L5-S1 Fusion and I'm scared...Please Help

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Hi Nykei,
I'm not sure how you lift your son using only your arms. It's still going to put weight on your spine, which you'll need to avoid so you don't mess up your surgery. Is he walking yet? Can he clirab, at least somewhat? If you can sit and have him clirab up next to you and then scoot him into your lap, or lay him down beside you to change him so you aren't lifting him onto a changing table, you should be okay. But you've got to resist holding his weight at all. That may mean having him nap on a mat on the floor so you don't have to lift him into a crib when you're alone with him. Or feeding him over a towel on the sofa, or at the coffee table. You'll need to be creative. You've GOT to remeraber not to lift him, unless it's an emergency, and I mean a REAL emergency. Practice now how to maneuver him onto your lap without lifting him. This will sound odd, but it works: you can "roll" him up onto a chair or sofa next to you, so you aren't actually bearing his weight. Then carefully slide him close and pull him into your lap without ever lifting him. That's my one big concern for you during your recovery.

I hope you're feeling ready! You'll be so glad to get it over and just be resting and recovering!

One day at a time...
Emily
 
Emily, I have to tell you that Blue Atlas is one of the greatest people here and there are several others here that will also uplift you when things get rough and you feel down. This place was my saving grace I hope you will come and visit and make it yours too.

Lots of love, Viv
 
I am 25yrs, bout to be 26. I left the military cuz of back pain. It took the doctors 3 yrs to tell me they did not know what was wrong with me. I came to Virginia and had TWO VISITS to be told I have spondylotic spondylolisthesis, a herniated disc, and two degenerated discs. I am having surgery the first week of August and I am so scared. I use to work in a hospital and if they would let me I would tape my whole procedure. So, it's not the actual procedure that scares me, it's not being able to take care of my son. My mother-in-law is a RN, has had the surgery before and is coming to stay with us for two weeks to help take care of me. Could I get some information about the surgery, the recovery, and how soon y'all could take care of your children after surgery. Please help. Thank you SSOOO much.

Nykei
 
Nykei, I thank you for your military service. How long did you serve. The reason I ask is you could have alot of Veterans Benefits coming to you. If you had this back problem happen while you were on active duty you are entitled to try and get it service connected, which would mean a monthly check from the VA for what ever percentage they would rate the injury or illness. G

. As for if you will be able to take care of your little ones. I have had the same fusion with hardware. The first two months are rough. There is not alot you will be able to do. I had to have a hard metal back brace on everytime I got out of bed. With the exeption of when I showered. You will really need to get some help with the little ones for the first two months. Just please do everything the Doc's tell you to do. I am 53 years young and I have had 4 lurabar spine surgeries and 1 cervical fusion getting ready to have my second in July. So what ever you do take care of yourself.
TINCAN
 
So, my surgery is scheduled for End of July. I am having a L5-S1 Lurabar Decompression and Fusion. The doc I have says he has completed about 3-400 of these surgery's and the success rate is excelent. They are only goin in through the back. he said there is no reason to go through the front also. What do y'all think? He also said that I cannot lift >20lbs for the first six weeks. After that I will be able to do whatever I feel I can. Wish me luck.

You guys/gals rock,
Nykei
 
Nykei, God Bless you. I had the same surgery and I'm glad Tincan gave you the information that he did as I'm sure it was most helpful. He's right about the pain but it's much like having a baby, once it's over you'll forget about it because you'll get on with living, well, at least I am. I had my surgery at 69 years young and not in the best of health and was walking around with a walker the next day and within the month was at the mall with the walker and my brace (not the metal one). You won't be able to lift much weight for several months so check this board for how to prepare yourself for the before and after procedures to prepare your home. I bought one of those Food Sealers and cooked enough food for two months (hubby can't cook), even BBQ'd and sealed it Yummmm! I went through the list provided here for the ride home from the hospital to what I'd need when I got home and it was great. For me the worst part of the whole ordeal was that stupid test , the DISCO GRAM! ARGGGGGGG! I feared that more than anything else although it was a necessary evil. I frankly wished i'd gotten the surgery sooner because waiting so long caused me some nerve damage minimal but bothersome just the same. Don't be afraid, stay away from smokers and sugar though and do eats lots of calcium and soy after the surgery. Keep us all in touch.:wave:
 
Hi

I had a fusion of L5-S1 6 weeks ago. I wanted to be sure to post to you because I am also young, 28, and have a young child, who is 20 months old. How old is yours?

