My name is Tarah Neujahr Bryan. I’m from Montana and despite living in six different states, Montana is still my heart’s home.
Me, Belka, and Neko
I have passion for many things in life, including:
being a mama to my amazing little monkey (A) and my amazing little bear (F),
being a mediocre to middling wife to my patiently tolerant husband (D),
beating my chronic pain every single GD day,
working as the Chief Marketing Officer for an amazing healthcare analytics company,
mindfulness, meditation, Buddhism
volunteering as a pet therapist with Belka, my “exquisite” registered therapy animal,
Vinyasa/Power Yoga (Hot Power Yoga is my fav),
Nebraska Football (GO BIG RED!),
playing softball (I used to add volleyball here too, but that’s something I’ve had to give up),
hiking fast, hiking high, and hiking alone,
running (I try to run 5 days a week. Usually I am successful. Sometimes I’m not.),
fluting (I play the flute, still…not just in high school. My favorite group is an orchestra, but I’ll take symphonic winds too),
healthcare policy (weird, huh?),
aviation (in another life I’d still be working in aviation, but healthcare is cool too),
reading, reading (did I say that? How about reading? I’m a bibliophile.),
outdoor life (being outside and all that means),
animals (especially cheetahs and dogs. I’m a vegetarian for ethical reasons too.),
hiking (and climbing mountains),
sports,
and so much more. It’s always growing and changing.
I’m a vegetarian athlete (that’s a thing, apparently). I have two kids with amazing stories. They are both some of the strongest, most incredible people I know. How my husband and I ever got so lucky, I’ll never know.
I have a BA in History, with a minor in Sociology from Montana State–Billings and an MA in Journalism and Mass Communications (specialization in Marketing, Communications, and Advertising) from the University of Nebraska (GO BIG RED! ). I paid off my student loan debt. It’s been the third biggest accomplishment of my life. ::cough::
People tell me that I’m not shy. Those people are wrong. I’m a raging introvert.
My family
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Hi there, I just want to say how touched and moved I am as I read your blog and its contents. I struggle with chronic pain after having 4 back surgeries: spinal fusion in 2007 and three reparative to correct hardware malfunctions over the following 7 years. As you are aware, it takes a toll on us mentally and emotionally as well. Now that I've found my life partner and we journey through family planning together, I'm especially thrilled to have found you and your blog. There certainly isn't much info out there regarding spinal fusion survivors and conception, motherhood, etc. Here's a hug from Florida!
Hi! I found your site and it has been so helpful! I am 35 yo and have had 2 spinal fusions. My last surgery was 2 years ago L4-S1. How are you still managing pain after so many years being fused? Also I see a picture of your pregnant, do you have children? My husband and I would like to expand our family but we are so worried how my back will hold up and if I will be able to recover to my baseline pain (which is manageable pain for me). Any info would be so appreciated! I have had a hard time finding young women in similar situation as me. Thanks!
Also, it took me about a year to get back to baseline level of pain. And that was with a lot of work. Of course, our little girl is worth it, but it wasn't easy.
Sorry, I'm just now seeing your comment. I gave birthday about a year ago and carried almost full term (had to induce 3 weeks early due to pre-eclampsia). Around month 8 my back was hurting so badly I could hardly walk or sleep or move. It was very, very painful especially because I didn't want to take many drugs. I highly recommend having a very strong core and a healthy weight before becoming pregnant because I think that is what helped me get through it. The good news, I was able to have a normal epideral. I did meet with the Labor and Delivery anesthesiologists ahead of to plan everything. I'm very glad I did. Please let me know if there are any questions I can answers or ways I can help. Best of luck to you!
Thank you for the reply. Do you mind me asking how your back has held up since having the baby? How are you doing managing lifting and caring for your baby? I so want another child but I am terrified of the pain and potential damage to my back. I greatly thank you for any tips, advice or information regarding this matter.
You bet. I've been doing pretty well, and she requires a lot of carrying and holding. :) I make sure I do all the things I need to take care of myself, which can be very difficult with a baby, but my husband is fantastic about helping and we hire a babysitter too. I pay attention to how I'm lifting and carrying her to be mindful of using my legs and core. It's understandable you'd be nervous, and rightfully so. The pain level is about the same as before, maybe just a bit higher. I do much more meditation than before. And I try to remind myself that it's temporary. She'll be running around soon, and I wouldn't get to hold her if I wanted. Does that help? I understand it's scary. And there aren't many women like us, as I've learned.
