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  • car ride after surgery

    Hello: I have a few questions:
    My 14-year old daughter is due to have an apical fusion this July.

    1) Has anyone had this surgery? It may be called something else and if any moderators know another name, I'd love to know.

    2) Is it painful to sit in the car for long car rides after surgery? We're four hours from Philadelphia where we will have the surgery. And, what can we do to make the drive more comfortable?

    3) We're due to go to the beach two weeks after surgery. Any opinions on this? The beach is about four hours by car.

    Thanks, everyone, for your help.
    --Carol

  • #2
    Hi,
    My experience with long car rides after surgery are PILLOWS....pillows everywhere...to support under her arms to reduce the weight on the spine, a small one under the seat belt...also to take a strong pain med...right before...and elimate small roads..highways are best they have less bumps than sides streets....As far as the beach is concerned...try not to plan...maybe you can go last minute ...if she is feeling good after surgery plan should go....
    CONNIE


    Surgery June 28th 2004
    fused T4 -L3
    Hip graft
    Grown 1 1/2 inches
    25/o upper T 15/o
    53/o T 15/o
    37/o L 6/o
    Dr. Micheal Nuewirth
    New York City

    August 6, 2004
    Pulmonary Embolism
    complication from surgery

    January 2007 currently
    increasing pain at the T4/5
    point irratation heardwear

    Comment


    • #3
      Hi Carol

      Hi there Carol. My name is Ross. I am a 15 year old boy from Louisiana. I had surgery in September. I went to Shriners Hospital for Children-Shreveport for my surgery, which is about 5 hours from my home. One the way home, my aunt let us use her suburban because my mom has a 2003 Toyota Tacoma, and it just rides like a truck. So getting a vehicle that is very comfortable is really good. Pillows! Bring lots of pillows. And the thing about the beach 2 weeks post op. I wouldn't really plan to go. You can never know how you are going to feel day by day, until you are in that day. I wouldn't plan on going alot of places for at least a couple of weeks. For me it was hard to get around for about 4 weeks. So if you go, just bring the things that make your daughter comfortable! Hope this helps! Take care and God Bless! Ross
      Matt

      Rod Removal Surgery 2/4/2008
      www.myspace.com/ross40728
      Had surgery on 9/20/04
      81* Scheuermann's Disease
      40* Left Thoracic Scoliosis
      U Rod Inserted
      Fused from T2-L3

      Comment


      • #4
        i know 2 weeks after my daughter's surgery there was no way she would have been able to go to a beach! And as for the car ride home like the 2 others have said lots of pillows. We had brought some of our own to the hospital and the hospital put us in the car with a whole bunch.

        Jennifer

        Comment


        • #5
          All the advice you've recieved has been accurate!
          My husband tried to take all good roads to the highway that were not bumpy also.
          I thought that was great advice that I had not thought about.
          Of course PIllows Pillows.
          We have a suburban that my dtr said was so comfortable to ride in. It would be good if you can get a good riding vehicle.
          We put her in front with the seat back and first put the hospital blanket on the seat then I supported her while my husband went around to the driver side and carefully pulled the blanket bc the seats are leather and it slid her in.
          We also had a 3 hr drive.
          We only had to stop once to let her get out and stand for a bit.
          Just make sure!!!!That you have the painmedicine timed out so you can give her the medicine and you will have enough for the way home. You may think 2 doses will get you there but I would try and fill any prescription before you leave bc it always takes longer to get going than you think.
          Also maybe your hospital has a salon(check asap and may need an appt. and Dr signature) that will accomodate the patients by washing thier hair. Because we didn't even make it outside or upstairs for 2 weeks!
          Hopefully all will go easily but everyone heals at different speeds here I noticed. One thing is most advice you get will be true at some point.
          Good luck and let us know how you did..kay
          p.s. Iam not sure of the surgery you mentioned so maybe all my rambling won't apply. Do you mean anterior?
          now 16 yr old daughter
          with worsen 65 degree upper curve
          surgery Nov 3, 04

