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Dorin
Oct 27, 2008 - 6:39PM
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The Al Meilus experiment
Last Monday night 10/20/2008 I left Dallas to see Al Meilus down in Tampa Florida full of hope and expecting to have a Nancy-like miracle. A one time treatment that would allow me to be pain free and be able to perform my daily tasks, as well as lift weights and play volleyball pain free.
While that was the plan, about half a day into it, I realized that I will, more than likely, need to follow more of a dave hutchieson type plan-several months and maybe even years of consistently using the robot before I will truly be free.
As an ex athlete, I developed a ton of muscle imbalances and tightness that will probably take more than a mere visit to undo.
My psoas and iliacus, I was told, were some of the tightest they've seen at the clinic. My IT band was so sore to the touch, that even minimal amounts of pain made me want to wimper like a beaten dog.
Among the disapointment of not being cured by a "one shot deal", I also had the pleasure to meet dave hutchieson and his wife while down in Florida. Truly some of the finest people you will ever meet. Dave and I are similar stature wise, and shared a lot of the same ailments, so we became quick buds while receiving treatment in the same room. This man's perseverance, grit and determination would make his compatriot, Braveheart, proud. He was also very kind and patient with me, as I had a ton of questions and I was absorbing every word he was saying like a sponge.
As most of you know, when you are in physical pain, it also affects your confidence, your emotional state and just about every aspect of your life (work, love, play). Dave's wife, truly an angel, assured me that I will get through this and prayed for me, at a time in which I wasnt quite sure that I will get through it. It meant the world to me. Dave, please relay this message to Pam.
So I'm back on pain medications (Voltaren, which is a relatively weak drug, but it's the ONLY one that has worked for me, although I've tried anything from Advil to Hydrocodone to Vicodin). I purchased the home robot from Al and I am hopeful that within a few months of using it religiously that I will get better permanently.
Disappointed that it didnt give me the quick fix, but hopeful that the robot in conjuction to exercise and LTBP may provide me with a lifetime of relief.
If any of you are thinking about going to see Al, I hope this doesnt discourage you in any way from going to see him. He REALLY knows what he's talking about, but he is not Houdini. Some of us have had this condition for years and it is unrealistic (yet human and normal) to expect to be fixed in a two day visit.
If any of you here are inclined to do so, please pray for me. I am quite down mentally, because I am stinking at my bank job at the moment, since I have no energy to fight the corporate BS and policies. I also made some bad business decisions that preclude me from being able to take some time off from work and really focus on getting better. As we, Romanians often say, when bad things happen, they usually come in three, and my health, job and business have definitely been better.
God bless you all, and please dont hesitate to contact me if you have any questions regarding the treatment.
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Paul
Oct 27, 2008 - 6:54PM
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Re: The Al Meilus experiment
Keep up the good fight my friend. It is never a straight line up to pain free living. It is trial and error. Al is just one piece of the puzzle. What i took away from Al was this:
That it is muscular. He got me out of pain (except my calf pain). This proved to me that muscles were at the root of my problem. I like you could not even have my IT band touched as well as my glutes and quads. the robot could not even push in a 1/4 inch, yet here i am 2 months later and i am supple and functional. Am i totally pain free. NO.....a twinge and some burning everyday...but today i had my first 100% pain free day in 4.5 years. I am stupid though.....I still try to lift weights no matter how much pain i was......it was one thing i would not give up....But i have now. I am in the pool and walking alot. The only weights i do is cables (light weight).
I know this is hard to believe because each person we see we want them to be the "cure". but it is a Dave approach. A little of this and a little of that. It si different for each of us.
The books by Peter Egoscue taught me a lot about responsibility for my pain. Also a great book to read when you are down is healing back pain naturally by Dr. Art Brownstein (a 20 yr sufferer himself)....He shows how much the mind plays in the pain cycle as well but tells us not to run from our pain but to confront it and not fear it. (hard to do)
I am praying for you and each of us who walk this journey.
