Revision Surgery 1 Week Ago!

[Pinkpineapple]

Good morning!
I had my revision surgery 1 week ago yesterday and thought I wolud share my experience. I know while I was waiting for the surgery I was a nervous wreck, so hopefully reading my story will help someone else!

I had a fusion back in 1997, when I was 12. They only fused the worst part of the curve at that time- didn't try to fix the curve at all. So for the past 14 years my curve had been curving and twisting above and below the fused curve. It was so painful. I had a lot of lung problems and a LOT of pain.

I finally made the decision to have the surgery and went through with it on Feb. 19th,
I lost 8 liters of blood. Apparently you don't usually lose this much. (the typical amount of blood in your body is 6 liters- so I lost all of my own blood + more that they were pumping in). My doctor said it's the most bleeding he'd ever seen during that type of surgery. He was very candid with my husband and told him that I was very lucky to be alive, because it was a very difficult surgery.
Part of my lung had grown into my spine. So when they tried to untwist it, my lung was ripped. Another huge, unexpected problem. Luckily that had a thoracic surgeon readily available to fix the problem

I was fused T2- L5 with multiple Vertebral Column resections.

I did wake up with the ventilator still in, due to the collapsed lung. That first night in ICU was terrible. I was getting a little better, then, 3 days after surgery my lung collapsed again. I was sent back to the SICU and they were planning to do more surgery to help stabilize my lung more.
However, they were able to fix the problem with another chest tube.

I am currently still in the hospital. I was brought back to a regular room from the SICU yesterday.

I will be honest with you- this has been really painful. I am still having terrible pain (goes between 8-10 on the scale), even with a lot of narcotic medicine.
I am up and walking. Walking makes me feel better, but tires me out fast. They are planning to send me home on Monday- which will be 10 days in the hospital.

If anyone has ANY questions- please ask. I would love to be able to help someone else out.

Good luck to those who are still waiting for your surgery!!

[felix999]

Hi,

Thanks for taking the time to write your update on your revision. I have a question about the correction. Did you get a good correction, r u cruves alot less now even though they were fused previously?

Take Care
Amanda

[debbei]

Good luck to you Pink,

What an ordeal you went through. I hope your pain decreases soon. I'm sure your endurance will get a little better every day.

Take care of yourself and let us know how you are doing.

[JulieBW]

PinkPineapple,
It is good to hear from you. I too had a punctured lung all those years ago. It doesn't bother me now: I swim, bike, sing and can yell real loud! Walking isn't my favorite thing, though. They kept me in Buffalo Childrens' Hospital for six weeks, then five more months at home in a body cast. Godfrey and Weiss were the scolio docs there at that time. I wish your surgery had gone better, but hopefully you are through the worst part. I searched out your Dr. Hamill online, and saw he listed "flatback" as one of his specilaties. I hadn't heard that there was a revision specialist in Buffalo, I may see him sometime if my symptoms progress. I thought there would be someone since they were doing so many surgeries in my time. Take care.

[JenniferG]

No questions, but wanted to wish you well pinkpineapple! You've certainly been through an ordeal. All the very best for your trip home and I hope the remainder of your recovery is smooth. Good to hear from you.

[naptown78]

Hi Pink!
You seem to be very alert for the ordeal you have been through!!! Good luck in your recovery and after you get home to your own bed, you will feel better. I am going in for my own revision in a few short weeks. I'm glad to know you are doing well :-)

[rainbow2010]

Hope all goes well for a continued good recovery and you are back home soon.