Year End Health Update

Can’t complain

Since I’m occasionally asked, here’s the current status of my recovery, post-fall.

With luck, the cervical collar will come off on January 13th. That’ll enable things like stairs (holding off on that since I can’t look down easily, and we’ve learned the hard way what happens when I can’t see where I’m going when going down stairs), and driving.

I really have only two symptoms remaining:

1. There’s a very slight undercurrent of — tingling? numbness? — in both hands, but it’s very light, easy to forget, and not something that interferes with my day-to-day. I’m told that this is one of those symptoms that may take a long time to disappear completely, and that there’s a small chance it’s permanent. While I don’t expect it to be permanent, I could live with it if it was.
2. Physical stamina. I’m walking unassisted (no walker, no cane), but still tire easily. Not sure if it’s residual major surgery fatigue, not having used my legs as much for an extended period fatigue, or something more specifically related to the recovery. This is just something I’m working on, and once stairs are back on the menu, I expect to return to my elliptical for more of that in addition to ongoing PT exercises.

After (hopefully) losing the collar on the 13th, my next major milestone will be increasing my lift restriction to 30lbs on the 26th. That’s significant, because it means I can pick up a dog, which in turn is significant because that, plus the stairs, means I can put Maxine in the stair lift on her own, walk down with her, and take the dogs out in the morning by myself once again.

2025 sucks for a variety of reasons, but as we close it out, I’m very grateful for the progress I’ve made in the last month. It could have been so much worse, but as it is, things will start looking more normal-ish by the end of this month, which is fantastic.

Thanks to all who’ve been along for the ride. Your support remains very much appreciated.

Here’s to a happier, healthier, and safer 2026.

-Leo