Never again

[SandyW]

Dear Phylly

Great news! Praying for a fast and increasingly pain-free recovery. Hang in there, know you can do it.

Was your son able to stay with you thru your surgery. Take advantage of all the support and "mothering" you richly deserve.

Sandy

[ImpOssibleOne]

Good news and great to see you posting already. I had a fusion on Tuesday as well, albeit a less complicated one, but we can compare notes when you get home. If you're up walking already it shouldn't be long. Good going! I'm sending healing thoughts your way.

Adrienne

[treefrog]

So glad that you are on the other side now. Up and walking already, that's fantastic. Rest, rest, and rest some more. Look forward to hearing more, when you are able.

Very happy to know that you are okay.

[Justin]

Hey Phylly,

Any updates? I know you are probably focused on recovering... I just wanted to drop you a line of support. I hope all is well.

[phylly]

Hello All,
Thanks for the wonderful wishes, I tried to get something down but I guess it was not too coherent. Saint Joseph's is a beautiful hospital. All the staff and doctors are so happy and cheerful. I have been struggling with some pain issues. I figured that would happen because of how long I had been on drugs. The surgery went real well and as far as I can tell; a lot of my pain is gone, except for the back and front pain. My Dr. did the percutaneus surgery where he did not scrape the muscle away from the bone. This should give me more muscle to help in healing. Dr. Carlson also said that he recommended some bone treatment to aid in hardening the bones since mine were somewhat spongy. This was good news for me. I had osteopenia from all the epidurals and I was glad for a cure over several years.

I have been rather zonked out the past few days as they regulate meds from the pca to the pills. I thought I would be going home tomorrow but haven't heard the final word yet.

Adrienne, I hope my twin is doing well too. I forgot the stomach bloating and the back hurting too. I can't wait to sit and get my fingers uncovered from the IV's. My hair is longing for the shower, soon I hope. I guess I was amazed at how the two doctors were able to get the discs out. I hear there is a cage around bone.

I am not sure what else to write, so please ask whatever you need to find out, if I can help you. Mark, thanks for checking up on me. I'll be talking to you all soon.

Phylly

[runner]

Phylly,

Good to hear you are progressing.
Hopefully, you will be home soon.

I think the cages are what they put in between the vertebrae (they are cylinders with empty space in the middle) and they pack them with bone or other stuff (BMP, cadaver bone).
If you have a bracing on top (posterior (back) part) of the vertebrae, that would be plates.

I would expect to be loopy after the anesthesia and other medications. The PCA is nice but I found that with the pills, that the gut worked better.

I am happy you find St. Joseph a good place. It is a nice hospital and I hope your experience is all positive. I am surprised you can type as much as you have. Just rest and feel better.
Are you getting up with physical therapy every time?

I'd come and visit you if you were closer and I felt better. But I feel confident that they are taking good care of you. FYI, that is the new hospital. It opened in 2007 and I went out before I could work there.

Take care,

runner

[Liz]

phylly,

i'm so glad you are doing so well!!! you sound surprisingly coherent, although i imagine that post took some time to write! please be careful, i recommend lots of ice to keep the stomach swelling down, and i look forward to hearing more about your operation when you are comfortable at home recovering.

take care,
Liz