January 2026 spine surgeries - Let's hear the positive outcomes!

@jenniferhunter thank you so much, Jennifer! I’ve been meaning to send you a picture of Dash. He will be two in May. I’ll get a couple better pictures this week hopefully if the sun comes out. I’ve never experienced so much fog in my life here in California!!

@sherrym25 That's great ! I'm very happy for you 👍 Keep floating on that cloud #9 as well as those young horses ! ! ! ENJOY IT AS YOU SHOULD ! ! ! I would too!, "Good for you"

Bob

And on another positive note for me, Dr. McClendon’s office emailed me yesterday and said that he reviewed my x-rays and that my spine has fused nicely! I am kind of floating on cloud nine! Now I’m going to start working with my young horses without fear of messing up my fusion!!! Yay!!

@sherrym25 wonderful news!!!🙌🏼. Enjoy your new life!!!

@rwdixon4 Bob, I’m so excited for your surgery! I was at Phoenix Mayo for nine days and then flew home. I think it’s wonderful that you get to be in a nursing home for a week or so. That’s really going to help you heal up before your flight home. My flight wasn’t bad. They’ll take you through in the wheelchair and you’ll get to sit in the front seat. I flew Southwest and they really took care of me.
Please keep all of us updated along the way! I remember typing on this site as I was sitting on the gurney after they had put my IVs in. There’s a lot of excitement, but also plenty of time to communicate with others.
Best, Sherry

@sherrym25

This is so helpful although it has me thinking if I feel so good today after trigger-point injections & pain meds and exercising getting ready for surgery ~ maybe I should postpone surgery ? While I'm strong and feel so good go do some things that I have wanted to do ~ ~ ~ fly fishing in Montana !

Italy ?

Or get it done while I'm strong & heal faster as I am in better shape ? Thoughts anyone ?

@rwdixon4 Fly fishing... that sounds like the perfect "escape". As you think about that listen for the sounds of the birds and the gentle water dancing among the rocks. It's an absolutely beautiful place bringing peace and tranquility perhaps in the mountains? The lure dances in the cold crystal clear waters and you see the iridescence of a trout navigating the currents. This is yours to write the rest of the story and describe your perfect day.

I had previously worked with a therapist about facing my own fear of surgery, and she told me to imagine a safe place that I can go to in my mind anytime I feel stressed. I think your safe place involves a fishing reel, hand tied lures, and some warm summer breezes. Remember to inhale deeply that fresh mountain air.....

This really works, and it will lower your blood pressure when you start to worry. The beauty is that you can do this anytime and as it lowers your blood pressure, it also helps ease some pain. Visualize this as you think about it, and you can also pair it with some of your favorite music. This becomes your exercise and response when you need to occupy your mind when you would rather be someplace else, so you have permission to go there in your imagination. The human mind is amazing. I'm glad Sherry is helping you along the way here with her experience. Good luck with your surgery and getting to the other side to begin the healing. That takes patience, and remember, we are here for you.

As, an afterthought, I'm adding this link so you can think about fly fishing. I personally knew Pete Huttlinger, and since his passing, this fly fishing and music camp in Montana has continued in his memory. Could that be a goal for you as you recover to go fly fishing somewhere? Pete was a guy who faced very serious medical issues and he learned to embrace his challenges. He was a great musician, composer and fly fisherman.
https://www.petehuttlinger.com/camp
As told by Pete himself (which I find very inspiring) "Don't just live; live well."

@jenniferhunter I'm speechless 💕 Thank You so very much for these kind, inspiring words & I am so grateful for Sherrys guidance & support.

You are both appreciated so very much !

Thank You again,
Bob

@rwdixon4 Bob, do you have friends or family that can help you out for the first few weeks at home?