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JERSEYOT UPDATE: I broke my back - in hospital

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  • You can do this Michele! You've been through massive adversity with great courage and I can feel a level of positivety in your post that I'm sure you feel yourself. Just think of it this way: you've got to get through this to get back to healing and getting your life back. So look forward to it as being a giant step towards normality and back to being the mother you want to be and deserve to be. We'll all be barracking for you!
    Surgery March 3, 2009 at almost 58, now 63.
    Dr. Askin, Brisbane, Australia
    T4-Pelvis, Posterior only
    Osteotomies and Laminectomies
    Was 68 degrees, now 22 and pain free

    Comment


    • Originally posted by Confusedmom View Post
      -Can they give you something for the anxiety, which is only natural at this point?
      -Who is your surgeon? (Hoping he is a revision specialist!)
      -I know you've got major extenuating circumstances that most of us don't have, but the length of your fusion isn't unheard of on this forum. Maybe it can calm your nerves a little to think of TiEd and the others who are T2 to S1?
      -Do you really have to bank blood? Can anyone else donate for you, so you can be "tanked up" for surgery?
      -You seem to have a strong faith, and that will help get you through.
      Hi there: yes they've given me Valium to take as needed for the anxiety. It helps a little but because it makes me so tired, I can only take it at night when my husband comes home. My surgeon is Dr. Clements from Cooper University Hospital in Camden, NJ. Had I not broken my back in March working with am overly-ambitious home PT, I would've called that surgery a success. But. This break just messed everything up. And absolutely, YES, he's a revision specialist. Actually, he's a scoliosis specialist. He's devoted his career to people like us. I have complete confidence in him and his skills,knowledge and confidence. I just worry about the what-if's and pray that that Hand of God guides HIS hand during surgery and that I come out of surgery better than when I went in.unfortunely, no one I know has my blood type sorts all me when it comes to the blood donations. I'm "tanking myself up" by takings a multivitamin with iron as well as iron every day. And my last blood donation is on the 18th, 12 days before my surgery so it should have little impact on my total blood volume once I go in for it. Also drinking plenty of water and eating a healthy just does that much more to keep my loos levels up prior to surgery. The rest is in Gogs hands.
      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


      • The very best of luck to you, Michele. It sounds like you've got all your bases covered.

        I literally cringed when I read what your overzealous therapist had you doing at 7 weeks -- obviously you shouldn't have been on the floor at all, but of course you know that now. And it goes without saying that anything you CAN'T do shouldn't be attempted...sorry to lecture but it's critically important not to disturb the alignment of your hips and pelvis for quite a while after surgery. That was my experience, anyway, with a therapist who was very familiar with spinal fusion.

        Best wishes to you!!
        Chris
        A/P fusion on June 19, 2007 at age 52; T10-L5
        Pre-op thoracolumbar curve: 70 degrees
        Post-op curve: 12 degrees
        Dr. Boachie-adjei, HSS, New York

        Comment


        • Prayers prayers prayers

          I have just read your entire thread... Woah... To sum it up... You have got all my prayers headed to you on October 30th. This will work! Positive thoughts (I know difficult after what you've endured) but positive thoughts and visualize you playing with your kids after surgery.... Sending lots of hugs, prayers and positive energy to you!!

          Comment


          • Hi Michele,

            It sounds like you have thought this through and are ready! Lots of prayers coming your way to get you healthy and strong again for your kiddos and yourself!!!

            Best,
            Evelyn
            age 48
            80* thoracolumbar; 40* thoracic
            Reduced to ~16* thoracolumbar; ~0* thoracic
            Surgery 3/14/12 with Dr. Lenke in St. Louis, T4 to S1 with pelvic fixation
            Broken rods 12/1/19; scheduled for revision fusion L1-L3-4 with Dr. Lenke 2/4/2020
            Not "confused" anymore, but don't know how to change my username.

