PPSGM Member Tells
"Rest of the Story"   This story is a follow-up to an article published in the Special Seminar issue of Polio Update last summer. PPSGM member Virginia Folino from Stonington described her experiences during a three day visit to the International Research Centre for Polio at the Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital is Framingham, Massachusetts. Ed
To PART 1.
Nearly a year has passed since I last wrote about my visit to Dr. Julie Silver and my evaluation at the Spaulding IRCP. I decided to follow the recommendation of Dr. Frank Pedlow, Head of the Spine Center at Mass. General and go ahead with spinal surgery. This recommendation came after he reviewed tests ordered by Dr. Silver to determine the cause of my spinal pain.
There was total blockage in the lumbar area of my spine. The operation consisted of a lumbar decompression to clear the blockage, a spinal fusion with bone grafted from my hip and titanium screws to hold it in place.
After four days at MGH, I was moved across the street to the Spaulding Rehab Hospital were my recovery was greatly helped by the nurses and therapists there for the next ten days. I gradually got stronger, mostly by walking. I had taken my walker with wheels along with me and I put a lot of mileage on it, walking up and down the corridors....con

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My legs had little chance to weaken. Therapists taught me how to get in and out of bed, the shower, and car, as well as up and down I a few stairs, walk on a ramp and do simple
Update household chores without bending or twisting which could be injurious to my spine.
In just two weeks from the day of my surgery, I was able to make the six hour trip back home to Stonington with no braces or painkillers and no further therapy. I needed lots of rest and still do, but that's a PPS necessity. It's certainly a lot easier to get that rest without the spinal pain I had before my surgery.
One month later I was busy getting artwork done and preparing to open my gallery for the summer season. I worked seven days a week, part time each day until mid October. Less than two months later, however, I was found to have breast' cancer and surgery followed without hesitation. The cancer had not spread and I bounced right back having dodged my second bullet in eight months! Since I did survive it all and this miserable winter and at my age* I have the good feeling I'll be around for some time to come.    "Virginia Folino"
                                To PART 1

*Virginia didn't mention her age in this article, but since she revealed it in the previous installment we think it's safe to tell readers that she is 75-plus. Reported by Roger Sklar.

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