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Weight Training Paul
Oct 27, 2008 - 7:26PM
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Re: The Al Meilus experiment
Hi Dorin
Good job with posting your story up, I think everyone is probably griped when they see threads like this
I think your right on the money there mate with being an ex athlete or even if some is an athlete, the muscle imbalances and tightness which you got over the years is far different to someone who gets into trouble due office work ect, I bet their tightness is much easier to be undone
As you say by using the home robot religiously, with LTBP and Egoscue that should do it
How did you reckon you got your psoas and iliacus so unbelievably tight, it must have been though weight training do you think for that to happen, if I feel my iliacus it feels like a bullet, luckily I'm not in anywhere near as much pain as you though from what you saying
So what did Al say, your psoas and iliacus had the highest reading for muscle tension ever
How does your psoas and iliacus feel now, it must be softer
How long have you had a back problem before seeing Al
Keep us updated on the progress mate with the portable robot, things can only get better now
I'll pray for you as well buddy, just keep on going
Paul
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Dorin
Oct 27, 2008 - 8:30PM
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Re: The Al Meilus experiment
WT Paul... I'm quite a tall guy (6'3) and I believe most chairs, desks, car seats are not made for guys my size. The forward head and shoulder probably cause my abdominal muscles to have to be contracted unnecessarily and they eventually started to tighten.
I have not received the robot yet, it will probably another ten days or so before I'll get it, so I will definitely keep you guys updated on the progress.
I Thank both of you guys for your thoughtful posts and words of encouragement, they mean a lot to me.
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Paul
Oct 28, 2008 - 11:21AM
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Re: The Al Meilus experiment
Dorin-
Please send me an e-mail.
there is something i would like to discuss with you
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Jesse Cannone
Oct 28, 2008 - 9:02PM
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Re: The Al Meilus experiment
Dorin,
Thanks for sharing about your experience.
Quick question... have you tried Heal-n-Soothe (formerly Lifezyme Plus)?
If not, I'd definitely try it... we have had literally hundreds of customers who were able to drop most or all of their pain medications and only use HNS.
If you have tried it, please tell us about your experience. If you have not, you can learn more here:
Click to learn more
Jesse
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fred wade
Oct 29, 2008 - 10:58AM
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Re: The Al Meilus experiment
Dorin, I went to see Al too, and had the same out come as you. No miracle like I was hoping for and like some others on here reported. Hang in there and keep looking for other ways to get out of pain.
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Dorin
Oct 29, 2008 - 2:32PM
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Re: The Al Meilus experiment
What seems to have worked for you, Fred? Or are you still searching?
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dave hutchieson
Oct 29, 2008 - 2:34PM
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Re: The Al Meilus experiment
Hi Fred
I’m sorry to hear you’re still in pain. I’ve put together a few notes that may help you.
1. With the LTBP system, some people literally become pain free after doing only an hour or so of stretches. For others, it can take months or longer. The robot is similar. So why does this happen ? Without going into all the technical details, muscles are not only just capable of having knots in them, they can also glue to themselves and other muscles.
What do I mean by that ? Some muscles are made up with two “parts” to them. For example, there is a muscle that comes from behind your ear and down to your chest area. It has two “heads” to it. Each is supposed to act separately. Due to various reasons, the “heads” can become glued to each other. When this happens, the muscle becomes tight and does not work as it should.
The “glue” is a true glue and is made up of chemicals that form when muscles become tight and hard. When a muscle becomes hard and shortened, lactic acid is produced. This is the same stuff you get in sour milk.
When you look under a microscope, you can actually see the fibers stuck to each other.
When these muscles do not work properly, they make other muscles work twice as hard. When those other muscles work twice as hard, they themselves become tired and short and hard and so on.
The classic case is with a muscle in your buttocks called the piriformis. When this guy gets hard and tight, sciatica can occur.
The problem is, very few people have really investigated why this muscle gets tight.
One of the main reasons is because two muscle/tissue groups that run up the side of your leg themselves get tight and hard. These are called the TFL and the IT band. I won’t go into why this happens here as it involves a lot of mechanics.
So, even though pain may be coming from one area, what actually has caused that pain initially may be due to something else.
2. Last year, a lady called Debbie contacted me on the forum. Her life was desperate. Home bound and crippled with sciatica. Husband had to carry her to the bath etc, Doctors said “You have a herniated disk. That is where the pain is coming from. You need emergency surgery”.
