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It's me...JERSEYOT...I'm 1 down 1 to go!

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  • #31
    hi Michelle
    i am so sorry for the very tough time you have been thru...
    and i am so glad you are getting better...even if it is slow, with obstacles along the way...

    when i am nauseous from anything, oatmeal helps me...
    i eat it without milk or anything added to it...sometimes i put in a little salt when i
    am having low blood pressure...i keep the water to a minimum when i make the instant
    kind...drier oatmeal seems to help the nausea more...
    i also keep soda crackers around, with and without salted tops...

    that is really shocking...how much blood you lost!
    i am also surprised that the therapists who evaluated you made the major
    mistake of missing the huge effect the morphine was having on you...of course you seemed
    as if you were doing better....until it wore off!

    i admire your strength and determination...and your courage!
    wishing you a steady recovery to full strength and health....
    jess
    Last edited by jrnyc; 03-09-2012, 09:45 PM.

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    • #32
      Originally posted by jerseyot View Post
      Rohrer1: thanks so much for your reply. I had diarrhea for 2yrs and lost 28lbs after my gall bladder surgery too! Who knew! Fix one thing and break another! I've ditched the carbonation too - grew up on flat ginger ale and saltine crackers when we were sick so that's pretty much what's been on the menu. I'll definitely try the cream of wheat as well as the "soft and bland" stuff as my tummy tolerates. I will take any suggestions just so I can try to get some relief. As you know, it's pretty miserable - and makes its nearly impossible to take care of my little ones. I still on pain meds but it's a fraction of what I was taking even a week ago so im happy about that - but I do still need it for the leg pain and lower pain especially at night. Praying for better eelng days ahead.
      Sorry, Michele. I temporarily forgot your name...eek. There are so many of us here to keep track of. I just can't stress the warm/almost hot liquids. The nurse advisor told me that, when I spiked a fever from the ileus. She highly recommended the chamomile tea, which I had, but I also find, like I said, the hot jello water, of which ever flavors you like, helps, too. She said the warm liquids help move things through. I had been drinking Gatoraide, which I still am so my electrolytes don't get all out of whack, but I'm still making room for at least three warm drinks a day. I actually think the chamomile was more soothing, but I like the jello water because it tastes better and has gelatin, which is at least some protein. She also said NO roughage at all. So, of course, last night I had to eat some salad. Tonight I had to try a couple of bites of beef (a big no, no) and haven't been feeling well at all these last couple of days. I always try to push things. I don't know how others do it. Soft diets are okay, but honestly I'm having trouble. When I'm doing well with it, though, my nausea goes away along with the stomach cramps and bloat. Ramen noodles have been okay, too. Sorry if I repeated myself. I just wanted to stress the warm/hot liquids like the nurse did for me. Oh, she also said NO ICE. I guess for the same reason as it has the opposite effect of warm liquids. I know our problems are different. My ileus is past, but the tummy upset it caused is NOT. Anyway, I'm rambling now. I hope you feel better.

      Rohrer01
      Last edited by rohrer01; 03-10-2012, 12:34 AM.
      Be happy!
      We don't know what tomorrow brings,
      but we are alive today!

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      • #33
        Wow! I just looked at your scans and what a difference! I'm assuming they didn't extend the fusion rods back up into your thoracic spine because it is already fused, so no need? I certainly hope this makes you feel better!
        Be happy!
        We don't know what tomorrow brings,
        but we are alive today!

        Comment


        • #34
          Jess: thanks for the oatmeal suggestion. I tried it this morning and actually felt a tiny bit better afterwards. Yeah, you'd think the OT and PT would've checked with the surgeon about my meds while in CCU and ICU and noticed that gee, she's on morphine that's wrapped up into the base of her spinal cord. Of course this isn't her "real" functional status. Very frustrating but what can ya do? I was a mess afterwards when realizing i wasn't going to rehab at Magee. Devastated really especially with how much blood i lost and that during my stay, i was declining mobility and ADL wise and my blood volume and blood pressure weren't stable. I had doctors saying "give her 2 more pints of blood...she needs more blood" and then because everything had to go thru Ortho, they kept saying no i didn't need it. AND I REALLY DID NEED IT. But we got thru it and we are where we are so we just have to keep moving forward.

          Rorher01: your suggestions were also extremely helpful - the hot liquids also have seemed to help somewhat. I'm just eager to start feeling better so i'm trying to eat small frequent meals throughout the day as well. And i was fused in my thoracic spine so you are correct - that's why they only fused L1-S1 and then into the pelvis.

