KathyEarhart; Active L; L4/5; March 2009

[Kathy]

SURGERY DATE: March 17, 2009

AGE AT SURGERY DATE: 29 years

SURGEON: Dr. Rolando Garcia

SURGERY LOCATION/CLINIC: Aventura Hospital, Aventura, Florida (north of Miami)

DEVICE(s), LEVEL(s): Active L, L4/5

COST = $0; clinical trial, travel costs only
AMOUNT BILLED: $0
INSURANCE ALLOWED: N/A
OUT OF POCKET: $0
TRAVEL: 7k total; 2k for first appt trip and 5k for second trip for surgery
EXPLANATIONS? Paid hotel, flights, flights for friends to care for me, rental car and food.

ONSET OF LUMBAR PROBLEMS: January 12, 2006, in a MVA with an 18 wheeler, neck and mid-back pain, head on collision July 2006, entire spine hurts.

PRIOR SPINE SURGERIES AND PROCEDURES: IDET on L4/5 Oct. 06, mid=back and neck pain stop, lower back pain continues. Epidural and Facet Injections, Bi-Lateral 3 level Neurotomy June 08, chiropractic, accupuncture, physical therapy, and any and everything else imaginable (I honestly can not remember everything)

PRE-OP MEDICATIONS: Kadian (morphine) 20 mg 2x daily; Vicodin 10/325 4-6x daily; Lyrica 75mg 2x daily; Cymbalta 60mg 2x daily; Zanaflex 3mg 1-2 nightly for sleep

PRE-OP DIAGNOSTICS: Discogram Sept 06 and Sept 08 both confirmed L4/5 pain; Facet Injections May 08 and numerous prior ones and Neurotomy June 08

PRE-OP NEUROPATHIES: Pain in lower back at L4/5 level, in the middle of the back (as in middle from side to side); hip and leg pain only when the pain was out of control, pain without meds 10 of 10, with meds 3-5 out of 10

PRE-OP CONDITION: 99% low back pain; burning, stabbing, constant, sharp pain (felt like I had a stick stuck up my spine); functioned moderately with lots of meds; without meds- laid on couch and wanted to die; fighting for disability, denied twice, waiting on hearing in front of judge

TIME POST-OP AT ORIGINAL POST HERE: 1 week 4 days

DESCRIBE YOUR SURGICAL EXPERIENCE: Surgery was great, first 2 nurses afterward were horrible. Had I known the pain that I would be in for the first 2 days afterward, I probably would have chickened out. Disclaimer: I am extremely tolerant to pain medication and anesthia, doctor said that to get me to go under it was similar to taking out a horse (guess they should have a vet dr instead of a people one), nurse would not give me all the medication ordered (she would only give the morphine shots and not the oxy). The medication ordered was morphine every 3 hours, oxy every 4 hours, phenegran every 4 hours if needed for nausea and ativan every 6 hours if needed (I had to beg for just the morphine alone; didn't even know for 2 days that I could get the other stuff). The nurse refused to take my catheter out until day 2, the dr came in and was pissed about this (I am pretty sure this nurse was fired over how she treated me; not only did the dr. complain; but I did too). The dr. was great, he was very informative and caring; had it not been for 2 bad nurses, my hospital experience would have been much better. Needless to say, I was thrilled to leave the hospital on day 3.

RATE FUNCTIONALITY / SATISFACTION AT INTERVALS BELOW:

FUNCTIONALITY:
1. Very poor: much worse... disabled after surgery.
2. Poor: worse after surgery.
3. Neutral: No improvement, or improvements offset by new problems.
4. Fair, some improvement, limitations are still serious.
5. Good, substantial improvement, some limitations.
6. Excellent: no limitations.

SATISFACTION:
1. Very sorry I had the surgery.
2. Somewhat sorry I had the surgery.
3. Too soon to tell, or I'm ambivalent about the surgery.
4. I'm somewhat glad I did my surgery.
5. I'm very glad I did my surgery.

Don't forget the detail update section below!

