You can do this Michele! You've been through massive adversity with great courage and I can feel a level of positivety in your post that I'm sure you feel yourself. Just think of it this way: you've got to get through this to get back to healing and getting your life back. So look forward to it as being a giant step towards normality and back to being the mother you want to be and deserve to be. We'll all be barracking for you!
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JERSEYOT UPDATE: I broke my back - in hospital
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Originally posted by Confusedmom View Post-Can they give you something for the anxiety, which is only natural at this point?
-Who is your surgeon? (Hoping he is a revision specialist!)
-I know you've got major extenuating circumstances that most of us don't have, but the length of your fusion isn't unheard of on this forum. Maybe it can calm your nerves a little to think of TiEd and the others who are T2 to S1?
-Do you really have to bank blood? Can anyone else donate for you, so you can be "tanked up" for surgery?
-You seem to have a strong faith, and that will help get you through.1993/1995: PSF w/ Harrington rods T3-L4
Jan. 24, 2012: ALIF of L4-L5, L5-S1 w/ cage spacer and BMP
Jan. 31, 2012: PLIF of L1-S1 w/ pelvic anchors
Scheduled Nov.15, 2012: Fusion T2-S1 w/ pelvic anchors to fix T12 fracture
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ot/myback2.jpg - BEFORE
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...CT2342x406.jpg - AFTER
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...CT1410x229.jpg - AFTER
www.jerseyot.blogspot.com
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The very best of luck to you, Michele. It sounds like you've got all your bases covered.
I literally cringed when I read what your overzealous therapist had you doing at 7 weeks -- obviously you shouldn't have been on the floor at all, but of course you know that now. And it goes without saying that anything you CAN'T do shouldn't be attempted...sorry to lecture but it's critically important not to disturb the alignment of your hips and pelvis for quite a while after surgery. That was my experience, anyway, with a therapist who was very familiar with spinal fusion.
Best wishes to you!!Chris
A/P fusion on June 19, 2007 at age 52; T10-L5
Pre-op thoracolumbar curve: 70 degrees
Post-op curve: 12 degrees
Dr. Boachie-adjei, HSS, New York
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Prayers prayers prayers
I have just read your entire thread... Woah... To sum it up... You have got all my prayers headed to you on October 30th. This will work! Positive thoughts (I know difficult after what you've endured) but positive thoughts and visualize you playing with your kids after surgery.... Sending lots of hugs, prayers and positive energy to you!!
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Hi Michele,
It sounds like you have thought this through and are ready! Lots of prayers coming your way to get you healthy and strong again for your kiddos and yourself!!!
Best,
Evelynage 48
80* thoracolumbar; 40* thoracic
Reduced to ~16* thoracolumbar; ~0* thoracic
Surgery 3/14/12 with Dr. Lenke in St. Louis, T4 to S1 with pelvic fixation
Broken rods 12/1/19; scheduled for revision fusion L1-L3-4 with Dr. Lenke 2/4/2020
Not "confused" anymore, but don't know how to change my username.
