[Spinal Fusion / Lumbar] Fusion (ALIF) at L4-L5 and stabilization of existing fusion (PLIF) at L5-S1

[runagain]

Wishful Runner,

I am sorry you have to have surgery again.
But at least you know what is going on. With your symptoms, it sounded something was seriously wrong.
Welcome to the forum.
When you are better, give me a PM about that running thing.
I would just like to exercise again, for starters. I have a little problemo with the L5/S1 disc.
Need surgery, but cannot get it right now.
Long story...blah...blah...When you said your baliff had your husband called, I was thinking we had a judge on the forum. Well, close. I am glad you have a doctor that you can trust. He sounds vaguely familiar.
Hey, I have a husband of 22 years. Yeh.

Take care,

Runagain

[jss]

Wishful Runner,

Having had three spine surgeries on four levels I kind of "feel your pain". This will all be over soon, after which time you should feel SO MUCH better.

Good luck Thursday, and please keep us updated.

Jeff

[KBear]

Wishful- You are right, no one really does get what we go through, unless they have been there. That's why this group is so wonderful, because we all really get it. It sounds like you are in wonderful hands and will have a great outcome. It's very common for them to go in through the stomach now, that's how my surgery was done. I have a 3" vertical incision to the left of my belly button. I believe the reasoning behind this is that it is safer and easier to access the area they need to. Best of Luck and we will be thinking about you. Please update us after surgery, we are here for you!
Kathy

[Hooch]

Wishful Runner,

Best of luck with your surgery, sorry you have to go through this again. It sounds like spondylolisthesis from your description, so at least you're indications for going under the knife are strong.

I love running too, one of the best things sprinting up a hill, but gee it's hard on the body. You can still drop plenty of weight and look good with balanced diet and pilates\swimming etc.

Best of luck,
Chris.

[Wishful Runner]

Thanks Caitlin. I know I'm doing the right thing but it always scares me. It's not possible to live with the pain I'm in right now. I can't do much of anything for myself, can't even get into the tub and there's no chance of washing my hair. I'm going to try to get to the salon on Wednesday and have them do it so I'm not completely gross for surgery Thursday! I can't reach anything below waist level or above shoulder level and once I barrel role into bed, it's no easy task to even change positions. So there's no getting around the surgery. But if it's anything like last time, my husband and I will goof off with the nurses and have fun until it's time to role me away, and then I'll start crying and keep crying until they knock me out. I just couldn't help it.

Also, last time, I knew a few weeks in advance that I was going to have surgery, and although in alot of pain, I was still functional. So I was able to prepare things at work for me to be gone and I was able to do a Spring cleaning on our whole house before the surgery. I felt like I needed to have everything perfect before I was laid up so it wouldn't be so hard for my family and co-workers to maintain. But this time, it happened so abruptly. I don't even know what my desk situation is at work but I know I was behind and swamped with work. I'm going in on Wednesday for alittle bit and try to divvy everything out to other clerks who are already too busy themselves. The State won't allow them to have anyone come in temporarily because of budget cuts. And I'm constantly running my 16 year old daughter and her friends around town and I can't do that either! It just kind of makes you feel helpless when you can't do anything for everyone who depends on you. At work, all the attys I deal with always know they can get done what they need when I'm there, but when I'm not, no one else really knows how to do my work properly.

Ok, I've got all that out. Now I'm going to try and forget about it and do what I need to do. Once I'm well, I'll be back and fix all the mess and get things back to normal.

[runagain]

You know, Wishful.
That is what is hard; that loss of control that you cannot get everything done and you just have to give it up.
It is tough.
Hang in there.

R

[Metalneck07]

Wishful---- I agree with Runagain it's one of the hardest things in this whole battle. I fought tooth and nail trying to stay o top of my life. I found in the end the only who was suffering was me. My house will stay standing even if it's not clean,my children will continue to prosper even if they don't have as many sleepovers as they we're use too I think you see where I'm going with this. I know you didn't get the time you needed to place what you felt needed to be done but it will all workout somehow,someway.The most important thing right now is taking care of you and getting you on the road to recovery. I wish you the best of luck.Take a deep breath it will all be ok.Take Care.
Caitlin aka Metalneck07

[KBear]

I went from being someone who cleaned my house 3 times a week (dusting, toilets, everytome- was very OCD) and I light cleaned the other 4 days, to cleaning once every other week. My husband used to get frustrated that I never sat and relaxed, was always doing something- not anymore!

[Wishful Runner]

Thanks again, you guys are all so nice, and you know what this is like. My husband is currently making hamburgers and garlic butter potatoes for dinner, my son is sitting on the couch doing his homework (he's in his first year of college), my daughter is on the other couch folding towels, and I'm in the recliner enjoying chatting with them. I guess we are all multi-taskers cause we're also watching America's Top Model (my daughter's choice)!

We have to leave the house at 4:30 am tomorrow to head to the hospital. Surgery is at 7:30. So I guess I'll be getting up about 3 am to take scrub up again with the antibacterial soap they gave me . Just my husband and sister-in-law are going to be there, the kids are coming in the evening after school and work. I'm hoping to get to sleep early but that proabably will not happen.

Well, wish me luck! I'm not sure when I'll be coming home but I'll update as soon as I can.

I wish you all healthy spines!

[KBear]

Wishing you luck and can't wait to hear how it goes!