DATE UPDATED: March 28, 2009 FUNCTIONALITY: 4_ SATISFACTION: 5 [almost 2 WEEKS POST-OP]

DATE UPDATED: September 2, 2009 FUNCTIONALITY: _5 SATISFACTION: _5_ [6 MONTHS POST-OP]

DATE UPDATED: September 19, 2010 FUNCTIONALITY: 5 SATISFACTION: 5 [1.5 YEAR POST-OP]

DATE UPDATED: _________ FUNCTIONALITY: ___ SATISFACTION: ___ [2 YEARS POST-OP]

DATE UPDATED: _________ FUNCTIONALITY: ___ SATISFACTION: ___ [3 YEARS POST-OP]

DATE UPDATED: _________ FUNCTIONALITY: ___ SATISFACTION: ___ [4 YEARS POST-OP]

DATE UPDATED: _________ FUNCTIONALITY: ___ SATISFACTION: ___ [5 YEARS POST-OP]

DATE UPDATED: _________ FUNCTIONALITY: ___ SATISFACTION: ___ [6 YEARS POST-OP]

DATE UPDATED: _________ FUNCTIONALITY: ___ SATISFACTION: ___ [7 YEARS POST-OP]

6 WEEKS POST-OP - DESCRIBE LIFESTYLE / PAIN / MEDICATIONS / NEUROPATHIES / ECT... (discuss surgery induced symptoms [leg pain?]):

3 MONTHS POST-OP - DESCRIBE LIFESTYLE / PAIN / MEDICATIONS / NEUROPATHIES / ETC... (discuss surgery induced symptoms [leg pain?]):

6 MONTHS POST-OP - DESCRIBE LIFESTYLE / PAIN / MEDICATIONS / NEUROPATHIES / ETC... (discuss surgery induced symptoms [leg pain?]):

1 YEAR POST-OP - DESCRIBE LIFESTYLE / PAIN / MEDICATIONS / NEUROPATHIES / ETC... (discuss surgery induced symptoms [leg pain?]):

2 YEARS POST-OP - DESCRIBE LIFESTYLE / PAIN / MEDICATIONS / NEUROPATHIES / ETC... (discuss surgery induced symptoms [leg pain?]):

3 YEARS POST-OP - DESCRIBE LIFESTYLE / PAIN / MEDICATIONS / NEUROPATHIES / ETC... (discuss surgery induced symptoms [leg pain?]):

4 YEARS POST-OP - DESCRIBE LIFESTYLE / PAIN / MEDICATIONS / NEUROPATHIES / ETC... (discuss surgery induced symptoms [leg pain?]):

5 YEARS POST-OP - DESCRIBE LIFESTYLE / PAIN / MEDICATIONS / NEUROPATHIES / ETC... (discuss surgery induced symptoms [leg pain?]):

6 YEARS POST-OP - DESCRIBE LIFESTYLE / PAIN / MEDICATIONS / NEUROPATHIES / ETC... (discuss surgery induced symptoms [leg pain?]):

7 YEARS POST-OP - DESCRIBE LIFESTYLE / PAIN / MEDICATIONS / NEUROPATHIES / ETC... (discuss surgery induced symptoms [leg pain?]):

[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

[Kathy]

Thank you all for the encouragement! It is so nice to get on here and have messages! I don't know what I would have done without you (actually I do, I would have taken the first and easiest treatment offered with the first surgeon I met). Thank you for saving me from making a horrible decision. I have learned so much from all of you and have grown so much. You all have so patiently, answered my questions, encouraged me, and shared your own stories.

Thank you!

[Justin]

Hey Kathy,

Your incision sounds perfectly normal. BTW, I've read a lot of your posts lately and I have to say you are a prolific writer. I'm either laughing or thinking how you got in my brain and stole my exact thoughts on situations.

Anyway, I am so glad that you are on the other side of surgery. You struggled for too long with unnecessary bumps in the road. I'm still pinching myself that you are actually on the other side. There was so much anticipation for a solution in your situation and it really came out of nowhere. God is good!

I agree with Phylly: make sure to really keep an eye on your bending / twisting during the first 8 weeks (I would even say 10 weeks). Even if you are feeling better, make sure to "baby" your spine. This time of healing is absolutely crucial. Avoid tying your own shoes for as long as possible, as this puts an incredible amount of stress on your spine and this type of bending should be avoided post-op.

