Never again

Justin · #1 (**permalink**) 02-26-2009, 11:43 AM

Phylly,

This is fantastic news! I am so very happy for you. In a couple months, this will all be but just a memory.

Cindylou · #2 (**permalink**) 02-26-2009, 01:12 PM

Phylly, thank-you for the detailed post. It really sounds like you are right on track. I can't believe you are already 2 weeks post-op. When you wrote that you were going to take a long walk, I had to look again at where you live.....because we've got a half foot or more of snow coming today!

You forget that some places in the world are still enjoying balmy weather! I actually love the snow. Just wish I was able to ski in it right now. Hang in there. Keep posting. Glad you are coming along nicely, with a few expected bumps.

My best,

Cindylou

Gil Denis · #3 (**permalink**) 02-26-2009, 02:41 PM

Hi Cindy Lou

Great news, so glad you are doing so well, we love snow

.
Are you able to go to the gym to walk or go to MOA to walk around.
Some day we will ski again

Take care

Gil

Gil Denis · #4 (**permalink**) 02-26-2009, 02:45 PM

Hi Philly

I am happy you are doing so well, just keep doing all the good things.
You are an amazing person.

Best wishes
Gil

dshobbies · #5 (**permalink**) 02-26-2009, 05:51 PM

Phylly,

It's great hearing you 'talk' about the future. Surgical healing does take its sweet time but you'll get there. Sounds like you're doing great.

To the rest of the world, it should be in the 60s, 70s the next few days. Walking outside is pretty pleasant!!!!!! Maybe a light drizzle this Sunday.

Dale

I should also mention our water shortage... the good and the bad.

Liz · #6 (**permalink**) 02-26-2009, 08:48 PM

hi phylly,

that's great news!!! i hope you feel better and stronger each day. maybe don't drive for a few more wks!

i think your early revision success is one of a kind, but it's nonetheless inspiring!!

when you're up to it i hope you'll elaborate on your vessel guard for people since my impression is it's what saved you from a more invasive surgery to remove L4-5 through the psoas muscle, which is how i believe most Prodiscs are currently removed at L4-5.

my understanding from Phylly is the scar tissue stuck to the vessel guard and once it was peeled up the Prodiscs were visible without scar tissue. This is still a VERY risky op b/c of the aorta/major arteries around L4-5. i would encourage anyone facing anterior fusion or ADR to ask their surgeons if they plan to use some sort of a vessel guard in the event that a revision is needed down the road. Perhaps vessel guards will also allow patients to revise their ADRs to other ADRs in the future... i was told this may be possible if the ADR could be removed the way it went in b/c this may avoid removing too much bone.

anyway, deep thoughts, but i'm just so happy for you phylly!!! enjoy your walk!

best,
Liz

phylly · #7 (**permalink**) 02-26-2009, 11:08 PM

Hi Liz,
I think you explained the vessel guard better than I could. The only part I would add is they left same vessel guard in place and put it down again once the removal was completed. The vessel guard allowed the Drs. access through the front and therefore very little bone was removed. I realized that I was very lucky because vascular accidents can happen and when they do they are life threatening. That is why most Drs. chose to go in from the psoas muscle or just fuse over the discs. The Drs. that remove the discs believe that you heal better when they are out rather than fusing over the hardware and putting more in. Liz, when I read the OP report it talked about gently retracting vessels. They also slightly distracted the vertebrae to get in the bone cage and had to scrape/score the endplates so the bone could adhere. It sounded like they worked very slowly and carefully. Let me know if there is anything else I should talk about?

Liz, Keep us up to speed on all your tests and what you might be doing?
Justin, I was glad to see you posting, I miss you. Have you decided what you will be doing? Thinking about revisions are pretty stressful as there are so many different opinions about what to do. You are both such thoughtful people who have researched this a lot. I know you will both make good decisions.

My walk was wonderful but I did get pretty sore after and took a nap. Of course the phone rang and woke me up. So much for being lazy. What a beautiful day today is here in the OC.
Phylly