Hi Cody, great that you found this forum and are looking at seeing a spine doctor. Who lives in your house that could go with you to appointments? I found that it was helpful to have someone else with me to help ask questions. When I went to see my spine doctor, my son came along and he had a list of questions and he took notes for me. Also, if you do have surgery, you will need someone to help you when you return back home.
You will need to get your diabetes under good control before any doctor would consider surgery. Maybe a visiting nurse could come to your home and help you will diet and medication. You probably know a lot about how food affects your blood sugar. Who is your primary doctor? Maybe he or she could refer you to a dietician who could help you figure out food that you could eat that would keep your diabetes in control and also help you lose weight. I can see how it is frustrating if you cannot exercise because of your ankle.
Keep us posted on how you are doing! You have friends on this forum who can support you!
Take care, Susan
Last edited by susancook; 02-05-2014 at 07:38 PM.
Adult Onset Degen Scoliosis @65, 25* T & 36* L w/ 11.2 cm coronal balance; T kyphosis 90*; Sev disc degen T & L stenosis
2013: T3- S1 Fusion w/ ALIF L4-S1/XLIF L2-4, PSF T4-S1 2 surgeries
2014: Hernia @ ALIF repaired; Emergency screw removal SCI T4,5 sec to PJK
2015: Rev Broken Bil T & L rods and no fusion: 2 revision surgeries; hardware P. Acnes infection
2016: Ant/Lat Lumbar diskectomy w/ 4 cages + BMP + harvested bone
2018: Removal L4,5 screw
2021: Removal T1 screw & rod