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  • #16
    [QUOTE=titaniumed;110658]Steve
    Did you say you were based out of Morehead City, NC. You know what I’m talking about.
    Some day. Its on my list.

    Amanda
    The private room will reduce noise from others.... I had a guy who had a hip job, who had an army of support all the time making noise. Funny, the one time we were alone in the room, he asked what I had done and I told him I had my whole spine fused. He never heard of such a thing, most people really don’t know about scoliosis unless they know someone with it.

    Ed,
    NC? NO NO... north for me is Georgia. I live in Daytona Beach, FL.
    Thanks for the private room tip but insurance call today said NO to expensive for my blood. But will take a set of ear plugs so if i get a snorer or moaner i am covered.

    Comment


    • #17
      Hi Scuba Steve, I couldn't respond to the private message, I've always had a hard time with that

      Anyway, I had my surgery at UCH. It was an excellent experience other than one nurse and one xray woman, but all in all it was a great experience. Dr. Cronen was fantastic and checked on me every day. I just would be careful with food after the surgery, I ate too many solids too soon, and ended up with bad constipation and swollen tummy. Also coming off meds was a bit of a nightmare, but I was off all of them by the ninth week. Other than that, the best thing is to perhaps do some hypnosis on a CD specifically for surgery. I did that, and found I was amazingly calm on the day, and my doctor said I had way less bleeding than most considering my ten hour surgery, and also I sat up immediately after my surgery, and I was very astute, asking lots of questions as soon as I woke up from anaesthesia, which surprised my doctor also. I remember every detail of every question I asked. It was great. Dr. Cronen changed my life for the better, and I still can't believe how great I feel these days.

      Sorry to everyone on here for not coming on here much to support everyone else facing this surgery, but being a single mom I'm up to my eyeballs. I do however go on facebook quite often, so you can look me up there, or just email me at lynettegraden@gmail.com whenever anyone wants.

      God bless to all you scoliosis heroes.

      Love, peace, and light to you all.

      Lynette.

      XXXX
      Lynette - 44 years old.

      Pre-surgery thoracic 55 degrees
      Pre-surgery lumbar 85 degrees

      Post-surgery thoracic 19 degrees
      Post-surgery lumbar 27 degrees

      Surgery April 1st 2010.

      Posterior spinal fusion from T9 to sacrum.
      Dr. Cronen at University Community Hospital - Tampa, FL.

      Comment


      • #18
        Steve,
        I sent you a PM on that bible verse. Will you have to give up on the scuba diving or does your doctor think you will be able to do it once you are fused?
        Ed,
        When you come to Morehead City, New Bern is less that an hour away. Let me know when you come and I'll meet you there.
        Amanda,
        I had neither a private room or a private duty nurse. The drugs kept me asleep most of the time and my care was excellent. I really think it depends on the hospital. The one time the nurses were late in getting me my drugs, I was grateful to have a semiprivate room since my roommate was instrumental in getting me a nurse when I needed one. Do you have a date yet?
        Sally
        Diagnosed with severe lumbar scoliosis at age 65.
        Posterior Fusion L2-S1 on 12/4/2007. age 67
        Anterior Fusion L3-L4,L4-L5,L5-S1 on 12/19/2007
        Additional bone removed to decompress right side of L3-L4 & L4-L5 on 4/19/2010
        New England Baptist Hospital, Boston, MA
        Dr. Frank F. Rands735.photobucket.com/albums/ww360/butterflyfive/

        "In God We Trust" Happy moments, praise God. Difficult moments, seek God. Quiet moments, worship God. Painful moments, trust God. Every moment, thank God.

        Comment


        • #19
          Lynette

          I knew you were doing well. You rebounded quickly.
          Don’t be a stranger....
          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


          • #20
            Sally

            I have to dive the wrecks out there some day. In August of course, I’m a wimp and hate cold water. There are hundreds of WW2 wrecks out there, and rates very high for wreck diving.

