[Spinal Fusion / Lumbar] 1 Week and 3 days Post L4-S1 Fusion!

[Rebecca]

Hi Everyone!
Last Tuesday I had my surgery L4-L5 and L5-S1 Fusions and Laminectomys. The surgery took 2 and a half hours and they went through the back. I was in the hospital until Friday evening. I am making good progress so far. I had a few set backs but seems I have been able to get past them so far. I was having TERRIBLE (to light of a word) spinal headaches. I wasn’t able to read or write until yesterday so there has been great improvement. And I have not had one in two days! They were more painful than the back pain. I could open my eyes just lay on my side in pain.

There was some trouble in the hospital with controlling my pain after the surgery. I was trembling ,shaking, screaming and crying in pain for the better part of a few days until they were able to get things under control. That was a nightmare. However I am now on meds that keep pain levels under control, while there is still pain it is pain i can function with. That said my recovery is nothing short of amazing. I am stronger, more alert and healthier everyday. I am able to do longer walks at faster paces (fast for me slow for whoever is walking with me!) everyday. I am able to accomplish more with each day and use my walker less and less. I have had a great team taking care of me and my family 24 hours a day and I know they are part of the reason things are moving well. I know my limits and stay within them even when I feel I can do so much more. I want to heal not push myself back into bed off my feet and in pain because I over did it. And I think it is almost too easy to over do it with back recovery. That said I am glad to be back and reporting good news. I hope everyone is doing as well as they possibly can!
Rebecca

[linda]

Hey Rebecca,
It sounds like you are doing really well and that you have a great attitute. I'm sorry you suffered so in the hospital and I'm glad that is all behind you. I look forward to hearing more about your progress. You take it easy and try not to overdo it too much.
Linda

[Justin]

Hi Rebecca,

Welcome to the other side of surgery! Remember to take things slow and make sure to listen to your body. I'm looking forward to reading your post-op progress.

Wishing you the very best. :thumpup:

[scduggan]

Dear Rebecca,
I am SO glad to hear you are doing better. You have an awesome (and Wise) attitude. It is extremely easy to overdo it. You will have a smoother recovery if you stop to rest BEFORE you feel any pain. I still overdo it at three months and end up in the bed. I must have a hard head. Keep us posted when you get a chance. I am so happy for you.
CD

[Cindylou]

Rebecca, welcome to the other side of surgery! I agree with duggan, you do have a great attitude and that will definitely serve you well in your healing process. And it sounds like you have good family support too.....all good and makes for a happy healer. The lack of pain management in the hospital is deplorable. Utterly inexcusable, but I'm not going to get into that, as it's over and done with and you have moved on. Good for you. I look forward to reading more of you posts on your recovery. And welcome to SPS as well.

[KBear]

Rebecca, So glad you are on the other side. Unfortunately, it seems like lack of pain control after surgery is an all too common occurrence (I literally prayed to die for 2 days after surgery, I hurt so dang bad). You have a great attitude and it will serve you well. Take it easy and allow your body to heal.
Kathy

[Gilbert P]

Hi Rebecca

Glad you are over the surgery, Time to rest and heal

All The Best

Gil

[Rebecca]

Thanks Everyone! Things are getting better! Within the last week I can feel myself returning. I am up to mile walks and doing 2lb weights for my arms. I am able to walk around more and spend more time with my family. I am just about completely free of walkers and canes! I still cannot stand car rides and often need to rest and sometimes over doing- but trying my best to set myself limits. There have been a few really bad days but I was expecting that. The stress that this has put on all of those helping and my husband, I was expecting as well... but sometimes it gets overwhelming more then I was expecting. It is not just a hard physical recovery it is hard emotionally. But I am going to get through this thanks to all of my family. And thank you for the support. I am just so nervous about the actual fusion I believe next month we will see if it is working!
Best wishes for all of you!

[linda]

Dear Rebecca,
I'm so glad you seem to be turning a corner in your recovery. It sounds like you have a awesome family! I'm praying that you have a successful fusion so you keep taking it easy and try not to over do it. I'm sure that is easily said than done! Thanks for the update and I look forward to more of your posts.
Linda

[KBear]

Sounds like you are doing good and making progress! It is definitely an emotional thing going through all of this. Glad you have such a good support system.