Diane's surgery blog

[dshobbies]

Diane,

I'm so happy for you... for your uncomplicated recovery and for making it to the other side. The apprehension can be stiffling and yet, here you are, 2 days out! You made it and hopefully, the worst is over.

Please take care, my thoughts are with you, Dale

[fortitudine]

I've been thinking of you, Diane, and I'm so happy that things seem to be going well. I'll continue to send healing thoughts your way.
Hope

[Boodlebtl]

Hi Mark,
Thank you so much for sending me the link to this thread. I am sorry to hear of Diane's back problems...but happy that she will be pain-free soon (said in faith)!
I don't think I have talked to you since you were so kind to call me from Germany when I had my surgery 2 years ago. Just wanted to let you know that I am doing GREAT after my 20 years of back pain.
I will keep Diane in my prayers for a quick, complete recovery.

[JeffreyD]

Mark & Diane,
Pauline and I are so glad that the surgery went well with "no surprises".
We are praying for a wonderful recovery and a strong peace to see you through this physically trying time.

Now, when we go out for that oft put-off dinner together, the four of us will represent 10 artificial discs!

God Bless,
Jeff & Pauline

[marijo]

I do so hope that your wife's recovery continues as it has started. You are both such an inspiration to us all, and I hope you don't mind me barging in like this to say so.
Mary.

[ellecincos1]

Diane and Mark,

Slowly but surely things start falling into place in every which way!!! I hope your feeling better and better....Zoey is so cute she's a baby doll!

See ya!
Myriam

[mmglobal]

OK folks... we are here. It's day 3 and Diane is not yet 72 hour post-op. It's about 3:30 pm here in Straubing and Diane is taking a nap. We checked out of the hospital this morning.... got the full treatment. Control x-ray looks good... incision looks good... Diane is feeling good. Peter Hoch drove us from Bogen to Straubing. He's such a great guy, it's always a pleasure to see him.

I'm always worried about the get out of the hospital day, because just the process of packing up and moving is 1,000 times the activity level the patient has experienced since the surgery. We don't know if her pain levels are artificially reduced because she's been mostly in bed for several days, or if the higher than usual pain meds (which are being decreased) are keeping things at bay. But she's still doing great... It may be tough keeping her down as she loves to be outside and really enjoys everything about Straubing. I may have to handcuff her to the bed!

For those of you who had trouble re-mobilizing your bowels after abdominal surgery, or if you are a little squeamish... you might not want to read this. Yesterday morning, 1.5 days out, it was clear that all systems were OK, so last night when the hospital dinner was delivered, we decided that it was OK to substitute our own food. I went to Giovanni's and got some pasta, bread and salad. (Remember... we are cleared to eat... don't do this without clearance from the docs... ileus is serious.)

Today, after I got Diane settled in the room, I went out hunting and gathering. Fresh strawberries... pears... bread... several types of cheese... smoked salmon. Diane didn't touch the sausage and sauerkraut.

It would be a beautiful day here even if we were in a blizzard. This is all so wonderful. I was hoping to be able to post something like this... and I'm so pleased that Diane is doing so well.



All sunshine and smiles from Straubing.

Love to all,

Mark

PS... I know that less than 1/2 of us have such an easy time with the surgical experience. This is great, but it's not what matters... this is all about long-term success... and not all of us will achieve that either. While this is great, we are still only cautiously optimistic. I wish we could bottle this and give it away... nobody deserves to suffer the way so many of us do.

[mwmc76]

Hi Mark, it was good to hear from you the other day. I have been praying for Dianes quick and successful recovery. Its great to read the updates. Your description of Bogen and the hospital brings back great memories! My wife stayed in my room also, it's the only way to go. The room had a huge sliding glass door with a beautiful view of the hillside.
Diane, you had the best (Dr. B) , now just let your body heal and enjoy the new back!

Mark (Tennessee)
L3/L4/L5 ProDisc 4/29/05
Dr. Bertagnoli

[dshobbies]

Wow, I'm so impressed! 3 days out and already out of the hospital. Diane, you're doing so well, it must be all the TLC from Mark. I wish you continued improvement and am really thrilled for you. I know that you're still anxious but the worst is over and in the past. What a great feeling.

Dale

[Cheryl]

I can't believe she's out, made the trip to Straubing and looks so great!!! The leave the hospital day (which was 3 days later than Diane) was SOOOOO hard for me. I know you'll make her take it easy - I was really awful the day after leaving the hospital - I think that you even called me that day after you read how bad it was.

Where'e Dianes back brace? I can't see it in the picture.

Cheryl