It is good that you are being realistic about your meds. The key is to be honest with your PM doctor about your pain and they should respect what is going on.

How is your husband doing through all of this? I bet he is relieved that you are now on the other side of things. My wife has been such a trooper over the last year, but, of course, it has been really hard for her (us) at times. She knows me better than I know myself...however, I was so blessed to find forums like this one before my ADR surgery. Like you, I always thought forums were for the "weirdos" in the world of the Internet. These forums and the people I have met through them, some which have become dear friends, have helped me in so many ways that even our significant others can't.

It sounds like your whole "going through hell and having surgery" has changed your outlook on life. It did the exact same thing to me and it really fine-tuned what I found important in life and helped solidify my career goals as well.

God bless you in your recovery, and if you need anything--don't hesitate to PM / email me.

[treefrog]

Kathy, I am so glad to hear how well you are doing. You deserve it, you've been through so much, it's great that you are finally on the other side of something that you so desperately wanted and needed.

I will just echo what others are saying, take it slow, and be careful how you are moving. No bending, twisting or lifting! I am extremely impressed that you went to the movies, you are a brave girl.

[Roblin]

Kathy,
I am so happy that your recovery is going so well. I can't believe you took 2 preschoolers to a movie already. That is truly amazing! I will be praying that your recovery continues to go smoothly. Btw, the scar cream they sell really does work well if you want to try it. Take care and don't let your kids run you to ragged until you are a little more recovered. If you need anything, I think I live in the same area as you. Let me know.
Best wishes for a full recovery and pain free days ahead.
In Him,
Linda

[Cindylou]

Kathy, sounds like you are coming along nicely. So wonderful. Like everyone before me has already stated, just remember to take it slow. This is the pot calling the kettle black, because I need this reminder too. Slow and steady wins the race. That's the mantra. Tuck it in your back pocket. Pull it out when you need the reminder. What are your pain levels at now? I do believe your young age will contribute significantly to some nice healing and earlier pain free days. It's all good. I could not be happier for you.

God bless you,

Cindylou

[Gil Denis]

Hi Cathy

glad you are doing so well, I agree with everyone take it easy

I am In Florida on Vacation Great weather,

Did not go to the Bonati Institute Cancled

Be well

[fuzzy]

You are now 2 and a half weeks out from your surgery and how are you feeling?

I do like to repeat what others have said and that is to be careful with those bending twisting motions. Gentle, no weight and over time slowly build up. Don't do it all or too much at once.

At about 2 to 4 weeks out I finished sanding the wood counters in my kitchen. I could take about 15 minutes of that twice a day but it was good exercise. After a week the counters were done and I was getting slowly better. But cleaning a whole house?

At 2 weeks I was not ready to go to a movie theater. For me sitting more then 15 minutes was still very painful , you are doing good!

At about 6 weeks out I celebrated by putting a telephoto lens on a camera and went photographing nature, about an hour. Camera fairly heavy, that I did not realize. Did some bending etc to get into position for the shot, etc. The next day I was in severe pain and practically down for several days and it took about a week before I felt improvement. It hurt really bad above the ADR level, worry worry. Pain went away after two weeks and I was very relieved. I did a few more minor ones like that as time went on as I clearly had to retrain my back muscles.

[Kathy]

Ok, I have slowed down. Spent most of the day in the lazy boy. I did do some shopping; but didn't bend. Had my mom come over and clean up the house for me. No kids tonight, going out to eat with my hubby. So quiet and so nice! I told my hubby that you guys said I had to slow down. Problem is, the doctor told him all this 'liberal recovery' stuff and he doesn't get it. I explained to him that you all have done this and the general consensus is to take it easy. I'd rather be too cautious than not enough and end up messed up. I am still on the percocet, down to 6 a day. I may try switching to vicodin next week. Not sure, or maybe I will break them in half. I could do muscle relaxers and be able to handle it; but I would just sleep all the time. Narcotics make me very hyper, so it is easy to get crazy with doing stuff.
Thanks so much for all the care and concern,
kathy

[Kathy]

