Back surgery next friday = help

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brokenbuthere

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Hi
I need either comfort or advice as i am terribly scared. I am a 34 year female with a 13 year old son and a 8 month old bub, happily married so far - touch wood - i am about to go in for surgery for 2 prolapsed disc in my L3-L4 region along with a tear in one of these - not sure which one - i have pain radiating down both my legs into my feet and my back locks if i lay down too long. My hips and pelvis area burn as well along with nurabness in a few toes in my left foot. I have been a age care nurse since i was 20 and left this position after 10 years due to burnout and long hours. Bulging discs started the problem along with a extra disc on the left side in the L5 region - born with it - now after having a bout of pneumonia right of xmas of 08 i now have 2 prolapsed disc and am constantly in pain and very scared of lifting esp. my bub. My neuro rang me yesterday from his home after being overseas as he was worried about me and asked after the pain told him the truth and has recommended surgery THIS Friday coming. Have never really had surgery before and would like to know what i am in for. I had day surgery 13 years ago for an ovarian cyst - strangely these things come every 13 years as before that i had my tonsils removed lol.
Any help or advice or questions to ask would be greatly appreciate before i see him next Tues before D DAY.
 
Hi Brokenbuthere, and welcome to our little corner of healtrabroadoarRAB!

Can you give a little more information? What surgery is he wanting you to have? A fusion?

If it's a fusion, I've been there and can point you to some good tips. Read the sticky at the top called "post surgery tips." It's chock full of great suggestions that will make your recovery easier. But I do want to let you know that fusion surgery is a big surgery with a long recovery time. Only a week to prepare? You'll need to line up help with your bub at the very least. But I don't want to get too far ahead of things. Maybe that's not what he's recommending.

Do let us know a bit more, and we'll do our best to help you.

Blessings,
Emily
 
Hi Hun,
wow! it must all be a shock to you as its all happening so fast!
As Emily said, its hard to comment without knowing what surgery you are having, but it sounRAB as though your disc prolapse is causing nerve compression, due to the leg pain and nurabness which sounRAB very significant, hence the surgeon wanting to get something done fast to avoid nerve damage if left for too long.
I wonder if the surgeon will give you a 'decompression' surgery, I had this done a couple of years ago for the same symptoms, and its usually the norm, especially as its your first spinal surgery.
A decompression involves taking the prolapsed part of the discs away so that it is no longer in contact with the nerves,and therefore will if a success, stop the referred pain from the disc that is causing your leg pain and nurabness. when I had mine done in 2006 it was a great success and after recovery I was pain free for 18 months (other problems came about but thats another story!)
I hope that this helps, and I wish you the very best of luck, as Emily suggested already, the post surgery tips are great, they really helped me prepare for my recent surgery, and I will be using it again soon for my 3rd!
Take care
warmest wishes
sarah
 
Hi and thank you for responding to me questions i truly appreciate it.
As far as for the type of surgery, it is something called a laminectomy to remove parts of the discs that are pressing on the nerve. Do you know how long i would be in hospital and recover time, i am going to ask this of the neuro but would love to know what others experiences are. Should there be any questions specifically to ask as well.

thanks
 
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