New here, surgery date Feb 23. Terrified.

[loves to skate]

Good luck Lily. There is nothing like a child around to help lift your spirits after surgery.
You are lucky already and you will get through the waiting, surgery and recovery with flying colors.
Sally

[diane2628]

1. Did you find that you needed 24/7 help the first two weeks? What did you mostly need help with?

I had t3-t12 surgery 10 years ago, at 30. I stayed with a friend for a week (was single then), and needed some help but definitely not 24/7. Mostly lifting things, an arm to lean on some times.
2. How long before I can shower?
Was a week for me. Two words - dry shampoo. Look into it!
3. How long did you stay in the hospital? They're saying 5-7 days and I am shooting for 4.
Out on day 4
4. How long was your surgery and how complex? The OR is booked for 5 hours.
5 hours, posterior only.
5. When did you return to work? I have a 2 hour commute by train but am hoping to telecommute at 8 weeks. Is this reasonable or a stretch? I have a desk job.
PT after 3 weeks, FT after 4. Desk job, was tired but had no problems.
6. Was there anything that was good during that first 3 months?
Yes, most things. Recovery was very smooth, little pain, went for long walks after the first week, ate good take-out, read good books, watched movies.
7. When did you first feel glad that you had done this? I don't know that I will ever feel that way, as for me, I don't know that I will ever be able to quantify what I have avoided by doing this.
A few months later. I didn't have the level of pain you have, but I wanted to do it sooner rather than later while I was healthy. It was smooth and easy. I sometimes wish I had waited until the newer minimally invasive or front/back approaches were more established so I could have done those, but otherwise no regrets.

[diane2628]

The only other thing I would say is that recovery from surgery is a good time to let go of control. You can't control how you're going to feel, and you have only some control over how your recovery goes. I know it's hard to let go of that, and to let yourself be helped, but it's not the time to be type A. However it goes for you - and it will likely go quite well - the most important things while you recover are to relax, rest, do your pt, and take it easy. As a friend told me before I had my surgery - think of it as a nice long vacation with an unpleasant task at the beginning.

[Lilysaidwhat]

Thanks Diane - that is a good way to look at it.

I really believe that the waiting is worse than the rest. I just want to get there, get the Versed, wake up and move all 10 toes, then get up the next day, and I want to walk the hell out of that hospital within 4 to 5 days. My surgeon said 4 is unlikely but we can shoot for it. I'll give it five. After that I may start freaking. I want to get home and get past all of this so that I can move on with my life.

I can't believe it's only been 45 days since I first found out I needed this surgery. It had never been even a possibility until then. Truly, my hat is off to those of you who sit with months and months of waiting for this surgery. That would drive me mad.

[JenniferG]

I love Diane's advice to call it a vacation in those early weeks. Consider it a vacation from all your usual responsibilities. I enjoyed my time off recovering, I absolutely did completely capitulate. It was weeks before I had the urge to peel a potato or put the laundry on. After always being in control from years of single motherhood, I was the one who planned everything right to the nth degree, I need order and sanity and never thought anybody else could manage that! Well, my partner was a bit slack with the ironing and the vacuuming (he continued working full time) but I couldn't have cared less. It wasn't my worry! I just slept and slept and slept. And walked and ate! It wasn't an awful time because I was able to..capitulate!

[Doodles]

My experience was very much like Jennifer's. I always needed to be the one in control of things after 4 daughters and teaching for 35 years. I was worried sick that there was no way my husband could handle it. It was amazing how he stepped up to the responsibilities. Not always like I would have done it--but I didn't care! Janet

[JenniferG]

Janet - <smiley face> and <thumbs up> (my emoticons don't work!)