Surgery in next few days

[logannamath]

Wow Joe that sounds amazing that you are doing so wonderfully. I also had the nerve testing thing done with my cervical fusion last year. It also checks the spinal cord so they cannot damage it from what I remember my spinal surgeon telling me.

Take it super easy!! had to LOL about getting your old hardware. I have mine from when it was removed from my neck in 2003. Stay well & praying for pain free days for you!!

[Big Joe]

photo 2.JPGphoto.JPG
Hardware from my back. These were put in 13 years ago and had to come out to do my new procedure. I thought it was interesting how big everything was and how course the threads from the pedicle screws were. Still doing great. Soreness from surgical wound a bit more today, but not intolerable. Amazing how well everything is doing since I just had surgery only 48 hours ago! Be blessed all my spiney friends!

[Smiling Angel]

Hey, Big Joe, so glad to hear everything went so well. Wow, though, 1 1/2 hours, that's great! My fusion, done in Philly at the Rothman Institute, nearly ten years ago, took over 6 hours. Part of the time, though, was taken up by my surgeon having to repair a hole in my dura around my spinal cord, which had scar tissue from the surgery I had the year before. Rothman is just for orthopedic issues, and they did everything the best way possible, which included the monitoring of my nerves to make sure that the hardware didn't get put in too far and damage any of my spinal nerves. I don't know how they got you ready for this, but they had to put all these needles in various parts of my body, all while I was awake and not yet given any sedation or meds of any kind. It's didn't really hurt, tho. Was yours done in a similar manner? Anyhow, so glad you are doing so well only a few days after the surgery! Keep up the good healing and don't overdo it!!

[Big Joe]

Well, day 1 post surgery I was ready to run a marathon. Day 2 was a bit different! All the sedatives gone and reality sets in. Not too bad though. I am still amazed at how quick this is going and how much the pain has gone. I have some soreness around the incision. It was about 10" long. There is a bit more drainage than we are comfortable with, but we will see how it does over the next couple days. Over all it has been so much different from my last fusion. I mean everything was different! I do have a tendency to overdo things so I am trying very hard to keep things in check and do things the right way.

[Melanie]

Joe, you need to sit your buns down and rest! Don't you dare overdo it!!!

Ok, I'm done barkin' at ya ;) LOL! I'm so happy it went so well. I guess they have learned alot in 13 years! I know it was just over 7 years between my last operations and I thought things were faster too. Even with the extra work. I didn't get my hardware from my first surgery but I did get this last bunch they took out in January and I just kept looking at it thinking it was HUGE! And yours is definitely bigger! Isn't it amazing what our bodies can take! Gee, I wonder if you got any of the pretty purple hardware my NS has in his office, lol!

Sounds like you were in a great facility. I was lucky and went to a ortho surgical center and they were great! I liked it much better than the regular hospital I was in the first round ;)

You have my continued prayers for a good recovery :)

[Mark N]

Joe, you are doing amazingly well with this recovery. Remember to be patient and not overdo things just because you have a day that feels good. This is a marathon not a sprint. The hardware is shocking isn't it? Hard to believe that is inside of us just to keep our spines together. Hang in there and take good care of yourself.

[Big Joe]

Sunday was a good day overall. Needless to say, I can't really do much of anything but sit and walk around the room and sit and them lay down :) . Pain was a bit worse than Friday or Saturday, but that was expected. I felt good and got to have dinner with our best friends (at our house) and then see some of the kids for a short time later in the evening. Slept well Sunday night considering.

Today (Monday) was a bit worse. A little of the blues creep in but that is not a surprise. They are leaving even as I write. The pain is not any worse today, but I do realize my limits. The surgical site and incision is pretty sore more than heavy pain as long as I keep my meds regular. I forgot to take one of my pain meds mid afternoon and I could not figure why I was feeling so bad. It finally dawned on me and It has become a bit better. I cannot believe I have not been out of my house in weeks except for the surgery. I am always on the go but have had not interest in leaving until I feel a bit better. I can tell I am getting a little better each day, but I want to be complete TOday!!! See, I have patience :) .

Tomorrow we are going to go to the Cracker Barrell and have breakfast with a couple friends. I think that will be enough for me. I want to improve and move forward, but I do not want to overdo it. Fortunately I will have my wife and friends to help me if I need it. The staff at the local Cracker Barrell are very good friends as well and they will baby me. I think it will do me good to get out for just a little bit but not to overdo it. Hopefully I can go to church on Sunday. That is my goal. I will not push it but I need my goal.

I have had a wonderful outpouring of support from so many people all around the world that it is unbelievable. Much different from the last surgery. Those who are not afflicted have no idea how important they are in our lives at these times. I have been so blessed to have so many wonderful friends and I am very thankful for all of them.... and that includes my spiney family! Well, that's enough for tonight. I'll give another update soon. Thank you for being there for me.

[Mark N]

Big Joe, it is good to hear such good news about your recovery. It is expected the pain will creep up once you start doing things. Believe or not I have the same problem with my meds on days I am feeling good. I forget to take my regular dose and then a couple hours later I am wondering why I was doing so well and now in so much pain before it dawns on me that I missed a dose. I am glad your friends and family are more in tune this time around as they do help out in our recovery so much because of the support they give.