She had tried physical therapy on her piriformis, but it only gave her short term relief. By an amazing co-incidence, she lived just down the road from me in Orlando.
I had her go and see a wonderful guy called Mike Ryan in Lakeland. [ she couldn’t physically travel to Al’s place due to the pain ].
Mike started using the robot to work on her IT band and TFL. Both were as tough as rock.
She was very dubious and reluctant.
After the treatment, she was in even worse pain than when she began.
I told her “Have faith”. I know it is worse, because the IT band is a horrible place to be worked on. It is painful end of story.
I told her “When you get home, take pain pills, have a bath with Epsom salts. But do one thing for me – feel your IT band. Is it looser than before when Mike put the robot on it ?”
She told me the next morning that it was looser and that the pain had dropped.
Three weeks later she left the house standing under her own steam and is now living a normal life.
3. I have seen people do one session on the robot and be completely pain free. For most, it takes longer. How much longer ? Well look at you and I – a lifetime of abuse to our bodies – you as a fireman and me as a paratrooper and having laid in one position in bed for six months. Both of us are over 50.
My results with the robot were not instant. It has taken me a year to get 90% pain free. But here I am walking and doing things normally. Last night a car had a flat tire outside our house. Without thinking, I went out and helped them change the tire. That would have been like trying to fly to the moon for me last year.My body had built up so much collagen and scar tissue that it took consistent hammering to get it that stuff broken down.
Which takes longer to chew: a piece of meat from a calf or from a 10 year old cow ? Even without physical stress, tissue becomes tougher as it gets older.
I’m not saying we’re old farm animals, but we’re not young chickens either.
So what can we do about all this ?
I’ll answer that in the next reply.
Dave
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dave hutchieson
Oct 29, 2008 - 2:47PM
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Re: The Al Meilus experiment
Hi Fred
Now to some practical stuff.
When is muscle has become COMPLETELY clear of knots and adhesions, you should be able to place a 250 lb NFL linebacker on that muscle and feel no pain.
Last year, I couldn’t even tolerate someone touching my quad muscles.
As I’m writing this, I have taken a broom handle and dug it in into my quads with all my force and using both hands. I feel pressure but nothing else.
Why ? Because for the last three months, for half an hour a day, I’ve put the robot on them.
Now, if I tried that with my hamstrings I’d go through the roof. This is because I’ve not done much work on them.
Last year, Mike and Al digging into into my IT band with their thumbs literally made me cry with the pain.
I have just taken a fork handle and dug it into my IT band all the way up and down. Again, I feel pressure, but it has barely made me blink.
Why ? Again, a lot of work.
There is another part to this story. In 99% of the population, the IT band is glued to a very important quad muscle called the vastus lateralis.
http://www.realbodywork.com/learn/knee/vastuslateralis.jpg
Until your iliacus, psoas, IT band and TFL are loose, I am certain you will keep feeling pain.
So, how do we know when they are loose enough ?
I’ll answer that in the next posting.
Dave
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fred wade
Oct 29, 2008 - 2:56PM
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Re: The Al Meilus experiment
Dorin, I did buy the home robot too, I havent given up on it . I do the robot every day . I do feel better,Im still in pain everyday but Im better. Im only doing the robot no other programs per Al.
Some others have said they had to try a few different programs to get out of pain.
I was just telling you not to give up till you have tried everything.
Dave , THANKS for all your help and support. I am glad you sent me to Al. It has helped. I hope to get back to see Al soon. Fred
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dave hutchieson
Oct 29, 2008 - 3:06PM
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Re: The Al Meilus experiment
Hi Fred
Please do the following:
1. Straight up straight. Have someone dig their thumbs into your IT band, then the TFL all the way up from your knee to your hip top. They must not be shy. They must really dig in there.
Let me know how it felt.
2. How loose should the iliacus be ? With Al laying on the floor, I can take my elbow and get it into his pelvis 4 inches down. In other words almost coming out of his back.I can easily feel his spine when I dig in there.
Lay on your back using the robot on your iliacus. Have someone use a plastic ruler and have them measure how many inches down into your pelvis the robot head will go.
Let me know the answer.