I am doing so much better at 3 weeks, it really is better by the day. I am still on percocet, working on cutting back. My muscles are all still sore. It is kinda like have body aches from the flu. I am tired all the time, reminds me of when I was pregnant and could barely keep my eyes open. I try not to nap, because I will sleep for hours, then be up half the night. My incision is healing nicely, just about healed. I picked at the glue and got all of it off. It was peeling and looking pretty gross. All but the very bottom of the incision is completely healed and is a nice thin line. It is still real stiff and raised feeling underneath it; but I am told that will go away as the stitches disolve. After saw that it was just about healed, I used one of my waterproof bandages (just in case) and took my first bath in 3 weeks. It was so relaxing. I just hate taking showers, baths are so theraputic for me, so I missed it big time. I am getting out daily and doing my walking 'therapy' while doing my shopping therapy! I get stir crazy real easy, so it's nice to have a change of scenery. My friend came over today and cleaned my house and did my laundry. It is so nice to have a clean home and of course a great friend who is so willing to help.

[runner]

Kathy,

Things heal faster after week 3 it seems. Just keep following the orders. Are you wearing a brace?
It was nice of your friend to clean your house and do laundry. This is what is bothering me now. I have a ton of washed laundry to put away so that is bothering me right now.
Does your friend come to California? HA HA.

Remember do not bend, lift or twist. Some definitions of twisting include opening some doors and screen doors and don't reach into a pantry or a refrig to pull out stuff. I never thought of these motions as twisting or bending but I was warned by my doc to avoid those things.

Aren't you happy to be on the otherside now? It is nice to get the surgery over with and get on with the healing. Remember slow and easy like the turtle in the turtle and the hare. The turtle won the race.

Be a turtle.

Take care,

Kim

[Kathy]

Originally Posted by runner

Kathy,

Things heal faster after week 3 it seems. Just keep following the orders. Are you wearing a brace?
It was nice of your friend to clean your house and do laundry. This is what is bothering me now. I have a ton of washed laundry to put away so that is bothering me right now.
Does your friend come to California? HA HA.

Remember do not bend, lift or twist. Some definitions of twisting include opening some doors and screen doors and don't reach into a pantry or a refrig to pull out stuff. I never thought of these motions as twisting or bending but I was warned by my doc to avoid those things.

Aren't you happy to be on the otherside now? It is nice to get the surgery over with and get on with the healing. Remember slow and easy like the turtle in the turtle and the hare. The turtle won the race.

Be a turtle.

Take care,

Kim

Kim,
My surgeon acted like I didn't even need a brace. He gave me a soft one, on my request. It is elastic all the way around. I bought a harder one at the medical supply store, it has a couple of the plastic 'bar' like things in the back. It is kinda like what you would wear at a job for lifting. I mainly wear it when I go out, not much around the house.
Also, my surgeon said that I could do light bending forward and didn't restrict twisting. I have been squatting down to pick stuff up, instead of bending. I am trying not to twist, but have probably done it.
I thought his reccommendations were crazy, so I have stuck more to what I have heard you all say. He told me he was very liberal on restrictions and I think maybe to liberal. Thanks for all the help, Kathy

[Justin]

Originally Posted by Kathy Earhart

Kim,
My surgeon acted like I didn't even need a brace. He gave me a soft one, on my request. It is elastic all the way around. I bought a harder one at the medical supply store, it has a couple of the plastic 'bar' like things in the back. It is kinda like what you would wear at a job for lifting. I mainly wear it when I go out, not much around the house.
Also, my surgeon said that I could do light bending forward and didn't restrict twisting. I have been squatting down to pick stuff up, instead of bending. I am trying not to twist, but have probably done it.
I thought his reccommendations were crazy, so I have stuck more to what I have heard you all say. He told me he was very liberal on restrictions and I think maybe to liberal. Thanks for all the help, Kathy

Kathy, it is great to hear you are doing well! I agree with Kimmers--avoid low-level bending and twisting. The first 8-10 weeks are key for osteointegration of the device. I know it's tough to avoid certain movements, especially when you are starting to mentally feel better. It's almost as if you have to make a conscious effort as you continue to heal.

[Terry Allen Blackburn]

The house was there before you went in to surgery, the house will still be there after you heal up.

This is an excellent time to allow others to care for you while you recover. If you overdo it and hurt yourself it does the future no good.

Here's to a rosy future.

It sounds like you are doing well.

Terry Newton