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After Extensive Surgery, How do I Manage Myself?

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  • After Extensive Surgery, How do I Manage Myself?

    Do people with complicated revisions live by themselves & if so, how do they care for themselves.

    No family nor friends due to issues. Saw 1 Dr last wk. in LA seeing Dr Bederman 22nd. Don't know if I told you but this is what 1st Dr said:

    Fused T4-S1, stopped counting loose screws,(holes too big/angels wrong), broken fusions,
    1. Never talked about the neck cause he ran out of time! That is an issue as well.
    1. Horrible infection in Thoracic, still on antibiotics
    2. Thoracic now sticking outwards (not to side) 50 degrees in maybe 6 months. Terrible pain to walk,I try mile/day. Can't stand up straight.
    3. Many fusions did not fuse (don't know exactly how many or where….was not told, forgot to ask.)
    4. Screws:Can pop through skin.(rest of issues above)
    5. Need bolt in Sacrum.
    6. Need anterior and posterior
    7. No family and I need to exercise daily and take care of myself.

    HOW? I have new email: peacefulgal@me.com

    All suggestions welcome

    Thanks!

    ReneeTina
    60 yrs old did scuba,lift & work. Miss all.
    1st t surgery,28 years. L4/5 fusion
    2nd surgery 10-19; went from 2 80%+ curves to 20% + 30%.T4-S1,38 screws (loose & angled wrong), 15 fusions many fusions did not take,& horrific had/have(?) infection.
    Lot of pain.

  • #2
    How do I manage myself?

    Why is nobody answering me? Reneetina
    60 yrs old did scuba,lift & work. Miss all.
    1st t surgery,28 years. L4/5 fusion
    2nd surgery 10-19; went from 2 80%+ curves to 20% + 30%.T4-S1,38 screws (loose & angled wrong), 15 fusions many fusions did not take,& horrific had/have(?) infection.
    Lot of pain.

    Comment


    • #3
      Do you have another thread going? If so, that may be why.

      It sounds like you will need to spend time at a rehab facility post-op until you're able to go home. Could you get a social worker or nurse to visit once a day? Maybe your insurance will cover it? I would suggest you talk with your surgeon about what they recommend. Best to you - it sounds really complex.
      Female, age 38
      4 years of bracing, concluded at 42*upper/38*lower
      currently 64*upper/40*lower
      Fused T3-L4 on Feb 23 2011
      now 32*upper/18* lower

      Comment


      • #4
        After Extensive Surgery, Managing By Myself?

        Nobody is responding is any of them but thank you for reply. I will ck with insurance on Monday. Last time they did not have good rehabs around here. Reneetina
        60 yrs old did scuba,lift & work. Miss all.
        1st t surgery,28 years. L4/5 fusion
        2nd surgery 10-19; went from 2 80%+ curves to 20% + 30%.T4-S1,38 screws (loose & angled wrong), 15 fusions many fusions did not take,& horrific had/have(?) infection.
        Lot of pain.

        Comment


        • #5
          ReneeTina,
          I have to agree with everything Lily said. Obviously, it's preferable to have someone with you 24-7, but there are some on the forum who didn't have that luxury and got along. I don't think Ed had anyone with him. I have heard good things about Dr. B.
          Karen

          Surgery-Jan. 5, 2011-Dr. Lenke
          Fusion T-4-sacrum-2 cages/5 osteotomies
          70 degree thoracolumbar corrected to 25
          Rib Hump-GONE!
          Age-60 at the time of surgery
          Now 66
          Avid Golfer & Tap Dancer
          Retired Kdgn. Teacher

          See photobucket link for:
          Video of my 1st Day of Golf Post-Op-3/02/12-Bradenton, FL
          Before and After Picture of back 1/7/11
          tap dancing picture at 10 mos. post op 11/11/11-I'm the one on the right.
          http://s1119.photobucket.com/albums/k630/pottoff2/

          Comment


          • #6
            After Extensive Surgery, Managing By Myself?

            I have Melissa to thank for Dr. Bederman's name. Also want to thank you both for responding! Should I cancel some threads so I can keep better track or how does one keep track of their questions & answers? Thanks Reneetina
            60 yrs old did scuba,lift & work. Miss all.
            1st t surgery,28 years. L4/5 fusion
            2nd surgery 10-19; went from 2 80%+ curves to 20% + 30%.T4-S1,38 screws (loose & angled wrong), 15 fusions many fusions did not take,& horrific had/have(?) infection.
            Lot of pain.