          I updated my signature with my CT SCAN pics of after surgery!
          1993/1995: PSF w/ Harrington rods T3-L4
          Jan. 24, 2012: ALIF of L4-L5, L5-S1 w/ cage spacer and BMP
          Jan. 31, 2012: PLIF of L1-S1 w/ pelvic anchors
          Scheduled Nov.15, 2012: Fusion T2-S1 w/ pelvic anchors to fix T12 fracture
          http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ot/myback2.jpg - BEFORE
          http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...CT2342x406.jpg - AFTER
          http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...CT1410x229.jpg - AFTER
          www.jerseyot.blogspot.com

          Comment


          • #35
            Stress Gastritis.....hmmm.....I think I might have put a little stress on my gastritis at some point. (Chuckle,chuckle)

            I feel for you Michele, I know what you are going through.....and when I was at this point, (real easy since we both have the same surgical dates) I made my 1st attempts at quitting meds, “the final push”. It wasn’t easy, but after 2 attempts, I finally quit, and all my gastro issues resolved after quitting......it was painful for sure, but totally worth it. I healed quickly after those events...Always call your doctor for permission to cut pills. You will know when you are ready.

            You have to eat. If you vomit after eating, you have to go back into the kitchen and re-fuel your gas tank with something.

            I also quit Zantac with organic granola. I eat it dry, and also keep it next to the bed.

            I am med free.....
            Hang in there.
            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


            • #36
              Come to think of it, I have some dry organic granola by my bedside. I haven't tried it, yet, but thought it might help. I guess it will. Thanks, Ed!
              Be happy!
              We don't know what tomorrow brings,
              but we are alive today!

              Comment


              • #37
                Thanks for all the suggestions Everyone. Yesterday was one often best days I've had since...well...ever, since my surgeries. I ate more yesterday than i have so far and although not feeling great all day, i did feel better so i hooe today brings more fthe same. Yesterday, i ate oatmeal and hot liquids tea for breakfast, banana and crackers/pretzels and applesauce for snacks, hot soup for lunch, and scrambled eggs and dry toast for dinner. That's ALOT for me! Basically i ate a bland soft diet with frequent small "meals" (more like snacks - I just don't have a big enough appetite to call it a "meal!") - I'm taking Zantac and Tums and Pepto and drinking the flat ginger ale too.

                And yesterday I noticed I only took 2 pain pills all day long - Ive been writing it down (very organized) ever since I got home. I was taking so many different meds that I made a chart so I cold keep track of it all. I'm thinking by mid to late week I might be able to go without the meds anymore but we'll see. I don't want to get overly ambitious. That brings me to another question: HOW LONG WERE YOU ON PAIN MEDS??
                1993/1995: PSF w/ Harrington rods T3-L4
                Jan. 24, 2012: ALIF of L4-L5, L5-S1 w/ cage spacer and BMP
                Jan. 31, 2012: PLIF of L1-S1 w/ pelvic anchors
                Scheduled Nov.15, 2012: Fusion T2-S1 w/ pelvic anchors to fix T12 fracture
                http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ot/myback2.jpg - BEFORE
                http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...CT2342x406.jpg - AFTER
                http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...CT1410x229.jpg - AFTER
                www.jerseyot.blogspot.com

                Comment


                • #38
                  I quit on 03/14/08. 6 Weeks.

                  After reading a million posts here, I would say that kids quit on an average of 1 month and adults average 2 months....some take longer.

                  I do not do well on meds and of course try to solve problems without, like eating granola for heartburn, eating a small meal and laying down if I have a headache, or bear trap tightness in my upper back. I sip water all day long...walk for constipation, that sort of thing.

                  I passed a huge kidney stone, and had one of these in my gall bladder so soda is out of the question now.(smiley face) They say soda contributes to stone formation.....
                  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willamette_Meteorite

                  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


                  • #39
                    I was on meds for three months which isn't bad for a 67-68 year old.
                    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


                    • #40
                      Weaned off all meds at 12 weeks.

                      Warmly
                      Doreen
                      44 years old at time of surgery, Atlanta GA

                      Pre-Surgery Thorasic: 70 degrees, Pre-Surgery Lumbar: 68 degrees, lost 4 inches of height in 2011
                      Post-Surgery curves ~10 degrees, regained 4 inches of height

                      Posterior T3-sacrum & TLIF surgeries on Nov 28, 2011 with Dr. Lenke, St. Louis
                      2 rods, 33 screws, 2 cages, 2 connectors, living a new life I never dreamed of!

                      http://thebionicachronicles.blogspot.com/

                      Comment

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