Going to have surgery

[thrillseeker]

Ok guys it is official. I am going to have back surgery on Jan 22nd. I know several of you have asked how I am doing and so I decided to let you know on here. I saw my doc on the 7th he said I had to have the surgery. I have a herinated (sp?) disk which mean that the material between the disk is bulging out and mine happens to be pinching a nerve and causing nerve damage. This is why I was loosing feeling in my legs and it was very painful to walk and stand. If I dont get the surgery soon it will only get worse. So I will be off work for 2 to 6 weeks depending on how well I do during surgery and the first couple of weeks after. Hopefully everything will go smoothly and I will be back to my old self in 2 weeks. Just keep me in your prayers and I will most likely be on here a whole lot more. Which is not a bad thing. I just wanted you to all know.

[virgo]

OMG. I hope you get to feeling better, girl. I didn't realize you have been in so much pain. My dad has had back problems for years and I know how painful it has been for him. How long will you be in the hospital?

[JMC]

My father inlaw had something similar to this last years. It resulted from him falling off a ladder. He could hardly move for the longest time. Had the surgery and was back to normal in no time. Even back on the ladder.

[Scarlett O'Hara]

I'll be thinking about you, of course if I's layin on my satin sheets like that, I'd be having me some back problems, too!!

[amanda]

Hmhmhm...Thrillseeker you will be in my prayers. They are doing amazing things with these surgeries and wish you a speedy recovery!

[thrillseeker]

well all my problems started 2 years ago when my uncle died. I was soooo stressed and trying to stay calm and normal for the family that while getting dressed for the funeral I bent down to get a hair dryer and ruptured L5. I was in really bad shape I felt fire going up and down my body all day. I couldnt sit down and if I did I had trouble getting back up. I went 9 days without seeing a doc. I worked at the ER at this time and was on duty one night. So on the Friday after this happened, I was hurting really bad and was almost in tears which cause one of the docs to take notice. ( I dont cry, unless I am really mad or really upset) So he got me an appointment for a spinal doc. I
went had my appointment, got MRIs and Xrays and was told I ruptured L5. So we did 2 of 3 epidural shot treatments and I was healed but we didnt know for how long. Well back this past June it started again. This time not as bad so I let it go for a while til my mom figured it out. So because I now work for the Clinic I cant see the old doc so I had to get a new doc and all new MRIs and Xrays. And now I have to have surgery.

[Scarlett O'Hara]

I hope all goes well.

[thrillseeker]

OMG. I hope you get to feeling better, girl. I didn't realize you have been in so much pain. My dad has had back problems for years and I know how painful it has been for him. How long will you be in the hospital?

I will only spend 1 night in the hospital because we want me too. The doc said if I did really well I could go home the same day but mom said no way. Especially because its just me and her here so she would have to get me in the car by herself. LOL. that might actually be funny. She is 5'1'' and I am 5'10" that would be way too funny especially if I am on pain meds.

[Honey]

Thanks for sharing. We will keep you in our prayers.

[thrillseeker]

My father inlaw had something similar to this last years. It resulted from him falling off a ladder. He could hardly move for the longest time. Had the surgery and was back to normal in no time. Even back on the ladder.

who was his doc? if you dont mind me asking. I just asked my reg doc for who he would use, that how I got Dr. Wang.

[Ted]

Sure hope it all goes well, TS. :smt001

[virgo]

I hope it goes well for you! I will keep you in my prayers!

[thrillseeker]

Thanks ya'll. I am just really calm about it. I think I have one of the best docs in the area to do this and as long as nothing goes wrong on the table I will be back to normal soon.

[fuzzis]

Shoot. I forgot to take a picture of your tat.

[kevin]

I will certainly keep you in my Prayer's TS. I've had several friends decide to undergo the same type of surgery and they have found it to be a wise choice.

