[Spinal Fusion / Lumbar] Laminectomy with Pedicle Screws Fixation and Posterior Interbody Fusion L4/L5 & L5/S1 with Allograft

[Jan P]

My Laminectomy with Pedicle screws fixation and posterior interbody fusion L4/L5 and L5/S1 with allograft is on November 17th, just 9 days away and I am really stressing out. I have a couple of questions and hoped that some of you might have some thoughts for me. I know there a no stupid questions, but hope that these really aren't stupid!

1) Since we live almost two hours away from the hospital (Tucson to Phoenix) we are going to bring our motorhome closer to to the hospital for my husband to stay in while I am there. He will have to pick me up on my discharge date in our car and then take me to the motorhome so that we can drive back to Tucson. That means getting in an out of the car and in and out of the motorhome. The motorhome has about 4 steps up and does have a wonderful reclining passenger seat. Question does this sound like a good idea or not? What about going up and down the steps?

2) When you return home from the hospital, what is the first week(s) like. My husband is worried he should not leave my side. Are you mostly in bed, short little walks around the house or outside and short time sitting, or just mostly in bed? Are you allowed to sleep on your side?

Thank you all for your support and this really great forum.

Jan P

[KBear]

I think the motorbike is a great idea. Just be extra careful on the steps. The first week I had someone available 24-7 or within 10 minutes of getting to me. I slept a lot and wasn't told to avoid any positions- though I was most comfortable on my back.

[ajj1001]

1) Question does this sound like a good idea or not? What about going up and down the steps?

Good idea, you might need assistance doing the steps but in the UK you aren't discharged until you can climb stairs and I was able to do this a couple of days after my fusion.

2) Are you mostly in bed, short little walks around the house or outside and short time sitting, or just mostly in bed? Are you allowed to sleep on your side?

I had someone with my for the first couple of weeks or so, after that I was left all set up with a chair to sit in for very short periods. I was left with a light flask and snacks and drinks. I did sleep alot, not laid flat but with legs elevated a bit and back at a gentle angle to take the strain off the fusion area. (i have an electric adjustable bed which does this for me but someone could set up a bed with wedges and pillows).

I didn't venture out by myself until a felt alot better, hubbie took me for a short walk when he got home from work late afternoon. Keeping moving and doing the small physio exercises is a good way to start your recovery.

I found sleeping on my side comfy but you'll have to check what is ok for you as each surgeon has their own recommendations.

[Jan P]

KBear - Thank you for your reply and thoughts - My husband doesn't work so will be home, but concerned about grocery shopping, etc. He's a really outdoor kind of guy so I guess we can put the walkie talkie to use.

Allison - The adjustable bed sound like a good idea, but since we don't have one - the wedge/pillows should work. My husband mentioned renting a hospital bed to put in our great room, but we really don't have the room. Appreciate the "good idea" on the motorhome travel.

One one my biggest worries is messing up the fusion. I am not a very patient person and it's going to be really hard for me to take life slow. Thanks.

[ajj1001]

I found it easier on setting some absolute rules for myself and I told people to watch that I obeyed them. It made it much simpler.

ie -
-when awake move every 30 minutes
-lift nothing over ... weight
-no twisting
-do nothing below hip height or above shoulder height
-take tablets to a schedule not when i feel pain
-if something needs doing that breaks any of these rules get someone else to do it even if it means waiting

if you concentrate on the end goal it makes the process leading up to it much easier. you are alive for years and years and being careful for just a few months of that lifespan.

[Jan P]

Allison,
Great advise and you make it sound easier. And you are so right about focusing on the goal and results. Although, my problems have only been with me for alittle over 1 1/2 years, my life has been on hold this whole time. So getting back to being me and enjoying my life with husband, family and friends is the goal I will keep with me to take it slow.

Thanks Jan

[Justin]

One one my biggest worries is messing up the fusion. I am not a very patient person and it's going to be really hard for me to take life slow. Thanks.

