Susan's surgery at UCSF with Dr. Hu on 19 and 22 March, 2013

[loves to skate]

Susan,
So glad to hear that you are on the healing side and that the pain is slightly decreasing. That is a very good thing. I too had to look up atelectasis. You are amazing to be able to post so soon after two surgeries. I couldn't even figure out how to use my flip phone for days after, much less how to use a computer. Thinking of you as you get better and better.
Sally

[susancook]

I will be in rehabilitation for another 10 days. I don't know how anyone could do the postop without this intensive rehab. The hospital kicks you out too quickly. I am working on walking again with zero coronal balance. I leaned a lot to the right starting 6 months ago.

I still have lots of questions for Dr. Hu like why did I lose 8 units of blood in the second surgery. Susan

[leahdragonfly]

Hi Susan,

Great to see you here on the other side and already at rehab! That's amazing. It must feel so weird to stand up right now and walk with your new back.

Will be curious to hear what Dr Hu says about the blood loss, but that really sounds about par for many of us. I had similar blood loss probably during both of my surgeries, and was transfused both during surgery and a few days later. Make sure they follow your blood counts and gave you enough blood back. It makes a big difference in how you feel.

Take care, and please update when you can.

[Doodles]

Susan--
So glad you are at rehab. I agree I don't know how people do it without! The blood loss does sound very familiar. My experience was almost exactly like Gayle's. I almost had a 3rd after I was home a few days but they decided to wait and slowly my blood pressure, dizziness resolved itself. Good luck--you're on the way! Janet

[JenniferG]

I lost 6 units. Susan, drink lots of water. Whenever you think of it, at least have a sip.

[tae_tap]

Susan,

I am glad to hear you are doing well. I think we all lose or need blood during or after surgery. I was given four units after my short fusion. But I would not worry too much about that. Focus on the recovery for that is going to take all the energy you have at this moment. Keep pushing forward! Prayers are still being said.

Tamena

[loves to skate]

Susan,
Blood loss in not uncommon especially in us older ladies. Bones tend to bleed a lot when they are cut into. I lost 8 pints between my two surgeries and when I went in for more decompression 2 years later, my Hct dropped from 45 to 24. No transfusion then, just lots of Iron pills. Rehab was good for me too. I couldn't have done without it. Another age related necessity. Take care, you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Sally

[jane d]

Susan, one of the reasons that I did not choose the surgeon at Emory was that he would have corrected my spine through two surgeries (one posterior and one anterior) and it was my understanding that there is a lot more blood loss with an anterior approach. Dr. Lenke performed my surgery with an all posterior approach. I did need 4 units of packed cells which was what he had predicted and I was able to have that much blood on hand from donors I had lined up before my surgery. I did take an iron supplement for about 7 weeks after my surgery. I am glad to hear your recovery is going well. I have been praying for you.
Jane

[susancook]

Thank you everyone for your support. I am able to walk further already than I was before surgery. I am very encouraged. I will graduate from rehabilitation to home on Friday.
Again, I need to say how happy I am with the surgery and outcome. So, if you have degenerative scoliosis, the changes are so great!
Susan

[JenniferG]

Wow! It's so good to read that Susan! And so early out. Very happy for you!

[golfnut]

What a great post from you, Susan! This is the most difficult time in the recovery and you are handling it like a champ! I'm so glad you feel better already than before your surgery. Wait until you're further down the road to full recovery! Aren't you proud of yourself for having the courage to have this surgery?

[Confusedmom]

Susan, that's great!!! Keep us posted on your progress.

[titaniumed]

if you have degenerative scoliosis, the changes are so great!
Susan

I agree. My pain scale in my lumbar went from 10 to 0. I never expected these kinds of results......

Everyday things will get better Susan. Just a little bit each day....

You did it! Congratulations!

Ed

[Irina]

I am so happy for you, Susan!

[susancook]

Collapsed lung? I take it they re-inflated it?

Did you realize you wrote "deceasing" back pain? As in the pain is on it's way to being deceased! No more pain! Let's hope surgery killed the back pain for you. :-)

Best,
Evelyn

I am getting caught up on life from the last 3 weeks. Thanks Evelyn for your email. Everything over the past 3 weeks was written in a drug induced fog, so hard to say what I really thought that I was trying to write. The atelectasis was just a very small area and I used a pressure breathing machine to expand my lung. They called 2 "rapid response codes" on me for the 2 episodes of chest pain.

I had a lot of pain intermittently before surgery, and that pain is gone. After surgery, that here were a few times when they couldn't control my pain. Then I was overdosed and they had to give me Narcan. It is a fine balance between relieving pain and overdosing.

Thanks for your support. Susan