[dollfus46]

well all my problems started 2 years ago when my uncle died. I was soooo stressed and trying to stay calm and normal for the family that while getting dressed for the funeral I bent down to get a hair dryer and ruptured L5. I was in really bad shape I felt fire going up and down my body all day. I couldnt sit down and if I did I had trouble getting back up. I went 9 days without seeing a doc. I worked at the ER at this time and was on duty one night. So on the Friday after this happened, I was hurting really bad and was almost in tears which cause one of the docs to take notice. ( I dont cry, unless I am really mad or really upset) So he got me an appointment for a spinal doc. I
went had my appointment, got MRIs and Xrays and was told I ruptured L5. So we did 2 of 3 epidural shot treatments and I was healed but we didnt know for how long. Well back this past June it started again. This time not as bad so I let it go for a while til my mom figured it out. So because I now work for the Clinic I cant see the old doc so I had to get a new doc and all new MRIs and Xrays. And now I have to have surgery.
I"d heard hair dryers were hell on L-5's.;) I know about back pain. I fractured L-1. and now have arthritis in my back. I will be thinking of you and praying for good results fromk your surgery, thrillseeker.

[Chichiguita]

well all my problems started 2 years ago when my uncle died. I was soooo stressed and trying to stay calm and normal for the family that while getting dressed for the funeral I bent down to get a hair dryer and ruptured L5. I was in really bad shape I felt fire going up and down my body all day. I couldnt sit down and if I did I had trouble getting back up. I went 9 days without seeing a doc. I worked at the ER at this time and was on duty one night. So on the Friday after this happened, I was hurting really bad and was almost in tears which cause one of the docs to take notice. ( I dont cry, unless I am really mad or really upset) So he got me an appointment for a spinal doc. I
went had my appointment, got MRIs and Xrays and was told I ruptured L5. So we did 2 of 3 epidural shot treatments and I was healed but we didnt know for how long. Well back this past June it started again. This time not as bad so I let it go for a while til my mom figured it out. So because I now work for the Clinic I cant see the old doc so I had to get a new doc and all new MRIs and Xrays. And now I have to have surgery.


I'm really bummed you have to go through all that. You are so young! Good news is you are tough as nails and this will only make you stronger. I'll be flinging them up with your name on em...smooch!

[thrillseeker]

Shoot. I forgot to take a picture of your tat.

its ok Fuzz. we got time. I forgot it too and didnt think Shannon or Noway would want to do it. I am going to be at DSA so we can do it then.

[thrillseeker]

I'm really bummed you have to go through all that. You are so young! Good news is you are tough as nails and this will only make you stronger. I'll be flinging them up with your name on em...smooch!

Dont be bummed ChiChi but I am bummed that this means I wont be doing Mardi Gras this year. We will have to go next year. Sorry. I really was wanting to show you the City of Sin through my eyes. So just for me you will have to have a small Hand Granade, Fuzz can show you where to get them and you got to have a pic of yourself drinking it. :clap:

[thrillseeker]

I"d heard hair dryers were hell on L-5's.;) I know about back pain. I fractured L-1. and now have arthritis in my back. I will be thinking of you and praying for good results fromk your surgery, thrillseeker.


Thats not good. I hate to hear that you now have arthritis. I hope yours doesnt get worse. They tell me that in the future when I am like 50 or so I will probably have to have L3-5 fused together.

[Southern_Belle]

oh thrillseeker... i will be praying for you and hoping that all goes well. i can't imagine how that feels. i bruised my tailbone once before and that was horrible pain... so i can't even imagine how you feel. i am so sorry.

[thrillseeker]

I am actually doing ok right now. I havent had much pain for about 2 weeks now. I am having a little bit but not enough for me to take my meds. I have a very high tolerance for pain. I will be hurting for quite a while before I even say anything. mom and I was out shopping today and she asked me about 3 times if I was hurting. I was a little but not much and finally she said we are going home because I can tell you are really hurting which by then I was.

[firefly]

Thrillseeker, good luck with your surgery & I will be praying for you to have a speedy & successful recovery.

[thrillseeker]

I can handle the pain, even the firery burning pain but I cant handle not feeling my legs and feet. That scared the pants off me. I had experienced it 2 times but it wasnt bad I stood up and about a minute later I had feeling back. Our office Christmas Party was on Jan 18th and I had been having lots of pain that week. I was ok that morning but by lunch I was hurting and couldnt get comfortable. Well I went to stand up and I couldnt feel both my legs and feet. I was in real bad pain. When I stand I am stiff for a minute or two. I just have to stand there and let my back adjust. But that day I couldnt stand straight up and when I tried I lost all feeling below my waist. I called mom and said you have to drop what ever you are doing and come get me. I was really scared, I think that was the scariest I have ever been. Thats when I know I had to do something and I went to the Immediate Care and then later to the Dr. Wang.

