Robin Lopez Update

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Cheesebeef

Cheesebeef

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Since we're sharing...

I had a double microdiscectomy in January 2009. Material between L4 and L5 was sticking out and pressing on my sciatic nerve. I couldn't sit up, stand, or walk. The pain was debilitating. I was walking mere hours after surgery. With the exercises and therapy I am hoping to put off the inevitable future surgeries. I am pain free now, even with the weakened discs...I'm old though.

They have made great progress in back procedures lately (my brother got rods 20 something years ago), but I was just reading an article yesterday about complications and it wasn't good. Take care of your backs people.

i'm living proof of the complications. After my micro back in 2002, back in 2008 I ended up needing a lamenectomy which was a MUCH bigger surgery... enjoyed that joyride so much that my back apparently was ready for more as I ruptured the same disk just two weeks later while recovering, necessitating a second lamenectomy. I was bedridden for months on end and my first doctor thought I had Failed Back Syndrome and told me there was nothing he could really do for me unless I choose to have spinal fusion surgery. Basically, he told me my life was going to be painful and i'd live on pain-killers to get through each and every day.

I wasn't going to take that as an answer. Not at 32 and with most of my life ahead of me. I stopped listening to what he said and continued on with my physical therapy intensively for months on end. Figured out a couple things along the way of what was hurting me most and helping me most, kicked my meds because I just couldn't stand taking them and 8 months later I was able to return back to LA (had to move back in with my parents in Phoenix after the surgeries). Definitely still had some pain, but I continued therapy on my own and now it's been almost two years since the surgeries, and while not pain-free, I can pretty much live the life I always lived (sans playing sports).

And to be honest, I might have had the fusion until I got a second and third opinion. Doctors who told me it was MUCH too early to be told I had Fail Back Syndrome. Doctors who led me to believe that if I continued working and gave it my all, that I could lead a normal life again. Not a life without pain mind you, but a life worth living.

That's what I did and my life has never been better in almost every facet.

Why am I telling y'all this? Because back pain SUCKS but you should never give up trying to get well.
 

Ouchie-Z-Clown

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i snapped one of the wings off one of my lower vertebrae. but no surgery. still gets me once or twice a year. backs suck.















(cheese and my moms and pops both have back issues as well. we're all just waiting for the day when brother-who-shall-not-post joins the fun our-backs-are-messed-up club)
 

Mainstreet

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Mainstreet, you sure that you're disc wasn't extruded? That's what mine was when a chip broke off and then started floating around my nerves in my spine.

and really, rods? how long ago was this? have you been to a doctor lately? they've made a lot of progress over the years.

All I know my disc was compacted outwardly before it herniated. I'm not familiar with the term extruded but maybe you are right. I quit asking doctors about surgery years ago after three doctors recommended rod surgery the last being a few years back. The epidurals do not hold up for me so I live with the pain or take oral medication when necessary. IMO, there is no magic bullet for most people.

Yes, you are right, "pain sucks." Now I remember why I didn't pursue rod surgery. An anesthesiologist told me that he sees just as many patients who have had the surgery as those that did not. He quietly gave me some good advice when I was debating the matter with myself. Now I'm mostly afraid to let anyone mess with my back.
 
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jagu

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That should be reason to try out the Toros' D league player. Maybe Amare plays best with a guy who can grab some rebounds next to him. I think its worth an attempt and with just a few games left its worth trying out since Collins is useless and Frye is a 7foot WNBA player minus the aggressive play.
 

Bufalay

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Which is worse, Lopez being a bust, or Lopez being good and being injured all the time?
 

slinslin

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The first because worst case Lopez would be the best backup C in the league if his injury was really that bad an chronic.

If he was a bust we'd still need 2 centers, now we just need 1 more.
 

Sunburn

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Where has this Jones guy been? Why has it taken him so long to play? I thought I heard we signed him like two weeks ago.
 

