[Artificial Disc Replacement / Lumbar] Countdown to Stenum--Artificial Disc Replacement (L3/L4 & L4/L5), Spinal Kinetics M6-L

[WPKat]

Fellow Members,

I am fast approaching the day of my surgery at Stenum in Berlin, Germany. We leave on May 23rd, the surgery is on May 27th and we return to Alaska on June 11th.

I will undergo a double artificial disc replacement (L3/L4 and L4/L5) using the M6-L. Dr. Ritter-Lang will be my surgeon. I spent a lot of time on research, spoke to many former patients (via email and phone) and feel at peace with my decision. I know I will be in experienced, skilled hands. The surgeon and his team are considered first class by their former patients. All of them felt like they were treated like family. What a wonderful approach to healthcare!

I am more than ready to get rid of my torn, leaking, painful discs, and I am so thankful that I have an option!

What I worry about is the long plane ride from Alaska to Germany, and the big time difference. They sound like small concerns, but sitting is pure torture for me. I was going to buy an extra coach seat, but was told they could not guarantee I would be allowed to lay down, especially over the open ocean, due to turbulance. I was forced into purchasing a mega expensive business class seat, only to find out later that the domestic plane seats, although a plush recliner, only recline back 20 degrees. It's not enough. It's a long way from Alaska to New York folks.

What I pray for is kind, understanding flight attendants and uncrowded planes! I don't give a hoot about my plush recliner, I would gladly give it up for a couple coach seats so I can lay down. I'd even prefer the floor to sitting ... no kidding.

Thankfully, the seats from New York to Germany recline most of the way back!

I would appreciate any and all prayers and positive thoughts for a safe flight, surgery and speedy recovery!

Any positive advice is welcomed!!

Danke,

K

[ajj1001]

Really not long to go now, praying everything goes well. Only advice I can give is to get everything set up for when you get home, so that things are as easy as possible on your return. Don't expect too much too quickly post surgery. If you have low expectations then its easy to exceed them!

[linda]

Dear K,
Good luck with your surgery and I will be praying for you. I hope you do okay on the plane and that you will come home feeling brand new. Wishing you the best!
Linda

[jss]

WPKat,

You'll be on the "other side" soon. Good luck on the trip over. I traveled from DFW to Paris and then to Barcelona in debilitating pain; so I really do feel your pain. It was a LONG trip, but it was only twelve or so hours. Of that whole saga I most vividly remember not the pain, but feeling better when I woke up (without pain medication) in surgical recovery than I did when they put me out.

It'll be over soon.

Good luck, Jeff

[jss]

WPKat,

BTW: the thing that helped me most with the flight over was a mixture of Ambien CR and a very small amount of bourbon. Don't know what will work for you, but that worked for me. If you're a tea totaller, perhaps substituting benadril for the bourbon?

Good luck!

Jeff

[Gilbert P]

Hi WPKAT

I agree with Jeff Knock your self out sleep the plane ride their If you can.

I wish you the best you will be better sooner than you think.

LOL Gil

[WPKat]

Thanks for all the well wishes and advice!

I have a lot of pain medication to take along. The muscle relaxers make me very sleepy, but if I'm in a boat load of pain ... I won't fall asleep. It's about an 18 to 20 hour journey, so I will need all of my will and determination to get there in one peice.

I wouldn't say I'm a tee totaller, but I am learly of mixing even a small amount of alcohol with the meds. I guess I won't get to taste the German beer either ... darn

My pain is generally more intense in the early morning hours and late afternoon. But the last couple of evenings have been exceptionally painful. I am sure it's from all the extra activity trying to get everything done and in order before I leave. What a nice reminder of why I am having this done!

Only 2 more days before we leave!

All the prayers and positive energy sent my way is appreciated!

K

[Fuzzy]

I have made these flights many times wih my very painful back problems and I feel you made a good choice with your business seat even if the first part of the trip seems less then perfect. My experience with the 2 seat arrangement (or even 4 seats) is that is does not work so well. It is uneven and there is always a lump were the seats meet, and it really isn't long enough either (for me?). I needed to have my legs totally straight so my back would not seize up in pain. Most of the business seats you can get surprisingly flat even if it is not totally hozizontal but at an incline. You have no restriction for your legs as there is space and a leg rest and it is nearly as good as lying flat. The seats are wider and generally of higher quality and thus more comfy. Another is you stuff pillows into seat, backrest area to help flatten the whole thing out a lttle more and you can get close. I also suggest a heathy dose of meds and try to sleep . I am pretty sure you won't regret the decision of flying business class.

Good luck with your surgery and please report back about your experieence in Berlin.

[WPKat]

I have made these flights many times wih my very painful back problems and I feel you made a good choice with your business seat even if the first part of the trip seems less then perfect. My experience with the 2 seat arrangement (or even 4 seats) is that is does not work so well. It is uneven and there is always a lump were the seats meet, and it really isn't long enough either (for me?). I needed to have my legs totally straight so my back would not seize up in pain. Most of the business seats you can get surprisingly flat even if it is not totally hozizontal but at an incline. You have no restriction for your legs as there is space and a leg rest and it is nearly as good as lying flat. The seats are wider and generally of higher quality and thus more comfy. Another is you stuff pillows into seat, backrest area to help flatten the whole thing out a lttle more and you can get close. I also suggest a heathy dose of meds and try to sleep . I am pretty sure you won't regret the decision of flying business class.

Good luck with your surgery and please report back about your experieence in Berlin.

Fuzzy,

I pray you are right and my mega expensive business class seat is back friendly. I found and printed out an article on how to exercise on a plane. I will challenge myself to try out at least a few of their suggestions!

Today has been an exceptionally painful day. I don't know why. It's a beautiful, warm, sunny day in Alaska. I thought my pain was controlled by the wind, but there is only a nice, cool wind outside. I don't get it, I have everything in order, my bags are packed, bills paid ... absolutely nothing left to worry about ... but it sure has been one humdinger of a day for pain. My back has been erupted in pain countless times today. I am not sure how else to describe it, but I know I am talking to a lot of folks who know exactly what I mean.



But hey, tomorrow is another day, and with hope, prayer and a lot of luck ... my back will decide to behave (since obviously it has a mind of its own) ... and at 20 AM ... I will be comfortably seated and on my way. Otherwise, I'll be a hurting unit and praying softly that the next 20 hours or so will fly by.

Either way, I am going to make it there.

If I am unable to report my experience personally, I have asked Katie to update the Forum for me. I am taking a little mini Netbook with me, but will probably not be using it until after I can formulate a few words in a row that you can understand.



Thanks!

K

[WPKat]

Really not long to go now, praying everything goes well. Only advice I can give is to get everything set up for when you get home, so that things are as easy as possible on your return. Don't expect too much too quickly post surgery. If you have low expectations then its easy to exceed them!

Alison,

My Uncle from Oregon is coming to help me out with recovery. He will be here the day before I get back. For the record, I didn't ask, he offered. After my last experience with back surgery, I learned a lot of hard lessons that I don't care to repeat this time around. My Uncle has been through 3 back surgeries ... so he's quite the veteran himself. He will provide a lot of help, encouragement and will be here for me during the day while my husband is at work; exactly what I will need. What a relief and a blessing!

Is your discogram still on track for the 27th of May? As I recall, it was scheduled on the same day as my ADR surgery. If you have a strategy going in, then it will be over before you know it. If I can get through it, anyone can.

I will be thinking of you when I am in Berlin!

K