KathyEarhart; Active L; L4/5; March 2009

[Kathy]

I am so extremely thrilled to get to be on this side of surgery! I thought this day would never come. Lots of persistence and research finally paid off. For anyone still in the before surgery process, don't give up. it took me almost 3 years to finally find out exactly what was wrong with me. It then was another 5 months of fighting insurance and being denied. Signing up for a clinical trial and being disqualified due to prior spinal litigation. I finally found a clinical trial that I wanted to be in, found the best dr (thanks to the great people on here), was accepted into the trial and got a surgery date. I truly believe that everything happens for a reason and it was God's plan for me to end up exactly where I did for surgery, with my surgeon and with the Active L disc.

Mark-would you move my two post-op threads in the main forum and attach them to this?

[Terry Allen Blackburn]

Kathy:

I love your picture. You've got a beautiful family. I can only hope and pray that you continue to heal, and recover, from all that you have been through and, that you get your life back. You've been through an amazing amount of stuff that would make most people quit and give up. You're an amazing example of the resiliency of the human spirit and perseverance. You've come along way since the other site and the initial postings.

Keep up the great recovery.

Terry Newton

[mmglobal]

Kathy, if I try to merge the other threads into this one, the conversations will be all mixed up and will be difficult to follow. I'd recommend that we leave them where they are and link them to this thread. Might edit the top post and put them on top. If you just past the url for the thread into a post, it'll get translated into the thread title... like this:

4 Days till Surgery!

I'm on the 'other side' now!

I know how tough the days following the surgery can be. It sucks, but it makes for a better story. Just another few days in hell before the rest of your life starts. It sounds like you are doing great. Ramp up your activities slowly... don't do too much too soon. I hope to hear more good news. Please keep us posted.

Mark

[Kathy]

I have yet another incision healing question.... Where my incision is, it feels raised and padded like. That isn't a great explanation; but when I touch it, from center to about 1/2" on each side of it, it feels more raised, like something is under it. Is this normal? I am guessing it is from the stitching underneath and the skin/muscles being pulled together.
Other than that, it seems to be healing nicely. It is a very thin line and the glue is still on for the most part, it's starting to peel in places; but still on most of it.

My swelling has went down alot, my feet are almost back to normal.... yeah! At one point they were so swollen that my skin hurt from being stretched. My muscles are still really stiff; but better than before. It is not hurting as bad to reposition myself in a chair. I am also sleeping, really good for the most part. I have found a way to get on my side to sleep, which is weird because I am usually a back sleeper. I even swept the floor today (made my daughter hold the dust pan of course). I have got it down with my grabbers where I can pick up the kids toys, trash (for some reason my kids have NO IDEA what a trash can is for, even though I have told them until I was blue in the face) and really don't need the cane or walker anymore (I do take the cane out with me, just in case. I am really clumsy and uncordinated, so I don't want to chance a fall). I went to the movies yesterday with my kids and watched Monsters vs. Aliens. Kids loved it, they did pretty good, aside from the mid-movie fight over who would hold the Sour Skittles (important stuff there). My husband dropped us off, I had one of the employees carry all of the snacks and booster seats to the theatre for us. I only had to go up and down the stairs 10 times (have a 3 year old who I had to take potty, I kid you not, 4 times BEFORE the movie ever started!) Luckily, the really nice mommy next to me was willing to watch my 5 year old everytime I left, so I just had to take the little one. I wasn't in any extra pain after the movie, just the usual. I am going to try and get into my pm dr this week and get a refill on medication. The surgeon 1/2 the stregnth from 10 to 5 mg 1-2 every 4 hours to 1-2 every 6 hours. I am taking it every 4 hours, because I just can't handle going every 6 hours. I don't take them at night, so it equals out. The surgeon acted like when this second rx was out that I should be just fine (think he is a litttle to eager, I understand; but I gotta survive too). I think his fear is that I would never get off the meds and be considered a failure, which I am not concerned about; I know I will not take anything when I don't have pain. When I tried to stick to the every 6 hours and only took 1, instead of 2, I was just laying and suffering. In order for me to be able to walk and move around, I need to have a manageable level of pain, otherwise, I won't, I'll just lay and suffer. Not to mention, having 2 kids in the house is loud and there is no rest for the weary with them around! (doesn't make for a nice mommy)

[marion]

Hi Kathy, so glad you are this side of surgery you suffered so very much its only right you should get fixed reakky am so pleased for you keep on healing Marion (Maz) xx

[phylly]

Kathy,
I can't believe that you are already going to the movies with your kids? You are a super trooper. Please be careful, even taking the little one for the potty means bending over and you want to be careful the first few weeks. Has it already been that long? Take it easy and rest as much as possible, you have been though a lot. Your scar will feel softer over time and try gently rubbling some skin cream on the top. You are amazing.
Phylly