Surgery with Dr. Lenke

[patty22]

so glad you are getting better everyday

Hi Doreen,

You sound better and better each time you post! Other than the scary blackout, you seem to be getting back into the groove of things. I'm so glad. Take care and keep on posting when you feel up to it Happy new year.

[TwinmomTN]

Hi Doreen,

Sounds like you are doing great by already getting out
and about. Your blackout sounds very frightening. Something similar
happened to me a couple of years ago when I was put on bp
medication and it dropped very low during the night when I got up
to use the bathroom. I passed out and hit my head on a glass shelf mounted
on the wall. Had to have stitches in the ER at 2:00 AM in the morning.
Pretty scary. So does the hydrocodone cause a drop in bp?

[mabeckoff]

Doreen, Hope you are doing Ok . Haven't heard from you in a while

[Doreen1]

Hi Doreen,

Sounds like you are doing great by already getting out
and about. Your blackout sounds very frightening. Something similar
happened to me a couple of years ago when I was put on bp
medication and it dropped very low during the night when I got up
to use the bathroom. I passed out and hit my head on a glass shelf mounted
on the wall. Had to have stitches in the ER at 2:00 AM in the morning.
Pretty scary. So does the hydrocodone cause a drop in bp?

Hi Pam

I don't think the hydrocodon by itself causes a bp issue
but combined with other narcotics is when a bp problem
can sometimes occur.

How have u been?

Warml
Doreen

[Doreen1]

Doreen, Hope you are doing Ok . Haven't heard from you in a while

Hi Melissa

I'm doing good, a bit better every day. I try to read everyone's
updates every day. I return to St. Louis mid Feb for my first
post op check up. I'm down to the lowest dose of hydrocodon
and look forward to weaning off it at some point.

I've read posts and continue to pray for you. So you were
a bit of a party animal on new years eve. :-)

Warmly
Doreen

[mabeckoff]

Hi Melissa

I'm doing good, a bit better every day. I try to read everyone's
updates every day. I return to St. Louis mid Feb for my first
post op check up. I'm down to the lowest dose of hydrocodon
and look forward to weaning off it at some point.

I've read posts and continue to pray for you. So you were
a bit of a party animal on new years eve. :-)

Warmly
Doreen

Party animal that i was I paid for it on New Years Day. I slept from Saturday at 1:30am straight thur to Monday at 7:30am
Glad that you are doing well
Are you driving to st Louis or flying?

[Doreen1]

Party animal that i was I paid for it on New Years Day. I slept from Saturday at 1:30am straight thur to Monday at 7:30am
Glad that you are doing well
Are you driving to st Louis or flying?

Wow - that's a looooong nap! :-)

We just booked our airline tickets. I ordered a few different inflatable pillows to try out before the flight to see which one(s) provide the most comfort.

Warmly,
Doreen

[mabeckoff]

Wow - that's a looooong nap! :-)


Warmly,
Doreen

That has happened three times since my November 7th surgery. I am figuring that my fibro is kicking in when I push myself too much

How long a flight is it?

[Doreen1]

How long a flight is it?

About 1.5 hours.

Warmly,
Doreen

[Doreen1]

Suggestions for Traveling by Air

For those of you post-op, who currently have some pain after sitting for a bit, do you have suggestions on how to travel by air sitting in a plane more comfortable?

Warmly,
Doreen

[loves to skate]

Doreen,
I cannot sit for long even now after four years, but for some reason, I am fairly comfortable sitting in an airplane. I can't explain it. I try to get up and walk a little bit in the aisles and stand and stretch a little bit near my seat. I don't need extra pillows or anything to make me comfortable. It was eight months post-op that I flew for the first time after my surgery and I was never uncomfortable even then. Everyone is different, so my experiences may or may not apply.

Glad you are doing well.
Sally

[Doreen1]

Doreen,
I cannot sit for long even now after four years, but for some reason, I am fairly comfortable sitting in an airplane. I can't explain it. I try to get up and walk a little bit in the aisles and stand and stretch a little bit near my seat. I don't need extra pillows or anything to make me comfortable. It was eight months post-op that I flew for the first time after my surgery and I was never uncomfortable even then. Everyone is different, so my experiences may or may not apply.

Glad you are doing well.
Sally

Thanks for sharing, Sally. I must be feeling good tonite because I started straightening up a little bit downstairs for about an hour (only things within my reach) and managed to fold two loads of laundry (after Lizzie put the laundry basket on my bed so I could reach it).

I'm starting to get feeling under my right should blade. It it an odd to have random areas of sensation return to my back.

Warmly,
Doreen

[Susie*Bee]

Doreen-- I haven't had trouble with the length of the flight so much, but with the shape of the seat... I would suggest taking a small pillow or at least a sweater or something that you can roll up and put behind your back/neck. I found that the back of the seat in SOME planes curves forward and without something to stick behind you, it's very uncomfortable. Good luck! Don't forget to wear shoes that are easy to take on and off when you're checking in...

[Doreen1]

7 Weeks Post Op

Over the past week, I've spent some time talking with hubby about our time in St. Louis. Apparently, there are a lot of things I do not remember as hubby shared his recollection of my coming out of surgery and the days/weeks that followed. Last week has been my best week yet as far as weaning off Hydrocodone, doing more activity and I actually cooked my first meal since last year.

It is interesting to think about how my body feels post op compared to pre op. Pre op I felt the following pain every day: stabbing, throbbing, burning. Post op I can honestly say that I've had no pain except for varying levels of aches. The last time I saw Dr. Lenke during my pre-op visit, he said patients will fall within one of the three categories:
70% will have a decrease in pain
22% will maintain current pain levels
8% will be in worse pain

I'm SO RELIEVED I fell within the 70% group.

My hydrocodone intake has decreased from 9 - 11 pills within 24 hour period a few weeks ago to 5 pills within 24 hours. I'm finding over the past few days, I'll be busy with something and loose track of time and miss a dose. Since I'm not in "pain," I wait until the next dose when the aches start up.

Yesterday, I was in bed when one of our dogs came into my room and threw up. Fortunately, hubby and my daughter were home to clean it up, but how do people who live by themselves clean up after their pets?

I'm getting excited about my visit with Dr. Lenke on Feb 15.

Warmly,
Doreen

[loves to skate]

Doreen,
I'm so glad to hear you are doing so well. It is good that we don't remember everything right after surgery and for a few days after. I am amazed at the people who can use their computers right after surgery. I couldn't even figure out my simple phone. All of our energy goes into the process of healing.
Gentle hugs, Sally