Well, it's over and done with now and I'm finally "on the other side!" It feels so good to be here. My first surgery on 1/24 went well (5-1/2 hours, ALIF at L4-L5, L5-S1 with back plate and pedicle screws). Second surgery on 1/31...well, bumpy to say the least but here's the low down: 9 hours, PLIF fusion L1-S1 with pelvic fixation, and had laminectomies the entire length of my spine (lost a little more than 1/2 my blood volume and am severely anemic and weak right now as a result), removal of Harrington rods and hooks, 3 osteotomies. Had difficulty coming out of anesthesia and remained in PACU for almost 9 hours, then spent 2-1/2 days in ICU due respiratory and kidney problems as well as needing 3 blood transfusions (I donated my own).
It was bumpy but all in all, I am so glad I decided to have this done. I even grew 1-3/4" as a result! No more "shopping cart syndrome" (as I call it) - I stand tall and straight and (although painful) proud! I am currently in a rehab hospital just 5 minutes from home and will be here for a couple weeks to build up my strength and endurance - i also have moderate weakness amd numbness on my right leg which the doctor thinks should resolve in time. AND, I got to see my kids today for the first time in 2 weeks! It was wonderful to see them but I have to admit, after their visit, I was exhausted. I am no where near ready to come and handle the house and kids yet! Once I'm home I'll have PT/OT a few times a week and them eventually graduate to outpatient. I'm in a brace when OOB and am doing extremely well I think. The pain is manageable with pain meds and like I said, although it was bumpy, I'm so glad I did it - everyone looks so much shorter than me now!
It was bumpy but all in all, I am so glad I decided to have this done. I even grew 1-3/4" as a result! No more "shopping cart syndrome" (as I call it) - I stand tall and straight and (although painful) proud! I am currently in a rehab hospital just 5 minutes from home and will be here for a couple weeks to build up my strength and endurance - i also have moderate weakness amd numbness on my right leg which the doctor thinks should resolve in time. AND, I got to see my kids today for the first time in 2 weeks! It was wonderful to see them but I have to admit, after their visit, I was exhausted. I am no where near ready to come and handle the house and kids yet! Once I'm home I'll have PT/OT a few times a week and them eventually graduate to outpatient. I'm in a brace when OOB and am doing extremely well I think. The pain is manageable with pain meds and like I said, although it was bumpy, I'm so glad I did it - everyone looks so much shorter than me now!
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