Hey! I'm so glad I found your site! I left a comment on one of your posts but I'm 25 and have had 2 spinal fusions and I'm just getting into yoga! I live in Salt Lake City Utah and want to try hot vanyasa yoga do you have any recommendations? Thanks so much!
Hey! I'm glad it's helpful. I need to do a better job of updating, and you've given me the incentive I need. :) I really like Salt Lake Power Yoga (http://saltlakepoweryoga.com/). They're downtown. Let me know what you think and how you're doing after you've tried it for a while. Take care!
Glad I found your site. We seem to be a lot alike (excepting I am a 50 year old man - ha). Ethical vegan advaita buddhist athletes with lumbar fusions are becoming more common! Anyway - I've been doing hot power yoga for a month and love it. Always been active and usually train with body weight exercises in spinal extension (chin ups, dips, hand stand push ups - no squats or spine compression exercises). I'm 10 years out of "successful" L4-5 fusion.
My question has to do with yoga and ASD - I can only go on logic here. All the twisting/flexion/extension of the vertabrae associated with yoga is a big concern. I've had very little pain since doing hot yoga, but am concerned about the potential for ASD escalating due to yoga. Do you have any links/thoughts on the association?
Hi John,
You make me laugh. Yes, we're not such a rare breed. :)
My doctor has advised that strengthening the muscles around the fusion and adjacent segments will help. However, nothing will stop the ASD and avoiding overuse is important. This means ensuring that the core is engaged whenever doing twists and stopping if it hurts. To me, the relief I get from hot yoga and the strength I build is worth whatever little extra tension is put on my SI joints. I'll see if there are any studies.
Thanks for finding me! I wish you luck.
Just a quick note on the yoga front and us spineys. Check out Bowspring yoga (even with the controversial John Friend involved). It is interesting though I can't endorse at this point. It seems to work for some. I heard about it from Julie Wilkins site and suggest any with spine concerns (especially multi-level fusions to google her (and Bowspring). I won't provide links.
Hi! I'm ten months post lumbar fusion. I'm still in a lot of pain but I have to get my life back! The surgeon has said that I can get back to activities. I'm considering going back to the gym and to a Pilates class. What do you think? How heavy are the weights that you lift? Thanks in advance for any advice you can give me!
Hi Caoimhe! I'm glad your surgeon has cleared you to start activities because that's the number one thing that will help you get back. I know that when I'm not working out and moving, that's when the pain is the worst. Pilates class sounds like a great way to start; just be sure to go slow and pay attention to the fundamentals. Use your core muscles. If you get too tired to maintain integrity in a pose or a movement, then take a break and rest a bit. After a minute or so, try it again. With weight-lifting, it's the same idea. It's not how much you can lift; it's how much you can lift while maintaining proper form. That said, I can't do dead lifts, and I'm very careful with squats. I'd recommend doing some cardio; dancing or running or whatever moves you. Concentrate on your core muscles whenever you feel tired, though. (Seriously, I need to post on my favorite core exercises, huh? Doing it soon! The tricky part is getting someone to take pictures of my crazy antics.)
Go slow. Be patient with yourself, but push yourself enough to know that you're making a difference. Getting back is one of the hardest things you'll do, but it will be immensely rewarding. I wish you the best!
Thanks for reading!
Tarah, thank your for this page. It is insjpiring and loving. Cheryl
View Comments
Hi there, I just want to say how touched and moved I am as I read your blog and its contents. I struggle with chronic pain after having 4 back surgeries: spinal fusion in 2007 and three reparative to correct hardware malfunctions over the following 7 years. As you are aware, it takes a toll on us mentally and emotionally as well. Now that I've found my life partner and we journey through family planning together, I'm especially thrilled to have found you and your blog. There certainly isn't much info out there regarding spinal fusion survivors and conception, motherhood, etc. Here's a hug from Florida!
Hi! I found your site and it has been so helpful! I am 35 yo and have had 2 spinal fusions. My last surgery was 2 years ago L4-S1. How are you still managing pain after so many years being fused? Also I see a picture of your pregnant, do you have children? My husband and I would like to expand our family but we are so worried how my back will hold up and if I will be able to recover to my baseline pain (which is manageable pain for me). Any info would be so appreciated! I have had a hard time finding young women in similar situation as me. Thanks!
Also, it took me about a year to get back to baseline level of pain. And that was with a lot of work. Of course, our little girl is worth it, but it wasn't easy.
