[Artificial Disc Replacement / Lumbar] CD- Freedom L4/L5 at Texas Back Institute

[jss]

CD,

This is all GREAT news! It sounds like your progressing as expected with no nasty surprises.

And don't worry about the crying or that the testosterone producing y-chromosomes in your house don't know how to deal with it. Yes, we can deal with a letter from the IRS, a leaking transmission, and even someone trying to break through the front door; but a crying woman always reduces us to ... clueless. As one that has endured the (seemingly senseless) crying; DON'T WORRY ABOUT THEM! They are hoping that someone somewhere is working on a cure, but THEY WILL BE FINE!

Praying that the excellent progress continues!

Good luck, Jeff

[scduggan]

Ok, JSS(Jeff)
I am laughing as hard as one can with a slit in the middle of their abdomen. I am learning WAY more from my boys than they will ever learn from me.....beautiful, simple and mystical creatures! I do not mean simple minded. LOL! I crave being simple and someday I will get there.

I am nine days post op and doing well. I am slightly type A and had hoped to be stretching my meds a little by now. It is not time and I am taking a chill pill. As a matter of fact, I am usually lounging and staring at the clock waiting for my next dose. I am a little worried that my incision is weird....probably because I do not know what normal is. I see my local surgeon on Wednesday to have it checked. He did not do my surgery (don't get me stirred up about the insurance thing) but he is very ADR savvy. I would say my only problems right now are the "normal" post op problems that just about everyone has. I walk each day but not very far. My back does not wear out....just my energy. I am sleeping great and working really hard to not twist or bend. Here is the kicker of all time....I am pretty hungry. I CANNOT gain weight with this incarceration! I am basically a slug and therefore should not be so hungry. This started about three days ago. Anyone else have this? I am NOT having any nerve pain as of yet, and I know it can show up at any time. Dr. Zigler said my disc was flaky and crumbling. He also said he did not have to do a lot of distraction to get the freedom disc placed. I must have had some remaining disc height.

Thanks for listening. Feel free to post or PM me anytime. I am getting a little bit of cabin fever. I am even biting at the bit to do some laundry. The activity police is always watching and I fear his wrath!
CD

[ajj1001]

I am a little worried that my incision is weird....probably because I do not know what normal is.

Thanks for listening. Feel free to post or PM me anytime. I am getting a little bit of cabin fever. I am even biting at the bit to do some laundry. The activity police is always watching and I fear his wrath!
CD

What is making you worry about it?

I'm around alot if you want to pm me to help with the boredom (not that I'm that interesting!) I now have a mental image now of your other half dressed up as a policeman and watching your every move!

alison x

[dalhousie]

Ok, JSS(Jeff)
Here is the kicker of all time....I am pretty hungry. I CANNOT gain weight with this incarceration! I am basically a slug and therefore should not be so hungry. This started about three days ago. Anyone else have this? I am NOT having any nerve pain as of yet, and I know it can show up at any time.

With both my spine surgeries I was like a gannet in terms of food & was soooo hungry & tired for the first 6 weeks. Despite the fact that in between meals I was having snacks consisting of cake or some other carbohydrate I lost 7 pounds (I think that's 3 kg in metric). After the 6 weeks I started to put on some weight so then reined in my eating habits.

The specialist who did my first op explained this was due to the fact that all the calories I was taking in for the first 6 weeks were being used to repair all the tissue damage & trauma that had been caused by the operation & there would be nothing left over for energy requirements etc.

I have still ended up putting on some weight but I think part of that is due to the Lyrica & Amitriptyline I've been taking for distraction pains.

You sound to be doing fine so try not to worry & take it day by day. It's easier said than done I know but try to chill & take it steady. I was in too much of a rush at the beginning & you get nowhere fast.

[KBear]

I packed on pounds after surgery. Pre-surgery, I had worked really hard to get my body in shape for surgery. Got down to a size 4, which is crazy, I'm 5'10" so small for me. After surgery, with the bloatedness and weight gain, I was in a 12. I gained around 20-25 lbs. total. I really was not eating anymore than normal, same stuff, etc. My dr said that it was not b/c I was consuming more, but b/c my body usually uses more energy and since I was way more sedentary post-surgery, those calories turned to pounds. Since I have gotten off my medicine, I am already losing weight with no effort. Now, I've got to start getting my stregnth back.

