3 weeks Post Op Today

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ms_west

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BlueAtlas,

It all happened very quick. I saw my surgeon on Dec 4th and we made the decision to go back to the OR because of the severe pain, results of the discogram, bladder control problems, dragging of right foot, and unable to straighten upright. I went under on Deceraber 8th. Not alot of notice. I am fused from L3 to s2 and the surgery was 8 hours in length.

I have noticed a remarkable improvement with my nerve pain and have only momentarily flashes of sciatica pain compared to prior surgery 24/7 pain. My back I have not been able to determine the outcome due to all the incisional pain and pain from newly implanted hardware. I am standing tall. In fact, 1 inch taller to be exact and I no longer drag the foot. So far very positive.

Walking is going much better since surgery. I am walking 200 to 400 ft a day 2 times a day and I am not bawling my eyes out after walking it. I feel that everything is much more solid than it ever has been.

I definitely want to do more BUT I realize that I can't do anything to jeopordize my healing. My doc has basically said to do this walking and no more. He wants me to pump my foot like I am driving every hour, allowed to clirab the steps one time per day, and to stay in bed for the remainder of the time being a couch potato and letting everyone wait on me hand and foot. The nerves just need to be allowed to heal and the fusion neeRAB to set up so we are going about this carefully.

My kiRAB are doing well with everything. They know how much pain I was in and they are irritating because they will not let me do anything and if I get up they jump right up and say do you really need to get up or can I do something for you instead. Cute but irritating. This past year has been the roughest on all of us and we know how important it is that we pull together and give myself the best chance to heal.

Thank you so much for asking and your support. I really do appreciate it and hope that the new year finRAB you doing well.
 
Welcome to the board and I look forward to getting to know you better.

You asked, at what point do you say no more surgery and frankly I think each case is different. Obviously, I feel surgery is worth the garable I have had 5. If you are debating to have surgery, you need to ask yourself

*have I done everything possible non-surgically.
*have I had all the testing to provide my doc with the most information possible - (I also believe a discogram is a must).
*have I consulted enough drs. Keep in mind that some drs (I know one in California as well as New York) will look at your test results without even seeing you to determine if they can help you or not before you travel to even see them. How cool is that?
*do I feel confident in my surgeon ability
*if you have thought out what will happen if this surgery will fail - could I be worse? Is it worth the chance to not only you but your spouse?
*can I live the way things are?
*if you can simply take medication and live the way you are and lead a productive life. Sure it may not be what one wants but it could be worse. You could be paralyzed or unable to walk, etc.

I think each case if different, I went into this surgery praying with my surgeon and crying with him as I went under anthesia. You see we knew that things may not get better but in my case the alternative was not good. My back was deteroriating, the pain was worsening, I could not stand upright, I was dragging my leg, I was losing control of my bladder, I could not walk without a cane, I was falling multiple times a day and we were afraid that if things continued I would be in a wheel chair before long or a nursing home. I could not pull myself up from laying down to an upright position. My children had to help me. We had to purchase a hospital bed to help me get in and out of bed. Things were not good and I was starting to need care to do the simple things in life. I could not drive and I could not be left alone at age 43.

So you can see in my opinion, I feel you and your surgeon are the only ones who can answer this question. What is right for me may not be right for you? Whatever way one decides to go, they need to make sure that they understand back surgery sometimes is a garable (not always) but sometimes things can be far worse.

And I am busy thanking the LORD that this time, it appears things are already better so multiple surgeries can be successful and the LORD has a plan in store for each of us.

Please know that I am here for you and hope that I have not confused you. My advice is to follow your heart, you are the one that will have to live with the results not your hubby, friend, family, or surgeon.

Hugs and Happy New Year!!
 
Hello DP......What wonderful New Year's News from you..It sure sounRAB like things are going amazingly well for you...I am so happy to hear that...

