#128111
January 27th, 2005 at 06:54 AM
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Wild Woman
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OP
Wild Woman
Joined: Apr 2004
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We finally got to see the Neuro~surgeon today...(whew) He didn't schedule the surgery today...he wanted us to "talk" about our options. (like what does he think we have been doing for the past 4 WEEKS wwaiting to see him!) Options: 1. Complete disc replacement 2. Pins & screws (disc fusion) 3. 4 months total bedrest Well, the replacement is a very "rough" & difficult surgery, they go through the abdomen AND they don't even do it here. The closest place would be Louisiana. THe replacement would also have to be re-done in 10 years. A long hospital stay and longer recovery period. The fusion, although there are pins & screws involved, has a much shorter recovery time, less hospital stay and could last forever. Although it would put more pressure on the above discs...there would be a very significant pain reduction. 4 months complete bed rest (NOT IN MY HOUSE!!!!) (just kidding...kinda) would probably do nothing. Then minute he got out of bed and returned to daily living tasks...he would be just having to deal with this again. They put a tinge unit on him today hoping to zap some of the pain. He absolutely hates it...It is only aggravating the pain. I will be surprised if he hasn't thrown it out the window by morning. So, we really only have one option...the disc fusion. They will schedule the surgery sometime next week.Just thought I would let you guys know what we found out today.
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#128112
January 27th, 2005 at 07:08 AM
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Anonymous
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Anonymous
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Gee Vanessa, none of those options sound appealing. Can't imagine how difficult it must be to have to make that decison! My thoughts are with you both!
Cricket
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#128113
January 27th, 2005 at 07:26 AM
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Member
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Member
Joined: Sep 2004
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Yeah, none of those option sounds real appealing, but then, neither does living with chronic debilitating back pain. We'll all be thinking of you! I've heard that having those pins put in really helps.
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#128114
January 27th, 2005 at 07:14 PM
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Compost Queen!
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Compost Queen!
Joined: Apr 2003
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Yes, Vanessa, Thanks for the update....... I have heard about the pins too, and did help someone I knew, it helped him alot, actually so much that he felt better, and like a jerk and NOT LISTENING TO ADVICE went out ski~doing 4 wks after the back surgery and screwed his back up reaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaallllllllllllllly bad after that. So, have him go slow, and not over do... and he should be up and around and doing great soon...
Weezie
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#128115
January 27th, 2005 at 08:49 PM
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Wild Woman
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OP
Wild Woman
Joined: Apr 2004
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We have heard a lot of positive things about the pins/screws as well...we are encouraged! I don't think we have to worry about him sking afterwards...he will be happy to be able to walk & lay down...hasn't slept well in almost 2 months now because he can't lay down for over an hour at a time.So, as crazy as it seems, we are kinda looking forward to it!
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#128116
January 28th, 2005 at 05:47 AM
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Official Problem Child
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Official Problem Child
Joined: Mar 2004
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4 months complete bed rest (NOT IN MY HOUSE!!!!) (just kidding...kinda) would probably do nothing. Then minute he got out of bed and returned to daily living tasks...he would be just having to deal with this again I agree...it would probably come right back. And, complete bed rest means COMPLETE bed rest. For most people, that would involve either being strapped to a bed with a straight jacket on, or totally sedated 24/7. I can't imagine complete bed rest really happening. (Guess that's why I still have complications from my hysterectomy...didn't follow that complete bed rest rule...or any of the other ones.) Hope all goes well... Cindy
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#128117
January 28th, 2005 at 06:35 AM
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Wild Woman
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Wild Woman
Joined: Apr 2004
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Hhmmm...totally sedated 24/7.........now there's a man I can live with!
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#128118
January 28th, 2005 at 08:48 AM
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Official Problem Child
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Official Problem Child
Joined: Mar 2004
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#128119
January 28th, 2005 at 02:14 PM
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Anonymous
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Anonymous
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#128120
March 13th, 2005 at 08:53 PM
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The Cheetah!
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The Cheetah!
Joined: Mar 2003
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Hi Vanessa Wondering how hubby is doing
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#128121
March 14th, 2005 at 06:50 AM
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Compost Queen!
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Compost Queen!
Joined: Apr 2003
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I think they're still on their cruise right now!!! They should be back any day now!!! (*I can't remember said the trip was?? 7~10 days????? Hope he's feeling well, and Vanessa's having a greaaaaaaaaaaati time!!!! Weezie
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#128122
March 14th, 2005 at 02:27 PM
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Official Blabber Mouth
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Official Blabber Mouth
Joined: Mar 2005
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If he needs pins it has to be done. But from personal experience I would add the following advice. One) Don't gain wait. Two) If you have had the situation for awhile like I did. When I felt much better the first thing I tried to do was go back to my earlier level of activity DON'T. Increase your level of activity alittle at a time otherwise the pain rears it's ugly head again. It took me years to get on the right side of that advice. And if you are like most people myself included that I have talked to the pain comes back for a visit after about one year but It doesn't stay. Hope you have all the luck in the world with your surgery.
