Surgery with Dr. Lenke

[Doreen1]

Whew!

Had my annual mammogram today, doctor found a lump and I am scheduled for a biopsy next week. Always something, isn't it?

Warmly,
Doreen

During the biopsy, two lumps were discovered (one fluid filled, one solid); however, both are benign. :-)

[TwinmomTN]

Wonderful news Doreen! I know you are so relieved. I was wondering if the central line placement could cause any issues or scar tissue that would affect mammogram results. Just a thought. I still get pain in my right chest/breast area that I am convinced is the same location of the central line.

[golfnut]

So happy for your good news.

[jrnyc]

so happy to hear that, Doreen...
glad the scare is over and all will be well...

jess...& Sparky

[rohrer01]

Doreen,
I'm so relieved that your biopsies came back okay! Just curious if your procedure was easier than mine. I had a biopsy for a different reason. I had odd looking calcifications that can show extra activity of cancer cells. Thankfully mine was okay, too! Most of them are, but it's still unnerving none-the-less. Take care!

[mabeckoff]

Glad to hear that everything went fine

[nanlo]

I'm thrilled to hear the good news! What a relief! I think you and Jeremy deserve a night out on the town to celebrate!
Nancy

[Irina]

Hi Doreen,

I watched your exercise videos on the blog and they are so helpful! It was great to see log-roll and how you move. You look so good! Thank you for posting these videos - I am going to do these exercises right now.

[JenniferG]

What a relief Doreen! I had the same thing about 10 years ago, mine was also benign. But it took 2 mammograms, 2 ultrasounds and a fine needle biopsy to confirm! (A few rough nights in between!)

Go and do something really nice for yourself to celebrate!

[JenniferG]

What a relief Doreen! I had the same thing about 10 years ago, mine was also benign. But it took 2 mammograms, 2 ultrasounds and a fine needle biopsy to confirm! (And a few rough nights in between!)

Go and do something really nice for yourself to celebrate!

[Jenna.KB]

Hi Doreen

So pleased you got the all clear from the biop. You must be so pleased.

Hope your well

Jenna x

[jane d]

August 8 surgery with Dr. Lenke

Hi, everyone. This is my first time posting on this forum. I first learned I had scoliosis around 1992 when seeing a surgeon about problems in the cervical part of my spine. It didn't concern me too much as my mother had scoliosis and it didn't affect her although she had 3 different surgeries for herniated disks.
About four years ago I started losing height and have lost 5 inches since then. That is a lot when you start out at only 5ft. 2 in. I'm now 4'9". Three years ago I saw several spine surgeons and the last one I saw was at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. He said I should not have surgery until I was in unbearable pain as he said this surgery is "worse than having a heart transplant." That discouraged me and so I dropped my search until last summer when I talked to someone in my city, Columbia,SC, who had had surgery by Dr. Lenke. They were so pleased with their results that I made an appointment immediately with him. I saw him in November and his first available surgery date for me was this coming August 8. I go next week on June 19 & 20 for my pre-surgery tests. I have a 67 degree lumbar curve. His diagnosis is degenerative Lumbar Scoliosis, stenosis L5-S1, coronal and sagittal imbalance, kyphosis. My surgical procedure is: posterior fusion T2-sacrum/ilium, decompression L5-s1, transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion L4-L5,L5/S1.

I will be having intraoperative halo traction and that causes me some concern because of the issues in my cervical spine. (3 vertebra fused together on their own about 20 years ago) Did any of you have halo traction during surgery?

Since I saw him in November I have been having more pain from my lower rib pressing down hard on my pelvis. Also now lying down has become more uncomfortable, especially turn
Ing over in bed.

I have been working our with a trainer twice a week for the past 3 years to remain strong and walking.
As I will be 67 in November I guess I will be the oldest in this group having surgery. Your comments have educated me a lot about what this surgery will be like.

I have 3 children and 3 grandchildren, soon to be 5 grandchildren as one of my sons is flying to Latvia on Father's Day to adopt 2 children they hosted last year!

Two other small question's: will I ever again be able to get down into a tub for a tub bath and will I be able to raise my arms overhead to blow dry and curl my hair? Not high on the scale of importance but would like to know. This was a long post. Whew!
Jane

[golfnut]

Jane,
Welcome to the forum. I would suggest that you put all of this information on a new thread. It will be easier for people to reply to specific questions that you have in the next few months and after your surgery. You are in the best hands with Dr. Lenke. My spine isn't not fused quite as high as yours will be, but I have no problems at all blow drying my hair. I have gotten into our jacuzzi tub, but feel that a shower is just easier.

[jane d]

How to move my above post to a new thread

Thanks Karen. I tried to copy and paste my long post to start a new thread to be entitled" August 8 surgery with Dr. Lenke ( some after surgery questions) " but I was unable to make it work to move this post. How do I do this?
Jane

[Confusedmom]

Jane,

I had surgery T4-sacrum with decompression and TLIFs, also with Dr. Lenke. He did use a halo on me; that is to help prevent blindness. Blindness is an extremely rare complication of this surgery that can happen from lying face-down for so long. I agree that this surgery is not something to take lightly, but it sounds like you have significant scoliosis. I chose Dr. Lenke after seeing 5-6 other doctors. I think he is one of the best, but there are always risks, even with the best. I have been able to dry my hair from week #2 post-op, but I have not attempted a bath yet. Sitting up is still uncomfortable for me, so I haven't wanted to try it. If you decide to do it, I think you are in good hands!

Best,
Evelyn