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1st Scoliosis Surgery at age 63

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  • Lab Work pre-surgery

    Originally posted by Tina_R View Post
    Nancy, I can't find the post, but somewhere you asked if you had to travel to your doctor's location, St. Louis, to have blood work done for him in advance of the surgery.

    Is that really necessary? Can't that be done locally with the results sent to the surgeon?
    Tina yes I posted on this w/ no response- I had read in the Scoliosis book David Wilber’s was that some docs require you to come in for lab work, etc 1 week? or day? before surgery. I was trying to find out from others their experiences. I don’t know what my dr will require especially coming out of state for surgery.

    Comment


    • Originally posted by Scared View Post
      Tina yes I posted on this w/ no response- I had read in the Scoliosis book David Wilber’s was that some docs require you to come in for lab work, etc 1 week? or day? before surgery. I was trying to find out from others their experiences. I don’t know what my dr will require especially coming out of state for surgery.
      The hospital made me come in for, I forget what they called it, but it was a pre-surgery check on my health. It consisted of blood work, a nose swab (because some people carry MRSA infection in their noses without knowing it), and interviews with a bunch of medical staff about my medications and my health past and present. The interviewers were nurses, an anesthesiologist, a physical therapist.

      This session was supposed to happen within a month of surgery but not so close that it would be hard to cancel the surgery if I had failed any of the tests. The whole thing took about 3 hours.

      I don't know if your hospital will do this. If it was simple blood work I'd say it could be done anywhere. But if it's like this thing I went through, where I was interviewed by the hospital's own people, they may insist you come in.
      Last edited by Tina_R; 12-15-2019, 06:07 PM.

      Comment


      • Pre-Surgery Testing

        I am thinking it would be what you went through. Kinda of the standard work up. I was just going on what was in the book. Thanks for sharing.

        Comment


        • Apologies

          T
          Originally posted by titaniumed View Post
          Nancy, Here are some links.....

          https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/heal...before-surgery

          https://www.spineuniverse.com/treatm...spinal-surgery

          https://www.spineuniverse.com/condit...liosis-surgery

          I had to lose some weight, and quitting cafeine was not easy. My surgeon did not want me going into withdrawl in ICU.

          Medications and chemicals can add to the complexity of anesthesia and your well being. Be sure to address all of this with your surgeon. If they dont think you can handle a long surgery, they will stage it. Not everyone goes and has the works done, some of us cant handle that much surgery. My front surgery was done on a Tuesday, and the back was done 2 days later on Thursday. Your surgeon will determine all of this.

          I was out for my stage, they only woke me up for 1 minute for permission to proceed with the second surgery. This is law. I did not have a healthcare proxy or advanced healthcare directive

          https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Healthcare_proxy

          https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advanc...care_directive

          If a doctor sees a value thats out of whack, he is going to question that and possibly proceed with more testing. For example; If they suspect you are smoking, they will be looking, and will pull the plug and stop your surgery.

          Ed
          Ed-I’ sorry that I forgot about your earlier response to my thread re: lab work/blood. I have been so anxious/depressed about things that I overlooked the 3 websites you posted. Feel bad about this m. The links are very helpful. Thanks 🙏 Nancy

          Comment


          • Originally posted by Scared View Post
            T
            Ed-I’ sorry that I forgot about your earlier response to my thread re: lab work/blood. I have been so anxious/depressed about things that I overlooked the 3 websites you posted. Feel bad about this m. The links are very helpful. Thanks 🙏 Nancy
            No worries....

            My dad taught me as a young child that whenever you are looking for something, anything, its always right out in front of you.... 99% of the time, this is true. (Unless its a grabber during recovery and your name is Ti-Ed) Grabbers are quite large, and I was WASTED and Weaning......I had just come off strong injectable medications at the hospital.

            "Wasted and Weaning" sounds like a good title for a Wille Nelson tune.

            I lost it early on, wasnt worried about it, and used my big-toe to grab clothes on the floor, bend knee, grab from behind.

            I was sitting there, and my big toe was right out in front of me! My dad was right! And right twice since I have 2 big toes! (Smiley face)

            Breathing is a good thing. Learn to use breathing. In HARD, Hold, release slowly. Its works great. For anxiety, do it right away and dont stop until the anxiety is gone. Before surgery for anxiety, I ran. After surgery, I would do the breathing erercise.

