I had my first surgery 6-17 with a posterior spinal fusion from T3to L3. A week later, I was home, but had horrible pain and drainage when I was sitting. After a few days, the drainage had a little bit of an odor and I went back to the doctor (laying in the back seat of the car.)
He admitted me that evening 6-29 and reopened my incision, cultured it to determine if there was an infection, and removed my bone graft to reduce the risk of infection. The culture closest to the skin did show a possibility of infection but also could have had normal skin bacteria in it. The doctor decided he wasn't taking any chances.
He had a PICC line (long term iv) inserted in my arm so that I could have 6 weeks worth of antibiotics just to be sure. There was also a part of a muscle that had died and that was where most of the drainage was coming from. He also inserted a drain so that we could measure the drainage this time. It made a huge difference immediately in sitting up. I was discharged after 4 days.
Now, I'm able to walk with my walker and sit without much difficulty. I got my drain removed two days ago. I'm sleeping alot and the high doses of antibiotics make me ache all over like I have the flu. I'm slowly able to wean down on my pain meds. The doctor is hoping to go back in to replace my bone graft in another 3-4 weeks. I will have to continue my antibiotics afterwards. I feel like that will put me back close to square one. After that surgery, I HOPE to be on a road to complete (and normal) recovery.
On a good note, my top curve went from a 70 degree (increased 5 degrees in the last few months) curve to 26. And my bottom curve went from 55 degrees down to 24 degrees. My shoulders are even. Most of my rib hump is gone. I gained an inch - still didn't hit the 5 foot mark. And best of all, I can take a deep breath without that restricted feeling on my right side!
He admitted me that evening 6-29 and reopened my incision, cultured it to determine if there was an infection, and removed my bone graft to reduce the risk of infection. The culture closest to the skin did show a possibility of infection but also could have had normal skin bacteria in it. The doctor decided he wasn't taking any chances.
He had a PICC line (long term iv) inserted in my arm so that I could have 6 weeks worth of antibiotics just to be sure. There was also a part of a muscle that had died and that was where most of the drainage was coming from. He also inserted a drain so that we could measure the drainage this time. It made a huge difference immediately in sitting up. I was discharged after 4 days.
Now, I'm able to walk with my walker and sit without much difficulty. I got my drain removed two days ago. I'm sleeping alot and the high doses of antibiotics make me ache all over like I have the flu. I'm slowly able to wean down on my pain meds. The doctor is hoping to go back in to replace my bone graft in another 3-4 weeks. I will have to continue my antibiotics afterwards. I feel like that will put me back close to square one. After that surgery, I HOPE to be on a road to complete (and normal) recovery.
On a good note, my top curve went from a 70 degree (increased 5 degrees in the last few months) curve to 26. And my bottom curve went from 55 degrees down to 24 degrees. My shoulders are even. Most of my rib hump is gone. I gained an inch - still didn't hit the 5 foot mark. And best of all, I can take a deep breath without that restricted feeling on my right side!
Comment