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advice please-- regarding surgery/recoup

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  • advice please-- regarding surgery/recoup

    my daughters surgery was cancelled last week, due to illness, (lousy timing)and the earliest the surgeon can fit her in is end of july-- Have excellent insurance now, but may NOT have it by next may when we could reschedule for longer recoup. She would have 30 days from the day of surgery till she starts classes as college freshman--and we would fly down one week earlier . Is this totally unrealistic--or am i just being overprotective? what will she have the most difficulty with on her own? laundry? making bed (which she doesnt do now!),
    shes having posterior fusion T10-L3. and her dorm is 2nd floor walk up!
    mel

  • #2
    Hi Mel

    That was very bad timing. I have to say this first, everyone's recovery is different but I know my daughter would not have been ok to go back to school at one month. Thoracic only fusions seem to do better but since your daughter's fusion is going into the lumbar (like my daughter), I would expect it to be more difficult for her. I don't think going up the stairs will be a big issue as long as she takes her time. Laundry might be difficult because of weight limitations, bending to load/unload, she might be able to ask someone for help. I think what will be most challenging will be carrying books, sitting in classes for extended periods, and getting tired and run down.

    Is it possible for her to take some online courses? If not, I would talk to all of her instructors and let them know the situation so that she could have some privileges, such as leaving class early if she starts feeling bad and bringing a minimum amount of supplies. She could also find contacts in her class who can give her notes, etc. if she misses. My daughter was in high school so her situation was different, but everyone was very accomodating and understanding at her school.

    Best wishes to your daughter.

    Comment


    • #3
      Mel,

      Sorry to hear that.

      Just as your daughter had to miss her surgical date, there is some chance someone else will miss theirs also. I am saying maybe you can get on the "wait/reschedule" list for an earlier date very soon. I realize you would want something any minute now so it might be tough but you can try.

      Just a thought.

      Good luck to your daughter and you.

      sharon
      Sharon, mother of identical twin girls with scoliosis

      No island of sanity.

      Question: What do you call alternative medicine that works?
      Answer: Medicine


      "We are all African."

      Comment


      • #4
        Mel

        Its unrealistic, and a tough call.

        It looks as if something will have to be put off here.

        Expecting her to get slammed in major surgery and show up as a freshman in a few weeks and absorb all these changes while recovering and coming off opiates, is a lot to expect.

        Timing is critical. No doubt.

        Good luck with the decision and best wishes to your daughter.
        Ed
        49 yr old male, now 63, the new 64...
        Pre surgery curves T70,L70
        ALIF/PSA T2-Pelvis 01/29/08, 01/31/08 7" pelvic anchors BMP
        Dr Brett Menmuir St Marys Hospital Reno,Nevada

        Bending and twisting pics after full fusion
        http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/showt...on.&highlight=

        My x-rays
        http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...2&d=1228779214

        http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...3&d=1228779258

        Comment


        • #5
          Hi Mel,
          I had my surgery about 4 1/2 weeks ago. I will be starting my senior year in college this fall. Everyone's recovery is different, but for me I feel like if I had to have started school this week I probably could have done it. It would be pretty hard though. I get tired easily and if I wake up before noon I usually end up needing a nap during the day. I am also still on pain meds although I only take them occasionally…usually extra strength Tylenol works fine.

          My school has a disability support service and if your daughters school has something like that, you should try to get her registered with them. I registered with them as a temporary physical disability even though my surgery was at the begining of the summer just in case I needed anything once I go back. I know they can work with our housing department and can also send letters to professors and set up a note taker if you need it. They even offered to move my classes closer to my dorm or provide a driver/escort. (I don't think I would need that even at this point but it was good to know it was possible) I would suggest trying to get her switched to a first floor room or a dorm with an elevator if possible. I think it would make it easier if she has to carry things or if she is just having a hard day.

          At this point, I haven't even thought about trying laundry but I know I couldnt carry my laundry basket down 2 flights of stairs. You could see if there is any laundry service offered at the school. They are pretty expensive but in a case like this, it would make sense. They pick up your laundry, wash it, fold it, and drop it off the next day. (I haven't been able to convince my parents yet, but I'm hoping they will let me do it this year...lol). Soapy Joe's is the company at my school, but I know there are others. If not, you could try a laundry basket w/ wheels to make things easier.

          Another thing to double check is to make sure she did not get assigned a handicapped room. I was randomly put into one for next year because they had more rooms than they had requests for. Its a problem because the counters are really low (to be wheelchair height) and it can be difficult to bend like that. Ideally the school should be able to work with you with documentation from your doctor but it could take a while so I would start now.

          Lastly, encourage her to get involved. Recovery is tough and its easy to just spend your free time sleeping. Don't get me wrong, rest is super important, but freshman year is hard enough without recovering from a major surgery so it will be especially important to try and develop a good support system from the start.

          I’m sorry this is so long but hopefully it is helpful. Good luck with your decision and I hope, if you decide to go ahead with the surgery, that everything works out with the school.
          Sarah
          22 year old grad student
          Boston brace from 12-14
          surgery on June 1, 2009 T3 to L2
          Yale New Haven Hospital Dr. Grauer
          Thoracic curve 47*
          Thoracolumbar curve 54*

          Surgery Photos
          http://www.facebook.com/album.php?ai...8&l=a2a5799140

          Comment


          • #6
            thanks to all for your responses..

            it is a difficult decision, but my daughter is determined to have the surgery this year--AND start school on time
            it's a top 20 school, so it will be demanding and she doesn't want to fall behind. .hopefully her positive attitude will help--i am trying not to be skeptical --and take it all a day at a time.

            There has been no availability for an earlier surgical slot, so july 27th it will be . She's on another round of antibiotics since her throat is still bothering her. Her ENT even suggested she go on some steroids for 6 days, which i'm not pleased about because it will lower her resistance further...(guess we will finally have that tonsillectomy winter break if she can put up with yet another surgery)

            I will start getting documentation in case she needs some special attention
            as you suggested here. . We will be flying to her school 3 1/2 weeks after surgery! (her doc said it's OK--fortunately it's just a 2 1/2 hour trip but i guess better then 2 days in the car...) I hope she will ask for help when she needs it...and not be stubborn...(it runs in the family!)

            i really appreciate the suggestions, and the support.
            mel

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