            My bloodwork was done 4 months before my surgeries. Of course bloodwork is done during surgery and after as they keep a close eye on things. Many of us need transfusions. I had 2 units or pints, felt like a breath of fresh air after that was done. My surgeon used the bloodbank. He did not want me donating my own blood.

            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


            • Originally posted by titaniumed View Post
              My bloodwork was done 4 months before my surgeries.
              Yikes! That's is definitely not the industry norm. There are all sorts of reasons to have bloodwork done within a week or two of surgery.
              Never argue with an idiot. They always drag you down to their level, and then they beat you with experience. --Twain
              ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Surgery 2/10/93 A/P fusion T4-L3
              Surgery 1/20/11 A/P fusion L2-sacrum w/pelvic fixation

              Comment


              • Originally posted by LindaRacine View Post
                Yikes! That's is definitely not the industry norm. There are all sorts of reasons to have bloodwork done within a week or two of surgery.
                My bloodwork was done in early Oct 2007, and my decision was made on Oct 31st. (Never forget THAT day.....)

                When we were deciding on a date, I really had too much on my plate with the business and thus picked the dates at the end of January.

                January 2008 was an intense month for me with the sale and the contracts. I completely ignored all the pain, I had no choice.

                It was a perfect example on why you cross train in business. I also had to prepare, and educate everyone on the outside. Many people had no clue AT ALL about scoliosis.

                Below is an attachment that we are all familiar with....

                Ed
                Attached Files
                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


                • Originally posted by titaniumed View Post
                  My bloodwork was done in early Oct 2007, and my decision was made on Oct 31st. (Never forget THAT day.....)

                  When we were deciding on a date, I really had too much on my plate with the business and thus picked the dates at the end of January.

                  January 2008 was an intense month for me with the sale and the contracts. I completely ignored all the pain, I had no choice.

                  It was a perfect example on why you cross train in business. I also had to prepare, and educate everyone on the outside. Many people had no clue AT ALL about scoliosis.

                  Below is an attachment that we are all familiar with....

                  Ed
                  The most common thing that they check for is infection. A lot can happen in 4 months.
                  Never argue with an idiot. They always drag you down to their level, and then they beat you with experience. --Twain
                  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Surgery 2/10/93 A/P fusion T4-L3
                  Surgery 1/20/11 A/P fusion L2-sacrum w/pelvic fixation

                  Comment


                  • The October bloodwork happened when I was rejected. It was when I had to beg that my surgeon told me that he would look at my bloodwork to make a surgical decision. They ran bloodwork the morning of my surgeries at the hospital and I waited a few hours before I was wheeled in.

                    ================================================== =========================

                    On another note, tonight I had terrible beartraps. Tightest I have ever had, incredible gripping in the thoracic spine. Total exhaustion! Wow!

                    I told everyone it was going to rain but the weather said no rain at all, and nothing was on the doppler radars. I looked.

                    It is a terrential downpour right now....Clouds came out of nowhere and there are no winds to speak of. I could feel the pressure dropping.

                    First set of beartraps in perfect weather or perfect temperature.....so, its not entirely temperature dependent.

                    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


                    • Hi there Nancy, my original surgery was in 2013. I held out to have surgery until I was really trashed with pain. I have had some revisions and postop complications. In fact, I think that I hold the record for complications with spine surgery. In spite of all of my complications/problems, I am happy that I had surgery. Why....because I waited until my quality of life was so low. I could not walk more than 1/2 block without needing to sit down. I saw 2 doctors for opinions about having surgery, both said the same surgical plan. I went to rehab for 2 weeks and learned basic self-care and walking with my turtle shell on.

                      Best of luck with your decision making. Sounds like you found an excellent surgeon, awesome!

