Possible Fusion from T12 to Sacrum

**Carmen** · 01-08-2010 06:19 PM

Originally Posted by KBear

I'm doing alot better post surgery. I still have pain, like a 3-4 out of 10; but nothing like before. Prior to surgery, my pain was a 9-10 out of 10 on a daily basis. With meds, I could get it down to a 4 or 5. Now, with meds, I am pain free. So, it is an entirely different existence.

I'm glad your hubby is taking off of work, you will need alot of help in the first weeks. There is a list of items to have post-surgery on here, search for it, as it has a lot of things I would never have thought of; but that came in super handy.

Hi KBear,

I am looking to have 5 to 6 level fusion.

It will be from the T12 to the sacrum) How bad will it be? When will I start to feel better? I have to wear a brace for 3 month afterwards. I think I have the sheet for post-surgery as well as what to bring to the hospital. I have been on here for awhile. I have not been able to walk or stand. I hope this will be what is needed. I will be talking to you again.
carmen

**Carmen** · 01-08-2010 06:24 PM

Originally Posted by Gilbert P

OH

I received a lam in 1995 and did Great for 15 years you will be fine keep us posted .

All The Best

Gil

Hi Gilbert,

You just recently had your surgery. How are you doing? I was told that I would be in hell for 3 months.

I will post some of what the doctor said and if you look at my signature that will tell all that has to be done. I can't believe you are up and around. Someone must be taking very good care of you. God bless. Carmen

**Jack-of-all-trades** · 01-08-2010 09:07 PM

T12 to S1 is a lot of surgery. Relative youth helps in recovery. I made the mistake of not making sure of the post-op orders prior to surgery. The resident in charge of the floor, plus all of the nurses had this thing about narcotics. They were trying to give me the same doses as a narcotics virgin and it was just barely enough to keep me out of withdrawal and did nothing for the pain. When my doc came around that evening I pitched a fit and got it straight for one shift. Since my dose was enough to put the average patient in serious trouble the next shift held back on the dose of Dilaudid that helped with the pain. The days I were in the hospital were right before a holiday and I never had the same nurse twice. There was little continunity of care and I had to go through the same song and dance with each set of care personel.

**Terry Newton** · 01-10-2010 08:20 PM

That is a large surgery to have done Carmen and I hope you are getting more than one opinion. Once fusions take place there is no going back as there is little to add to or subtract from the experience.

I had a hemi-laminectomy several years ago before my four level ADR surgery and my neck still lacks some stability due to the removal of part of my vertebrae in my cervical area. There is no way of fixing it now and I live with it.

So please get as many opinions as needed to make you feel comfortable with what they are going to do to make you better.

Welcome to the site and I hope you get the support you are looking for here.

**Katie** · 01-11-2010 09:56 AM

Terry, thanks for chiming in on this. I was afraid to give the same opinion and be construed as being negative, but I am also very concerned about this many levels of fusion. Obviously I know nothing of your case, Carmen, but strongly urge you to get a number of opinions on this, more than just two even.

Best wishes with whatever course you take, and we will be here to support you all the way.

**Cindylou** · 01-11-2010 10:05 AM

Yes, definitely agree with Terry and Katie on this Carmen. Major, major surgery that cannot be "taken back." I would personally be getting 5-6 opinions on such an invasive surgery.

By the way, do you mind sharing what suburb west of Chicago you hail from? When I moved from Minneapolis as a kid to Chicago we ended up in Palatine. Just curious if you are near there? We are here to support you all the way.

**Justin** · 01-11-2010 11:51 AM

Hi Carmen,

With your level of degeneration and scoliosis, the proposed surgical plan from your surgeons "makes sense." I have personally spoken to many Spine Patients with "long" fusions to correct scoliotic conditions that are doing very well. This doesn't make the proposed intervention any less invasive, but I hope it helps offer some reassurance that patients have come before you with similar problems and were addressed successfully with surgery. We are here to support you along the way.

I hope you are doing well. :thumpup:

**Carmen** · 01-13-2010 07:22 PM

Originally Posted by Justin

Hi Carmen,

With your level of degeneration and scoliosis, the proposed surgical plan from your surgeons "makes sense." I have personally spoken to many Spine Patients with "long" fusions to correct scoliotic conditions that are doing very well. This doesn't make the proposed intervention any less invasive, but I hope it helps offer some reassurance that patients have come before you with similar problems and were addressed successfully with surgery. We are here to support you along the way.

I hope you are doing well. :thumpup:

The nurse advised me to try a brace that medicare will pay for if it is perscribed by a doctor. I really do not want to have this operation until late Feb., March or later. I will try the brace first. Do you think I should contact that doctor in Colorado? I also contacted Dr. Fessler at Northwest Memorial but he has not contacted me. I faxed him my MRI results. I know someone that used him for their operation. What do you think? Carmen

**Carmen** · 01-13-2010 07:31 PM

Originally Posted by Cindylou

Yes, definitely agree with Terry and Katie on this Carmen. Major, major surgery that cannot be "taken back." I would personally be getting 5-6 opinions on such an invasive surgery.

By the way, do you mind sharing what suburb west of Chicago you hail from? When I moved from Minneapolis as a kid to Chicago we ended up in Palatine. Just curious if you are near there? We are here to support you all the way.

Palatine is on the other end of the world. I am from I know you would never have heard about the town I live in so I will mention it is kind of
sandwiched inbetween Hinsdale and La Grange. Those I am sure you have heard of...My office was in Hinsdale, 5 minutes away, and I do my shopping in La Grange. So you know how far away it is from Palatine. You were not that far from Wisconsin. If you have any other questions, just email. Carmen

**Carmen** · 01-16-2010 03:52 PM

Originally Posted by Jack-of-all-trades

T12 to S1 is a lot of surgery. Relative youth helps in recovery. I made the mistake of not making sure of the post-op orders prior to surgery. The resident in charge of the floor, plus all of the nurses had this thing about narcotics. They were trying to give me the same doses as a narcotics virgin and it was just barely enough to keep me out of withdrawal and did nothing for the pain. When my doc came around that evening I pitched a fit and got it straight for one shift. Since my dose was enough to put the average patient in serious trouble the next shift held back on the dose of Dilaudid that helped with the pain. The days I were in the hospital were right before a holiday and I never had the same nurse twice. There was little continunity of care and I had to go through the same song and dance with each set of care personel.

Do you know who else I can get an opinion from?

The doctor that I faxed with my MRI report did not fax me back. Scared I bet.

Do you know anyone that will be afraid to fax back? Carmen

Thanks to all the posted a replies to me. I really appreciate the feedback. I don't know where to go to next. Does anyone have any suggestions? What about that place in Colorado that Justin went to?? I have to look back for his web site. I have no idea who would be good. As you know I need someone that keeps abreast of what is going on out there. Thanks to anyone that sends me where to go. I am trying to get my house, my car and everything else ready for this big procedure. I am not married. I have no family except in CA or in Kenosha, WI but I really can't count on them to come out I don't think.

Carmen