Update on my Surgery

[jrnyc]

Hey Kristy
i just looked up what a "dural tear" is....and how it feels...and heals...i hope it seals up for you really fast...and that the headache has eased up...those spinal headaches are rough!!
thoughts & prayers go out to you....will send you best wishes til you're 100% again...or better!

jess

[naptown78]

Back From the Hospital

Yay I'm home! Came home yesterday but have been soooo tired. It takes so much energy just to lift a finger. Thank goodness for my hubby or I wouldn't eat. This brace is getting me down. It is so much more intense than the one I had with my first surgery. It is custom made, skin tight and I wear it 24 hours a day except for bathing. I will do whatever it takes though to protect my back and make sure this thing heals right. I am so happy with the way it turned out! I have not even been using my walker. I feel steady on my feet, just very weak which will come in time. I lost alot of blood so will need to build back up. My heart beats very fast on exertion. Good Luck to everyone else facing this journey!!!

[mbeckoff]

Glad to hear that you are home

Rest up so that you get stronger

Melissa

[jrnyc]

Congratulations, Kristy...glad to hear that you made it home safe & sound...

did the doctor say when to return to check your progress?
hope your healing is smooth & uneventful...

best regards
jess

[JenniferG]

I'm so glad you're happy with this surgery. Hope the remainder of your recovery goes smoothly, Kristy!

[loves to skate]

Kristy.

I am also very glad you are home. It is so very comforting to be home where you can rest in peace. I hope you have a swift and uneventful recovery.

Sally

[jsully]

Sounds great! Keep us informed.

[naptown78]

More News!

I have gained over 2 inches in height!!!! I am now 5'4 which I have never been. Prior to surgery I had shrunk to less than 5'2. Got a call yesterday from a company called BioMax to fit a bone stimulator. I wasn't aware I was to have this , but bring it on. Anything to fuse faster! Hubby is having to help me with my shower, finally washed my hair yesterday. Those few minutes out of the brace are just like heaven! The incision is starting to itch , but hard to scratch with this brace. I suppose its a good thing. This coming week in Indiana is supposed to be great weather so I will work on my walking outside. My pain is minimal. Other than some nerve pain in my left upper thigh, my back is just achy. Good Luck to all the people having surgery this week!

[mbeckoff]

Kristy , You sound great. All your news is wonderful. Hope it continues

Melissa

[JenniferG]

I'm so glad you're recovering so well, Kristy. You earned it!

[jrnyc]

Hey Kristy
what a great way to start spring!
congratulations....may you heal completely and come to the pain free life you so deserve after all that time of suffering!

jess

[naptown78]

Plugging Along...

Took my first shower all by myself today. Just need help getting my brace on and off,along with the bone graft stimulator. The brace fastens in the back. I am getting stronger every day. I am so glad I had this revision done! I feel 30 years younger already......

[JenniferG]

Fantastic!

[mbeckoff]

Took my first shower all by myself today. Just need help getting my brace on and off,along with the bone graft stimulator. The brace fastens in the back. I am getting stronger every day. I am so glad I had this revision done! I feel 30 years younger already......

First of all, the shower is fantastic .

How many weeks out from surgery are you?

I have a couple of questions for you. Regarding the brace since you wear it under your clothes, what do you have next to your skin?

What is the bone graft stimulator? IS it uncomfortable to wear? How long do you wear that?

Thanks

Melissa

[naptown78]

Hi Melissa,
I had my revision on March 18 so am 2 1/2 weeks out. When I said I took a shower, LOL, I have taken a shower since then but needed help from hubby. Yesterday I was completely independent, Yippee! As for my brace, I wear a soft t shirt underneath the brace. Around the house I don't wear anything over it. One funny thing, people feel the need to knock on my brace everytime they come near me! If I go out, which isn't often right now, I have just been wearing a light jacket over the top of it. The bone graft stimulator is very simple. It involves just placing 2 electrode patches on either side of my spine at the level of my osteotomy which both have wires that attach to a pager size unit that I wear clipped to my pants. It is not uncomfortable at all. I just have to change the patches when I bathe, and the batteries last about 2 days. I hope you find out your new surgery date soon, Melissa. Are your blood sugars under control???