                      Susan
                      Adult Onset Degen Scoliosis @65, 25* T & 36* L w/ 11.2 cm coronal balance; T kyphosis 90*; Sev disc degen T & L stenosis

                      2013: T3- S1 Fusion w/ ALIF L4-S1/XLIF L2-4, PSF T4-S1 2 surgeries
                      2014: Hernia @ ALIF repaired; Emergency screw removal SCI T4,5 sec to PJK
                      2015: Rev Broken Bil T & L rods and no fusion: 2 revision surgeries; hardware P. Acnes infection
                      2016: Ant/Lat Lumbar diskectomy w/ 4 cages + BMP + harvested bone
                      2018: Removal L4,5 screw
                      2021: Removal T1 screw & rod

                      Comment


                      • Hi Nancy, I saw your post and your online name “scared” made me want to respond, but I posted under another thread, thinking I was posting to you…. Anyway, I’ve copied my response below over to your thread. Just wondering if you scheduled surgery? I hope this info helps and I wish you all the best!
                        ..........
                        I haven’t logged in for a few years now and I apologize for that. Everyone here has helped me through such a difficult decision. I would not have found the courage otherwise. I was fused August 2017, T2-Sacrum with pelvic fixation, by Dr. Lenke in NYC. I was 52 at the time with curves of 70 and 54 and a lot of rotation etc. I had a large hump on my back and pain most all of the time. Standing more than 5 minutes hurt and at the end of the day was impossible. My back was burned from the heating pad which I could barely feel. I would lean on the kitchen counter to make dinner, only went to stores with carts, and used a wheel chair the last time we went to Disney. Little by little I gave up things I used to enjoy. I did force myself to stay active prior to surgery however, (vanity mostly!). I worked out with weights and cardio. I would do an elliptical machine for 45 minutes by leaning after the first 5 to counter the pain and weight machines were never really a problem. Working out was something I really enjoyed, so I was concerned about what I would be able to do afterwards.

                        I have to say, I do so much more now than ever before! I now feel guilty for not staying on an elliptical and lifting more out of laziness! I can leg press 540 pounds and feel no back pain. I lift weights as much as I want with no limitations. I don’t even think about the fusion. I was worried I would be stiff etc… but no. You don’t realize how little you need to bend your back for most of your daily routine. Of course I have limitations like putting on socks, painting my toes, and shaving legs close to the ankles. That’s not a concern for me at all though, it is so minor compared to the pain and disfigurement I had prior! I don’t have any pain now! I know some people still do afterward and I feel so badly for them. Sometimes things don’t work out no matter how hard you try and through no fault of your own. However, all you can do is to do your homework, place your trust in the trained doctors who know more than you, and hope for the best.

                        I researched surgeons for years prior and struggled with the decision. I thought how brave everyone else was who had it done and that I could absolutely not sign up for that! I lied awake thinking of how to get out of it, and of course the only way is to let it progress, put up with more pain and do less of the things you enjoy each year. It is a terrible decision to have to make. I am so glad it is over for me and someday it will be for you too. I am tremendously happy with my decision of surgery and am amazed at how much better my quality of life is now. I don’t feel I am missing out on anything because of my surgery (T2-Sacrum) The surgery and recovery is difficult, but it gets better of course. Knowing the pain/recovery/benefits/limitations, I would most definitely do it again.

                        My only issues are the following which I do not consider to be limiting in any way whatsoever:

                        -Tie Shoes: I can tie them, but not to comfortably, so I tie them first then use a sock donner to help put them on.

                        -Pedicure: Cutting and painting toe nails is difficult, so my husband does it for me. You could also use a salon. I wish I could do this, but not too big of a deal.

                        -Shaving legs near ankles and around groin is a bit difficult. I have a “man shaver”. It is an electric shaver I found on Amazon with a long handle. It’s for men’s backs, but it works pretty good for women’s legs too!

                        -Put on socks: I use a sock donner. Its quick and easy. I have several around the house and carry one in my gym bag. It’s not a problem.

                        -Sit down bath: I can do this, but my shoulder blades are not very comfortable against hard surfaces. I think this is because I can’t round my back, so what hits hard back surfaces are my shoulder blades.

                        -Sitting/laying on floor: Sitting upright on the floor is not too comfortable. It is easier if I lean back on my hands or a pillow. Since you can’t round your back, you can’t get too close in forward to your legs, so you need to lean back. I can lay down on the floor, back, front or side, not real comfortable though. I get onto my knees to get up off the floor.

                        -Butt wipe: This is difficult right after surgery especially. It gets better, however I will never be able to sit to do it again. I learned to stand and reach around. I also use Huggies wipes to be more efficient, but just tp works too. In the hospital they will give you a tool to help. I hated the tool and thought t was useless!

