L4-5 & L5-S1 Chartie Stenum - kc0iet

[Cindylou]

Thank-you for that detailed explanation of the surgery and reversal Mark. Boy, KC has been through the ringer. I hope this latest revision holds the key to your recovery KC so you can begin to get back to the task of living your life! My very best to you.

[wilsonrob]

KC,

Remember me. I was in Stenum when you had your fusion revision. I was the one that had the substantial DVT in 9 ? places of my iliac / femoral vein. It was a very difficult time. But I have had great improvements. I still wear a knee high stocking and get some swelling but it is greatly improved. I spoke to Mark and it is fine if you get my number from him and call me to discuss. Some of the things that seemed to help are:

* healthy diet
* lots of water
* try some pycnogenol bark tablets
* lots of walking - I know it hurts
* of course I believe in lots of prayer which I will be doing for you

[kc0iet]

It has been sooooo long since I have been on the forums that I forgot where all of them are!

Anyway, I just wanted to say hello and give you an overdue update.

It has been two years since I was in the hospital for my last pair (the 6th and 7th) major spine surgeries! I am doing really well. I still have a lot of health issues and am now hopelessly addicted to Fentanyl but rarely take any other pain meds and have NOT used my wheelchair since I got home from the hospital (July 2009). Thanks to the DVT's between surgeries in 09, I will always have to take Coumadin and keeping the levels where they need to be is a challenge...

But - I am about to take on another huge challenge. I'm not sure if I am ready, but I got in to Law School! I will be moving half way across the country, alone, and embarking on the most challenging academic pursuit of my life! Your prayers and positive mojo would be appreciated. I have been working towards this goal ever since I have been unable to work. I am both excited and scared ****less! Without further complications or delays, I will be 50 when I take the Bar Exam!

PS - Mark, did you change your email address? I've tried many times to email you. My prayers continue to be with you

[Maria]

Hey Kc..
I remember when I was thinking about going to law school and how old I'd be when taking bar exams (back then I was nearing 40y.o.) and a friend said "you're going to be that age anyway".. so true!

Such exciting progress you've made and while medicated! I stopped taking Neurontin last August and have finally felt like I can think again tho the last few years on it seemed to really make my mind sluggish. Probably just wasn't bothering to try to think!

I don't know any docs in the area that you're relocating to however you're probably going to want to try to locate a good Pain Management doc to prescribe for you vs. a GP. When I relocated I tried to get a 3 month supplie of meds as it took me a while to find someone to prescribe for me (when I moved out of state).

Good luck w/everything and please keep us updated!

[dshobbies]

Wow KC,

I'm jealous. I was about 40 when I thought of going to law school and I'm sorry I didn't - and I would have taken the bar exam before 45.

So to you I say - good for you!!!! Gutsy move but after what you've been through, a walk in the park, which is difficult enough.

And of course, glad you're doing well enough to even consider it, let alone actually do it. I'm quite impressed. I know you'll be inundated with studies but please, please, keep us posted. Success stories give so many so much hope, even after initial bad outcomes - Please

Dale

[mmglobal]

Here is a picture that Janet sent me in August of 2012... she was just about to start her second year of law school. As mentioned above, when she returned from her surgery with Dr. Coufal, she put away her wheelchair and never used it again (until law school.) The demands of having to cross a large campus quickly carrying 50 pounds of books were too great, so she brought her wheelchair to Houston and it allowed her to stay in school.

These pictures still bring tears to my eyes.

[mmglobal]

I just spoke to Janet. Unfortunately, the report is mixed. Regarding her schooling, Janet "made it through the hard part" and got more than 1/2 way through law school. Unfortunately, she needed to return home to care for her ailing mother and is no longer in school. I can't tell you how much I admire her ability and drive to have gotten that far, and her priorities for putting family first. Way to go Janet.

Warm Houston was good for her. Unfortunately, her pain syndrome reacts pretty severely to cold weather. The Missouri winters are really, really bad for her. In any case, she is still on a medication level that is a fraction of what she needed following her two botched Stenum, Ritter-Lang surgeries. She bought a recumbent trike that she absolutely LOVES and, in spite of the harsh winter, she has over 500 miles on it.

Her leg still gets pretty swollen from the DVT, but it doesn't hurt her nearly as much. You don't want to be having a long anterior revision surgery if you can avoid it... I've seen many, most OK, but there can be problems. That's why you really need to be with a careful, competent surgeon... make sure it gets done right the first time!

So, even though the news is mixed and her life could be much, much better; she is still a thousand times better than she was.

Hang in there Janet!

Love,

Mark