runner's surgery blog, L4/5, 2008

[runner]

Monday (4/8), my surgery was cancelled.
Didn't deal with it too well.
I am keeping busy otherwise I get upset.
I knew this was a possibility because I recovered from a sinus infection a few weeks back and went to my ENT doc before the surgery to make sure I didn't still have the infection.
And I did. Darn it!

My new surgery date is May 14th, with a possible date of May 8th, I am hoping. I have to be on antibiotics for two weeks before they check me again and my surgeon is actually out of town last week of April, so that is how I ended up in May.

Ugh, it is very difficult to plan for something and then everything is thrown asunder.

R

[runner]

BTW, Maria and Judy,

Thanks for the good lucks.
Have to save them for the new surgery date.
Not exactly having fun now as pain is high again tonight. I am not sleeping well, waking up several times.

R

[jsewell]

I'm so sorry runner, I have been in your situation before and all i did was cry. Mine was a refusal from my insurance company once and another time my surgeon decided i should have it done by the doctor, john regan who really messed up my lung capacity and spine.

It is no fun to be cancelled. but fortunatly time does go by fast and your new date altough it seems ages away will be here soon enough.
I just had my toenails and nail bed removed and have to keep these big, giant bandages on for the week until i see the doc. This is crazy. off my feet for 3 days for sure and then little only on my heals. I am wearing 2 of those black shoe things, .

I will be thinking of you
judy

[runner]

Judy,

I tried crying at first. I think I yelled at the door. No one was home when the surgery scheduler called. I texted my husband.

This is not the first time this has happened, well, it is a first, and hopefully last, for the cervical. I have been cancelled before, most of them insurance related.
First, I heard it was a month and then when I spoke further, it may be just three or four weeks and then, surgery schedule full up, not til a month plus.
I am in so much pain right now, I am not really thinking about it, too deep. I am thinking about the pain, it is preoccupying my mind.

I had a pretty full week but that has come to a stop today. I just made myself some nachos out of leftovers from Taco Thursday. When I was munching on the nachos, I realized I was having trouble picking up the chips so that stuff is back today.
I went to bed last night after midnight, because I forgot to take the antibiotic before dinner. Then the pain woke me up after 2:30 and I never managed to get back to sleep. I went downstairs to read Sports Illustrated, but that didn't help.
I am going to try to nap after I finish here.

I have lost a few toe nails in the past, usually when I ran into something or dropped something on the unsuspecting toe. Not the most pleasant thing.
What did you do Judy? Did you drop a couple bowling balls on your feet?

Shoot me an e-mail if you can. Maybe with the extra time, I can meet up with you half way or something like that after you regain your mobility.

I am holding hope that I get that May 8th slot for surgery. Nap time.

Runner

[runner]

I am happy to say that I will be having surgery on May 14th (or maybe a bit earlier).
My ENT doc cleared me for surgery when I saw him last week. Hopefully, there are no more road blocks in my way.
Pain is still up there and I am just trying to manage it until I see my pain doc tomorrow and sorry to say this, but really give it to him.
I am very pissed about how he did not respond in a timely manner to my calls.

I called Friday (I think I called every day for the past almost two weeks), and the answer was: "Cannot make change of medication over the phone".
Well, I knew that, should have had me come in, then.

Otherwise, just chillin. Because I am not working out, really. I am in too much pain and just completing little things, one thing at a time. Need to do a lot before surgery, but am not very motivated because of the pain.
Taking advil, in addition to the pain med, until I have to quit at the end of the week.
See my neurosurgeon, again, this Friday and hopefully, last time until i see his cheery face in the morning on May 14th!
Or May 8th, if someone actually cancels. In reality, there has been one cancellation, I didn't know it, but I was scheduled later in the day on the 14th, and now I am moved up to 7 am. Always feels better to be the first case of the day, if you can find a sunny side to surgery.

Runner

[jsewell]

I agree with wanting the early time, i am at my one night a week job, but i will email you this week
judy

[runner]

Okie dokie, Judy.

Yeah, I want my surgeon with his A game on. I think early morning surgeries are much better. Plus you don't have to be NPO for all day.
I went up on my pain medication, taking a more potent med and feeling better. I was in so much pain when I saw my pain doc on Tuesday. There was no way I was walking out of there without a better handle on the pain. Still in pain but it is better. My blood pressure is high again and after change in med, was high yesterday too. In the neighbor of 149/89. Hasn't been that high in quite a while I believe.
I am sure it is just the pain and am taking my blood pressure medicine so not much else to do. See my neurosurgeon tomorrow and I am getting closer.

R