                        Comment


                        • Hi Ripley

                          Quick post.

                          So glad it all turned out well with your surgeries! Wasn't that recovery fun!

                          I just looked back at an old thread and you asked me about the best chairs. I responded with the Rolls Royce in a swimming pool. (Keith Moon)

                          For a good laugh, look back at my old posts! LOL

                          I sat in airplanes all day yesterday so I am a little beat up. It was a long trip. Walked about 4 miles at the Miami airport so got plenty of exercise.

                          Be careful with the lifting. Especially something off the floor....

                          Ed
                          Attached Files
                          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


                          • I remember!

                            Hi Ed! I remember your post and that pic! Nice to hear from you and glad you are doing well!!

                            -Ripley

                            Comment


                            • Originally posted by ripley View Post
                              Hi Nancy, I saw your post and your online name “scared” made me want to respond, but I posted under another thread, thinking I was posting to you…. Anyway, I’ve copied my response below over to your thread. Just wondering if you scheduled surgery? I hope this info helps and I wish you all the best!
                              ..........
                              I haven’t logged in for a few years now and I apologize for that. Everyone here has helped me through such a difficult decision. I would not have found the courage otherwise. I was fused August 2017, T2-Sacrum with pelvic fixation, by Dr. Lenke in NYC. I was 52 at the time with curves of 70 and 54 and a lot of rotation etc. I had a large hump on my back and pain most all of the time. Standing more than 5 minutes hurt and at the end of the day was impossible. My back was burned from the heating pad which I could barely feel. I would lean on the kitchen couonter to make dinner, only went to stores with carts, and used a wheel chair the last time we went to Disney. Little by little I gave up things I used to enjoy. I did force myself to stay active prior to surgery however, (vanity mostly!). I worked out with weights and cardio. I would do an elliptical machine for 45 minutes by leaning after the first 5 to counter the pain and weight machines were never really a problem. Working out was something I really enjoyed, so I was concerned about what I would be able to do afterwards.

                              I have to say, I do so much more now than ever before! I now feel guilty for not staying on an elliptical and lifting more out of laziness! I can leg press 540 pounds and feel no back pain. I lift weights as much as I want with no limitations. I don’t even think about the fusion. I was worried I would be stiff etc… but no. You don’t realize how little you need to bend your back for most of your daily routine. Of course I have limitations like putting on socks, painting my toes, and shaving legs close to the ankles. That’s not a concern for me at all though, it is so minor compared to the pain and disfigurement I had prior! I don’t have any pain now! I know some people still do afterward and I feel so badly for them. Sometimes things don’t work out no matter how hard you try and through no fault of your own. However, all you can do is to do your homework, place your trust in the trained doctors who know more than you, and hope for the best.

                              I researched surgeons for years prior and struggled with the decision. I thought how brave everyone else was who had it done and that I could absolutely not sign up for that! I lied awake thinking of how to get out of it, and of course the only way is to let it progress, put up with more pain and do less of the things you enjoy each year. It is a terrible decision to have to make. I am so glad it is over for me and someday it will be for you too. I am tremendously happy with my decision of surgery and am amazed at how much better my quality of life is now. I don’t feel I am missing out on anything because of my surgery (T2-Sacrum) The surgery and recovery is difficult, but it gets better of course. Knowing the pain/recovery/benefits/limitations, I would most definitely do it again.

                              My only issues are the following which I do not consider to be limiting in any way whatsoever:

                              -Tie Shoes: I can tie them, but not to comfortably, so I tie them first then use a sock donner to help put them on.

                              -Pedicure: Cutting and painting toe nails is difficult, so my husband does it for me. You could also use a salon. I wish I could do this, but not too big of a deal.

                              -Shaving legs near ankles and around groin is a bit difficult. I have a “man shaver”. It is an electric shaver I found on Amazon with a long handle. It’s for men’s backs, but it works pretty good for women’s legs too!

                              -Put on socks: I use a sock donner. Its quick and easy. I have several around the house and carry one in my gym bag. It’s not a problem.

                              -Sit down bath: I can do this, but my shoulder blades are not very comfortable against hard surfaces. I think this is because I can’t round my back, so what hits hard back surfaces are my shoulder blades.

