Hi from the UK, Scheduled for fusion 8 June

[Julie from UK]

I've been lurking around here for a few months now and I must say you seem a really friendly community.

These boards have been very interesting for me to read in trying to gather as much information as possible prior to me making the decision for surgery.

I am scheduled for a L5 S1 discectomy & TLIF fusion next week and although obviously nervous, am really looking forward to getting on with my life after 3 long years of increasing pain and disability.

I look forward to getting to know you all over the coming months.

Julie

[ajj1001]

Hi Julie, welcome. I am in the UK too. I go for my second fusion and third spine op at the end of June. I'm near Manchester. Good to have you here.

alison x

[Julie from UK]

Hi Alison, good to meet you. I'm in Hereford but having my surgery in Cardiff. Off this Friday for all my pre-op stuff.

Gosh second fusion, wow hope it all goes smoothly.

Julie xx

[ajj1001]

I've got my second pre op soon (had one a year ago when I was put on the waiting list). I'm having the second go at fusion as the first didn't 'take'. Is cardiff the closest spinal unit to you?

[Julie from UK]

My consultant is based in cardiff but has a clinic in hereford. He prefers to do surgery in cardiff as his team is around him. Although its a bit of a pain to travel 1.5hrs, the hospital there is much more up to date than the one here!!

Just found out I have to be there for 7am on the morning of surgery - I'll need to leave around 5:30am -ouch!!

At least I'll be getting lots of enforced sleep later in the day!!

[ajj1001]

Ah that make sense, you definitely want to be where the best equipment is. It's an early start but I don't imagine you will be sleeping much. Are you all set up for your rehab period?

[dalhousie]

Hi Julie,

I'm also from the UK a bit further north than Alison. I live a similar distance from my treating hospital to you & also had the same early start to get to the hospital for a 7am. It's amazing how it didn't bother me that much getting up early on the day as I think adrenaline was kicking in & I was of the mindset that I was embarking on a solution to my disability problems.

Hope everything works out well for you .

Ruth x

[Frances144]

Hi, I am in Shetland (Britain's most northerly outpost).

I am 6 months PLIF post-op L5/S1 and going along very steadily.

Best of luck for the 8th - we'll be thinking of you! Positive vibes being sent to you.

[Julie from UK]

Hi Ruth and Frances144. Thanks for popping by and saying Hi!!!

had my pre-op stuff on Friday and managed to pass out on them!! Never ever done it before, I had a student trying to get my bloods and missed the vein. She took the needle back out and then everything went starry!!!! next thing I'm on a bed with a room full of people!!!!

I had the sister from the ward, someone with green operating gear on - I guess they weren't used to so much commotion!!!

How embarrassing!!!

[Frances144]

Wow! Good show!