I'm on the 'other side' now!

[steve55]

Kathy, are you able to yet determine whether your "OLD" pre Op pain is cured? Is your current pain a "different" type of pain, like maybe due to surgery?

[Kathy]

Originally Posted by steve55

Kathy, are you able to yet determine whether your "OLD" pre Op pain is cured? Is your current pain a "different" type of pain, like maybe due to surgery?

On day 3 I felt like my old pain was gone and only incision pain was bothersome. Today, I have been very tight in my back, butt and hips. I think I did a little too much yesterday (I went shopping for a couple of hours, was having withdrawls, ya know?). Anyway, it was hurting horrible bad to move, very tense and tender, I took a muscle relaxer and that has helped quite a bit. I am thinking once the incision pain subsides and the surgery soreness subsides that it will be easier to tell. I feel like it is gone, wish there was a magic way of knowing for sure.

On a sweet note, my hubby asked about the back pain on day 3 and I told him I didn't feel it and thought it was gone. He started crying (tears of joy of course). Over and over, I heard him telling people on the phone about it and how my 3 plus years of pain was coming to an end. It was really sweet and made me realize just how much this has affected him too.

[Gil Denis]

Hi Kathy

I am so glad you are going to be so much better.

My wife can feel my pain.But does not really understand what we really are going through.
I try to explain it`s like child birth but it is always there "Never had child birth myself"
We should have a help Thread on how this spine issues affects all the people around us.
I believe Mark started one. Lets make it happen

Take Care

Gil

[Kathy]

Hey everyone,
I saw the surgeon today, everything is great! He did x-rays and the placement of perfect. He was very proud of his work, he said that he has bragging rights now with my surgeons in Dallas. He even turned the lights out and took a picture of the x-ray with his phone. He said I was doing great and that he expected me to heal great, be pain free and to never need anymore back interventions. I pray he is right! Anyway, I was very excited to see how great it was done. I found out that I have the Active-L, except it is not the big keel in the middle one, it is the one wih a lot of smaller keels (I thought it was the Charite; but it just looks different than what I have seen). I am glad I got the Active-L, I would have been happy with the Charite; but was a little scared of getting it because of all the bad press (which I know is probably over-exemplified). It is a great design and my surgeon was the co-designer of it, so that is really cool. Well, that's it for now, I think I will take a nap now. Maybe later I will have the energy to start a post-surgery thread.... we'll see.
Thanks for all the support,
Kathy

[steve55]

Thats great to hear that inititial impression is that the old pre op pain is gone. Im doing awesome myself, my pre op pain is ALL GONE! 3.5 weeks post op now and been able to sit at my computer for hours at a time, and go shopping for hours etc, and only having minor discomfort. Getting better each few days.

I am also glad you did not get the charite. I also heard alot of stories about it falling apart. And the fact yoru keels are smaller means less chance for bone fracture later on.

Sounds all good to me!!

YOu need to throw a ADR recovery party for all your friends and family as soon as you are 100% sure the old pain is truly gone! LOL!

Ya know, it feels great to hear stories of how someone's life can go from pure hell and despair to complete relief and a new life.

[Justin]

Hey Kathy, I'm just popping in to say I hope your recovery goes well. Remember to take things slow...it's great to hear that your pre-op pain looks like it's now behind you.

Be well.

[mmglobal]

Great news Kathy. Moments like the one where you told your husband that the pre-op pain was gone are absolutely amazing. Thanks for sharing it.

All the best,

Mark