                              -Sitting/laying on floor: Sitting upright on the floor is not too comfortable. It is easier if I lean back on my hands or a pillow. Since you can’t round your back, you can’t get too close in forward to your legs, so you need to lean back. I can lay down on the floor, back, front or side, not real comfortable though. I get onto my knees to get up off the floor.

                              -Butt wipe: This is difficult right after surgery especially. It gets better, however I will never be able to sit to do it again. I learned to stand and reach around. I also use Huggies wipes to be more efficient, but just tp works too. In the hospital they will give you a tool to help. I hated the tool and thought t was useless!
                              Sorry for the delay-Just wanted to say thanks for sharing your experience as it brings hope. I’l be fused T4-pelvic. Still having to jump thru some hoops to get pre-surgery appt. I’m at same place you were in pre-surgery except unable to work out (lucky to walk).

                              Comment


                              • Originally posted by titaniumed View Post
                                For adults over 50, our decisions are mostly about pain....if we didn't have MAJOR pain, we wouldn't need surgery. My pre-surgical pains were completely out of control, and if it wasn't for the pain, I wouldn't have committed to my scoliosis surgeries. For those elders that are thinking about surgery and have not done it, their pain levels are not high enough. Its the neuropathic (nerve and cord) elevated pain levels that usually force us into surgery. Adults suffer mostly from degenerative related soft tissue conditions. Herniation and spinal stenosis are things we all have in common.

                                There isn't one single person here that hasn't been scared before their initial scoliosis surgeries. Its a really tough decision and surgeons will cover some, not all, of the complications that can happen, you will sign waivers acknowledging this after they review things with you. I was guaranteed 100% complications. Something was going to go wrong and probably beyond my surgeons control. The best surgeons have their share of complications and these can be painful. It was when my surgeon told me after that it would be an improvement and that "it would help" that I made my decision. Taking a chance at improvement through surgery is the chance we take. Commitment becomes reality, its 100% commitment, there is no turning back. With this in mind, your attitude needs to be positive and ready for anything should something happen, not worrying, but knowing. If there are a 1000 things that can go wrong, its makes no sense to focus on one thing. Many will think "I'm going to be paralyzed" which is not the case. That's one out of a billion or more on extreme cases. Infection and pseudarthrosis (non-union) are complications that happen the most. If you don't fuse, your rods will break at some point. Usually this requires a revision surgery. Revision surgery is a surgery that repairs an initial surgery.

                                I did my surgeries alone and basically did no planning. How do you plan if you don't know what to expect? I knew it was going to be painful, but I was already in major pain so nothing changes there. I did know it was going to take a really long time (1-2 years) and was prepared mentally for that. What else is new, and nothing good ever comes easy, there was going to be some work, but I was going to get through it. The highs and lows of life seem to cycle, and we get through these things. Your mind is your most powerful tool in surgical recovery. Everything else is secondary.

                                Since I elected to skip rehab, I went home. I guess I was tired of playing doctor. Too many hoses! Ha ha At home, I was alone so my mindset was completely on healing. I did not have the option for a shot (I was a shot begger) so, yes, it hurt. It was a struggle to get comfortable, sitting was 2 minutes max, sleeping was extremely difficult, but it got better in time. For my recovery it basically ran 10% improvement per month. That's the easiest way to think about it. At 4 months, I was sitting here and realized I was completely out of pain. I forgot what that felt like and it took some getting used to....but its a see-saw type of recovery with pain days and pain free days....its all part of the long healing process. The nurses and PT people came to my home every day for around 6 weeks and I just left my door unlocked. My neighbor came over with some spicy chicken soup. She didn't know, and I will eat anything. There is always a learning curve. (smiley face) After the learning curve, things are much easier.

                                Surgery saved my life. Without my fusion surgeries, I wouldn't be here. I didn't have a decision.

                                Welcome to the forum, ask any questions you like.

                                Ed
                                Ed you’ never know how much I appreciated your response. I was anxious about posting about my personal health issues. Your response was friendly & welcoming which I needed to go further in seeking out support. As my spine deteriorated over the years, nobody understood what I was going through especially regarding pain. I lost a couple of close friends because (as they told me) they couldn’t stand listening to me “complain “ about my pain. Some friends huh? So thanks again for being there for me.

                                Comment

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