[Hermione]

All the best TS! I can tell you this -- I've had abdominal surgery and back surgery. The back surgery was probably one-tenth the pain of the abdominal. (There's not a lot of tissue back there.) Just don't try to rush your recovery, and don't let your employer persuade you to come back to work early (voice of experience) and you'll do fine. We're rootin' for you!

[thrillseeker]

All the best TS! I can tell you this -- I've had abdominal surgery and back surgery. The back surgery was probably one-tenth the pain of the abdominal. (There's not a lot of tissue back there.) Just don't try to rush your recovery, and don't let your employer persuade you to come back to work early (voice of experience) and you'll do fine. We're rootin' for you!


Thanks H. I was scared my employer would be a jerk because I just made my 1st year there. But so far they are really nice about it. We have lots of work to do every month to close out the last month so I was trying to work it around that time and she finally said dont worry about it. Just get it done when you can and get yourself better. I was really relieved.

[birthdaybunnie]

Good luck and I hope your pains will be a distant memory post surgery and recovery.

[fuzzis]

I can handle the pain, even the firery burning pain but I cant handle not feeling my legs and feet. That scared the pants off me. I had experienced it 2 times but it wasnt bad I stood up and about a minute later I had feeling back. Our office Christmas Party was on Jan 18th and I had been having lots of pain that week. I was ok that morning but by lunch I was hurting and couldnt get comfortable. Well I went to stand up and I couldnt feel both my legs and feet. I was in real bad pain. When I stand I am stiff for a minute or two. I just have to stand there and let my back adjust. But that day I couldnt stand straight up and when I tried I lost all feeling below my waist. I called mom and said you have to drop what ever you are doing and come get me. I was really scared, I think that was the scariest I have ever been. Thats when I know I had to do something and I went to the Immediate Care and then later to the Dr. Wang.

Ugh. Two of the times in my life that I've been most frightened were when I stood up and my legs didn't work. They collapsed under me like a character's in a cartoon. I kept telling myself to get up, but I couldn't. There was absolutely no communication with my lower body. Had to drag myself across the floor and then try to get myself to the phone. *shudder*

I'll be thinking good thoughts for you.

[Maggie-Doodle]

Good luck TS...I have several bad disc too...I know what you are going thru...I have also had back surgery before...it is not fun but it gets better AFTER the surgery...that pain usually only last a few days. My doc doesn't want to do surgery on me unless I get much worse...I am trying to tough it out...Good luck to you...get to feeling better soon...you will be in my prayers. Let us know if there is anything we can do to help ya. You or mom keep us posted after the surgery.

[luvnlife]

TS-I'm sorry you have to go through this, but in the end it will be worth it. You will be in my prayers as well.

[Dixie Tree Slayer]

