Geoff's Blog - Alpha Kilinik L4/L5/S1

[Firerescuefin]

Well its, a little after 9:15 in the evening in Munich. I am laying in my room with my wife and son beside me. I will post more later on this evening, but the short story is that the discs I have now are much better than the ones they replaced. Zeegers words about those two discs after the surgery were "Pain, pain, pain" He was suprised that I was not more symptomatic than I was. I think I was that symptomatic, I'm just not one to show it as much on my sleave. My wife was probably the only one that understood where I was at from a pain perspective. Dr. Zeegers said placement was "perfect" and that things could not have gone better. That is obviously what we wanted to hear. I am still jet lagged and know I will be up for awhile. I will post again before going to bed.

Thanks for all of the prayers, kind thoughts, and encouragement.


Geoff

[Cheryl]

I can't believe I am saying this but welcome to the other side.

Let us know more when you are up to it.

[Firerescuefin]

Well, it's saturday afternoon around 4pm. I just got back from my first real walk. The abdominal pain (although certainly real) was not my problem. The issue was my continual reaction to the anasthesia. Until about an hour ago, anything that remotely looked like sitting or standing up turned me as white as a ghost. Now, I am feeling pretty good. I just took a walk down the hall to talk to a friend (I made on the test day) that received Stalif L5/S1 and Activ L @ L4/5. The first thing he asked me about was my back pain. I told him IT'S GONE....at least the pain that I knew. My bones feel sore, but I am not feeling the shooting pains down the legs, nor the knifing mechanical pain in my back. I received the surgical report from Dr. Zeegers this morning. It's basically his dictation during the surgery. I found it extremely interesting, as he is describing what he is seeing as he is going about his businees. For examply, he repositioned L5/S1 three times before he was satisfied with the placement. I told my wife this morning the same thing I shared with Mark a couple of months ago. "We went to the right guy for the right surgery." The rest is in God's hands, and we can live with that. I think under any other scenario, I would look back and what if things to death. It is so great having my wife and son with me. As I mentioned before, she had her doubts before we got here, but having lived through the last couple of days and seeing the quality of care we have received, she is so glad that we came. I know any of you considering something like this want and need the full support of your spouse/family. My 3 month old son has been a rock star here. He is loving Munich and Munich is loving him...and I cannot imagine not having them here.

[Alastair]

Congratulations on getting your first walk in, I think all of us Zeegers patients have done the walk down the corridor, met friends that we met the day before surgery.

I don't know if you walked back from the recovery room, or if they stopped doing that but that was very spooky.

I have got to think that either Monday or Tuesday you will be back at your hotel, and making brief trips to the gym?
Take it easy -- -- -- slow and steady wins this race
best,
Alastair

[dshobbies]

Geoff,

How miraculous for you but repeating A's warning.... SLOW AND STEADY WINS THE RACE e.g. several short walks vs 1 long one.

A great big congratulations from the states.

Dale

[mmglobal]

Geoff... It's been great to read your blog and I'm so pleased that you were even up to posting on your surgery day! I always thought it was good that I had no internet access in the days following my surgery. If I had been posting my first few days... nobody who read about my experience would have gone!

Sounds like you are ahead of the game. I look forward to hearing more... I'll try to call tomorrow.

All the best,

Mark

[Firerescuefin]

Ispine Gang,

Thanks for the encouraging words. I did do the shuffle from the operating room and spooky is a pretty good description. Thankfully, due to resources like Ispine, I was prepared for this surgery as well as for the recovery (as much as possible). I understood that this was a substantial surgery, and that my recovery would most likely be painful and slow. Anything more than that will be great, but I am not expecting miracles. I will continue to update over the following days. I am free to answer any questions to people that may be on the fence or just interested in the process.

Geoff

[Cheryl]

Wow you are doing awesome!! Glad the pain you knew is gone - that must feel amazing!!