Jan, I am a "busy bee"--I always have to be doing something, even during my down time (like right now ). That's just how I'm wired.

Anyway, you will have to remind yourself daily that you only heal once. The way I looked at things was that if I did something to jeopardize my recovery (twisting, low-level bending [tying your shoes], lifting heavy items, just "overdoing it"), I would feel horrible as I did everything in my power to get better leading up to the point of no return--surgery. Picking up the house, telling yourself that you'll just "do a few chores" and then you end up on your hands and knees cleaning the floor, etc. are activities to be avoided at all costs.

As hard as it might be, you will have to be "selfish" and refuse to do certain things and let other cater to you.

My wife was an absolute life-saver during my recovery(ies). Her help was absolutely essential and she was there to put me in my place if I was tempted to do something stupid.

I found it easier on setting some absolute rules for myself and I told people to watch that I obeyed them. It made it much simpler.

ie -
-when awake move every 30 minutes
-lift nothing over ... weight
-no twisting
-do nothing below hip height or above shoulder height
-take tablets to a schedule not when i feel pain
-if something needs doing that breaks any of these rules get someone else to do it even if it means waiting

Alison, that's a stellar list of rules.

if you concentrate on the end goal it makes the process leading up to it much easier. you are alive for years and years and being careful for just a few months of that lifespan.

This statement should be printed out and put on your nightstand, refrigerator and bathroom mirror. Keep us posted, Jan!

[Jan P]

Justin - It sound like we are somewhat alike. I can't sit still and always have to pick up, move, adjust, and just keep busy. Even now with my large back brace, I find that I convince myself that I can empty the dryer or put dirty dishes away in the dishwasher (lower rack) only to have to stop and say "what the heck am I doing". I guess that's my big concern after surgery of being able to stop myself before I even get started.

You are so right about Allison's statement's. I am going to print them out and put them in several places around my home.

Thanks Jan

[Justin]

Hi Jan,

I wish you the very best with your operation today! You will be in our thoughts and prayers.

[Jan P]

Justin,
Thank you so very much for thinking of me. Unfortunately, the bad and sad news is my surgery has been put off for now.

I will preface this by saying the following lesson I have learned: "Make sure you have your insurance pre-authorization well in advance so that any problems can be worked out, so as to not delay or cancel your surgery".

There were 12 business days between the time I was given my surgery date to the actual date. I called my surgeon's secretary (who has only worked there about 4 weeks) on day 6 to find out if she had the insurance pre-authorization from BC of California. She told me it would take a few more days as they needed add'l information. This past Friday - day 9 I was told it would be Monday before there would be an answer. Monday - day 10 at 50pm I was told that it was declined as not medically necessary. I then personally called BC and was told a totally different story. They said they never received any supporting paper work from the surgeon's office - so I was declined for that reason.

Needless to say, I was so totally upset and felt like the ground had opened up below my feet.

The following day Tuesday - day 11, I called the doc's secretary supervisor. I was then told a slightly different story. Blue Cross did get the supporting paper work (late) however something happened and it did not get put with the surgery request before it went for physician review. They resubmitted the request yesterday as "urgent" and I should hear by this Friday. Whether the supervisor is covering up the new secretary's error or what, I may not ever know.

So, as I sit here on my "surgery date" it's hard to keep from crying. I have been just devastated. I have read that insurance companies deny and some find out at the 11th hour, so I can relate to have they must feel. But to find out that due to poor paperwork, poor follow-up or a plain mistake, it's just so upsetting.

I know that I am no different than anyone here in this forum who has lived with pain and finally can see the light at the end of the tunnel. To finally find a surgeon you like, or a surgeon who will help you, it's wonderful. Then you go through the process of preparing yourself mentally for a painful surgery and recovery, but again you can see the light at the end of the tunnel. To find out that either you have to cancel or post-pone your surgery - lets just say depressing is the word that comes to mind.

I apologize for running on and on, but I am hopeful that you all understand and maybe even some who read this might beable to relate.

Thanks again Justin for being here.

Jan