            Comment


            • HI Michele,
              I know your surgery will be soon. Best wishes for a smooth recovery. I know when the Dr fixed my fracture,it really helped the pain. I hope yours will be better also.
              T10-pelvis fusion 12/08
              C5,6,7 fusion 9/10
              T2--T10 fusion 2/11
              C 4-5 fusion 11/14
              Right scapulectomy 6/15
              Right pectoralis major muscle transfer to scapula
              To replace the action of Serratus Anterior muscle 3/16
              Broken neck 9/28/2018
              Emergency surgery posterior fusion C4- T3
              Repeated 11/2018 because rods pulled apart added T2 fusion
              Removal of partial right thoracic hardware 1/2020
              Removal and replacement of C4-T10 hardware with C7 and T 1
              Osteotomy

              Comment


              • Thanks so much Jackie. I really hope the same is true for me as well -- my 5th surgery is just 1 week from tomorrow! Hard to believe. I've found that blogging about the my experience has been extremely therapeutic, on so many levels. Please feel free to check it out sometime. All the best to you. October 30th here I can!
                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


                • When I went in for my first surgery about 2 months ago, I was told by the spinal cord monitoring technician that since I had no previous incision at the site, so the first 1.5 hours of the surgery would be just the slow opening up of the surgical site. I was fused from T4 to L4 and had a few missing pedicles, so the surgery was a challenging one. My surgery took 7 hours. I think the challenge with such a long fusion surgery is the surgical time, however I don't think 16 levels would directly mean a very long surgery because its the lumbar levels that I expect to take a longer duration than the thoracic ones because of the size. You will also save some time on the initial opening.
                  So what I am trying to say is that don't be focussed on the number of levels, I just hope and wish that this surgery is helpful in removing your pain and fracture.
                  Congenital Scoliosis and Kyphosis
                  Diagnosis at Age 42, Main Thoracolumbar curve 72 deg
                  Surgery on Aug 15, 2012
                  Fused T4 to L4, 2 SPOs

                  Comment


                  • Thanks so much for all of your replies...I do appreciate them. Rajma: thanks so much for your words of encouragement. They are much appreciated. As for the number of levels and the number of fusions we've each had (this will be my 5th and you recently had your 1st - and hopefully it will be your last!) - and the number of levels are not first-time fusion levels for me unfortunately, which complicates things. Once all is said and done, all but my C-spine will be fused. I was previously fused (twice) at those same levels. But back then (1993, 1995) Harrington rods were used. The fusions/revisions I've had this year (which after Tuesday, will total 3 in just 9 months), is "unfortunate but also extremely rare, risky and extensive," according to my surgeon. This surgery on 10/30 (assuming SALLY doesnt cancel it) will be my 5th revision, complicated by a fractured T12 transverse process where i broke clear thru the vertebral bone and the previous bony fusion back in March. My surgeon and I are fully aware that this is my only option (and yes, i sought out 2 other opinions). This is what surgeons call (but would NEVER tell you) a last ditch "salvage surgery"- sounds so awful..."salvage surgery," like they're trying to fix a hopeless cause! But it's not without hope, for me OR my surgeon.

                    He has assured me that he will make "every effort humanly possible to repair the fracture and stabilize my very unstable spine with this extensive and risky fusion." Believe me, NO ONE saw this coming or no one could've predicted that 9 months that 9 months later I'd be going under the knife again for what is supposed to be bigger, risker and more complex than the one before! The surgery will not be easy. It is estimated to take 8-10 hours and given the complications with excessive blood loss (I have thin blood), heart and kidney issues which arose from the severe loss of blood volume and hypotension after surgery #2 in January, it is a daunting and quite scary pool to jump into.