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#128123
March 14th, 2005 at 07:55 PM
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Joined: May 2004
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Well, I can only add the support and advice of a spouse. My DH went through a VERY violent/traumatic surgery and pulled through with flying colors. But it was pretty close to the worst 14 hours of my life!!!! When it's all over, take a moment to excuse yourself from your loving supporters and go have an excellent cry.
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#128124
March 16th, 2005 at 05:13 AM
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Wild Woman
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OP
Wild Woman
Joined: Apr 2004
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We are back from the cruise and he is more than READY to have this taken care of! We have gone over and over the "not going to over~do" thing! I just insist on it...I NEED his help with the baby WAY too much for him to mess up after getting this fixed. His surgery is Thursday the 17th (Happy St. Patty's day ti him)at 7 am. What we had planned so well is falling apart. We now at the last minute have no sitter for Peanut that day...so I will be chasing him around the hospital all day! YIPPEEEE!!! And, I had planned to stay the night with him (he is such a baby)(like most men)oops! but now will have to take the toot home and then drive back to the hospital the next morning, although I thought about renting a room...but can't really justify doing that since the hospital is only an hour away. Oh, well, it will all come out in the wash!
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#128125
March 16th, 2005 at 06:38 AM
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Member
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Joined: Feb 2004
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I will think of you the second I wake up!
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#128126
March 16th, 2005 at 08:08 AM
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Joined: May 2004
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Rent a room. You'll feel better knowing you'll be closer. And you'll also be thankful to have somewhere private to go if you feel the stress getting to you too much.
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#128127
March 16th, 2005 at 04:40 PM
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Member
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Joined: Feb 2005
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Prayers going up. My neice just had major back surgery, they discovered spinal fluid leak in her spine. What a mess, they rebuilt all of that and some disks. Another one had the pin thing, he walks and is happy he did it, but still every once in awhile he hurts, not like he did, but still. I hope and pray that yours will be good to go when it is done. Let us know. I will be thinkin on him and you. Elfie
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#128128
March 17th, 2005 at 04:12 PM
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Anonymous
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Anonymous
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you are probably about an hour into the surgery right now... or an hour into the prep... i'm praying for you... my hubby will get the schedule for his surgery soon (i hope), he met the neuro surgeon tuesday. let us know... we are praying for you!
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#128129
March 17th, 2005 at 04:18 PM
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Compost Queen!
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Compost Queen!
Joined: Apr 2003
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I was just hunting this topic down to send my prayers too Jiff!! You beat me to it!!! :p Sending May WATCH over your hubby and his doctor's hands! Keep us posted! Weezie
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#128130
March 20th, 2005 at 07:14 AM
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Wild Woman
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OP
Wild Woman
Joined: Apr 2004
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Thank you! Thank you! thank you! Your prayers were HEARD!!!! The 4 hour surgery went exceptionaly well...the Neuro-surgeon came bouncing out of the OR and said that he thought that hubby would feel 10 years younger once he recovers from the operation. (Hhmm...if that is true, then I need back surgery)They brought him to the room and he just looked pitiful...huge drainage tube, swollen eyes...etc...so I just couldn't leave. He has really done exceptionaly well,up and walking the night of surgery. He is allowed to stand or lay down and can only sit for 30 minutes at meal time...so he just wanders around aimlessly. He can already tell a HUGE difference in the pain. Even though he is in a lot of pain from the actual surgery...he has not had ANY of the pain that he felt before surgery.YIPEEEEE! I will have him back on that tiller before you know it. It was just such a huge success.....thank you ALL again for your thoughts & prayers. I am totally exhausted so going to try to get a nap.
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#128131
March 20th, 2005 at 03:48 PM
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Compost Queen!
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Compost Queen!
Joined: Apr 2003
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I will have him back on that tiller before you know it. on his progress !!! Weezie
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#128132
March 20th, 2005 at 05:18 PM
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Anonymous
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Anonymous
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so glad it went well. i have to show my husband this post. he will talk to the surgeon on monday to see what they can do for him. and weezie, you know, a self-propelled tiller is actually easier on the back than a rider? because of the bouncing... the tiller you walk behind.
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#128133
March 20th, 2005 at 06:56 PM
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Wild Woman
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OP
Wild Woman
Joined: Apr 2004
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Hey Jiff...I wish I could send you our Neuro-surgeon...he is a JEWEL!!! I just adore him...he has made all of this SO much easier. Not only a great surgeon, but just a wonderful person.He gave hub all kinds of written info so he would know exactly what was going on. I hope they will put your hubby on the orthofix after his surgery...it is a "belt" that is a spinal fusion system. He has to wear it 4 hours every day but it helps the bone fuse much quicker. You can't even tell it is doing anything. And...I have a Mantis tiller so he will be behind it before to long! It is a BREEZE to run. It only wieghs about 20lbs. But right they told him NOT to lift anything more than a gallon of milk. He picked up a half gallon of milk this morning and said it was a chore...the baby isn't quite understanding why he can't pick him up, but he will be able to before long I am sure!
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#128134
March 20th, 2005 at 07:05 PM
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Anonymous
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