BC867

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With Collins playing 12 minutes -- and not showing enough quickly at Center -- why not get Jones into the game? The playoffs are just around the corner.

Here we go again. 50-and-fade. I expected more of Alvin Gentry.
 

jagu

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With Collins playing 12 minutes -- and not showing enough quickly at Center -- why not get Jones into the game? The playoffs are just around the corner.

Here we go again. 50-and-fade. I expected more of Alvin Gentry.

Let's not get carried away guys. The reality is that the Suns are very unlikely to win the playoffs. Rolo would help but Alvin Gentry is not the cause for any of our defeats IMO. I think we saw a head coach finally instill some defense on the Suns team while maintaining great scoring. If the Suns want to win in the playoffs, it will come down to a)Nash's health, b)Rebounding, c)Low turnovers.

I agree that we should try out this Jones guy just to see what he is made of.
 

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For all of you guys hating on Gentry, put it this way. D'Antoni, Porter, or Gentry? Take your pick
 

BC867

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Apparently we have 3 starters with back problems. We should run Gentry out of town.

Steve
I have been complimenting Alvin Gentry, saying he's showing himself to be the Suns second best Head Coach ever, behind Cotton Fitzsimmons.

That's why I'm disappointed that he's reverted to a Center tandem of Frye and Amar'e after the first twelve minutes of each game.

Frye is a Small Forward in the body of a big man and Amar'e loses his effectiveness when there's no legitimate Center playing alongside him.
 

Bufalay

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I have been complimenting Alvin Gentry, saying he's showing himself to be the Suns second best Head Coach ever, behind Cotton Fitzsimmons.

That's why I'm disappointed that he's reverted to a Center tandem of Frye and Amar'e after the first twelve minutes of each game.

Frye is a Small Forward in the body of a big man and Amar'e loses his effectiveness when there's no legitimate Center playing alongside him.


What do you want him to do? Give birth to a new center? Their center is injured. Collins sucks and Dwayne Jones is the same size as Frye.
 
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What do you want him to do? Give birth to a new center? Their center is injured. Collins sucks and Dwayne Jones is the same size as Frye.

completely agree. to criticize Gentry right now for not playing bigger doesn't make much sense to me.
 
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if we were to get to the 2nd round, maybe, but he said he's just starting to walk normal again. Anyone who's had back problem knows that just being able to start wlaking normal again knows you're still a way away from being able to really get at... pretty much anything again.

good to know that he's making progress though. I'd much rather read this than read the epidural/rest/rehab did nothing to make a dent.
 

elindholm

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Here we go again. 50-and-fade. I expected more of Alvin Gentry.

You expected Gentry to prevent Lopez's injury? It's becoming clearer all the time why you're perpetually disappointed. You evidently expect the Suns' coaches to work outright miracles.
 

Chaplin

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Gentry might be the best HC we've had here since Fitz. I'd like to pick his brain(as long as Nash wasn't in the room of course) ;).

That is the first time I've ever heard Cotton referred to as "Fitz." I thought we already had a Fitz in Arizona.
 

BC867

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Dwayne Jones is the same size as Frye.
'Just one difference. Frye is a wing player and weak defensively. Jones is a legitimate Center.

Waiting 'til the playoffs is not the time to try new chemistry. Remember KT in the second game of the Spurs series?

Get Jones in there as backup now with three games to go.

I would have expected Alvin Gentry to do that.
 

AzStevenCal

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'Just one difference. Frye is a wing player and weak defensively. Jones is a legitimate Center.

Waiting 'til the playoffs is not the time to try new chemistry. Remember KT in the second game of the Spurs series?

Get Jones in there as backup now with three games to go.

I would have expected Alvin Gentry to do that.

So you really believe that inserting a D-league player that has never played with this team falls somewhere other than "new chemistry"? I'm hoping that Jones can fill Robin's shoes also but I suspect we're chasing rainbows.

Steve
 

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