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HI Michele,
I know your surgery will be soon. Best wishes for a smooth recovery. I know when the Dr fixed my fracture,it really helped the pain. I hope yours will be better also.T10-pelvis fusion 12/08
C5,6,7 fusion 9/10
T2--T10 fusion 2/11
C 4-5 fusion 11/14
Right scapulectomy 6/15
Right pectoralis major muscle transfer to scapula
To replace the action of Serratus Anterior muscle 3/16
Broken neck 9/28/2018
Emergency surgery posterior fusion C4- T3
Repeated 11/2018 because rods pulled apart added T2 fusion
Removal of partial right thoracic hardware 1/2020
Removal and replacement of C4-T10 hardware with C7 and T 1
Osteotomy
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Thanks so much Jackie. I really hope the same is true for me as well -- my 5th surgery is just 1 week from tomorrow! Hard to believe. I've found that blogging about the my experience has been extremely therapeutic, on so many levels. Please feel free to check it out sometime. All the best to you. October 30th here I can!1993/1995: PSF w/ Harrington rods T3-L4
Jan. 24, 2012: ALIF of L4-L5, L5-S1 w/ cage spacer and BMP
Jan. 31, 2012: PLIF of L1-S1 w/ pelvic anchors
Scheduled Nov.15, 2012: Fusion T2-S1 w/ pelvic anchors to fix T12 fracture
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ot/myback2.jpg - BEFORE
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...CT2342x406.jpg - AFTER
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...CT1410x229.jpg - AFTER
www.jerseyot.blogspot.com
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When I went in for my first surgery about 2 months ago, I was told by the spinal cord monitoring technician that since I had no previous incision at the site, so the first 1.5 hours of the surgery would be just the slow opening up of the surgical site. I was fused from T4 to L4 and had a few missing pedicles, so the surgery was a challenging one. My surgery took 7 hours. I think the challenge with such a long fusion surgery is the surgical time, however I don't think 16 levels would directly mean a very long surgery because its the lumbar levels that I expect to take a longer duration than the thoracic ones because of the size. You will also save some time on the initial opening.
So what I am trying to say is that don't be focussed on the number of levels, I just hope and wish that this surgery is helpful in removing your pain and fracture.Congenital Scoliosis and Kyphosis
Diagnosis at Age 42, Main Thoracolumbar curve 72 deg
Surgery on Aug 15, 2012
Fused T4 to L4, 2 SPOs
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Thanks so much for all of your replies...I do appreciate them. Rajma: thanks so much for your words of encouragement. They are much appreciated. As for the number of levels and the number of fusions we've each had (this will be my 5th and you recently had your 1st - and hopefully it will be your last!) - and the number of levels are not first-time fusion levels for me unfortunately, which complicates things. Once all is said and done, all but my C-spine will be fused. I was previously fused (twice) at those same levels. But back then (1993, 1995) Harrington rods were used. The fusions/revisions I've had this year (which after Tuesday, will total 3 in just 9 months), is "unfortunate but also extremely rare, risky and extensive," according to my surgeon. This surgery on 10/30 (assuming SALLY doesnt cancel it) will be my 5th revision, complicated by a fractured T12 transverse process where i broke clear thru the vertebral bone and the previous bony fusion back in March. My surgeon and I are fully aware that this is my only option (and yes, i sought out 2 other opinions). This is what surgeons call (but would NEVER tell you) a last ditch "salvage surgery"- sounds so awful..."salvage surgery," like they're trying to fix a hopeless cause! But it's not without hope, for me OR my surgeon.
He has assured me that he will make "every effort humanly possible to repair the fracture and stabilize my very unstable spine with this extensive and risky fusion." Believe me, NO ONE saw this coming or no one could've predicted that 9 months that 9 months later I'd be going under the knife again for what is supposed to be bigger, risker and more complex than the one before! The surgery will not be easy. It is estimated to take 8-10 hours and given the complications with excessive blood loss (I have thin blood), heart and kidney issues which arose from the severe loss of blood volume and hypotension after surgery #2 in January, it is a daunting and quite scary pool to jump into.