          Comment


          • #6
            Jennifer,
            I want to ask you if Nichole has pain at school often?
            Ste's shoulder hurts everyday she finally admitted.
            She said the chairs are hard and when I said put something soft behind you she said it hurts to lean against them.
            She misses a class (sometimes a.m. sometimes the noon one) at least once a week.
            I just wondered if Nichole was still coming home and laying on the couch bc she hurts or is exhusted.
            Ste finally admitted she hurts everyday but it's not like before her surgery when she said it was BAD hurting.
            She won't take anything but regular tylenol, does Nic take anything now?
            Well just thought I 'd ask you if any thing has changed since our last conversation about them...thx,kay
            now 16 yr old daughter
            with worsen 65 degree upper curve
            surgery Nov 3, 04

            Comment


            • #7
              kay
              I think nicole's back hurts everyday in school also. Some days after school she will say it, but most of the time she doesn't say anything. I don't think it's a pain like you said a "bad" pain, but its maybe more of an uncomfortable thing. I think she is kind of getting used to it and i guess some days it bothers her more then others. This week she is off for winter break, so she is fine, not really resting much. With the resting after school, if she comes home after school and has nothing going on she will lay on the couch and watch t.v. and sit on her laptop, but some days she is going somewhere and doesn't. But i do notice since the surgery this laying on the couch alot, where before surgery she NEVER would do this. I've read that alot of people complain about sitting at the desks at schhol after surgery, i hope it doesn't always continue to hurt. and Nicole will not bring a custion, we tried asking her to after the surgery she said no way.
              Otherwise she is doing really good. I just worry about her continuing to do good and i worry about the future with this whole thing
              jennifer

              Comment


              • #8
                appreciation

                Thanks to everyone for their replies. Any information is much appreciated.
                Carol S

                Comment


                • #9
                  jennifer,
                  Thanks for replying,
                  Everything you said is just like here too. Ste won't take anything to lean against either! "No way"!
                  And just like Nichole if there is something she wants to go do she will suffer through it I'm sure rather than sit at home w/me.
                  I also worry about the future for them and wonder how "normal"
                  thier lives can be.
                  I just get nervous reading about rod breakages and pains I see that crop up years later. I know things are different than 5,10 or 20 yrs ago but nothing is guarranted.
                  I remind her at least untill the 1 year mark to take EXTRA!!! precautions and baby herself.
                  I don't think she thinks like that and I'm sure it's hard for a 16 yr old to try and act like a old person for a while.
                  Lately she has bought some high heeled shoes (2-3"'s)
                  and gets mad when I won't let her wear them, especially to school!! Can you imagine with those cement stairs and crowded class changing periods !(her school is 3 stories)
                  Well everyday is a challenge I suppose, even to relax..ha She asked me yesterday if I thought the surgery was worth it?
                  I amsurprised she questions it now?
                  I think bc it was so painful, she remembers EVERYTHING!! Even in recovery when they rolled her over and even who was in there(family wise.)
                  Of course the answer is yes, we had no choice and at least there was a choice.
                  I am surprised you all are on Spring Break? already. Is that what it is are do you have 2 breaks?
                  We go on a cruise in March for our Sring Break, so now I am arguing with her about getting sun on that scar!!!She hates it when any one touches it so I know it will be a challange to get sunscreen on it!Plus alot of her friends will be on the boat and I hope I can track her down to make sure she is covering it w/some sunscreen.
                  Dr said she could put suncreen on it. Even w/my past and continueing skin cancers shewants to tan!!!!ugh!
                  When does Nichole drive?
                  Do you let her drive w/other kids?
                  Thanks for the comparison of the girls, sounds like they are on the same level. Atleast their backs look right and we can go from here. I am so happy she is not crooked and in the bad pain now.
                  Well jennifer talk to you later and have a good weekend!!! kay
                  P.S. I hope our stories help other people..
                  now 16 yr old daughter
                  with worsen 65 degree upper curve
                  surgery Nov 3, 04

