Bad back and other bad news

[mydlyfkryzis]

CrazyPJ, I have a mental picture of you strapped to a flat table, then hoisted to an open tower during a lightning strong...Your anesthesiologists name is Igor....

If you have a good doctor it will go well...Are you going to the same surgeon as your sister?

Ryan is right, every year procedures improve. I doubt you'll be on dancing with the Stars, but you may be surprised how well it can go.

Friend at work had hip replacement done, and it was the best thing to happen to him. From the sounds of it,they will make it improved.

Praying for you and a quick recovery anyway.....You are good people and we need good people around.

 

[SONICJK]

I think you're going to be better off after the surgery man its going to be fine id wager.
My dad had 3 back surgeries before finally agreeing to the fusion. Best thing he ever did. Now he helps me move 300 lb furniture regularly.
And don't worry about it being "major" these guys do it every day and they are experts. Its like machining up a part, it seems difficult until you know how its done and you've done a few.

 

[crazypj]

The good news is that 2 or 3 years in medicine is a huge amount of time! I imagine the procedure is a lot different than when your sister had it done. Have you talked to your doctor about your concerns? There might be stuff he/she can do differently to minimize the problems that are concerning you.

Luckily, not just different surgeon, different country, probably more careful in USA because of liability
I always cross out sections of pre-op disclaimer if I disagree with them, no one has ever cared (probably never looked at anything other than sig ;D )
Main concern is cost cutting by workmans comp insurance, they have already told doctors to tell me I'm 'fine' on multiple occasions (I'm speculating, but have been told to 'settle claim' by doctors and attorney)
I'm going to re-start about my arm as well, no improvement after 3 surgeries and 3.5yrs

 

[crazypj]

Well, been a week since surgery.
I'm told it went well, surgeon spoke to my wife afterwards but I won't be seeing him until the 13th July (at least I think that's the follow up date, will have to check)
I was hella surprised to find I had a catheter 'in' when I woke up, guess that's first for me, I've always been awake when women play with my willie ;D ( maybe it's best I was 'out'? )
Having it removed wasn't as embarrassing as I expected, woman tech who did it was real good at 4:30am, at least we had the lights low she said she'd had plenty of practice 8)

Dressings have been leaking slightly but that was expected, today looks good though, nothing came all the way through
I've been forgetting to take meds on time (every 4hrs) Been a lot 'ansty' because of it, not sure if they are making my eyes weird, having real trouble focusing on the computer screen, books are slightly easier with bigger print (the 1.5mm letters on screen are mostly a grey blur)
Oh well, staying hydrated, back hurts, legs don't hurt much, I can lie flat without being in agony so that's a major improvement
It's very doubtful I will ever again be a full time motorcycle tech, still have the issue with my arm which seems to be getting worse, after almost 45 yrs, even thinking of a new career is difficult, everything I can do is connected with lifting or fixing bikes
Heres a pic of incision with the 'butterfly' stitches internally things are stitched up with 'normal' needle ad thread over the titanium and screws


my head would be towards left side of pic, the drain tube was at right (bottom)

 

[Scruffy]

Looks like it is healing fine PJ. It isn't abnormally swollen or depressed around the incision, color looks normal, minimal seepage. Looks like you won't even have the standard issue post op canyon when the dressing come off. You're lucky, I'm allergic to the adhesive on steri-strips, my incision looked like I was trying to grow an extra ass crack. The second surgery, I made them use staples.

Take it slow and easy. You'll be wrenching again before you know it.

 

[stroker crazy]

They did a really neat job pj!

If the inside work is as good as the exterior, you'll do well. Have they given you any idea how long the recovery might take?

Crazy

 

[Rich Ard]

Pretty neat, living in the future. Heal up.

 

[crazypj]

Yep, I was told by a physical therapist he's a real good surgeon
Picture is a bit blurry, wife didn't really want to take it, but, at least I now have some idea how things look
Glad everyone else thinks it's good, second opinions from people who've had procedure are always welcome ;D

 

[gregajo]

Hang in there PJ. Recovery from surgery is always a slow go. One of the things that has helped me was doing Tai Chi. Once your up and around better you should definately check it out. One does a set of movements very slowly in as relaxed a way as possible. You wouldn't think that doing something that way would help any but it is really like magic. Since I started doing it I have not had to do the monthly visits to my chiropractor. Also, ask your doctor to test your vitamin D levels if he hasn't already. Most of us go around very very low and this can add to the deep aching feeling we get in our muscles and bones as we get middle aged. Best wishes, Greg

 

[mydlyfkryzis]

Glad your healing well, but I think that picture is not the view I wanted to see....