One interesting fact. I have never heard of a single patient who through consistent daily use of the robot has not gotten significant pain reduction. Not one. There were a few people, but upon careful questioning as to how long they spent each day they would say “Well I’m busy and don’t have time to do this “. I did it for a month and then gave up.
Unfortunately I cannot say anything more about that.
I have been told by dozens of therapists who saw me two years ago that I was either the worst case they had ever seen or one of the worst.
Yet, here I am today slowly getting my life back to normal.
Even though I’m 90% pain free, that’s not good enough for me. I am going to be 100% pain free. If it takes me another two years, so be it. I know where all my problem areas are and I have a step by step plan.
Be determined Fred and keep at it. It works. For most people, they get results with the robot very quickly, but for some such as ourselves, it takes longer. I feel your pain. I know the hell that sciatica brings. You don't sleep, you get cranky and upset at family. You change into someone not yourself.
NASA believes in this device along with one of the of the world’s largest corporations [ Lockheed Martin ] and people from Prince [ The rock star ] to Christie Brinkley [ the supermodel ].
I guarantee you Fred that if you use the robot religiously every day and keep in touch with Al at least twice a month you will be putting something wonderful on this site.
Be well my friend.
Dave
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fred wade
Oct 29, 2008 - 10:01PM
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Re: The Al Meilus experiment
I didnt mean to discourage anyone from seeing Al.
I highly recommend Al to anyone suffering from pain.
Al and Dave have helped me more than any thing else I have tried. Although Im still in pain, I had the best weekend in the last 5 years this past weekend!!!
Thanks again Dave.
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dave hutchieson
Oct 29, 2008 - 10:45PM
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Re: The Al Meilus experiment
You're welcome Fred.
I know how frustrating it can be.
Every time I go to Al's clinic there is someone or another who has just been there for a day in tears saying "I've had this pain for thirty years and it's gone".
Whilst I am always very happy for them it's bittersweet for me as I always want for that one day when I will say that.
But, I have to be realistic. I was terribly messed up. Every doctor agreed that I would be unable to walk without support or even walk at all. Most said I'd be in a wheelchair.
My healing has come slowly. I have not been able to put my hand on exactly when the pain went down, but each week, I got better and each week I am getting better.
My only main area of pain now is in my tailbone. It's getting better. Very slowly, but with definite improvements.
Last year, it would have taken me an hour to write this, but now I can do it fairly quickly.
I am very tired. I battle eye and ear problems which really sap my energy, but once I get rid of my back pain completely, I will tackle them. I already have plans for what to do. Once I get back to work, I will make money to pay for treatment.
I'm 51 and feel 151. But,I've made a plan for getting rid of all my pains, and it is working. Slowly, but working.
Hang in there.
Dave
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dave hutchieson
Oct 30, 2008 - 2:29PM
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Re: The Al Meilus experiment
Hi Dorin
I don't have your e-mail address.
Please drop me a line.
Tks
Dave
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Ashlee
Nov 1, 2008 - 11:11PM
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Re: The Al Meilus experiment
Hi Dorin! Jennifer mentioned that you found some good advice on online forums. So I did a search for some, and ended running across your story!
It sounds like you are getting some good answers. I'm very curious about the robot you're getting.
I'm glad to hear that you like Dr. Courtney. Good luck with the surgery. Ryan & I will be thinking about you. Let us know if there is anything we can do.
Ashlee (Claire's cousin-in-law)
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fred wade
Nov 4, 2008 - 10:51AM
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Re: The Al Meilus experiment
Just wanted to report, I spent the whole weekend at a car show ,showing my old car. I had some pain , but it didnt drive me crazy like it has in the past.
I thank Dave and Al for the improvements in my quality of life.
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fred wade
Nov 10, 2008 - 2:18PM
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Re: The Al Meilus experiment
Well, wanted to report another GREAT weekend for me.
Thanks Dave!
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Paul
Nov 10, 2008 - 5:47PM
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Re: The Al Meilus experiment
Fred-
Great News!!! What difference have you noticed? How long do you spend a day on the robot?
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dave hutchieson
Nov 10, 2008 - 9:55PM
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Re: The Al Meilus experiment
Hi Fred
You're welcome.
