[Artificial Disc Replacement / Lumbar] Artificial Disc Replacement at L4-5 and ALIF at L5-S1

[ajj1001]

The kids range from 19,16,14,11,10.At the time of my 1st surgery they we're three years younger.But with that said they we're old enough to be very helpful and able to be independant.But with that said I won't say it hasn't been hard for them.I have carried an extreme amount of guilt that the last 4yrs.has denied them
the Mom they needed.I have tried very hard not to let this take over our lives.But I know it has to some extent.

Mine were 10, 13 and 15 when I had my first spine surgery, I felt awful that they had to help me and do stuff for themselves. Looking back on it 8 years on I can see how it brought us closer. Try not to beat yourself up, no family is without its troubles and getting through them together makes you a stronger unit.

[Cindylou]

Very wise answer Alison....."......no family is without its troubles and getting through them together makes you a stronger unit." I will only add that it is an opportunity not to be missed to teach our children about an almost extinct character trait: compassion for others.

[KBear]

Yes I have five kids Though to your question Runagain no I'm not the person on another site whose momwithfivekids. I'm kaitiedid on spinehealth. The kids range from 19,16,14,11,10.At the time of my 1st surgery they we're three years younger.But with that said they we're old enough to be very helpful and able to be independant.But with that said I won't say it hasn't been hard for them.I have carried an extreme amount of guilt that the last 4yrs.has denied them
the Mom they needed.I have tried very hard not to let this take over our lives.But I know it has to some extent.
I pray so hard this will be last of my spine issues so I can pick up the pieces of our lives and move on.So I can be a wife again and the Mom I need to be for my kids.
I'll keep you updated on what I hear from the doctor.Talk to you soon.
Caitlin aka metalneck07

That was one of the hardest parts of this for me too, I'm sure for all of us mommies, daddies and grandparents. Knowing the mom you used to be and that you aren't that anymore. It's tough; but luckily kids are resilient. I also agree that it teaches our kids valuable life lessons that other kids are not getting. I know mine are a lot less selfish than kids their age. They had to help out and learn that it wasn't about them early on, which has made them better people. It won't be long and you will be on the other side and pain free again. Good Luck and keep us updated!

[Metalneck07]

Thank you all for your words of encouragement. I do agree that this entire experience has been a valuable life lesson
for our entire family.We have all learned that until you walked a day in someone elses shoes you might not fully understand what they are going thru so be helpful,compassionate,and understanding.I know I'm blessed with a wonderful family who has been there for me. I also know we are all Human and we make mistakes and when my kids or husband
are having a moment I know this has been hard on them too .And I need to be understanding of them as well.
I know all in all we are closer and better people having been thru this together.
Caitlin aka metalneck07

[runagain]

Dear Caitlin,

Your words are close to my heart. My children are now 19, 16, 10 and 6.
The little one just turned six.
I was just telling my oldest daughter for half of his life, I have had severe back problems.
And she was making me feel better, but oh, the guilt. I feel very guilty sometimes.
It has been almost 2 1/2 years since my surgery.
I have just gone through the same stuff, twice.
Three plus years of this is enough.
I cannot imagine much more.
I know I have some more, but hopefully surgery is around the corner.
I get by and sometimes just squeaking by, with the help of my family, my family on here and friends. I feel like people just want to knock me down--and some have tried and are still trying, but I have a very strong belief system and i have faith.
Caitlin, I know that trying to decide where to have surgery, what to have done, and going to different surgeons is difficult. You have to trust in your heart that you have found the right doc.
And you have to trust you can lean on your family when you need to.
Incredibly, they will understand.
I just talk honestly to my kids, they get their answers to any questions (within reason) and they do okay. They get upset when I say I cannot go somewhere or take them to something because of my back but I try to make it up to them.
Anyway, your words speak to me , because I am going through some of the same things.

R

[Metalneck07]

Runagain;
As I sit here tears have filled my eyes and my heart feels heavy .I know your pain all to well.We have traveled down similar paths. Everything you said plays over and over again in my head on a everyday basis. All of us here have so much time,energy,and our lives invested in this. We have given up so much but we also have gained more than we might even realize at this moment.I believe that our paths and everyones paths here have crossed for a reason.
Children will always remember the love you give them.Love can be as simple as let's lay in bed and watch our favoritemovie together. We are living life with many ups and downs. I know this all has and will makes us stronger people along with our families.This is real life lessons for us , our children and our families. I know deep down we will pull out of this stronger,closer with our families.
Thank you for sharing with me.
Caitlin

[Metalneck07]

Finally heard back from my doctor today concerning the choice of ADR type.Apparently he picked the Charite with no paticular reason.He said either type are the same in his opinion.And he would leave it up to me to choose if I had a preference for either the Charite or Prodisk. Unfortunately I missed the call because I had to attend my son's open house for school(school starts Wednesday ). This leads me to more questions.But let me run them by all of you to see if you think these questions are ok to ask ? 1st How many Charite and Prodisk ADR have you done? 2nd So far as surgically speaking are either more challenging than the other to put in? 3rd How many Revision Surgeries have you encountered with both Charite and Prodisk as a surgeon personally ? Let me know what you think and if you can think of any further questions to ask I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks I think it's going to be a late night with alot of thinking
going on !!!
Caitlin aka metalneck07

[ajj1001]

1. which do you think is most suitable for me and why?
2. what are the pros and cons of each disc (as they are not the same - both adr surgeons I have knowledge of either will no longer use the charite due to its type of motion(unconstrained) or decided not to use at all when they considered its design. I think pro disc is semi constrained)
3 if you have done revision surgery what kind ie removal or fusion over adr, with what results

[KBear]

Great questions. Are you seeing Dr. Blumenthal for the surgery? I know he has lots of experience (as several of the TBI docs do), but obviously can't put a number on it. They may have also said the Charite, since it has been FDA approved longer and so maybe they think it is more likely to be approved by your insurance. I would definitely ask which one they think and why.

[Cindylou]

1) What condition are my facets in? 2) How many Charite/Prodiscs have you installed? 3) Any other contraindications for ADR? 4) Approx. how long will surgery be? 5) Is it too late for me to donate towards my own blood, as a precaution? 6) Any revision experience? How many? Which disc? Prognosis for that patient (s)? (I doubt it tho, as there aren't too many out there.)