Four weeks post op!!

[lisa7]

WOW!!! What a journey!!! Hello everyone! I didn't post anything prior to my surgery because I was too busy reading everything on this forum! I had my surgery 1/13/10! Where did the time go! I was fused T-11 to L-5. I had an anterior/posterior surgery that lasted 11 hours. I lost a lot of blood during the surgery but everything turned out great. My lumbar curve pre-op was 62 degrees and post-op they said was 18 or 20. My thoracic curve was 45 degrees but he didn;t fuse that area because he said it would correct itself. Already it's gone down to somewhere around 30 degrees. I can't lie and say that it was easy. My time in the hospital was very difficult. I was intubated over night and was not sedated enough so I was awake and completely aware of everything that was happening around me. The next day i relayed back to the nurses all of the conversations I heard them have. Being intubated and knowing it was one of the most difficult things I went through. I ended up being in the PACU for 5 1/2 days because I had a chest tube in me. The PACU was horrible and the nursing staff was horrendous!! Once I made it to my room everything got better. I was in the hospital for 10 days and when I went home it seemed like my recovery got so much better. I get around pretty good on my own. Sitting for more than 30 minutes is difficult and I feel like I get tired so easily from such mundane activites like showering or walking up the stairs. I live in central NJ so getting out to walk has been a challenge with the snow, but I try to do it as much as possible. I took my dog for a walk by myself yesterday for the first time!! HOORAY!! I also went for a ride in the car yesterday for the first time!!! YOO HOO!!! Who knew that such little things could make someone soooooooooo happy!!!! I feel good. I'm still taking my pain meds but I'm gradually taking less and less as time goes on. I see Dr. Boachie tomorrow and I can't wait to get my script for physical therapy!! I was an extremely active person pre surgery and I'm losing my mind not doing anything more than walking around the house. I love reading everyones posts on here! I can't put into words how helpful it has been to read what others have been through with this surgery. I honestly don't know what I would have done without it. Congrats to all those who have made it through the surgery and to those of you who are waiting to get it done, you will not regret it!!! It's tough, but it's amazing what our minds and bodies can endure!! Best of luck to everyone! : )

[kt2009]

Welcome! I'm a former Jersey girl myself! Are you having blizzard conditions right now like we are in DC? I bought a treadmill off of Craigslist because the weather has been so miserable! Good luck with everything...sounds like you're well on your way to a great recovery. (and yes...I hated waking up with a chest tube...that was the worst).

[Singer]

Hi Lisa,

So glad you're doing well...your fusion is very similar to mine. You're doing a lot better than I was at 4 weeks! I agree that the nursing staff at HSS left much to be desired. Be careful walking outside, you definitely do not want to fall at this point. Damned snow!!!! Arrrgh.

[debbei]

Lisa,

how wonderful to hear from you! I'm so glad that you're doing so well, and that you had such a wonderful correction.

I hope you are able to make it into the city tomorrow. It is a mess here today, and of course all the schools are closed. I wonder if they will even go back tomorrow.

Keep up the good work on your recovery and give yourself a gentle hug from me!!

[Doodles]

Congratulations on such a good correction and recovery. It sounds like you are doing all the right things. Just be careful on all that snow--no falls allowed. Good luck. Janet

[joyfull]

Lisa, You sound amazing! I live in northern New Jersey and I really think you should not take too many risks with the snow; it's pretty intimidating! You're not even a month post op and you're doing so well! My best wishes are with you, Joy

[Jimbo]

Friggin great bein post-op hey?

Glad your recovery is coming along so well.

And thanks for updating on your progress.

Jim

[Shari]

Way to go Lisa,

Congratulations on being home and on this forum so soon, amazing.

I guess a few of us have some kind difficuty post-op, seems mostly related to the after care, and that should not happen. I was in the hosp from the
18th to the 30th. I begged to go to the Ortho Ward, but no beds were available. The night before my second surgery I got to go to Ortho, but the next day my bed was given away b/c my surgery and ICU stay lasted longer than expected.

Loved my Doctor, hated my stay. I could go on and on,
Shari

[lisa7]

Hey everyone! Thank you for all the words of encouragement! Shari, I can totally relate to you as far as the hospital stay is concerned. I love Boachie but hated the PACU nurses!! I truly believe in my heart that being treated properly can help with your recovery. To all those who live in Jersey, be careful in the snow!!!! I wish it would all go away today! I can't wait for warm weather so I can finally get outdoors and walk to my hearts content!!! : )

[LindaRacine]

I thought PACU stood for Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. No?

[loves to skate]

Hi Linda,
At some point, instead of calling it ICU, they changed it to PACU - Postoperative acute care unit.
Sally

[txmarinemom]

Meant to chime in on this one before ...

As far as I know, it stands for "Post Anesthesia Care Unit".

Regardless of the surgery you've had, you go there if you're stable (for monitoring). From there, you're routed appropriately (juuuust like an interoffice memo -LOL). Sometimes to ICU, sometimes to your own room.

Pam

[loves to skate]

Pam is correct, I was wrong. Win some, lose some.