Friendship: The greatest gift of all!

During Thanksgiving weekend, 2006, 25 November 2006, I went out to lunch with my friends John, Alice, Steve, and Cecilia. I showed off my awesome back brace, and told them the story of my surgery and such. They then presented me with a present that 30 of my friends put together for me. It was a check from the Amy G fund.
http://www.johnchou.com/amyg/
I had no idea that this was going on behind my back (haha, pun!), but it was happening. It was all my friend's Conor's idea, and he and John were able to spread the word. And within a few weeks, my fund was huge! When I was presented the check, I was speechless. I actually thought that they were going to give me a palm, because the last time my friends got a gift for me, it was a palm, and since my palm had recently broke, I thought that it was a palm. But I was not exactly disappointed. I was blown away. First, I didn't realize that I even had 30 friends. =) Second, I couldn't imagine anyone putting together something like this, and doing something like this for me. I never ever expect anything in return for my friendship, and knowing that so many people cared about me was amazing. I couldn't believe it. I still can't believe it. I feel very loved, and very grateful. I am grateful everyday that I can walk and that I am recovering smoothly from my surgery. I feel grateful that I have so many people looking out for me. It's amazing!!
The money has helped me pay for my medical expenses, which were quite amazing. I am worth a lot right now according to the insurance company. =) It also went towards buying a smartphone, which is kind of like a Palm =) So yeah, it is amazing. I still can't thank my friends enough for their generosity.
So one of things that I decided to do was to visit each and every one of my friends, especially the 30 friends that contributed to the fund, as much as I can this year. The plan is to travel to as many destinations as possible, and to spend some quality time with all my friends. The plan is to write about each of those places, and the experience that I am able to have with my friends. So this blog will actually be updated more than once a year =).
Once again, to everyone who contributed to the Amy G fund, and to all my friends out there rooting for me, thanks so much for everything. I love you very much, and I will see you very very soon!
With Love,
Amy =)

Doctors orders as of 29 November 2006

For the next 2 or 3 weeks, I will get to wean myself off the brace. I need to gradually gain strength back in my back. So when I'm indoors, I'll probably go without my backbrace. When I'm out and about, I'll probably put it on. As it gets stronger, I will be able to go for longer periods without it. Six weeks from now I will be re-evaluated, and hopefully I will get to start physical therapy then.

Until I get some strength and a little bit of mobility back in my back, I won't be able to do much physical therapy. I will still make a full recovery in 3 to 6 months. =) So in the next few weeks, I will be able to drive for
myself again, lift some things (not too heavy, only with thd start
walking without the brace.

**It's been 3 weeks, and it's good to get some mobility back. I can do most things now except the lifting of heavy objects. I can't run or snowboard or jog or throw overhead passes in basketball, but I can do most things. Next doctor's appointment is 10 January 2007. Hopefully everything will look good, and I can start physical therapy then. I'll also be starting some pilates in order to get some core strength so that I don't have to rely on my back so much.

Here are the xrays of my back:

This is the back side of me. Two rods on either side of the vertabrae with screws in it to keep it in place.

This is the side view of me. The bone that doesn't have any screws in it is the one I broke.