                    My only real comforts are knowing that: (1) this truly IS my only option and that (2) all the angels in Heaven will be so plentiful in that operating room that there will hardly be room for my surgeon! "Quiet your heart. Quiet your mind. All is well." Im really trying to do that in these last few days leading up to is monumentsl surgery; monumental because there is just soooooo much riding on it's success. it has to help. I can't continue living (or should i say existing) like this. My two very young children deserve their Mommy back, my husand deserves his wife back, and i deserve ME back! I've been 'gone' for far too long. And its time to come back and do my very best to get thru this and emerge for the better for my family and children. That is my prayer. I've worn a bracelet every singke day since this time last year that my 97 year old grandmother gave me as i was preparing mentally for the January surgeries and its says quite simply: "EXPECT MIRACLES!" And I'm praying for one of my own! We are a special kind of people...we scoliosis patients and survivors...we're tough as nails because we've had to make the best of some really difficult and PAINFUL situations. We can get thru anything...I can get thru this...and I will..."All is well..." ---- I'll see you all AGAIN on "the OTHER side!"
                    Last edited by jerseyot; 10-30-2012, 02:33 PM.
                    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


                    • Michele,you have been on my mind. My prayers are with you as you face this. The surgery alone is huge but now you have a major storm to worry about. I know it is heading that way. I will hope you have the kind of result that I did and you will soon be on the mend. My best to you!
                      T10-pelvis fusion 12/08
                      C5,6,7 fusion 9/10
                      T2--T10 fusion 2/11
                      C 4-5 fusion 11/14
                      Right scapulectomy 6/15
                      Right pectoralis major muscle transfer to scapula
                      To replace the action of Serratus Anterior muscle 3/16
                      Broken neck 9/28/2018
                      Emergency surgery posterior fusion C4- T3
                      Repeated 11/2018 because rods pulled apart added T2 fusion
                      Removal of partial right thoracic hardware 1/2020
                      Removal and replacement of C4-T10 hardware with C7 and T 1
                      Osteotomy

                      Comment


                      • You are in my prayers
                        Melissa

                        Fused from C2 - sacrum 7/2011

                        April 21, 2020- another broken rod surgery

                        Comment


                        • Jerseyot--
                          You are one brave lady! We will Expect Miracles! for you but also pray for you and your surgeon and a successful outcome. Can't wait to hear how you are doing. Best wishes and hang in there. Janet
                          Janet

                          61 years old--57 for surgery

                          Diagnosed in 1965 at age of 13--no brace
                          Thoracic Curve: 96 degrees to 35 degrees
                          Lumbar Curve: 63 degrees to 5 degrees
                          Surgery with Dr. Lenke in St. Louis--March 30, 2009
                          T-2 to Pelvis, and hopefully all posterior procedure.

                          All was posterior along with 2 cages and 6 osteotomies.

                          Comment


                          • Surgery was cancelled yesterday. I have no idea when he will be we will be able to reschedule this...it's been months in the making and he's scheduled thru December. He said he'd do everything he could even if that means canceling office hours - but he said I'm "high priority" and I'm hoping the wait won't be too long. I'm very bummed about it but what can you do?!? No one expected a flippin' hurricane to ruin our plans. So I'll keep you posted as soon as I know anything.
                            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


                            • Originally posted by jerseyot View Post
                              Surgery was cancelled yesterday. I have no idea when he will be we will be able to reschedule this...it's been months in the making and he's scheduled thru December. He said he'd do everything he could even if that means canceling office hours - but he said I'm "high priority" and I'm hoping the wait won't be too long. I'm very bummed about it but what can you do?!? No one expected a flippin' hurricane to ruin our plans. So I'll keep you posted as soon as I know anything.
                              I am so sorry to hear of this. Did you get much damage from the storm?
                              Melissa

                              Fused from C2 - sacrum 7/2011

                              April 21, 2020- another broken rod surgery

                              Comment


                              • Oh no... I was wondering yesterday if any surgeries were being affected by the storm. I'm so sorry to hear this. You ARE high priority and I feel sure your wait won't be long, but I'm just sorry you have to go through this.
                                Surgery March 3, 2009 at almost 58, now 63.
                                Dr. Askin, Brisbane, Australia
                                T4-Pelvis, Posterior only
                                Osteotomies and Laminectomies
                                Was 68 degrees, now 22 and pain free

                                Comment

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