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    hi kay
                    i'm sorry did i say spring break? I meant winter break. I guess it is winter break, i'm not even sure what they call it but i know they have been off for a week now and go back on monday and then again in april i think for spring break. There seems to be alot of breaks.
                    Let me know how it goes when you go away with getting the sunscreen on her back. That worries me too this summer. Nicole does not let anyone touch her back so i worry also about getting that sunscreen on her. I thought about maybe the spray sunscreen. I don't think nicole will let me rub it into her back.
                    I definitely worry about later on, i made the mistake of going on the revision board every now and then. It's scares me so much. I can't even imagine after the year mark and they are allowed to do mostly anything, i can't imagine not worrying anymore. I don't think that will go away.
                    Nicole is turning 15 tomorrow and they can't drive alone here until i think 17 with drivers ed. 16 They get their permit. Driving i'm sure would make me nervous, especially other kids driving her. I'd be so scared they'd get in an accident. You must be a wreck.
                    Did you ask me if nicole takes anything anymore? She doesn't take anything anymore, but i have some pain pills just in case.
                    well definitely stay in touch with me and we'll compare how they are doing.
                    Jennifer
                    p.s. yes it is nice to see their backs looking so straight, nicole's was getting so noticable, not that it bothered her.

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Well my worries are warranted...Tonight Ste called me crying and said she had just been in a collision!
                      All I could think of was her back! (like you I have read the revision boards)
                      Her airbag did not go off so I guess that is good,but there was a good amount of damage so I know she got a a good jolt.
                      I guess this proves to my family they should let me be more strict in her driving. I get sick and tired of fighting everyone about what she should or shouldn't be doing now!
                      It seems like the day she woke up from surgery I have had to keep my mouth shut and live and let live!
                      It is hard enough to argue w/a teenager,much less others!
                      I swear I've aged 20 yrs in the last 6 months.
                      I feel like I may think about everything too much but on the other hand I feel like that is what I,m suppose to do. If not who else to!
                      Thank goodness no one else was hurt in the collision,she had a friend w/her (who I'm sure will not be riding w/her again for a while.)
                      Well thanks for listening everyone, kay

                      jc3,
                      I think you said it was Winter break, we don't have that here, only Spring break.I think we have a long Christmas break that is called "winter break" .
                      Yes I'll tell you how the sunscreening goes.
                      now 16 yr old daughter
                      with worsen 65 degree upper curve
                      surgery Nov 3, 04

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        hi kay
                        I haven't been able to post to you i think something has been wrong with this website. I wanted to know how ste is? Is everything all right? I hope she is feeling okay. I can't believe that happened and we were just writing each other about the driving issue. I know how hard it is being a parent, these kids are not easy! Let me know if everything is all right. I know at the beginning i was so nervous of nicole getting bumped or doing anything and i called the dr's office and they reassured me that everything is in there very securely and this will make you feel even better, i read i don't remember where that this girl was 4 months post op and fell down the stairs and she was fine.
                        Well, stay calm and write me back and let me know if everything is okay.
                        Jennifer

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Kay,

                          So glad the site's back up. I've been dying to hear how your daughter's doing. Wow, I am so glad she wasn't seriously hurt. Sometimes it takes a fender bender to remind kids that they are not immortal, and that hurtling down the road with nothing but few mm of sheet metal protecting you is a thing that must be taken seriously! Anyhow, it is heartening to read your posts about your teenager, doing normal teen stuff, even if it is wrecking the car!

                          Wish us luck next week. Surgery is the 9th.

