Back surgery (cont.) -- scheduled, and I'm scared!

[phesina]

Hi folks, just wanted to update you regarding my potential back surgery... after all my earlier discussion here (http://petoftheday.com/talk/showthread.php?185449) and all the concerned and helpful feedback and information I got from you all.

It is now scheduled for Sept. 15, by Dr. Rakesh Patel at the University of Michigan Hospital.

I could have had it late July, but my nephew is getting married Aug. 30. and I didn't want to take the chance I might not be rehabbed enough at that point to attend the wedding.

I think I'm scared just about out of my wits. I have had this nameless fear floating around at the base of my stomach for the last 4 or 5 days, and I think that's what it is about: Just being so helpless for so long after, and all the things that might go wrong.

I have an appointment to see Dr. Patel again on Tuesday, July 22. I want to ask him just what I can expect assuming things go as planned, in terms of what shape I'll be in and how long it will take for me to become more self-sufficient in varying degrees.

Also, what if things don't go as planned.. what kinds of things might possibly go wrong, and how likely is it that any of these things might happen, and what then..

Ellie, and others who have had such surgery or know people who have.. I'd appreciate greatly any feedback you have on this, experience with it and if so what did you do, etc.

Thanks very much! I love you all.

Pat (and cats)

[Karen]

No experience with it, just wanted to add you'll be in our prayers!

[phesina]

Thank you, Karen.

[pomtzu]

Pat - I really believe that you are needlessly worrying yourself. I know that's easy for me to say since I have had 2 lumbar surgeries and 3 cervical surgeries, and you have yet to have any. First of all, the lumbar is nearly painless and doesn't carry with it the drastic restrictions that the cervical does. The most difficult part of the lumbar fusions, is making yourself follow the restrictions, since you don't feel bad at all, and want to carry on as usual. The one I had done this past May, was to repair and fuse L3, L4, L5 and S1 - L3 needed to be added this time. I had it done on Wednesday, and doc came in Friday morning and said I could go home that day - but due to a mix up with my son's schedule, he couldn't get over to pick me up until Saturday. Still - I came home and no rehab, same as the previous one. I had the regular restrictions - no driving, no bending, lifting or twisting ( BLT ), must "log roll" in and out of bed, no carrying anything over 10 pounds. I was able to shower but no baths, and I was encouraged to walk-walk-walk as much as possible. My first post op visit was 2 weeks after the surgery, and restrictions were modified - I could now drive, no more log rolling necessary, weight restrictions still in place, and gradually add back the bending, lifting, twisting - in moderation of course. I used just a cane for under 2 weeks for my own piece of mind, and never used my walker at all. I did have one complication, and the only reason I say anything about it, is because it is so closely related the the surgical issue, but not a normal complication resulting from it --- but it was something that could happen to anyone at any time, and really wasn't a result of the procedure. Three weeks ago I had a tear in the fascia of the spinal column and a spinal fluid leak that makes me look like I have a sponge implanted along the incision line. This could have been caused by something as simple as a sneeze or cough, or in turning or stretching - all kinds of different reasons. I was back for my 2nd post op this past Tuesday, and the x-rays look great, and the surgery did exactly what it was supposed to do. The leak was just an unexpected fly in the ointment. So doc put me in a lumbar compression brace to try to disperse and squish the fluid out so that my system can absorb it naturally, and so that he doesn't have to drain it. Draining opens up the possibility of infection, so hoping this method works. My "spongy" area has gone down drastically in just a few days with the brace, so I'm confident that this is working. If not, then when I go back on 8/12, he'll arrange do another MRI to see where it's still leaking, and take it from there, but even if it has to be plugged, it isn't a surgical procedure. I'm not really worried about it, since I have an awesome surgeon - the one who actually saved my life back in 2006 (the year from hell) after 2 local hacks nearly killed me. And the icing on the cake - I don't even need to go to p.t. - unless I want to and feel that I need it. I don't - on both counts !

So PLEASE try to stop worrying - I'm certain that' you'll have an easy time of it. You'll sail thru this and heal much more quickly if you go into it with a positive attitude. I'm thinking of you and sending you good vibes. I'll let you know how my next appointment goes, and if my family can stop calling me "Sponge Bob".

[Grace]

Like Ellie, I’ve also had my share of surgeries. I really can say I didn’t feel freaky nervous before any of them.

My brain tumor caused the most concern for me – but I had to put it out of my mind or I would have gone batty. I figured my surgeon had all the worries to deal with, and I just refused to think about the actual procedure, and concentrated on what I would do post-op. And I spent just 2 days in the hospital – piece of cake, just like I imagined.

My recent one – the new hip – just made me angry. I’m far too young to have to need a new joint. At least that’s what I told myself.

I think you should print Ellie’s response and read it several times a day. You can do this

[lizbud]

I wish I had some magic words to give you that would put you at ease, but I don't. I would echo Grace's comments
about following Ellie's suggestions on the surgery. I just know that some things in life that I worried so much about before
they happened, turned out to be worrying for nothing. I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers for a successful outcome
and quick & easy recovery for you. (((Hugs)))

[phesina]

Thank you, Ellie and Gretchen and Liz. And Ellie, I will keep reading your message and work on the positive attitude.

A friend of my sister's had back surgery (not quite as extensive as mine; just laminectomy, no fusion) recently done by Dr. Patel. She came out of it just fine, is very pleased with the results, and LUVVVVS Dr. Patel!