What to ask 6 months post op fusion

[mmglobal]

Kangaroo... I'm so sorry I didn't see this before your appt. How did it go?

Mark

[Maria]

I see that I was too late in replying.. I'm sorry. I do hope it went well and sorry again for being late with my reply.


Maria

[kangaroo]

Originally Posted by Maria

I see that I was too late in replying.. I'm sorry. I do hope it went well and sorry again for being late with my reply.


Maria

It's fine Maria and mmglobal. Thanks for replying.

The good news is that fusion has begun! Union is still not there but it's making its way there. I did notice a slight curve in the spine that I saw only when we got home. I feel a bit concerned that the doctor didn't show us that. Perhaps it wasn't an issue?

Anyway the appointment was quite rushed. I had my questions and only got to ask half of them before he rushed us off. He's never done that but I think they were all in a hurry since they had an emergency case later and/or it was nearing the holidays.

Originally Posted by Maria

How's your Dad doing with walking and mobility in general? The important thing I think is to make sure that whatever your father's most needed "complaints" as we used to call them in Nursing are heard and if none that his questions whatever they may be are answered as best the surgeon is able.

He's doing quite good. He can walk about 5km per day. Plus he does a lot of housework and helps Mum out even though we tell him not to. It's been hard to get him to settle down as to not agitate his fusion.

The main issue is his mental state. Not being able to work is really eating at him and the slow recovery is not helping either. I am sure many other people here experience the same. He is seeing a psychologist but I think he would benefit more with a pain clinic or someone who can teach him cognitive behavior therapy.

[Maria]

Yes that wanting to get back to an active life be it work or whatever can sometimes be a downfall or a stumbling block, setback etc. with healing so please do try to get your father to not do anything that's heavy or aggravates his fusion if possible. He will want to be ready for release to return to work when that time comes and it does if one continues to progress well and feels they can handle returning to their previous line of employment. I'm glad to read that your father is doing as well as he is and perhaps he could benefit by some CBT or just talking with someone (psychologist) that will assure him what he feels is normal however he is actually working right now.. working to heal well and working towards a long term goal and that involves being in the now and doing the work on a progressive and continual basis. Of course having been there I get it.. although didn't have a fusion tho did try to rush things.. it did not work well in my favor and in fact worked very much against me.

As Alastair used to say "slow and steady" (I believe that's what he said).. and hopefully your Dad will get there as he seems well on the path to a good recovery! Maria