It has been a really really hard recovery for me so far. I wasn't comfortable enough being alone with my daughter until last week (5 weeks post op). I still can't pick her up or give her a bath. I have had to learn a few tricks for during the day when my husband is at work. For example, since I cannot lift her, she eats lunch and snacks at the coffee table in the living room instead of in her highchair. I keep plenty of diapers downstairs so we don't need to go up to change her, and I change her on the couch so I don't have to lift her onto a changing table or bend onto the floor. Most of her toys are downstairs now, and I keep the cartoons running all day so she is plenty entertained while I rest on the couch.

It is a very painful surgery and recovery. There are still moments every day when I feel worse than I did before surgery. I didn't get out of my hospital bed until 2 days after surgery, and I only did then because they took my cathader out! LOL! I also wanted to yell at the nurse every time she would make me lay on my side or reposition me, but once I got up and started moving around, it got easier. I am still taking pain medicine several times a day, but not nearly as much as I was right after surgery. I had been on Percocet, Valium, Oxycontin, and Neurontin, and now I am on just Percocet and Neurontin. I am still waiting for the sciatic pain to go away. For about 2 weeks after surgery, I threw up a lot, I think from a corabo of the pain and all the meRAB. It is hard to keep your spirits up sometimes so make sure you have plenty of support and things to keep you busy while you rest.

Also, walking is so so so important. It hurts, but is key to a proper recovery. My surgeon told me "the more pain, the more gain." I will start PT when I am 12 weeks post op. You will also notice that you will take 3 steps forward, then 2 steps back, 3 steps forward, then 2 steps back. That is completely normal so don't get discouraged if you are 4 weeks post op and start feeling the same way you did in week 2. I regretfully traveled 3 weeks post op and just went downhill the entire time I was there. I was naive to this surgery and thought I would be fine when we bought the plane tickets. I spent 90% of my vacation in bed crying. My body just wasn't ready, especially for flying on the plane.... OUCH! By the time we got home I was 4 weeks post op but felt the way I did the day I came home from the hospital.

There are things you should have at home to help you. I got a cane, but now only use it when I leave the house and on my walks. I got a toilet raiser. You fit it right onto the toilet seat so you don't have to crouch down as low. And then I also got a stool for the shower, and a grabber tool so I could grab things that were up high or down low without bending or straining my back. I had my husband help me with my showers for the first few weeks.

Let me know if you have any more questions!
 
I just wanted to add that it's very normal to be scared about this surgery. It's a big one, and the recovery is long. But you'll get through it and chances are you're going to be a whole lot better off! There's something like a 97% success rate with this surgery, but you have to do your part and remeraber the rules: no BLT's (bending, lifting, or twisting), get plenty of rest, and walk, walk, walk.

You'll be okay!!!
Emily
 
hello I'm new to the board and have read alot of post. I had a plit at my L5 S1 on may 15,09 ,I stayed in the hospital for 4 day. I came home with only the help of my 9yr old son. I hired family meraber to come after work to help out with household chores.but I was really doing good when I came home. my MeRAB was norco 10/325 that I take half of that maybe twice a day and a 10mg flexeril.its been 2 wks since I had to use the norcos..my only problem is that I have nurabness in my left leg and foot,feel like is about to pop,its so tight i can barely move my toes. I also get pain in the upper part of my leg that feel like a charlie horse and in the middle of my incision it feels like I have a board in the middle of my back..the flexeril dont seem to do much I used a heating pad to loosen the muscle and take hot epson salt baths that seem to help me. I dont do much walkin..not as much as what i have heard you need to do after a fusion. I think im doing fine to just to be at almost 4wks post op. I hope the leg tightness go away soon... stay strong God will not put nothing that we cant bare... also I was not told to wear a back support and I do have hardware... I went on u tube and seen people that had a fusion one guy was doing really bad with his recovery and then i seen one guy that was doing fine at 3wks post op....thats when I said to myself that where I'm going to be at 3wks. I've been driving for about a week and a half due to have to take my son to baseball practice but everything seem to be doing great for me...I'm able to wash clothes which I was doing some household chores the same week I came home. due to the help not cleaning they way I do. I have a grabber and a shower chair only... when I need to clean my tub and toilet I sit on the shower chair and with the grabber and a rag to clean...I did send a email to my doctor to ask him if I was doing to much...and he said yes for my not be two wks post op...but I did what i had to do...I would squat down to the floor and sit on my butt and put clothes in the dryer and get on my knee's and pull up with the door handle and my cane. yes it did hurt a little...I'm just a hardhead that cant let things that i need done wait until the help came ...from 8:30 to 6:15 I was home alone...so I hope this will help you with all your worries...U can do it...


