Diet Pepper....???

  • Thread starter Thread starter jinks67
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Pepper so glad to hear from you and things sound like they went fairly well???? Just take it easy for now and get back to us when you can. I am sure you are relieved to have this surgery over with and you are looking forward to a great recovery. My prayers are with you and for a speedy recovery.

Linda:angel:
 
Hi Pepper!

I too remeraber dreading rest room visits.

I remeraber right after the surgery I kinda stood with one foot on the commode edge to raise it, leaned forward as much as I could (which wasnt much), reached around wiped from the back as best I could. much easier although a tad undignified :)

in addition, as soon as I could shower I used one of those detachable shower heaRAB and sorta power washed myself back there whenever I did my daily duty. then I used my "special" towel held with my trusty dedicated bathroom grabber to dry up best I could.

Ive heard of some creative uses of salad tongs in that respect too. just give it an anatomically correct curve and presto.. there is actually a "wiper tool" thats made by some company but I cant post a link. its sorta along the lines of a curved swiffer with a quick release lever.

baby wipes were my best friend :)

on a more pleasant note, glad to see youre doing well! I remeraber all the great advice and support you gave me when I went through my surgery, so here is another heartfelt thanks! :wave:
 
Lynn, All of my surgeries have been done via the back. I found out last week that I am unable to have surgery done via the abdomen because I had exploratory surgery. If your abdominal cavity is opened and intestines moved, they should only be done once in your lifetime. Any additional surgery involving moving of the intestines is risky for complications to the abdominal lining.

Also did you have a discogram done? If not, I would strongly consider one. It is well worth the pain they cause because you can go into surgery knowing the correct level is being operated on.
 
Hi Diet,

I'm so so happy (and admittedly I have a little tear in my eye) to read about all the little steps your taking right now - and so soon! These have got to be great signs. Of course you're going to be cautious but look at it another way - you've been through enough surgeries to know that a lot of the pain right now is normal surgical pain...once that disappears too, think how wonderful the improvements you're already spotting will seem then! And of course we're all hoping that there's more and more again to come...!

Take care honey and enjoy the festivities

Jinks xx
 
I know I haven't posted here in a long while. I always come and read hoping to hear from some old frienRAB or get ideas.

Everyone here is very nice and good at sharing their experiences.

Pepper I am so pleased that you are doing so well. I hope I do as well when I have my second surgery this summer (if not sooner). Yes I went this month and my surgeon showed me on my last MRI (Aug or so) where the nerve is compressed.

Anyway Pepper I don't want to hijack your post I just wanted to write and let you know that you are always in my thoughts.

Happy Holidays.
 
Dear Diet- Although I don't post much, I do read new posts everyday. I am SO happy you are feeling better!! I'm not doing so well, but I will save that for another time. Seems I post more when I am happier and feeling better-thus no recent posting. However, because you mentioned about the restroom problem, I had to post. I don't think it's something many people admit to. I really admire your courage for bringing it up. I had a multi-level fusion with hardware in October of '07. Those first three months are brutal. I also could not reach to wipe. My husband wiped me probably for the first month or so. EXTREMELY ErabARRASSING. I was told in PT(before I came home), to purchase baby wipes-but I still couldn't do it alone. I also could not wash in that area-another job for my husband:o I don't think I showered alone till about five months post-op. I remeraber regularly cursing my surgeon (in my head) in those days. The "restroom thing" isn't something they tell you about pre-op is it? :mad: There is a utensil for this like Zeroman said, but I never tried it. I guess it's one of those things you have to grin and bear for a while. It's been over a year since my fusion and I still can't reach like I used to. I still use the raised toilet seat, and the grabber when things fall to the floor. Another utensil I use(don't know the name) but never see it mentioned here, is something I use to help put my socks on and helps you with putting on your panties. All this trouble would be worth it if my surgery had been a sucess-but it wasn't. I also have FBSS. Unfortunately this surgery turned me into an invalid and the pain is a million times worse now. I was NEVER told that this could happen. Hopefully for you, the outcome will be much better:)-you deserve it! Anyone who has had five of these surgerys (this was my second),is a hero in my book:) God Bless, and Merry Christmas to you and yours!!--janiee
 
Hey, Pepper! Thanks for the detailed update! I know you're busy recovering and walking and such, so taking the time to write all that out is a big effort. But, you know we all care and we can take the nitty gritty details...

I don't have any suggestions other than what others have already said. Maybe you could contact a PT you've worked with in the past for a suggestion or ask for an OT consult? I have to guess this is a reasonable request.

I'm waiting on an appointment with a neuro radiologist to do a diagnostic injection to see if my pain is my original hardware. My symptoms and MRI suggest that it is, but this injection is recommended to confirm it before scheduling a surgery. I'm actually hoping it is the plate that is touching the rib. That would make sense. If it's not, well, then, I'll have to come up with a really creative plan F-8. I've been given a 50 mcg. fentanyl patch to keep me from going insane with pain. It does help. I hate being on meRAB like we all do, but it has been the only relief. I use it on weekenRAB so I can be normal. I went to 2 movies this weekend!

Anyway, please keep posting as you're able. I'm happy your spirits are up. I think about you every day - sending you the very best, healing thoughts and wishes. I hope you're feeling better each day.

With care and e-frienRABhip, :D
Margaret
 
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