            You are close, I didn’t realize...You will need to get certified! Or at least come out on the boat. Maybe this summer......

            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


            • #21
              Thanks Ed

              Scuba Steve, again I tried to reply to your personal message and couldn't. So I will have to write to you on the main forum here. I started weaning off meds at six weeks post op, and actually Titanium Ed was a HUGE help for me in advising me about the weaning process. It was not fun, boiling hot sweats followed by freezing cold shivers round the clock, but it was worth persevering those symptoms to be off the pills completely, because once I was completely off all the meds, I felt a million times better. The meds are great for covering the pain right after surgery, but other than that - they are BAD!!!

              I weaned down one pill every two days.

              You can ask me a question anytime, I'm more than happy to help wherever I can. A lot of quick recovery and healing comes from an inner faith and belief that you have the best surgeon, family who care and love you, and knowing in your mind, believing in your mind, that this surgery will be a success, and you look forward to living a happy healthy life afterward. BELIEVE that this will be a very smooth process, and that you will do great, because you will. Mind over matter - the mind is a very powerful tool.

              All the best,

              Lynette.
              Lynette - 44 years old.

              Pre-surgery thoracic 55 degrees
              Pre-surgery lumbar 85 degrees

              Post-surgery thoracic 19 degrees
              Post-surgery lumbar 27 degrees

              Surgery April 1st 2010.

              Posterior spinal fusion from T9 to sacrum.
              Dr. Cronen at University Community Hospital - Tampa, FL.

              Comment


              • #22
                Originally posted by titaniumed View Post
                Sally

                I have to dive the wrecks out there some day. In August of course, I’m a wimp and hate cold water. There are hundreds of WW2 wrecks out there, and rates very high for wreck diving.

                You are close, I didn’t realize...You will need to get certified! Or at least come out on the boat. Maybe this summer......

                Ed
                Ed, I would love to be on that boat! I think the water is still warm this time of year, but definitely not in the spring. Sally
                Diagnosed with severe lumbar scoliosis at age 65.
                Posterior Fusion L2-S1 on 12/4/2007. age 67
                Anterior Fusion L3-L4,L4-L5,L5-S1 on 12/19/2007
                Additional bone removed to decompress right side of L3-L4 & L4-L5 on 4/19/2010
                New England Baptist Hospital, Boston, MA
                Dr. Frank F. Rands735.photobucket.com/albums/ww360/butterflyfive/

                "In God We Trust" Happy moments, praise God. Difficult moments, seek God. Quiet moments, worship God. Painful moments, trust God. Every moment, thank God.

                Comment


                • #23
                  Sally

                  You would enjoy the trip. If you have not been, they are like Cousteau trips... Tons of gear!!!! Hope your back is fine, the rocking of the boat all day long is hard on scolis.

                  Here are some dated ocean temp maps in centigrade. See how the temps drop off quickly. It gets colder the deeper we go.
                  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


                  • #24
                    holy cow! Ed...i couldnt do all the active stuff you do...even if i were 20 years younger, had a straight back and perfect discs...NEVER! give me the great indoors, i say...
                    remember "Green Acres"..? well, i'd be playing Eva Gabor's role.."give me the city life"!
                    of course, i never learned how to swim... summer camp (forced to go) gave me the creeps .
                    but it looks like you have a ball...
                    Enjoy! (i'll just watch)

                    jess

                    Comment


                    • #25
                      Surgery on this mon. 7 a.m.