Sorry, I'm just now seeing your comment. I gave birthday about a year ago and carried almost full term (had to induce 3 weeks early due to pre-eclampsia). Around month 8 my back was hurting so badly I could hardly walk or sleep or move. It was very, very painful especially because I didn't want to take many drugs. I highly recommend having a very strong core and a healthy weight before becoming pregnant because I think that is what helped me get through it. The good news, I was able to have a normal epideral. I did meet with the Labor and Delivery anesthesiologists ahead of to plan everything. I'm very glad I did. Please let me know if there are any questions I can answers or ways I can help. Best of luck to you!
Thank you for the reply. Do you mind me asking how your back has held up since having the baby? How are you doing managing lifting and caring for your baby? I so want another child but I am terrified of the pain and potential damage to my back. I greatly thank you for any tips, advice or information regarding this matter.
You bet. I've been doing pretty well, and she requires a lot of carrying and holding. :) I make sure I do all the things I need to take care of myself, which can be very difficult with a baby, but my husband is fantastic about helping and we hire a babysitter too. I pay attention to how I'm lifting and carrying her to be mindful of using my legs and core. It's understandable you'd be nervous, and rightfully so. The pain level is about the same as before, maybe just a bit higher. I do much more meditation than before. And I try to remind myself that it's temporary. She'll be running around soon, and I wouldn't get to hold her if I wanted. Does that help? I understand it's scary. And there aren't many women like us, as I've learned.
Hey! I'm so glad I found your site! I left a comment on one of your posts but I'm 25 and have had 2 spinal fusions and I'm just getting into yoga! I live in Salt Lake City Utah and want to try hot vanyasa yoga do you have any recommendations? Thanks so much!
Hey! I'm glad it's helpful. I need to do a better job of updating, and you've given me the incentive I need. :) I really like Salt Lake Power Yoga (http://saltlakepoweryoga.com/). They're downtown. Let me know what you think and how you're doing after you've tried it for a while. Take care!
Glad I found your site. We seem to be a lot alike (excepting I am a 50 year old man - ha). Ethical vegan advaita buddhist athletes with lumbar fusions are becoming more common! Anyway - I've been doing hot power yoga for a month and love it. Always been active and usually train with body weight exercises in spinal extension (chin ups, dips, hand stand push ups - no squats or spine compression exercises). I'm 10 years out of "successful" L4-5 fusion.
My question has to do with yoga and ASD - I can only go on logic here. All the twisting/flexion/extension of the vertabrae associated with yoga is a big concern. I've had very little pain since doing hot yoga, but am concerned about the potential for ASD escalating due to yoga. Do you have any links/thoughts on the association?
Hi John,
You make me laugh. Yes, we're not such a rare breed. :)
My doctor has advised that strengthening the muscles around the fusion and adjacent segments will help. However, nothing will stop the ASD and avoiding overuse is important. This means ensuring that the core is engaged whenever doing twists and stopping if it hurts. To me, the relief I get from hot yoga and the strength I build is worth whatever little extra tension is put on my SI joints. I'll see if there are any studies.
Thanks for finding me! I wish you luck.
Just a quick note on the yoga front and us spineys. Check out Bowspring yoga (even with the controversial John Friend involved). It is interesting though I can't endorse at this point. It seems to work for some. I heard about it from Julie Wilkins site and suggest any with spine concerns (especially multi-level fusions to google her (and Bowspring). I won't provide links.
Hi! I'm ten months post lumbar fusion. I'm still in a lot of pain but I have to get my life back! The surgeon has said that I can get back to activities. I'm considering going back to the gym and to a Pilates class. What do you think? How heavy are the weights that you lift? Thanks in advance for any advice you can give me!
Hi Caoimhe! I'm glad your surgeon has cleared you to start activities because that's the number one thing that will help you get back. I know that when I'm not working out and moving, that's when the pain is the worst. Pilates class sounds like a great way to start; just be sure to go slow and pay attention to the fundamentals. Use your core muscles. If you get too tired to maintain integrity in a pose or a movement, then take a break and rest a bit. After a minute or so, try it again. With weight-lifting, it's the same idea. It's not how much you can lift; it's how much you can lift while maintaining proper form. That said, I can't do dead lifts, and I'm very careful with squats. I'd recommend doing some cardio; dancing or running or whatever moves you. Concentrate on your core muscles whenever you feel tired, though. (Seriously, I need to post on my favorite core exercises, huh? Doing it soon! The tricky part is getting someone to take pictures of my crazy antics.)
Go slow. Be patient with yourself, but push yourself enough to know that you're making a difference. Getting back is one of the hardest things you'll do, but it will be immensely rewarding. I wish you the best!
Thanks for reading!
Tarah, thank your for this page. It is insjpiring and loving. Cheryl
Thanks! That means a lot. I hope it's helpful.
I think you are pretty.