Met w/ my surgeon again today....surgery in 4 days!
 

Hi all,

I met with my surgeon again today to go over the Cat Scan, have another thorough physical exam, and receive my pre-op forms, which I'll take with me tomorrow a.m. for the pre-op physical. I really do like this doctor. He is so thorough. I guess since most of his patients are obese that he operates on, he said I was a gift for him, and he thought it would make surgery go more smoothly too. Glad I could oblige. :D He remarked over and over what incredible work "this Dr. Bertagnoli" did to install my 3 lumbar discs, looking at the films. He said impeccable work. And when I was asking him about transfer of load issues, he said it was actually very good that I had the artificial discs already in my spine, and the fusion at L6-S1. These would all work together nicely. He said typically he only has to fuse one SI joint. The most painful side. And that does the trick of making it less mobile. I wish I could explain it as good as he did. I have a few things to pick up for the night before surgery (guess anyone?! :eek:). We have to figure out the bed situation for me still. All of our bedrooms are either upstairs or downstairs, w/ none on main level. And they said they really preferred "no stairs" for those 6 weeks. I hate to have to shell out for a hospital bed rental. Other than that, it's almost all systems go.
I've been doing the Zycam and I think it's helping my sore throat.

Cindylou

I cannot believe that you are almost there. I am wishing you the best. It will be hard not to go up and down stairs for 6 weeks. Eeeks! I know you better now and I hope that you are very careful and follow all the instructions. If they say no stairs then NO STAIRS. Be a good patient and you will have a good result. I hope your sore throat goes away too, you really don't want to be sick for the surgery. Take care.
phylly

Hi Cindy Lou
I am glad to hear you are moving forward with your surgery:)
I wish you the best
Take Care
Gil:)

here you go
 

Hey CindyLou,
Glad to hear your surgeon is so thorough and sounds like someone very good to talk to and/discuss what's planned as well. You sound very ready for the surgery and I think the mental headset is quite helpful esp. if you're prepared for the "other side" as well in terms of recovery time.

Wishing you the best results and can't wait to hear more about the surgery and outcome! And glad the Zicam is helping you out. I really like the product and have used it for about 8 years now when needed. Seems to help reduce the amount of time I'm feeling viral or just abort the symptoms.

take good care!

Great that you're good to go! I'll be that you'll be glad to have that hospital bed when you get home. I'm 24 days out from an ALIF and I still find myself trying to minimize trips up and down.

Good luck!

CL- I know you are so ready to have this surgery done and get back to living. Sounds like you have a very good surgeon, that really cares about people and listens to you. I can't imagine not being able to do the stairs for 6 weeks, I swear that is why I stay fit (I don't need a stairmaster, because I live in the stairmaster!) I'll be praying for you, Kathy

CindyLou:

You are in Elizabeth's and my thoughts and prayers. I wish you nothing but the best and a successful outcome. Let's hope this is the; "Magic Bullet" and your quality of life grows in leaps and bounds to make up for the "He double L" you've gone through for the last several years since the accident.

I am eager to hear of the outcome and see you on the other side. :)

Terry Newton

Cindy Lou,

You'll be in my prayers for a tremendous outcome to your surgery. I hope Mark gives you comfort by being there. It sounds like many people will be there in spirit.

Good luck,

Bob

Mark,

PM me for some ideas on harmless practical jokes you can pull on CL while she's sedated.........