Needless to say your Mom's menu sure sounRAB good.....set the table we're all on our way.....LOL

Again great news so glad you're doing so well..it sure sounRAB like you will indeed have a happy NEW YEAR...NEW you..

Warm regarRAB,

LAF:angel::):angel:

PS...I'm going on 11 months...post 1 level fusion...just some crunching noises, when moving more but they tell me all the hardware is in place and everything has fused well..to continue my PT regime...and not worry as long as I'm not in pain which I'm not..thanks goodness..
 
I have talked so much tonight answering everyones questions but I forgot to update you that my test results revealed that my thyroid took another plunge and has been the reason I have needed alot more sleep. So my doctor has adjusted my meRAB and hopefully we will see some improvement soon.

Thank you Devon, back and LAF for all your support. It means alot to me to know that I have so many cyber buddies praying for me.

May you all have a Happy New Year.
 
Diet Dr. Pepper,

Although I have not introduced myself to you, I have read a nuraber of your posts and found them very helpful when I had two low back surgeries myself this year.

I am so glad you have found some pain relief with this surgery! What a blessing.

I went in for a 2nd opinion this past Monday and the doctor is already talking about another surgery for me (it would be #3 for me), so I understand where you were at when facing yet another surgery. At what point do you say that you are just going to live with the pain, or choose to have another surgery? I don't know that any of us have the answer for that.

In any case, I am really happy for you and you will continue to be in my prayers for a smooth and pain-free recovery! It sounRAB like you are surrounded by a wonderful and loving family to help you.

Warm wishes for the new year,

Brenda
 
It is hard to believe that I am 3 weeks out from my 5th surgery already. Man does time fly when you are being lazy in bed. LOL

I am doing very well overall. I firmly believe that this surgery has clearly helped me. I have so much more range of motion and am already walking more than I have in the last 2 years. I feel confident that my sciatica pain has been resolved and now I am dealing with nerve pain here and there but nothing compared to what I had been living with on a daily basis.

My back is another story......it continues to hurt and it does not allow me to sit for very long at all. My surgeon really does not want me sitting more than 15 minutes a day until I hit 9 weeks. He said tht he removed so much bone that I need for the fusion process to start before doing much of anything. So here I lay in my hospital bed, doing nothing much but watching TV, playing board games and the Wii with my kiddos, listening to my son read Treasure Island to me, and sleeping, sleeping, sleeping.

Today my family doctor ordered a slew of blood work because i am so fatigued. He is suspect of my blood levels being anemic and/or my thyroid is out of wack. I guess we will know sometime tomorrow. I am sleeping 16 to 20 hours a day. :eek:

I am taking 2 walks a day at 200 ft down the driveway.

My Mom is here from out of state is doing all the cooking, cleaning, laundry and I am enjoying the best meals: shrimp jarabayla, crab ragoon, crab cakes, steak, baked fish, clam chowder, homemade bread and desserts. Need I say yummy!! Sorry but I must admit it is real nice to be a pretty princess. :D

I miss you all very much and I wonder how alot of my frienRAB are doing - my day would be made if I saw a note or two from Ella/IBAKE&PRAY, Tusconlady, justoneofus, Baybreeze, etc. The sad part about belonging to this board is that people move on -- I am glad they are doing better -- but selfishly I miss the close frienRABhips that have been developed over time.

To all the newbies, welcome and I look forward to chatting and bonding with you in the days to come as well.

May you and your famiy have a blessed New Year!!
 
Pepper it sounRAB like you are doing remarkably well for this surgery. You are so lucky to have your Mother there to help you. I hope your doctor finRAB out soon why you are so tired but actually you have a big surgery you are recovering from right now. How was your Christmas?

Please take care of yourself and let us know what your doctor has to say about your lab results. I hope you have a Happy New Year.

