#cervicalspine

My first little painting with my partially paralyzed self. It was MUCH harder to paint than I thought it would be. I can see how control over my right arm is going to be a problem. Fortunately for me I am comfortable with both hands, and only stopped using my left side after my stroke in 2008. Since then I have adapted to the 5-10% mobility loss in that side and it doesn't bother me anymore, I am just not used to writing as a lefty anymore. I did this second picture left handed to start getting back in the habit of being more of a lefty until and if my right side gets better. Looks like I have a ways to go. Wish me luck friends!

This piece is actually just a demo of an applique pattern I was experimenting with, but I liked it too much to leave it half baked lol. The inspiration behind it came when a close family member received a cervical spinal injury while in the military, and how awful the process of being medically discharged was. VA disability checks are just what the government decides the rest of your life is worth, but no amount of money brings back what could have been an able, pain-free life. I have much to say about this, but I’ll put that in another post maybe.

The actual pattern pieces were cut from sheerweight fusible interfacing, bonded+cut from unbleached muslin with a 1/4” seam allowance. Each piece is modeled after C1-C7 vertebra as close as I could manage while keeping it flat.

Well, for better or worse, It is official. I cannot put it off any longer - I have my multilevel cervical disc replacement surgery scheduled for June this year. 😬

I will be getting fancy new discs, all the bone spurs pushing on my spinal cord removed and nerve canals cleaned out to help with the nerve squishing that's happening and the reason for the RFA's. To put it mildly, I am both excited at the prospect of it working and at least putting an end to the degradation and worsening of the current symptoms and terrified of the consequences of it failing added pain, more symptoms or worse - being paralyzed. SO! it is going to be a busy summer - My oldest is getting married, first art showing, part of my spine is being replaced, and bonus good news - I finally got my doctors to put me back on my old meds and I haven't thrown up in 3 weeks!

That's my news - I sure hope all of you folks are hang in and hang on. It seems like everywhere we turn something crazy is happening. Though we all are finding ways to keep the normal in the everyday lives we lead. Maybe a meal, a smile, a scroll. Please find some time to really like something, enjoy it today. Appreciate that it is in the world. Thank it's maker if is something tasty to eat or maybe a treat for your eyes insead, but take a moment, unhurried, and know that it's okay to just be with it for a minute or two and enjoy it. Happy Day All!

🔷 SAG Annual Meet 2026 Annual Scientific Meeting of Spine Association of Gujarat

🎯 Symposium Theme: 🦴 CV Junction and Cervical Spine Surgery

🗓️ Dates: 13th & 14th June 2026

📍 Venue: Grand Ballroom, 2nd Floor ITC Welcom Hotel, Ashram Road, Ahmedabad

⏰ Schedule:

🗓️ Saturday, 13th June 2026 🕔 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM

🗓️ Sunday, 14th June 2026 🕗 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM

🔗 Click here to Register https://tinyurl.com/OrthoTV-SAG-2026

👨‍⚕️ Faculty 🔹 Dr. Abhay Nene – Mumbai 🔹 Dr. Abhidha Shah – Mumbai 🔹 Dr. Jayesh Sardhara – Mumbai 🔹 Dr. Kshitij Choudhary – Mumbai 🔹 Dr. Sudhir Dubey – Gurugram

👨‍⚕️ Organising Team 🔹 President: Dr. Ajay Krishnan 🔹 Vice President: Dr. Niraj Vasavada 🔹 Joint Vice President: Dr. Hitesh Modi 🔹 Secretary: Dr. Rakesh Luhana 🔹 Joint Secretary: Dr. Jigar Anandjiwala 🔹 Treasurer: Dr. Khushal Shah

👨‍⚕️ EC Members Dr. Amish Sanghvi Dr. Nisarg Parikh Dr. Sharvil Gajjar Dr. Denish Patel Dr. Bhupesh Patel

💰 Registration Fees ▪️ SAG Members – ₹2000 ▪️ Non-Members – ₹4000

📞 Contact Anubhuti Events – 9054931536

📌 APSS Cervical Spine Summit 2026 Organised by The Asia Pacific Spine Society (APSS)

💡 Theme: Surgical Decision-Making in Cervical Spine – Contemporary Concepts in 2026

🗓️ Date: Sunday, 8th March 2026 🕜 Time: 1:30 PM IST (GMT +5:30) | 4:00 PM (GMT +8:00)

🔆Click here to Watch : https://tinyurl.com/OrthoTV-APSS-08

🌍 Global Faculty | International Perspectives | Contemporary Cervical Spine Strategies

👨‍⚕️ Chairman ▪️ Dr. Ajoy Shetty – India

🎙 Moderator ▪️ Dr. Niraj Vasavada – India

🌟 Master Lecturers ▪️ Dr. Ajoy Shetty – India ▪️ Dr. Reuben Soh – Singapore ▪️ Dr. Yoshiharu Kawaguchi – Japan ▪️ Dr. Jose Manuel Ignacio – Philippines ▪️ Dr. Dennis Hey – Singapore ▪️ Dr. Dongho Lee – South Korea ▪️ Dr. G. Balamurali – India ▪️ Dr. Vidyadhara Srinivasa – India