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  • I have a surgery date!

    Feb 5th, 2008 at Methodist with Dr. Darrell Hanson (man, I really, REALLY like him!). He spent the better part of 2 hours answering my 1000 questions, and I'm still puzzled why some have been so put off by his bedside manner. I suppose it truly is just a matter of personal preference.

    Posterior approach, T5-L1 with vitallium 6 mm rods and titanium screws.

    1 pint blood donation, no thoracoplasty (I didn't *want* it, and he was going to try to dissuade me, anyway ;-), and bone grafting will be a combo of scraped and probably 1 unit of BMP.

    Because I have a history of MRSA, we agreed on Bactrim the week prior - and Vancomycin afterwards. With my extreme tolerance to pain meds (4 years of pain mgmt was basically an exercise in futility for me) he'll set me up soon with a pain mgmt specialist to make a plan for big guns on coming home.

    I'm so excited, but it REAL! Ack! REAL!

    Regards,
    Pam
    Last edited by txmarinemom; 12-08-2007, 10:02 AM.
    Fusion is NOT the end of the world.
    AIDS Walk Houston 2008 5K @ 33 days post op!


    41, dx'd JIS & Boston braced @ 10
    Pre-op ±53°, Post-op < 20°
    Fused 2/5/08, T4-L1 ... Darrell S. Hanson, Houston


    VIEW MY X-RAYS
    EMAIL ME

  • #2
    That's so exciting to have the date set-- and wonderful that you like your doctor so much! And that's nice that you only have to do a pint of blood. Boy, when the date gets set is when you really start feeling the "YIKES!" buoyed by the excitement of FINALLY getting it dealt with! The time will be here before you know it, and you'll do great!
    71 and plugging along... but having some problems
    2007 52° w/ severe lumbar stenosis & L2L3 lateral listhesis (side shift)
    5/4/07 posterior fusion T2-L4 w/ laminectomies and osteotomies @L2L3, L3L4
    Dr. Kim Hammerberg, Rush Univ. Medical Center in Chicago

    Corrected to 15°
    CMT (type 2) DX in 2014, progressing
    10/2018 x-rays - spondylolisthesis at L4/L5 - Dr. DeWald is monitoring

    Click to view my pics: pics of scoli x-rays digital x-rays, and pics of me

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    • #3
      Congratulations on having a date Pam! It really makes it so much more "real" when you finally get one.

      With your spunk, I know you'll do just great!
      Lori

      Mom to Christopher, age 17, Mark, 13, Heather, 10 and Michael, 8
      Chris had surgery with Dr. John Flynn at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia on December 12, 2007. He is fused T4 to L4.
      Dr. Flynn is an AMAZING surgeon!

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      • #4
        Hi Pam,

        I'm glad you have your date now and it's great that you like your surgeon so much!

        I agree with Lori that you'll come through with flying colors. And we are all here to support you!
        mariaf305@yahoo.com
        Mom to David, age 17, braced June 2000 to March 2004
        Vertebral Body Stapling 3/10/04 for 40 degree curve (currently mid 20's)

        https://www.facebook.com/groups/ScoliosisTethering/

        http://pediatricspinefoundation.org/

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        • #5
          Congrats on picking a date. Just remember to treat yourself very kindly in the coming months, keep exercising, and don't be afraid to ask for support when you need it. You'll do great!

          Best,
          Anya
          "You must be the change you want to see in the world."

          Previously 55 degree thoracolumbar curve
          Surgery June 5, 2007 - Dr. Clifford Tribus, University of Wisconsin Hospital
          19 degrees post-op!

          http://abhbarry.blogspot.com

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          • #6
            One of the bigger reliefs with this surgery is finally picking a date, and now that's behind you! And to find a doctor who will sit with you for two hours is quite a find indeed!

            I wish you the best in the coming months as you prepare your home, your body, your mind, your family and friends....we'll be here for you to answer any questions and for reassurance!
            31 year old female
            55* (day of surgery) thoracic curve w/compensatory lumbar
            T4-T12 on Aug 15, 2007

            MRI, pre-surgery
            Xray, 3 mos. post-op
            Machu Picchu, 8 mos. post-op

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