[Spinal Fusion / Lumbar] Spinal Fusion L5-S1

[Susanna]

Ok, so I go to see the doctor tomorrow. Had blood drawn today to prepare for surgery. I have found something to use as an extended wiper, bath washer, although, I don't like the one my daughter bought and may look for something else. Have bought suspender hooks and ribbon and will make my own pant puller uppers. May still try to find a toilet seat thing to raise the toilet seat. Other than that, I think I may be good. I already have a reacher thingy. I am going to wait on the walker and see if I need it. I will talk to doctor tomorrow and see what he says.

I didn't need it last time, but this is suppose to be a bit more of a dramatic surgery. I know if I don't need it now, I may need it later.

So I will have some questions for the doctor tomorrow about the different fusions. Please pray for me that I get the answers that I need. I am just so tired of all of this!

I also picked up a total gym elite for getting back into good shape after I am healed, when ever that is! Only cost me $50. My P.T told me that would be the best one for me to get.

Susanna

[Greg]

Good luck Susanna. I have an almost brand new walker if you need one and run a manufacturing shop where we have the capabilities to ship small packages up to container ships all over the world. So I'd be more than willing to ship you my walker if you need one to save the money of buying you to use for a week or so.....thats really all I used mine. Good luck and I look forward to hearing from you!

[KBear]

It's getting closer!!! I'm sure you are ready to be done with it and on your way to a pain free life. Is surgery the 30th?

[Carson]

Compliments to your PT, Susanna. The total gym is an awesome system for spine patients. Once post-op it's going to be a while before you're cleared to use one but they're perfect for us. The glide board takes the weight off your spine while still allowing you to get fit. The key is the ability to lean the board to use as little as 5% of your body weight to begin so you can start very lightly. I use the XLS. The trick to the TG is light but disciplined regular use. I use it as a chance to listen to music, talk shows, sermons and cnn news. It's fun once you get in the swing of it.

Can't beat $50 bucks. That's the cool thing about the total gym; the bone heads who can't pull themselves away from American Idol and Dancing with the Stars long enough to exorcise end up selling their total gym for a third of retail after the thrill of opening the box and using it twice passes. There's an ocean of them on craigslist.

[Susanna]

@Greg- I would love to use your walker, but the shipping back and forth would probably be more than what I can get a used one for here on Craigslist. I'll let you know. Thanks! And also for the cheering up last night and shoulder you gave me today!

@KBear- Well, things have just gotten changed. I was suppose to have a Microdicotomy on Monday, but after seeing the doctor today, I am now having a fusion. They are calling the insurance company today to get pre-approval. They thought they would be calling me today with the surgery time and day. Should be some time next week. Monday or Tuesday they thought. The good thing about all of this, is that it will now be done at the hospital instead of the out patient surgery center. The hospital is an In Network facility and my out of pocket is met. So I "think" I will have less out of pocket costs. Even though my insurance pays 100% after i meet my out of pocket. Some places still hold you accountable for the above charges that the insurance doesn't pay. My surgeon and the out patient surgery center are two of them.

I am also very comfortable about the fusion my doctor is going to be doing after talking to him today. Evidently I have a lot of compression on my nerve roots that he has to take care of. So, although he does many different kinds of fusions we will be doing a posterior fusion on me because there is so much clean up and fixing he has to do of my spinal nerve area.

He also talked to me about the AXIL fusion that I was so hot for, and now I am not so excited about getting it. He is a very good surgeon and I trust him. So although now I have to get my psychie up for this new surgery, I have a lot of confidence in him.

@Carson- You will have to explain to me a bit better what you mean about how I should be using my new exercise equipment. But I feel really good about my purchase. I do realize it will be some time before I start using it. How many months do you think?

Thanks for everyones support! I can hardly believe that the day is almost here! All of my hand wringing and debating and now the decisions been made! I just wish my husband could be here. I only have the ladies from my bible club to help. My kids are practically useless. They are so busy. They leave at 6 a.m. and don't get home until 6:30 pm. I just hate that I don't have my husband here. It really sucks! He is my rock!

Susanna

[Greg]

Susanna,

As I told you earlier on the phone I couldn't be happier for you right now except for the no hubby part. I was wondering how you got away with talking to me for 45 minutes so early this morning. As long as your husband knows I'm the "other husband" then I guess were good. Its just so awesome you get to avoid having 2 surgeries and get the one you probably needed to begin with. And I am very impressed with your doctor and the way he handled your appt today. I feel like I can entrust him with my "other wife" now for surgery....lol

As for the walker, which I think you may need for at least a few weeks, don't worry about the shipping costs to you and back.....IT'S ON ME! I don't think Joanna would like me flying to Alaska to help care for you after the surgery so that's the least I can do to try and help in some way. So don't even look on Craigslist, I'm packing it up (well....I'll let the shippers do that. That is what they get paid for) and it's shipping out tomorrow so I can get it to you by Monday and THATS FINAL!!!!

I would think with a posterior fusion with rod and screw hardware I would give it at least 4 months or until you have fused and doctor lifts the "no BLT" restrictions before any exercise machine would be allowed. I just wish for the sake of giving you another gift that your surgery was a little farther away so I could send you my bone-growth-stimulator that I wear that pretty much guarantee's a successful fusion of the bones but I'm still ising it. Maybe after I'm done using it if your doctor is cool with it. Hell of a lot easier to wait 4 months for a fusion than up to and over a year.

Congratulations again on a great day for you!

[Susanna]

Greg,
I looked at the list. I think I am pretty good. I have pretty much everything on the list. I did have spinal fusion once before so I have a lot of the stuff on there.

I don't remember feeling nauseous. Is this something different with lateral fusion?

Susanna

[KBear]

Susanna, That's great that you are feeling good about surgery. I think you will be happy that you did it and have a better result too. So sorry you don't have your husband around to help, I can't imagine.

[Cindylou]

Susanna, good luck with your surgery. Hope the approval comes lickety split from insurance. I think you will do great following surgery as you sound like you are going into it with a great attitude and then some. I know the husband-absence sucks, but remember how strong we are as women, and you have your women friends from Bible study, and you have the good Lord. You will do awesome!

[Gilbert P]

Hi Susanna

Just caught up on your thread and

You are ready for surgery I wish you the best.

Gil