[Melanie]

In some ways it's easier to go through recovery when you've done it before isn't it. You already have a general idea of what to expect in reality and not just what the docs grand hopes are ;) I hope you had a wonderful breakfast at Cracker Barrel. That first outing is heaven isn't it!

Just keep on doing what you're doing and soon you will be doing what you WANT! Within reason of course ;)

[carolnurse]

Joe....So glad to hear things have turned out well. I was wondering how you were doing and just found these posts today. I will pray for you daily that your course will continue on a good path. Hope you had a wonderful first time out!!! :o

[Mark N]

Carol, where are you in the process with your upcoming surgery. I hope my 15 year success and the success Big Joe is having gives you the needed confindence to follow through with your surgery.

[Big Joe]

Only one week ago today was my last spinal surgery. It has been a fast slow week :) . On Tuesday I did go to the Cracker Barrell. It was good to get out and to see friends, but it completely wiped me out! I was so glad to get home and lay down. I had a nice nap. In some ways it seems like the healing process is so slow, yet each day I see improvement. Yes, there is still pain, and things I don't dare consider doing, however, the level of pain is more manageable and not as severe. I can tell a bit more strength each day and constant improvement. I am going slow and allowing my body to get significant rest and doing the exercise I am supposed to without trying to be a he-man and overdo it like I may have in past years. Old age has taught me a few things.

I know the recuperation period is long, however, seeing the improvement on a daily basis is certainly a real help. I know when I am finished with this process that I will be better than I have been in many years. That is worth it all. Now I have no pain or discomfort in the left leg or hip. That was gone immediately and has not come back. The right hip will light me up if I move the wrong way or do something I should not. It does not happen as much or quite as fiery hot painful as it was the first few days. That shows the nerves are beginning to settle down and relax. I do believe this will go away in the near future and my right leg will be must as good as my left.

Part of reason I'm posting frequently about this and trying to show how it is going every little junction on this trip is so others who may not have been there and are uncertain or afraid of what they may face can see that this is a process they can survive. It does not get much worse than what I had and most of the surgeries today are a bit more simple than my procedure, so if mine is one you need not be afraid of, then the easier ones are certainly nothing to fear. I had to have an open procedure due to the amount of work needing to be done and that it attached to an existing fusion with plenty of scar tissue. They did not want to try to do this from a minimally invasive surgery because there is not a clear view around the scar tissue of the old fusion. Most fusions now can be done with a minimally invasive surgery and many people go home the same day. That is pretty amazing!

Anyway, I am very happy with everything about my procedure. The doctors, the hospital, the after care, and the success of this surgery. While my road is far from complete, I am certainly happy with where I am.

[Mark N]

Joe, I am glad the good news continues. You found out with your Cracker Barrel trip that our surgeries take much more out of us than we think. I was always shocked at how out of shape I felt with each surgery. I always tried to be in good shape going into the surgeries thinking it would help me recover. I was stunned that I couldn't walk down to the corner of our block that first week home. You are taking the right approach to recovery as long as you remember your body is in charge.

I appreciate you posting at each step of the recovery. It is important for people facing surgery to see it is a dificult surgery but we make it through recovery and feel better in the process. There are horror stories of people that are worse following surgery but the surgeon made a mistake in those cases. If you can find a talented surgeon our spinal surgeries make us much better and give us our lives back. Keep posting and let people know what each day is like.

[Big Joe]

My pain level is going down each day. I can tell I am getting a little stronger each day as well. That does not mean I can run and jump with the kids. However, I can survive each day with a bit more confidence in the outcome of this surgical journey. The pain is easily controlled with my meds, and I am beginning to put a bit more time between doses with no ill side effects. I know I am not out of the woods yet, but I am continuing on the path at a good pace. I went to our local coffee shop last night for a bluegrass jam. I was not able to play yet, but in the next couple weeks I should be able to participate at least a little. I have not played any of my instruments except the ukulele since my surgery, and it may be a bit yet before I do. The weight of my instruments and the length of the reach down the fingerboard is a bit much for me at this point, but it won't be long.

I am really seeing improvement each day in the pain levels and the things I can do with comfort. I am being careful not to overdo it and I certainly don't want to push so hard I have a setback. I am going at a slow pace that will allow me to continue to strengthen but not harm myself. The journey is indeed a long one, but it is the little improvements along the way that make it tolerable. Hope you are all doing well and have a Great Day!

[carolnurse]

hi joe

Hi Joe,
I have been following your posts and really appreciate reading them. I am one day post op and doing much better than I ever expected!!! My surgery was 2.5 hours long, cos there was alot to clean up. I have a bit of a sore throat, cant swallow much other than liquids, but that is ok. The incision in my neck is pretty swollen, but the pain is nothing i cant handle. I got most of the feeling back in my leg immediately and all the terrible nerve pain in arms and legs are so far gone. Those of u on this forum are alot of help for those of us that are new to surgery. I ended up with c3-7 fusion and was necessary due to myelopathy. I had a top notch surgeon and hope my course continues well. I know it is a long recovery and will also pace myself. Joe, keep posting to let us know how u are doing!!!!