[scduggan]

Thanks everyone for your replies. I see my local surgeon tomorrow and will have more to post. Alison, my incision is hard to the touch. Probably normal. I need to get back to my swimsuit modeling. LOL!
CD

[scduggan]

Good Day!
Yesterday marked my two week post-op. I hesitate to post today because I am kind of gloomy and crappy. I guess it is important in this forum to be real. My check-up with my surgeon went well. According to him I am healing well. As expected, he thinks it is way too early for PT. He changed my pain meds from Lortab to Percocet (for the short term). He also took me off the muscle relaxers when he found out I had been having some emotional issues. He prescribed Toradol. The pharmacist seemed a little concerned about this and told me not to take it for more than 5 days or I will damage my kidneys. I have not started the Toradol because I am waiting to hear from Dr. Zigler....just want to be sure it is ok with him.

About the emotional issues: I have been having a crying spell just about every day. This is not sobbing and wailing for two hours....more like a little 10 minute cleansing. You can ask any of my family or friends and find out I am not a big crier so this is surprising. Those of you who are female know we can start crying about one thing and before it is over, we are crying about six things. I always start because it just plain old hurts. I am still trying to get my intestines functioning properly and I think that is what is pushing me over the edge with pain. Because I always like to get to the complete bottom line I have been doing a LOT of thinking. I think the biggest thing is the disparity between reality and the way I thought things would be. Could I have gone into this surgery a little bit cocky? Really? My brain knows this is difficult and that it will take a really long time....somehow my heart cannot seem to get the message. This is a long and life-changing journey and I hope to learn all I can from it and come out on the other side a better person. One thing I am really concentrating on is trying to find that perfect balance of rest and activity. Looking back I realize how completely disrespectful and reckless I have been with my spine. I am also so unsettled because I actually felt better last week. This blows my mind! You guys all said the recovery is not linear. Boy do I have a hard head.

My family is doing well...almost too well. This kind throws cold water on the theory that I am the "Indispensable Wife/Mother". I am so grateful for them and I hope they can hang in there with me. My husband had to leave early this morning leaving me to get my two youngest boys ready for school and out to the bus. This was exhausting but I did it. These little victories will surely help me as I go along.

Thanks for listening! No doubt those who have been there and done that are nodding knowing exactly of what I speak. I hope maybe my posts will help someone who is trying to make a decision or someone who is just plain curious of what it is like after surgery....I will be strong and do really well---even though I do not always have on my big girl pants. LOL
CD

[ajj1001]

I don't think anyone knows really what they are letting themselves in for when having surgery. Its a good thing that they are coping but they do need you, who would have got the boys ready for the bus? Amazing managing to do that 2 weeks post op.

The scar will probably go through a lumpy phase before easing off going a bit more normal. I massaged with bio oil when it was healed to help it stretch out. If you want I'll mail you a pic of one 8 years on!

[Dave]

CD,

I believe what you are going through is normal. I've only had cervical ADR's, so the pain is nowhere what you are having, but post surgical depression is fairly common. It's hard when you are hurting and others around are living life like normal. I'm here to tell you that a wife and a mother are indispensable, so don't think otherwise. It's all the little things a mother does that can't be duplicated.

Hang in there. There will be good days ahead for you, but you will have a few bad days as well.

Take care.

[scduggan]

Once again I find myself on the receiving end of some really helpful, wise and much needed advice. Today I am better. I think I just need to leave those bad days behind, along with the bad weather. Here in Tennessee we (finally) have a beautiful day. I have been on a lounge chair on my back porch acting like one of my crazy cats. This hiatus from my daily chores has one upside....it makes me realize I actually LIKE doing the housework.

Jeff, thank you SO MUCH for your message. Several years ago my husband and I started singing that Gloom, Despair & Agony song from Hee Haw when one of my boys would be whining or ill-tempered. They seem to really hate it, but my husband I think we are hysterical. I am a little surprised he has not been singing it to me these last few days. You hit the nail on the head about the "never let 'em see you sweat theory". My sweet husband would rather walk on his tongue than act like this is all too much for him. I have seen a side of him that has been wonderful. He is however, drunk with power. LOL!

Here's to the upcoming Spring! WooHoo!
CD