Gold medal in finishing up old projects - fusion shmusion!

I've been watching the olympics obsessively which has definitely encouraged me to push ahead with finishing all those projects my neck pain had prevented.  I finally got back to completing the chore of painting the third floor room and the delightully awkwardly-angled knee wall.  This was one of the last things I was working on before the pain got too severe.  So today, almost a year later, I finally got back to it and am pleased to report I had no trouble finishing up including all the tedious cutting in along the edge.  I was a little tense on the 7-foot ladder in the stairwell but the neck was no impediment at all. 

I just came back from a short trip for work and the luggage handling, laptop lugging, etc. were also no problem.  I do miss the fancy cervical pillow when I'm on the road but its just uncomfortable to sleep, not painful.  Still unable to touch my chin to my chest but that seems only to matter if you're folding sheets by yourself ;)  I do still notice a little loss of sensation under my jawline, maybe from the neck brace.  I tried running and unfortunately as soon as I went a short distance, I noticed the numbness return to my thumb and first finger.  I guess the nerves have still not settled down all the way so I'll stick with walking and cycling.

We are getting ready to go on vacation to the beach in a couple of weeks so I'm looking forward to finally have a vacation this summer.  The kids haven't been to the beach yet because of the surgery so fingers crossed no storms thwart our plans!  Continuing to sunscreen the scar daily because it definitely gets red and angry if I'm hot or in the sun.  It has not faded as much as I'd hoped but it is not raised at all.  The incision itself is darkened and pretty noticeable.  My naturally dark skin is in this instance has maybe contributed to the scarring but it doesn't really bother me.  Scarves anyone?