I am 5 weeks post-op as of Friday (18/06/10), and though I’m still recovering, I can definitely say I feel better than I did 1 or 2 weeks post-op! Before my surgery on the 14th of May, I really only observed the posts on this forum since September last year, and I really do regret not posting all the questions I could have asked to help guide me, even though everyone’s surgery and outcomes are different. Everyone on here is beyond helpful and goes out of their way to give their wisdom, guidance and answers to others, and I found this was incredibly helpful for me before surgery as I gained much needed knowledge! So now that I am on the other side of my surgery, I will definitely be contributing to the forum more often
I had surgery for double major curved AIS which was diagnosed last year. I had an 8 month waiting period in between my first appointment and the day of my surgery (was very anxious throughout those months!). In this time, my thoracic curve (T4-T10) went from 55* to 65*, and my lumbar curve (T11-L4) went from 60* to 65* as well. I had an MRI done which showed no other problems, and some bending x-rays which showed good flexibility.
Going into surgery, my doctor only wanted to fuse to L3, but once he began to operate, he realised to get the desirable correction and a sustainable one, he would need to go to L4 (which most of you know means a loss of more flexibility!). My surgery went for 6 and a half hours, and after spending the afternoon in the recovery ward followed by the night in ICU, I was moved to a ward the next day. That night I had some big problems. My wound oozed and bleed, my temperate went to 37.8*Celsius, my oxygen saturation was down to 75% instead of 100% and I had to have an oxygen mask to help me breathe. I don’t remember most of this, but I do remember having a terrible headache and horrible stomach pains (I reacted badly to the morphine).
Though at first I recovered slowly (catheter and last drips weren’t taken out until 5 days after surgery), I was released at day 6 as I was walking unsupported (though tilted to the left, which is now no longer a problem), was able to shower and dress myself, was eating properly and just in general I rebounded really quickly after a horrible first 3-4 days in hospital which were spent fairly out of it.
Of course, the weeks at home haven’t been easy, with bowel problems, stomach aches, headaches, back pains, muscle spasms, catheter infection, numbness in the lower back, shingles and horrible neck cramps. However, I’m sure most of you also experienced all of these, but I have to say through it all I have smiled and laughed as I am just so grateful that I was given such a great surgeon who could ultimately give me the gift of a better life! I am also completely grateful for the nurses who helped me in hospital as they were so amazing, caring and I definitely won’t forget them, and my nurse ‘mum’ has also been incredible in helping me with everything Each week I am noticing little improvements, and at the end of the day, this is what keeps me going! I am just holding out for the day I can really say that I feel better than I ever have before!
I just wanted to say to those who have had the surgery; I hope you have all recovered/are recovering extremely well and live very happy, healthy and productive lives! To those waiting for their surgery day to come around; I wish you all the best and with faith and confidence in yourself, your surgeon and those around you, you will most certainly make it to the other side.
Thanks for reading, and I hope to get to know you all soon
ShortEb
I had surgery for double major curved AIS which was diagnosed last year. I had an 8 month waiting period in between my first appointment and the day of my surgery (was very anxious throughout those months!). In this time, my thoracic curve (T4-T10) went from 55* to 65*, and my lumbar curve (T11-L4) went from 60* to 65* as well. I had an MRI done which showed no other problems, and some bending x-rays which showed good flexibility.
Going into surgery, my doctor only wanted to fuse to L3, but once he began to operate, he realised to get the desirable correction and a sustainable one, he would need to go to L4 (which most of you know means a loss of more flexibility!). My surgery went for 6 and a half hours, and after spending the afternoon in the recovery ward followed by the night in ICU, I was moved to a ward the next day. That night I had some big problems. My wound oozed and bleed, my temperate went to 37.8*Celsius, my oxygen saturation was down to 75% instead of 100% and I had to have an oxygen mask to help me breathe. I don’t remember most of this, but I do remember having a terrible headache and horrible stomach pains (I reacted badly to the morphine).
Though at first I recovered slowly (catheter and last drips weren’t taken out until 5 days after surgery), I was released at day 6 as I was walking unsupported (though tilted to the left, which is now no longer a problem), was able to shower and dress myself, was eating properly and just in general I rebounded really quickly after a horrible first 3-4 days in hospital which were spent fairly out of it.
Of course, the weeks at home haven’t been easy, with bowel problems, stomach aches, headaches, back pains, muscle spasms, catheter infection, numbness in the lower back, shingles and horrible neck cramps. However, I’m sure most of you also experienced all of these, but I have to say through it all I have smiled and laughed as I am just so grateful that I was given such a great surgeon who could ultimately give me the gift of a better life! I am also completely grateful for the nurses who helped me in hospital as they were so amazing, caring and I definitely won’t forget them, and my nurse ‘mum’ has also been incredible in helping me with everything Each week I am noticing little improvements, and at the end of the day, this is what keeps me going! I am just holding out for the day I can really say that I feel better than I ever have before!
I just wanted to say to those who have had the surgery; I hope you have all recovered/are recovering extremely well and live very happy, healthy and productive lives! To those waiting for their surgery day to come around; I wish you all the best and with faith and confidence in yourself, your surgeon and those around you, you will most certainly make it to the other side.
Thanks for reading, and I hope to get to know you all soon
ShortEb
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