[Micodiscectomy, Laminectomy & Laser Decompression] Home from hospital after Lumbar surgery (Laminectomy L3-L4-L5 & Discectomy)

[OzzieandHarriett]

Thanks for all your support before my surgery. I wound up having a laminectomy L3,L4,L5. Plus a discectomy L4-5, and bilateral foraminectomy. The dr ordered home care for 6 weeks. I will have a nurse, physical therapist and occupational therapist. I was so glad to get out of the hospital because the beds were horrible and they put me on fall precautions, which meant in bed or just to bedside commode. I am moving around now at home, but I still have terrible pain on my right upper leg when I stand or walk. I am hoping it is just really bad muscle spasms. I am on Percocet for pain. I will not get much help here at home with house work, shopping, etc. So, if anyone has suggestions, I would welcome them. Thanks again, Mary Anne

[ajj1001]

I will not get much help here at home with house work, shopping, etc. So, if anyone has suggestions, I would welcome them. Thanks again, Mary Anne

Hi, hope you start to feel better soon.

After my last surgery I learnt to tolerate alot more mess and realise that some stuff is not necessary to surviving ok. I couldn't bend or lift for a long time so used trolleys and aids to help out or just left stuff. The supermarket I use delivers groceries ordered over the internet and will carry them into the house, so I got to see the delivery driver whilst wearing my pj's alot. I also learnt to ask for help when I needed to. Not something I found easy.

[OzzieandHarriett]

Hi Alison,
Thanks! I am going to ask the therapist to order a gripper so I can pick things up from the floor. My husband bought one at bed bath and beyond but it doesn't work well. He is trying his best to clean and my son is going to try to shop today ( he is really bad at it. Last time he came home with 4 bottles of hot sauce and all sorts of useless items - lol). I have a hard time asking for help. Our church offered and I said no. I was a home care nurse for over 27 years and am used to being the one that is doing. How are you doing now? I so much want this surgery to work. I have been tempted so many times to pick up something on the floor - I have even started to and stopped. I hope your surgeries have helped you. This is my first spinal surgery but I had a foot of colon removed in August and several pelvic surgeries and hysterectomy years ago. Thanks for your suggestions. If my son comes home with more hot sauce, It ACME online here I come. Take care, Mary Anne

[ajj1001]

Our church offered and I said no.

Well I'm sure the offer still stands so say "Yes"

How are you doing now? I so much want this surgery to work. I have been tempted so many times to pick up something on the floor - I have even started to and stopped. I hope your surgeries have helped you.

It is hugely tempting to bend at first but you soon get used to it. I have got very inventive and amaze people with what I am able to achieve semi reclined or using my feet to move or pick up things (only light stuff). My left leg has improved since my fusion due to the bone that was taken away that was pinching the nerve but I haven't fully fused as yet so the surgery can't really be classed as a success. I'm waiting for further tests. I am however feeling alot better in myself and get less frustrated as the days of being able to do everything drift further away. I had 5 years of excellent results after my two level adr and managed to achieve alot of things that I wanted to in this time. That has helped alot.

Here's hoping you get no more hot sauce!

[roomba]

Hi Alison,
Thanks! I am going to ask the therapist to order a gripper so I can pick things up from the floor.
I have a hard time asking for help.
I so much want this surgery to work. I have been tempted so many times to pick up something on the floor - I have even started to and stopped.

Mary Anne,

We bought some helpful stuff including the gripper for my surgery - this sock putter onner thing which worked really well, back sponges, the shower chair - that's what I can remember off the top of my head.

I found that I would drift along thinking I wasn't getting better and then every once in a while, I'd wake up and could tell I was noticably better. My advice is to rest and go with it. DO NOT bend over - bend at the knees if you have to bend at all. Don't twist. And don't overdo it as I really think that my overdoing it because I felt guilty made my recovery slower.

There will be days you cry alot and believe you will never be well, but do what your drs and therapists tell you to do and I know you will be better than before surgery. I am walking and standing better than I have in a year. I wish the same recovery for you!

[Justin]

Hi Mary Anne,

Congrats for being on the other side of surgery!

This is a short list of "Must Haves" after spine surgery: Spine Surgery Recovery: "Must Have" Items & Postoperative Tips (there's a lot of little gems on the list).

In terms of suggestions, I would "listen to your body" and make sure to take this slow initially. Also, I would employ the help of others from your church and family for errands. It's now time for others to care for you.

The story about the hot sauce was too funny.

[Dave]

Mary Anne,

Congrats on being home from surgery. I really do not have much to add to what these other fine folks told you, but I want to reiterate how important it is to take it easy and do not overdo things.

Take folks up on the help. The "shoe is on the other foot" so to say so "take" a little for you have "given" so much over the years.

Peace be with you.

[OzzieandHarriett]

Thanks so much for the much needed advice. My son went shopping (forgot about 1/2 of the items because he was paying - no hot sauce though - he was given Hot sauce for Christmas presents from 3 friends - so he has a large supply). My daughter came over yesterday and shopped for me and did a great job. The nurse came yesterday and she said the neurosurgeon also ordered Occupation Therapy, so I should be hearing from her. Physical Therapy is coming tomorrow, along with the nurse. I still have some numbness in this right foot and leg. I have been setting the oven timer and walking around the house a few times a day - I am up to 7 minutes but could probably do more. I go back to neurosurgeon on Thursday to have staples out. They want me to use a walker when I go out, I am using a cane in the house (an not all the time). Big problem is I am going to have to get some bones to give my 110 pound Airedale Terrier because he has to go out when the people come in. He has a little 10 pound yorki - poo sister, but she can go into her crate. They have a rule - no animals out when they come. Hope everyone has a great New Year and thanks again for the advice. take care, Mary Anne