            Comment


            • #7
              I used to start a new thread whenever I had a new question, but they were usually spaced fairly far apart. I think Linda has encouraged us to try to put most of our questions on one thread because of all of the spam issues.
              Karen

              Surgery-Jan. 5, 2011-Dr. Lenke
              Fusion T-4-sacrum-2 cages/5 osteotomies
              70 degree thoracolumbar corrected to 25
              Rib Hump-GONE!
              Age-60 at the time of surgery
              Now 66
              Avid Golfer & Tap Dancer
              Retired Kdgn. Teacher

              See photobucket link for:
              Video of my 1st Day of Golf Post-Op-3/02/12-Bradenton, FL
              Before and After Picture of back 1/7/11
              tap dancing picture at 10 mos. post op 11/11/11-I'm the one on the right.
              http://s1119.photobucket.com/albums/k630/pottoff2/

              Comment


              • #8
                I believe I posted a response to this very same question on a different thread. I haven't had surgery, but I would imagine that they would put you in a rehab facility or other long term care facility until you are able to care for yourself. My question to you on the other thread was, "How are you managing now?" It would seem to me, that with all of the problems you have right now, I can't imagine you being worse after a successful surgery and some time with recovery. I would think you would feel a whole lot better than you do now. I wish you all the best.
                Be happy!
                We don't know what tomorrow brings,
                but we are alive today!

                Comment


                • #9
                  ReneeTina

                  It does sound like you need quite an extensive revision.....and so difficult to say, to predict exactly what will happen. If you don’t have immediate success in your 2 stage revision, be prepared for another just in case. Always remember that you will eventually get your spine repaired.

                  The thoracic infection does not sound good, and seems as if the broken hardware “might” have something to do with this. If you have all these multiple breaks, I don’t think you have much of a choice in the matter....the rods and screws keep rubbing together and produce particulates which can cause problems.

                  The best person to consul on this would be a surgeon, and would most likely send you to a rehab facility after your surgeries.

                  I did not go to rehab. The insurance company didn’t have a problem with this since it saved them quite a bit of money, they sent nurses and PT people to my home every day......my surgeon arranged this. You can have your groceries delivered, many will deliver to your home.....arrange this in advance.

                  Stick with one thread for now... it will be easier. Go see Dr B....see what he thinks and let us know.
                  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


                  • #10
                    AFter Extensive Surgery, How do I manage Myself?

                    I am going to see Dr Bederman Wed. hope it brings good news. Thanks for replies. I am going to redo 1 main thread & get rid of rest. Easier for all that way. Reneetina
                    60 yrs old did scuba,lift & work. Miss all.
                    1st t surgery,28 years. L4/5 fusion
                    2nd surgery 10-19; went from 2 80%+ curves to 20% + 30%.T4-S1,38 screws (loose & angled wrong), 15 fusions many fusions did not take,& horrific had/have(?) infection.
                    Lot of pain.

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      After Extensive Surgery, Managing By Myself?

                      Hello all: Saw Dr. Bederman yesterday & he is as great as Melissa said. Can't write everything down now as I recorded it & must relisten. He gave me 3 options from easy to rebreaking entire spine. He was very detailed & was w/me 2 hrs! Don't know if mentioned already but I'll be doing a main thread with everything on it & stopping all others. It will be less confusing! In the meantime, does anyone have any ideas what to name the new thread so it'll catch peoples eyes? Thanks. Reneetina
                      60 yrs old did scuba,lift & work. Miss all.
                      1st t surgery,28 years. L4/5 fusion
                      2nd surgery 10-19; went from 2 80%+ curves to 20% + 30%.T4-S1,38 screws (loose & angled wrong), 15 fusions many fusions did not take,& horrific had/have(?) infection.
                      Lot of pain.

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        If you could get someone to help you with the typing, and the computer work, that would be a big help. There are many younger people out there that will have no problem with this.

                        Construct in another program then copy paste to the forum. Heck, you can do this in your e-mail. You can send it back to yourself and re-file later.

                        Don’t worry about the spelling, just get it close, and we will figure it out.

                        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


                        • #13
                          Reneetina,
                          I'm glad you got to see Dr. Bederman. I can't imagine a surgeon spending two hours with you. I hope you can get everything worked out so that you can eventually get back to the things you are missing now.
                          Karen

                          Surgery-Jan. 5, 2011-Dr. Lenke
                          Fusion T-4-sacrum-2 cages/5 osteotomies
                          70 degree thoracolumbar corrected to 25
                          Rib Hump-GONE!
                          Age-60 at the time of surgery
                          Now 66
                          Avid Golfer & Tap Dancer
                          Retired Kdgn. Teacher

                          See photobucket link for:
                          Video of my 1st Day of Golf Post-Op-3/02/12-Bradenton, FL
                          Before and After Picture of back 1/7/11
                          tap dancing picture at 10 mos. post op 11/11/11-I'm the one on the right.
                          http://s1119.photobucket.com/albums/k630/pottoff2/

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Originally posted by Reneetina View Post
                            In the meantime, does anyone have any ideas what to name the new thread so it'll catch peoples eyes? Thanks. Reneetina
                            Reneetina's Journey

                            People like to read other's stories. When you put it in terms of sounding like the whole story, I think it will attract people.
                            Be happy!
                            We don't know what tomorrow brings,
                            but we are alive today!

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              What helped me greatly manage post-op

                              I sent you a private message with what really helped me manage post-op.
                              Original scoliosis surgery 1956 T-4 to L-2 ~100 degree thoracic (triple)curves at age 14. NO hardware-lost correction.
                              Anterior/posterior revision T-4 to Sacrum in 2002, age 60, by Dr. Boachie-Adjei @Hospital for Special Surgery, NY = 50% correction

                              Comment

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