My upcoming surgery

[Marian]

Sounds just like me

It was great to read your thread, it sounds similar to my situation.
I had my original Harrington Rods & 16 clips in 1976. In April 2010 I went to see a doc because I had a lump in my back. Turns out the lower spine was twisting and degenerating badly and causing the bottom of my rod to stick out.
I went into hospital on Jan 3rd for the first part of my surgery. They went in through the side to cut a wedge into my lower spine. I got a pierced lung during this op.
On Jan 11th, I went in for the other part. They removed existing hardware and replaced with longer rods and many screws. I got a staph infection and they put a PIK line in for the twice daily application of antibiotics.
They made me get up the day after surgery. I have to wear a brace for a couple more months. I am taller and straight and am thrilled to see my new back. What a huge difference to when I went through this 30 years ago.
I really hope your recovery is going very well.

Marian

[jrnyc]

you mean she has a long line intravenous, to deliver whatever meds are needed?
well, then she will hopefully get whatever medication they think she needs, delivered efficiently...
i am so sorry things got rocky for a while....
i hope she can now heal in an easier way, without anything else eventful happening...

i hope she feels better, day by day...

jess

[Elizabeth J.]

Elizabeth update

Elizabeth had second surgery had a blot an screws removed she is doing better now with no pain in leg, was sent home, but then had bowel problem found out she had Twisted Bowel: Symptoms she finally moved her bowels an doing better still in lot of pain in her back, they had to put the iv down her arm to her heart, if all goes well she will be going home this week, thank you for all your thoughts an prays

[jrnyc]

i hope we get word soon that everything was fixed correctly when the surgeons went back in, and that Elizabeth is recovering well....

jess

[Lorraine 1966]

Mary, please try not to worry. These doctors that do these surgeries have had plenty of practice and I am sure that they will fix Elizabeth's problems. I do know as a mum, that worrying cannot be helped, but it has probably been something simple and is fixed now, I do hope so. Being a mum is so hard sometimes to see our children go through operations and not be able to help.



Thinking of you
Lorraine.

[hdugger]

I'm no expert on this, but it *sounds* like she just has something pressing on a nerve and irritating it. I'd expect that, as soon as the irritation was dealt with in this surgery, that she'd recover feeling in her leg.

Best wishes on a (second) speedy recovery, and thanks so much for posting updates.

[Elizabeth J.]

Elizabeth J SURGERY

Elizabeth had her surgery last Monday we thought all went well until she was continuing with the pain in her leg going num on her which got worse, today they took her back in for surgery to fix some screws in her back I pray she will be all right an not be paralyzed does any one know if this could happen, it is very scary for her to go in the second time, Elizabeth Mother Mary

[JenniferG]

Best wishes for a great correction and a smooth recovery!

[mbeckoff]

All the best to you
Melissa

[Elizabeth J.]

Surgery Tomorrow!

Hi All,
I can't believe it is finally here.
I am off for my surgery tomorrow morning at 7:30 am
The surgeon is expecting it to last from 7-11 hrs.
My mom Mary said she will keep the forum posted for me
Thanks to everyone for your advice & support.
I am a little scared but ready to get this over with.
Elizabeth

[mbeckoff]

Thank you all for your replies
It is comforting to hear from people who have been there
The checklist is great for ideas and things to have
I was looking at some of those foam toppers on the internet
and I noticed they very in price and there are so many to
choose from
Does anyone suggest a certain one?

Thank you for wanting to keep in touch
I will ask my Mom to keep you posted on my
recovery.
My husbands great but I could never get him to use a home computer.

Elizabeth J.

I have a 4 inch memory topper and it is so comfortable to use.
Good luck
Melissa

[Elizabeth J.]

My upcoming surgery

Thank you all for your replies
It is comforting to hear from people who have been there
The checklist is great for ideas and things to have
I was looking at some of those foam toppers on the internet
and I noticed they very in price and there are so many to
choose from
Does anyone suggest a certain one?

Thank you for wanting to keep in touch
I will ask my Mom to keep you posted on my
recovery.
My husbands great but I could never get him to use a home computer.

Elizabeth J.

[Jacque's Mom]

Hi Elizabeth J.,
I just had my second surgery on 12/7, the first one was with the Harrington Rod in 1981, and I completely understand what you are going through with the pain, etc. Now I am fused from T-4 to the sacrum and am doing well. It will be four weeks on Tuesday. You will be surprised how you will be able to get out of bed alone, etc. As far as a hospital bed, I did not get one as my bed is very comfortable and have more room than a hospital bed. I completely agree with Ed to have a topper! I have a Tempurpedic, which is like a toper, and it is very comfortable and easy to get out of bed. As others have said, don't worry about anything other than healing. You will be in my thoughts and prayers. All the best, LYNN

[JenniferG]

All the very best to you Elizabeth. Your husband's right, get well first and all else will fall into place. You may be surprised at what you can (as opposed to what you can't) do, after healing.

Will your husband be able to give us updates? We love to hear how "our" patients are in those first few days/weeks.

[titaniumed]

Elizabeth

Your husband is right. Smart guy! You take it one step at a time. Don’t worry about working right now, you will figure it out later.

The one thing that I regretted in my recovery for the first 3 weeks was not having a foam topper for the bed. I would get one right now, it helps with sleeping, which is hard to do after surgery....2-4 inches thick, latex foam.

Having a bottle of Magnesium Citrate on your shelf just in case......

Linda has a list.
http://www.scoliosislinks.com/PreparingforSurgery.htm

Ed