                          Susanna
                          Susanna
                          ~~~~~~
                          Mother of a 17 year old daughter. Her "S" curve was 40 degree thoracic from T3 to T9, and a 70 degree rotatory thorcolumbar from T9 to L4. She was operated on March 9th, 2005 by Dr. Boachie-Adjei at the Hospital for Special Surgery in NYC. She was fused from T11 to L3, using an anterior approach, and the major curve corrected to 20 degrees. She's doing great!

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            To all of you:
                            We are sure all in the same boat here. I hear all of you that your daughters have had surgery and being worried about what they are going to do to keep them slowed down.

                            Crystal's doctor told her she could possibly play basketball next winter. That is going to be a tough one to do. I talked to her coach today and he asked if her surgery was still dated for the 15th of March. Told him yes. He has already guaranteed her a spot on the varsity team next year. Crystal also thinks she can make an appearance at her Prom the middle of April. Told her maybe, but it would be a short appearance. I hope the boyfriend understands.

                            I worry about her going out to work with her sheep after surgery, especially her ram. He is her show ram and has won lots of money and classes for her. She is bound and determined that she is going to show him this summer. I have arranged with her FFA advisor to have someone available to show her market lamb for her, if she can't do it. Market lambs can get a little hard to handle, because they are on such hot feed. She has shown her ram enough, he is easy to handle and shows himself off.

                            Basketball is my other issue. I am not sure I can sit in the stands about the time she gets bumped hard. But, she has excellent coaches and if the game gets rough they will pull her from the game, no matter how good she is playing at the moment. She had to beg to be put in at one of her last games because she was hurting so bad. She finally told the coach that she would tie up the game for them and put the winning points in the basket. They put her in and she kept her promise to them. So, now how am I supposed to keep her from playing next year. I guess I just put my hands over my eyes and peek through my fingers.

                            How do the rest of you handle these things? There are days I want to wrap her in bubble wrap to protect until surgery and after surgery.

                            I took her to school today for the last hour, so she could visit with her teachers. Everyone at school is so sick, we didn't want her sick again and made arrangements for her to do her work at home. She really enjoyed being there. We will probably let her go to school all day next Thursday. It will be the last chance she gets to see her friends before surgery. We only have school Mon-Thur. here.

                            Well, we are 11 days from surgery and I can't sleep anymore. I'd hang pictures on my walls, but it would wake everyone else up. I haven't decided where I am going to put everything that is in boxes yet. I may not get much done before surgery. It is so overwhelming to me right now.

                            I guess that's all for now.
                            'til later,
                            Nikki

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              I wish I had seen this web site before my daughter had anterior/posterior spinal fusion 2 years ago - it's very comforting to share ideas with each other.

                              For those that are having surgery in the next 2 weeks - try not to worry too much. My daughter was in surgery for 12 hours for a complicated version of spinal fusion (anterior and posterior T-1 to L-2) with 2 operating teams and she did just fine!

                              She had some breathing problems the first day due to the long anesthesia (and asthma), but kids are remarkably resilient. I won't say she didn't have pain - she certainly did, and it took about 4 days before they really got her moving in the PICU. I understand that most kids are up on the 2nd or 3rd day.

                              By the 5th day, she was her usual chatty self and ordering us all around

                              Walking around the PICU and the step-down ward (when transferred) was very therapeutic and made her feel much better. It was slow at first, but she was doing marathons around the ward by the 7th day.

                              We had to drive 5 hours home from New York to Washington, D.C. The surgeon recommended frequent stops so my daughter wouldn't stiffen up. We stopped about every hour and extended the trip to 8 hours. Of course, she was in the hospital for 10 days which is a little longer than usual.

                              Her recovery was about 2 months long and she was very dizzy the first month due to the blood loss during the operation. I wouldn't plan any trips the first month if possible.

                              The fun part was all the new clothes she was able to wear after the hump was gone and everything fit so much better! It really helped her self esteem.

                              Good luck to you all - I'll say a prayer for your kids - I'm certain it will go well!

                              Susan

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