The scar is manly, but ohh, the view.....lol

Hope it continues well....Hope your insanity comes back.....SanePJ does not have the same ring to it...

 

[crazypj]

It looked a LOT worse before I cropped out the rest of the right side
Still have a few bruises and puncture wounds where various tubes and needles were stuck in me

 

[pawn]

I know it's only a few days later, but how are you feeling now? I get an MRI today after work. I've been dealing with severe back pain related to bulging discs in l4, l5, and s1 region due to ligament laxity that caused me to dislocate my back in 2004 (or '05 I can't actually remember well enough.) I've been going through some extreme leg pain, including what feel like lightning striking my right heel. I've also been going through physical therapy, acupuncture, and chiropractic care for the past 3 months. I feel stronger but still have bad nerve pain. After many years on and off medication, as well as multiple epidurals and 6 radio frequency injections, I'm worried about my future. I'm still young (early 30's) with two young kids. I really hate for them to see me as I can be at times when I'm run down from the pain. Short fuse is one way to describe me, but it's not the real me...it's only caused by the pain. I've spoken to various doctors who mentioned fusions and "lifts" whatever they are. I've not gotten an mri since '06 so they don't really go into conjecture since everything is currently a "what if" scenario, but I am always trying to find out how people feel after these kinds of surgeries...if only to easy me worry maybe. Hope everything gets better for you! Please let me know.

thanks

 

[crazypj]

Hi Pawn,
Get an X-ray done laying on your side, first curled into fetal position then bending back as far as you can.
Until that was done no-one actually believed I really had a serious issue.(maybe?)
Only took about 2 years to find this, I think they knew it was going to show something and insurance wanted me to settle claim without paying for surgery (it's real expensive, average cost in USA is around $85,000)
It showed one vertebra moving about 1/4"
There is a specific name for it and it's relatively cheap, particularly compared to an MRI
Wait for the results and get tech to explain them to you.
I had to pay for copies of the x-rays, won't be picking them up for another 2 weeks though.
I'll get them scanned and posted here with some sort of explanation when I get them

 

[pawn]

I had an x-ray done three months ago, though not laying fetal or fully extended. It did reveal that I had broken my back at some point though. I guess I fractured a vertebrae and never knew I did, but it has exacerbated the problem I have, or better described as compounded my issues. I also have some small deformation of two vertebrae in the lower back, which indicate degeneration as well as showing compression. My situation is a hereditary connective tissue disorder, laxity, that has led to this. There's been no dismissing the issue though in terms of docs taking it as a serious matter. I have avoided the surgery possibility all along, but sometimes I have bouts of desperation. I guess I will find out on the 15th this month what my options are since my MRI result today will be read to me then.

 

[crazypj]

I had 3 MRI's that didn't show the problem, the two X-rays showed the movement so well I didn't even need it pointed out.(although I did need the fractured vertebra pointed out to me)
The titanium parts are preventing the bones moving around and the ruptured discs were fixed while they had me opened up
Even though the first 2 days after surgery really sucked (half stoned, hurting, throwing up) I could tell there was an improvement
Now, 12 days later, it's still pretty uncomfortable (feels like a thick book taped to my back) but, pain in left leg has gone and I think pain in right hip/thigh is from the bone marrow removal (going to call doc later and check)

 

[pawn]

thanks for getting back to me. Overall it sounds like you're better than before the surgery. Best wishes on your road to recovery man!

 

[crazypj]

The 'butterfly' stitches (tape : ) were rolling up and falling off.
Took a new pic without them even though it looks like they are still there


Scar is really neat and healing well but the tape has caused some irritation
Feels real good to be able to shower instead of 'sponge bath' 8)

 

[mydlyfkryzis]

Hope your pain is fading.....But from the picture, I see you need some other materials to help you heal.

Either that or pull your pants up!!!

Really hoping you see some significant improvement... 8)

 

[crazypj]

Ha, good one ;D
I slid them down a bit to get all the incision in shot (used timer on camera)
I couldn't tell exactly what I'm taking picture of so had to guess )

 

[quadracer351]

Sorry to hear about this pj. Hate to hear about this kind of stuff happen to good people. But with time everything gets better, hardest part is waiting and not being 100% while doing so. I know myself and I know I wouldn't be dealing well with having to slow down. Keep your head up my friend, you'll get through it!!

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