[Spinal Fusion / Lumbar] ACDF in March of ’09, TLIF Scheduled November 2010

[Cindylou]

Where did your bone graft come from Chris? Cadaver? Your pelvis? I'm just curious. You sound like you are recovering nicely. Remember, slow and steady wins the race. Good luck! Cindylou

[Boudin]

Where did your bone graft come from Chris? Cadaver? Your pelvis? I'm just curious. You sound like you are recovering nicely. Remember, slow and steady wins the race.

Cindylou, they did a facetectomy to access the disc space. So they morselized that bone as well as using a PEEK spacer and BMP, plus rods and screws. For my ACDF they used cadaver bone.


I agree that slow and steady wins the race, so I'm trying to take it easy. Going back to work will be fine, since it’s not physically demanding. My wife will be driving me since I’m still on pain killers. The thing I really have to watch is my 18 month old son. It just doesn’t feel right not being able to pick him up. It breaks my heart when he runs up to me and puts his arms up expecting me to lift him up and I can’t. The doctor said it’s ok for him to sit on my lap, so I can still read him stories or just sit with him as long as he will stay still, which is not very long.

Chris

[KBear]

Chris- I get how hard it is not being able to hold and carry your babies; mine were 2.5 years and 2 weeks when I was injured. When I had my first surgery, they were 9 months and 3 years. It saddened me tremendously to not be able to do all the things mommies do. However, I just reminded myself that if I held them and jeopardized my healing, it was taking away their chance of a normal mommy. Now pain free, I'm glad I resisted carrying them and allowed my body time to heal.

[Cindylou]

Hi Chris, good points by Kathy. I have a 20 month old granddaughter so I get this too. Sometimes, when my back is really screaming at me and I am watching her, when she holds her arms up I immediately say "c'mon Tully, hurry, follow Grammy" laughing and smiling so she'll want to, and quickly plop on the sofa and encourage her to scramble in my lap for major snuggle time. She seems to get when I tell her "Grammy has boo-boo." I know it's hard. But this too will get better. Hang in there, Cindylou

[Boudin]

Hey everyone,

Sorry I’ve been off the grid for awhile. I thought I post an update on my recovery. I’m about six weeks post op and things continue to go well. I’ve been thrown a few curve balls though.

About three weeks ago the Chicago area got it’s first snowfall (about 2-3”) and I was very proud of myself that I resisted the urge to go shovel snow, even though I had made arrangements for my driveway to be plowed. So what happens, I wake up early one morning to help my wife with our son since he is an early riser and I trip over a shoe on my bedroom floor. It flared up my pain a little, but thankfully has turned out to be nothing. My pain level subsided quickly and my doctor didn’t feel the need for me to rush in for x-rays, we’re just going to wait for my regular follow up appt. Big relief.

Now if that wasn’t enough, late last week I noticed that my right side was a little sore. Nothing serious, thought I had just pulled a muscle somehow. By Friday the pain was a little worse but not excruciating, however my wife becomes convinced that it’s due to a complication from my back surgery and starts on me to go see a doctor, this is at about 60 in the evening. As fate would have it, about five minutes later my mother calls to talk to my wife and now I’m getting tag teamed to go to the ER to see if something is wrong. After much resistance I finally give up and agree to go to the ER.

Thankfully the hospital is not busy and we are whisked in very quickly. Long story short, appendicitis, and it needs to be removed immediately. Surgery takes place at about 10 am Sat. and I get released from the hospital at about 30 pm Sat. Score one for a woman’s intuition, my wife get’s a big “I told you so” about this. Of course now I feel like I’ve been used as a punching bag. Feeling better though, going back into work tomorrow.

Thankfully my back continues to feel better, but some way to start the holidays, eh? If these things come in three’s, I really don’t want to know what’s next. Happy Holidays to everyone!

Chris

[KBear]

Holy cow Chris, can't imagine having back to back surgeries. You know how us women are, we are the better safe than sorry team. So glad you went and didn't end up with a ruptured appendix and all the complications that causes. I bet you do feel like you've been beat, that's a lot of surgery for 1 person. Hoping you feel better and are able to enjoy the holidays with your family.

[lakeman]

Chris, can you tell me more about your ACDF.
I am having 2 level fusion next week 2/09/2011 and I am very worried about out come and post op.
Thanks Ron