Some of us with a large amount of adhesions and scar tissue just take longer.
But, with continuous use, you'll get to the stage where you won't even know you had problems.
Dave
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fred wade
Nov 12, 2008 - 11:26AM
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Re: The Al Meilus experiment
Paul, Im able to stay on the go longer and less pain in the legs . I still have pain in the center of my lower back . I spend 1 1/2 to 2 hrs. every day on the robot.
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Paul
Nov 12, 2008 - 3:09PM
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Re: The Al Meilus experiment
What do you specifically work on if i may ask? Illiacus? Psoas???
I am very interested and VERY HAPPY FOR YOU, because i know when we spoke on the phone prior to seeing AL you had reservations.
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fred wade
Nov 12, 2008 - 7:14PM
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Re: The Al Meilus experiment
Illiacus ,Psoas, IT bands,pecks, I want to go back to see Al soon ,so he can check me again.
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Brandon
Nov 12, 2008 - 7:17PM
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Re: The Al Meilus experiment
Hi EVERYBODY.
I've been reading posts here for a couple months and I have to say that this ROBOT has really got my curiosity going. I think I understand what it is... but I've got to be honest I've sat here for quite awhile trying to figure out what it Looks like!! Does anyone have any photos they can share of it... I'm not sure i'm in a position where I need one, but I sure would like to see what it is and how it works.
Thanks
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Paul
Nov 12, 2008 - 8:29PM
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Re: The Al Meilus experiment
www.meilus.com
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Ricky Wong
Nov 12, 2008 - 9:26PM
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Re: The Al Meilus experiment
How fortunate are those living in US
They have access to the best treatment available :)
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Dorin
Nov 13, 2008 - 12:36AM
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Re: The Al Meilus experiment
I just got my robot in today.
I actually had a microdiscectomy last week to remove bone spurs and extra disk element that was pushing on my sciatic nerve, but I am eager to work on the "usual suspects"-psoas, tensor fascia late, IT band, iliacus, quads, hamstrings as soon as my recovery from surgery is complete, and I'm getting better with each passing day.
This forum has been a true blessing for me, and, like everyone says, it is an integrated approach that will ultimately lead to salvation from back pain, but a combination of LBTB, robotic help, good nutrition and supplements seem to have been the common denominator amongst those that have found healing.
Oh, and Dave H. is the Hall of famer, the beast, the pathfinder, the man many of us owe lots to. There will be a special corner in Heaven for this man, he has so selflessly helped tons of people find answers. Because he walked the walk, and is proof of what works and what doesnt, he has almost unlimited credibility with me, and I'm not easily persuaded.
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fred wade
Nov 13, 2008 - 7:37AM
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Re: The Al Meilus experiment
Dorin, what made you go ahead with the surgery ?
Were you in constant sciatic pain? Let us know how you feel when you recover.
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Dorin
Nov 13, 2008 - 12:45PM
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Re: The Al Meilus experiment
I went ahead with the surgery because of the bone spurs that were impinging on the nerve. One thing they said, and it made sense for the first time, is that people that only have the disk herniation usually respond to conservative treatment (Chiro, PT, decompression, accupuncture, LBTB, robot, etc). When you have extra bone, there is nothing you can physically do, even if you address your muscle imbalances to make that bone spur go away. If it were only for the disks I would've waited a little longer to see how the robot helps me.
I was also in such a horrible state mentally that I simply couldnt wait the few months it would have taken for the robot to work its magic. My job was in serious jeopardy as well.
I feel much better now. Today was my 8th day after surgery and I just got back from a 25 minute walk. Literally every day I'm getting better, gaining strength and mobility. I just hope and pray that it "sticks". I know many feel great after the surgery, but some have complications after, whereas correlated or not, like Ashlee.
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fred wade
Nov 13, 2008 - 1:21PM
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Re: The Al Meilus experiment
Dorin, Im glad you are feeling better! Did the bone spur show up on the MRI ?
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Dorin
Nov 13, 2008 - 2:22PM
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Re: The Al Meilus experiment
Yes it did. Once I saw that, I knew that I would only prolong the inevitable by opting not to have surgery.