure to account for the beating I’ll give it!!

Posted in Bicycling, Spine Issues Leave a comment
Posts navigation
Older posts →
← Newer posts

Looking for something?

Blog Posts

  • Bicycling
    • Race Reports
    • Ride Recaps
    • Ultracycling
  • Mental Health and Motivation
  • Spine Issues
  • Tips and Advice
  • Updates
  • Visit melissa bikes on Facebook!

    Visit melissa bikes on Facebook!
  • Subscribe to my blog via email!

    Enter your email address to subscribe and get email updates when I write a new post

  • Melissa Bikes is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Theme by Out the Box