                      LynetteG,
                      Thanks for the input on getting off these darn meds.
                      I will be picking your brain some more when i get over this surgery hurdle.
                      Went over and seen Dr. Cronen for last visit before surgery. And also to do all the hospital paperwork.
                      Getting very nervous as it is game on. Monday at 7am is the first cut.
                      Doc said 5-7 hr. surgery. He is going to remove the last 6-8" of hardware then retie into it and extend it down to sacrum with anchors going into pelvic bone.
                      Sounds fun. I can't wait
                      Please EVERYONE keep praying for me and my family during this time. PLEASE!
                      Wife and baby are going over to live in Hotel for 5 days then my mom will be going over to give wife a break.
                      Doctor Cronen suggested that we keep the baby (2 yrs.) out of my room for the first 48 hrs. as it may be to hard on her cute little brain. Anybody out there have any ideas on that?
                      Again thanks to all for insite and support.
                      Hopefully my next battle will be getting of the meds.
                      And yes to your question earlier. I have been on percocete, soma, morphine (now off morphine and on oxycotone) for 5 yrs. Every since my first surgery. So i know that is not going to be a fun detox.
                      Talk to you all soon. I hope.
                      SS

                      Comment


                      • #26
                        T ed

                        Hopefully one day we can meet up and get in the water together.
                        I love chasing bugs in the Keys. We also have a lot of spring and wreck diving in my neck of Fl.
                        Lynette said you were a great help in the getting of the meds department. Hopefull after this surgery i can pick your brain about that also.
                        Let me know if you ever need a place to stay in the sunshine state. My wife and I have a nice little house 500yrds. from the ocean surrounded by a divers dream!
                        Cheers and keep those prayers coming for Mon.
                        I have to admit i am getting a lot of nerve stuff going on. And i am never a nervous person.
                        SS
                        SS does not mean i am a nazi but my business is called Scuba Steve's Diving services. So everyone calls me scuba steve so SS is just short for it.

                        Comment


                        • #27
                          hi Steve
                          as a retired drug/alcohol counselor part time, and a licensed social worker full time, i know a bit about tolerance, dependence, etc...
                          depending on how long/how many meds a patient has been on (a medical patient, not talking drug addict getting high patient)...often a medical specialist is needed...for the expertise in all areas of pain management and pain medication, including getting off meds...

                          i am sure the surgeon knows such doctors and can have you see one...

                          also...EVERY hospital employs social workers on staff...they may have some ideas to help out with family needs...

                          thoughts and prayers go with you for a positive surgery and a smooth recovery, without too many bumps in the road!

                          jess

                          Comment


                          • #28
                            Thanks Jess. I do have a pain management team that i have been seeing here for 5 yrs. so maybe they can help when that time comes. Also Doc.who is doing the revision said he is bring in a pain managment team to help with my pain as he is VERY concerned about getting me comfotable with all the meds i have been taking over the yrs.
                            So we will see what happens.
                            Thanks again and keep praying.
                            SS

                            Comment


                            • #29
                              Steve
                              Thx for the invite, but you need to get fixed up first and go through your recovery... I forget what the protocol is, but you shouldn’t dive for a few months after any surgery. I have to re-read my dive books every once in a while! lol

                              I think with all the pain you have been going through, this revision will be a huge help...I did have major work down low, and recovery was painful but after the initial heal time passed, I have no low pain at all anymore!

                              Jess
                              Forced to swim at summer camp? Reminds me of Farragut. That was a naval academy I went to years ago in Toms river, and I too was forced to swim and do survival floats at 7AM with gear and full dress, and in cold water. That was a trial, let me tell you! Survival float doesn’t happen in 5 minutes, if you know what I mean. They made me do it for a long time.......I now am totally comfortable diving....actually prefer night diving. I know that sounds insane, but the underwater world changes quite a bit and its totally surreal. It’s a different planet down there at night. Look at this vid. I did this dive twice, the mantas miss you by an inch, you can see this at 35 sec into the video. I also did my first manta ray dive years ago in major pain, I was dying down there. The mantas average about 15 foot wing span.
                              Ed

                              http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFdS7...eature=related
                              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


                              • #30
                                WOW, Ed...incredible video! so beautiful!

                                Steve...so glad you have a team to help with pain management...i bet you'll be fine in every possible way...
                                i expect the hospital social worker may offer services...they usually do...or you could request it...just to see if they have any ideas of help for family/child...
                                so many thoughts and prayers will be with you...just from this forum alone!

                                jess

                                Comment

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