Hey Lady... So sorry you are having to go through surgery. I too herniated my disk and had to have surgery. It took me a week to completely wreck my back. I thought I had pulled a muscle in my back. It started on a monday pulling on a server machine at SMC where I worked. Then on Wednesday I lifted a trailer instead of using a jack and it popped more.... Then on Saturday I was cutting some huge oak limbs into smaller "handling sized" pieces and throwing them clear of the house. Then I woke up to a burning sensation in my right leg. I realized then it was nerve damage and I knew it was no longer a pulled muscle... I did some research and ended up at Southern Bone and Joint. Dr. Michael Patterson met with me and we went the steroid route to reduce the bulge to no avail... I went in on Good Friday of 2004 at 6 that morning... By 8 o'clock they took me in and by 12 noon Lynda and my nephew were helping me in bed here in picayune an hours drive from Hattiesburg. My back was/is my livelihood and I have always been a physical person. I was terrified. Before my surgery Dr. Patterson assured me if I did what he said and then followed through with physical therapy and then keep doing the exercises I would have a relatively pain free existence. True to his word I am relatively pain free... There are days when it aches a little but it was doing that before the surgery and is related to doing too much and not from my previous injury... I continue to do work that most people would find too challenging to attempt. I climb trees with a chainsaw and will climb to the top and then attach a rope and suspend myself until the tree has been completely disassembled. Sometimes as much as 3 or 4 hours I will hang in the saddle so to speak...
I have sent many other people to him and when he has to operate they have much success with it... When doing my research on him I found out he spent a lot of time at the Shriners Crippled Children's Hospital. He helped in the pioneering of total disk replacement and at one time had done more disk replacements than anyone in the country. Here is a link to his bio.
http://www.southernboneandjoint.com/html/physicians/patterson.html
If for any reason you don't feel comfortable with your current surgeon then Dr. Patterson is the surgeon for you... Don't get me wrong I did hurt in the days following my surgery. But everyday it got better. I have a problem taking any medications other than ibuprofen or aspirin or something for a headcold. Saturday night following the surgery I did not take anymore pain killers.
After all was said and done I decided I was not gonna go down without doing a few things I really should. In 2005 I was training to run in a marathon. I had been getting brochures from Team in Training and decided to go for it. I ran in the crescent city classic 10K in the spring of 2005. I also ran in the gulf coast 10K that year as well... Mind you I was not setting any records but I was running... At the gulf coast classic
it had stretched out to the point no one was around. 10 kilometers in our units is 6.2 miles. As I was running I spotted a mother up ahead with her 8 year old son... I picked up the pace and finally passed them... I was cruising and feeling pretty good about life when a man came up on my left side and was about to pass. I again picked it up. He picked it up... We eventually were sprinting somewhere around just above a good walk... I looked in his direction and saw he was probably 95 or maybe 100 years old... NO WAY!!! We ran like that until I finally winded him and came in at least fourth place... Fourth place from last that is....
Thing is during my training and running in the events my back was in great shape... Life was good... Then Katrina hit us and the students at the school were shipped to Kansas where the home office was located and the employees were laid off if they did not go to Kansas... I stayed and worked from just before daylight to after dark everyday for a couple of months. My body hurt like crazy... But it was because of my working so hard and not because my back was weakened from surgery... Attached are pictures of me in the bucket truck cutting an oak tree in pieces hanging real close to a house... Almost two years later. Note the position of my hand as I cut? I am pushing the pieces away as they are cut... Big limb and heavy too... Date and time stamp on the pics is accurate...

No two backs are the same I know... But according to Dr. Patterson this is a 15 minute procedure... For me it was a same day ordeal... I just knew he lied after I came to. I was hurting... But there is light at the end of the tunnel lady... I too am praying for you and hope your recovery is speedy as well... Good Luck Thrillseeker... You will be ok!!!:smt023

[onlyme]

Good luck with the surgery and a speedy recovery.

[thrillseeker]

Thanks Maggie and DTS. Maggie I hope you dont get any worse but then surgery might just make it all better. Its a hard thing to balance. DTS, I know Dr. Patterson I would recommend him to anyone who has problems with bones and such. The problem I had was I now work for the Clinic and cant use anybody other than Clinic docs are I have to pay 100%. So I had to get a new doc. Not to say that I dont and wont use Southern Bone and Joint. Dr. Melancon put my leg back together in '98. I had 3 breaks and a inch seperation from foot and leg bones. I now have a plate and 7 screws and dont wear high heels anymore. I said all of that to say that you have a GREAT doc and I hope you continue to have a pain- free life.

Thanks to everyone who has posted. I am in good spirits about this. I just wanted ya'll to know what was going on.

[Dixie Tree Slayer]

For you to have had this pain for such a lengthy time says a lot of your pain tolerance. You will need a walking partner. I am sure your mother will be there for you but I am sure there are others on here that would happily take a few strides with you on your road to recovery.... I come to the burg on occasion and would walk with you as well if you needed a gabbing partner... Nothing like the feel of one's head roaring when you are talking...:-D
As for what you said hereI said all of that to say that you have a GREAT doc and I hope you continue to have a pain- free life. I haver to say I am not pain free. I am married you see... Lots of pain... :kekeke: On occasion I am asked to take out trash do some dishes and my back really flares up at this time...:laugh:
Anyway good luck lady... For him to want to keep you overnight tells me your herniation is worse than mine was...