;

microdiscetomy 01/08
L5 S1 fusion 05/15/09
 
Dear Nykei,
Welcome to the board! There are lots of us here who have been through this and are happy to help you from our own experiences. We're not doctors, just people with back issues.

Where in VA are you? I'm in the Richmond area.

How old is your son? As long as you don't have to pick him up, you should be able to take care of him after a few weeks. What a blessing that you MIL can come and help you! If your son is a little one who still neeRAB carrying, that may be a problem for a while longer. Your doctor will tell you how long you need to wait before lifting anything more than 5 pounRAB.

Do read the thread at the top called "post surgery tips." It has a ton of great suggestions that will make your recovery easier.

And if you have other questions, please post them. We'll do our best to help.

Blessings,
Emily
 
Thanks for the advice. My son is about to be 1 yr old. I am so amazed of how my last year has gone. It's great playing with him and watching him grow. I been practing picking him up with just my arms so that I dont hurt myself after surgery. I schedule everything on Friday. That is also when I get to ask all my questions. What should I ask? I have a few down. Hope to get some feedback soon.

Thanks again,
Nykei
 
Honey, God bless your soul!
I want to be honest with you since I want you to be prepared in case your expectation of getting back on your feet soon will not happen and since you have such a young son.
No, you will need a lot longer time for your recovery: depenRAB on how many levels done and on severity of your surgery real time for recovery after fusion surgeries is from one year to 2. I am talking about full recovery.
You will need a lots of help for a long time. You will not be able to move much, bend at all, twist your body. This is NO-NO. No picking anything heavier than 3 pd for a very long time. Even steps in a house you will not be able to make for couple of month.
I had to rent a hospital bed and keep it for 3 month in a middle of my living room and I can't even imagine what would I do if I wouldn't do it; it was my life saver.
Another thing is: you will be on PK for a while, means no driving, being very tired, pain, sleepiness. I wish someone would be able to be with you, helping you for more than 2 weeks for sure.

They have excellent suggestions on this board, so read all of them; you need to prepare your house for the time you come home, frozen food ready to eat, buying certain tools to help you after you come home and so on...

All the best to you, sweetie. I hope everything will go well and you will be back soon and enjoying your life with your family!:wave:

Best wishes and hugs... Moldova
 
have You check out other options like the lazer spine institute . I have had 4 surgerys on l5-S1 and has not woked, I still have severe back pain and i can no longer walk for any great distance .my son age 27 was going to have the same surgery and we sent him to the lazer spine institute and in three weeks he was back to work and is doing great what ever you do i wish you well
 
Thank you all for your great advice. I went through the post surgery tips and wrote down all kinRAB of questions to ask the doctor. That really help expand my questions to things I wouldn't even think to ask.

Tincan, I am receiving benefits from the VA but, since the VA is sooo backed up, they didn't even give me a separation physical. I have to go back and get that scheduled so that I can increase my benefits.

ReRABmom, What is a Disco Gram and does everyone have to have one? I think I'm gonna do that food sealing thing for dinners. If I can put it in the microwave, I'm good. Also, I have the biggest sweet tooth, why stay away with sugar? I'm sure I will but I was wondering what the reason behind it was.

Emily, I am in Hampton, not far from you. My son will be 1 in July (he's getting so big so fast). I still have those moments where you look over and see him playing and are just in aww that that is your son. Your beautiful, perfect, smart son. I sit and watch his brain work. It's so awesome. Let me get back to the point. My place is super baby proofed so I don't think I will have too much trouble with chasing him around. Don't really have to pick him up til his naps.

I think the best advice comes from those who have actually experienced the surgery cuz they all go through different things. I welcome all advice and will try just about anything. Thank you all again.

Wish you all the best,
Nykei
 
have You check out other options like the lazer spine institute . I have had 4 surgerys on l5-S1 and has not woked, I still have severe back pain and i can no longer walk for any great distance .my son age 27 was going to have the same surgery and we sent him to the lazer spine institute and in three weeks he was back to work and is doing great what ever you do i wish you well
 
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