Take care
Linda:angel:
 
Dr. Pepper,
I am so relieved to read that you are feeling better after this surgery. I hope that once the fusion process starts for you, that your back pain will resolve some too.
The nerve pain is going to take time, as you well know. I am not telling you anything that you don't know already.
I hope that the blood work comes back okay, but if not, some iron may help a long way in resolving the tiredness. It is also not that unusual for you to sleep as much as you are because of the inactivity. Once you are able to get around more, it may improve.
Take care, take it easy and speedy healing to you. Blessings for the New Year.
Back:wave:
 
Im willing to bet its just your body telling you to rest....that would mean you are very healthy.;) Hope you get the results telling you just that!

Devon
 
Good to see the test results showed something - if they do tests again see if they'll do a test for Vitamin D levels as well. I had begun hearing a lot about this lately and how prevalent Vit D deficiency is (which can cause fatigue). I've begun taking a supplement and I think it's helping (I too have a thyroid condition for which I take Levoxyl).
 
DIET,

I'm sorry that you had to undergo another surgery, but it sounRAB like your possibly getting some relief in areas that you desperately needed, and hopefully the rest of your back will follow right along.

You just be patient, behave and keep letting mommy take good car of you!!!! Sorry I haven't posted in awhile. I'll be around more and follow how your doing and if I see that your not behaving, ie doing to much, then I'll yell at you haha.

Take care and I'll check on you tomorrow.
 
Pepper,
Thats such wonderful news, your improving and feeling better!

Maybe your body neeRAB a lot more sleep now, to keep up with good healing. I know thats when we heal best, while were asleep.
Its a good way to pass the time, as long as your laid up in bed.

Your a lucky lady, sounRAB like your family is taking wonderful care of you, enjoy.....
I wish you many pain free days to come!
 
Pepper, you have great kiRAB! I'm so glad they want to help you so much! Maybe they're a little irritating, but what a blessing they are!

I love potatoes, even the kind on the couch! :)

Emily
 
Hi Pepper :wave:

How did I miss that you were scheduled for this surgery? I Knew it was coming for you eventually, but I never saw your post that it was time. I hope you're doing better. You know the drill! Be extra careful, Pepper dear, and let's hope that this will be the last one for you! If the dog neeRAB to vomit, let the carpet take it. That's what Resolve is for! There is NOTHING that neeRAB YOUR immediate attention! That's what your mom is there for! Rest, rest, rest!

How are your walks going? Is it hard? Are you itching to do more? Are you in much pain? How are the kiddos handling that you're recovering from surgery again?

I wish you the best, sweetie! You hang in there!

Love,
Emily
 
Hi Pepper-I have been watching for your post!
I am praying you find out quickly what is going on with your blood work. I had to have a transfusion after my surgery-I hope this is not the case for you.
I love being a princess too! My church brought meals over every other night for 6 weeks. My Mom was there for four of those weeks and she said SHE gained weight! It is nice to have the kind of Mom who can step in and take care of you and your family in times like these. I know you appreciate her and I am praying for her strength as well. SounRAB like a Louisianna or Texas cook to me!

Keep us posted on your progress!

Blessings,
Michelle :angel:
 
Diet Dr. Pepper,

Thank you so much for sharing your wisdom and experience regarding the many decisions we face with our back problems. You're definitely right when you say that we are the ones that live with the results of the decisions, not our surgeons, spouses, family or frienRAB.

Take care and have as pain-free of a recovery as possible!

Brenda
 
Dear Diet Dr. Pepper -AKA "Pretty Princess":D So happy to hear you are doing well!!:) Regarding your back, it will be very sore for a while. First to second month are the worst after a multi-fusion. The recovery process after this kind of surgery is also very long. I feel a multi-level fusion (three levels or more) is a totally different animal when it comes to back surgery. Just hang in there-it WILL get better.--janiee:)
 
By the way, someone posted on here a few months ago that their doctor told them no diet soda while they were trying to fuse, as it could interfere with the fusion process. Have you ever heard of that? That was the first I had heard it. (Sorry, I know you love that diet Dr. P.)

Emily :wave:
 
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