[Artificial Disc Replacement / Lumbar] My brother-in-law just got out of surgery (2 level ADR)

[Greg]

WOOHOO!

My brother-in-law who had a somewhat messed up back messed it up really bad in Afghanistan in the army a little while back (4-6 months ago maybe) and they decided to do a 2 level ADR on him. I'm not sure what levels or what hardware they used but all I know now is they did an Anterior approach and it took around 5 hours for the operation His operation was done out in Colorado where there staioned at Fort Carson (Colorado Springs....close to Denver) I talked to him (John) a few minutes ago and he sounded surprisingly coherent for just getting out of surgery only 2 hours ago. Luckily for him at most he only took 3 percocets a day and made his last bottle of (60) 10mg percocets last him 2 months So needless to say he has next to no tolerance to opiates and shouldnt have to go through the misery of pain and agony like I and some others went through in the hospital. Plus my sister is no push over and will make sure they take care of his pain. She's the type of person that would do something like what Joanna did for me after my surgery and call the CEO of the hospital to complain about my nurse and inadequate pain management.

My family sure has gone through a crazy surge of spine surgeries lately. I had my 2 level ALIF 8 weeks ago, Mom had 1 level of her neck anteriorly fused 6 weeks ago and now bro-in-law gets 2 level ADR today....wow thats a lot. And of course now my younger brother (18) is starting to have serious pain in his back but I pray everynight that he can get fixed from the chiropractor he's going to. Once I learn more about the exact procedure he had done I will update this post.

I'm not sure if he's been medically discharged from the Army already but if he hasnt I think thats the game plan. Not sure exactly how that works out financially but the Army seems to be pretty good to the soldiers especially when they are injured/disabled in the line of fire. Anyone know more about how the ARMY handles situations like these?

I've talked to John and showed him several times this website and we have peeked his interest and he is going to get an account set up in the next few days and I cant wait for you all to meet him. He married my baby sister; me and her shared the middle child spot since there were 6 kids in my family and she is the one I was always the closest to; so I've always been maybe a little over-protective of her and been very picky about who I can accept dating my sister. But John is a wonderful great person that I was more than happy to give my blessing to in taking Courtney's hand in marriage. It almost felt like I was the dad since she knew how I felt about anyone marrying my little sister and knew John had to get my approval before they could get married....kinda funny! I'll update more about the surgery when I talk to John tomorrow. Thank you all for keeping him in your thoughts and prayers as I need him to heal up for his own well being but most importantly to be able to continue to provide for my sister and give her the life she deserves. Talk to yall soon!

[Cindylou]

Greg, you have had alot of recent spine surgeries in your family, including you! I hope your brother-in-law begins to mend and I hope this is his ticket to safety from Afganistan. I hope his discharge papers go through too, with no red tape. My step-son is in Afganistan right now (he was home, his home, in North Carolina just recently for a leave of 2 weeks) and should be home for good sometime in November. I can't wait! Want him back on safe soil too. Hopefully with army injuries/disabilities they will take care of him in a timely manner. I know when my step-son was between Iraq and Afganistan going to college again the army was terribly delinquent in getting him his school tuition money. Just a sin in my book after he had been over there fighting for his country! My hubby and me had to send him money for his books and tuition because the army was dragging their feet! What a slap in the face to a soldier! Let's pray disability pay, etc., comes through with more favor. And thank your brother-in-law for his service to our country, will you Greg? I'd appreciate it. Regards, CL

[Metalneck07]

Wow Greg your family has had to endure an awful amount of spine trouble. I suppose the silver lining in this as family you can all greatly understand what the other is going thru and you each know how important it is to have a great support system. I will keep you all in my prayers and thoughts for a fast recovery and that as a family this will be the end of your battle with your spines. I sure hope that our country will quickly and sufficently take care your Brother-in Law for all that he has given and sacrificed for our country.He deserves that and so much more.My family is extremely greatful for all that he has done !!
Hope to hear in the coming days that all is well with you and your family.Take good care of each other and may the angels be watching over your family.
Caitlin aka Metalneck 07

[KBear]

That is a lot of surgery for one family in such a short time. I'm praying all 3 of you have great uneventful recoveries and are pain free soon. Tell your brother in law thank you for his service to our country! Hope he gets his discharge quickly and that he is taken care of.
Kathy

CL- That is unbelievable that they drug their feet like that. It is sad and un-excusable for our country to not take care of our Veterans who have given us so much. Also tell your step son thank you for his service to our country too.

[Greg]

Thank you all for your kind words, thoughts, prayers and well wishes. I have passed on your thank you's to John for his service to this country and he is very grateful. He said it was a rough night last night (kind of expected though) and that he feels like he's dying. So from what he said there it sounds like everything seems pretty normal. I just overnighted him my reacher/grabber thingy, no-bend-over sock putter-onner thingy and the really long shoe horn so once he gets home there should be no excuse for him to have to bend over for anything. He seems to be handling the surgery pretty well though and I gave him the tip of pressing a pillow as hard as you can on your stomach when you have to cough, sneeze or hiccup (because of the anterior incision) and even though its still probably one of the most horrible bursts of pain I've ever felt he said its helped some so I'm glad he's listening....makes me think he's one of those people that will actually listen to the doctors orders. Thanks again for yall keeping him and my oversized family (were italian so everyone seems to think they need to keep breeding lots of kids) in your thoughts and prayers...lol

[Justin]

My family sure has gone through a crazy surge of spine surgeries lately. I had my 2 level ALIF 8 weeks ago, Mom had 1 level of her neck anteriorly fused 6 weeks ago and now bro-in-law gets 2 level ADR today....wow thats a lot. And of course now my younger brother (18) is starting to have serious pain in his back but I pray everynight that he can get fixed from the chiropractor he's going to.

Wow, your family has been through a lot recently. I wish your Mom and John the very best (I also commend John for his service). I do hope your younger brother doesn't need surgical intervention in the future.

I'm not sure if he's been medically discharged from the Army already but if he hasnt I think thats the game plan. Not sure exactly how that works out financially but the Army seems to be pretty good to the soldiers especially when they are injured/disabled in the line of fire. Anyone know more about how the ARMY handles situations like these?

I came across this website when I was contacted by a Spine Patient in the military: HadIt.com Veteran To Veteran Forums

I've talked to John and showed him several times this website and we have peeked his interest and he is going to get an account set up in the next few days and I cant wait for you all to meet him.

I just overnighted him my reacher/grabber thingy, no-bend-over sock putter-onner thingy and the really long shoe horn so once he gets home there should be no excuse for him to have to bend over for anything.

You're awesome!

[Greg]

Thanks Justin and to everyone else. He didnt get around to walking today but did stand up a couple times and took 2 or 3 steps. The pain has been too much not to mention the drain of all physical energy. Even though today is the day after surgery he didnt get out of surgery until 10:30 PM EST so when I spoke to my sister at 9:30 PM EST it still technically hasnt even been a full day since the operation was finished so I can understand and not feel worried that he didnt move much today. He's a trooper though and I know he'll pull through. Thanks again for all the support and John is very grateful for everything everyone has said especially their thanks for his service. Goodnight all.....0630 comes real early....wow, thats only 4 and a half hours away GOTTA GO!