My only real comforts are knowing that: (1) this truly IS my only option and that (2) all the angels in Heaven will be so plentiful in that operating room that there will hardly be room for my surgeon! "Quiet your heart. Quiet your mind. All is well." Im really trying to do that in these last few days leading up to is monumentsl surgery; monumental because there is just soooooo much riding on it's success. it has to help. I can't continue living (or should i say existing) like this. My two very young children deserve their Mommy back, my husand deserves his wife back, and i deserve ME back! I've been 'gone' for far too long. And its time to come back and do my very best to get thru this and emerge for the better for my family and children. That is my prayer. I've worn a bracelet every singke day since this time last year that my 97 year old grandmother gave me as i was preparing mentally for the January surgeries and its says quite simply: "EXPECT MIRACLES!" And I'm praying for one of my own! We are a special kind of people...we scoliosis patients and survivors...we're tough as nails because we've had to make the best of some really difficult and PAINFUL situations. We can get thru anything...I can get thru this...and I will..."All is well..." ---- I'll see you all AGAIN on "the OTHER side!"Last edited by jerseyot; 10-30-2012, 02:33 PM.1993/1995: PSF w/ Harrington rods T3-L4
Jan. 24, 2012: ALIF of L4-L5, L5-S1 w/ cage spacer and BMP
Jan. 31, 2012: PLIF of L1-S1 w/ pelvic anchors
Scheduled Nov.15, 2012: Fusion T2-S1 w/ pelvic anchors to fix T12 fracture
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ot/myback2.jpg - BEFORE
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...CT2342x406.jpg - AFTER
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...CT1410x229.jpg - AFTER
www.jerseyot.blogspot.com
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Michele,you have been on my mind. My prayers are with you as you face this. The surgery alone is huge but now you have a major storm to worry about. I know it is heading that way. I will hope you have the kind of result that I did and you will soon be on the mend. My best to you!T10-pelvis fusion 12/08
C5,6,7 fusion 9/10
T2--T10 fusion 2/11
C 4-5 fusion 11/14
Right scapulectomy 6/15
Right pectoralis major muscle transfer to scapula
To replace the action of Serratus Anterior muscle 3/16
Broken neck 9/28/2018
Emergency surgery posterior fusion C4- T3
Repeated 11/2018 because rods pulled apart added T2 fusion
Removal of partial right thoracic hardware 1/2020
Removal and replacement of C4-T10 hardware with C7 and T 1
Osteotomy
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Jerseyot--
You are one brave lady! We will Expect Miracles! for you but also pray for you and your surgeon and a successful outcome. Can't wait to hear how you are doing. Best wishes and hang in there. JanetJanet
61 years old--57 for surgery
Diagnosed in 1965 at age of 13--no brace
Thoracic Curve: 96 degrees to 35 degrees
Lumbar Curve: 63 degrees to 5 degrees
Surgery with Dr. Lenke in St. Louis--March 30, 2009
T-2 to Pelvis, and hopefully all posterior procedure.
All was posterior along with 2 cages and 6 osteotomies.
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Surgery was cancelled yesterday. I have no idea when he will be we will be able to reschedule this...it's been months in the making and he's scheduled thru December. He said he'd do everything he could even if that means canceling office hours - but he said I'm "high priority" and I'm hoping the wait won't be too long. I'm very bummed about it but what can you do?!? No one expected a flippin' hurricane to ruin our plans. So I'll keep you posted as soon as I know anything.1993/1995: PSF w/ Harrington rods T3-L4
Jan. 24, 2012: ALIF of L4-L5, L5-S1 w/ cage spacer and BMP
Jan. 31, 2012: PLIF of L1-S1 w/ pelvic anchors
Scheduled Nov.15, 2012: Fusion T2-S1 w/ pelvic anchors to fix T12 fracture
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ot/myback2.jpg - BEFORE
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...CT2342x406.jpg - AFTER
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...CT1410x229.jpg - AFTER
www.jerseyot.blogspot.com
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Originally posted by jerseyot View PostSurgery was cancelled yesterday. I have no idea when he will be we will be able to reschedule this...it's been months in the making and he's scheduled thru December. He said he'd do everything he could even if that means canceling office hours - but he said I'm "high priority" and I'm hoping the wait won't be too long. I'm very bummed about it but what can you do?!? No one expected a flippin' hurricane to ruin our plans. So I'll keep you posted as soon as I know anything.Melissa
Fused from C2 - sacrum 7/2011
April 21, 2020- another broken rod surgery
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Oh no... I was wondering yesterday if any surgeries were being affected by the storm. I'm so sorry to hear this. You ARE high priority and I feel sure your wait won't be long, but I'm just sorry you have to go through this.Surgery March 3, 2009 at almost 58, now 63.
Dr. Askin, Brisbane, Australia
T4-Pelvis, Posterior only
Osteotomies and Laminectomies
Was 68 degrees, now 22 and pain free
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