I survived the double fusion

[Sharon R.]

Hello All,
I know it has been some time since I have been on this site. My anterior surgery was done on June 17th and the posterior was on June 19th. I came home from the hopitall on June 22nd with the usual aches and pains resulting from surgery. I was able to walk around the house, but mostly stayed on my recliner. On Monday the 23rd of June I awoke to an excrutiating pain of a bladder infection (seems the catherter was left in too long). It was so bad that I was beginning to get septic and had to go on a hard core regimine of antibiotics and blood tests.
After about 2 weeks post op, I began to feel some pain on my left mid buttock area. The pain got really bad and when I saw my surgeon on the 16th of July, he said the x ray shows a slight slip in the middle left screw. He said it shouldn't make much of a difference and was going to check with WC to see if they would okay a brace and some epidurals.
Then, yesterday I lost my footing and fell onto the cement around the pool. I called my family doctor and he had me come right in. He gave me 100mg of demerol and it barely touched the pain. He took an x ray and he didn't see anything to be concerned with. In fact, he couldn't even see where the screw/pin had slipped. Today I feel like I have been beaten up. I am so sore everywhere.
Well, there you have it...... this surgery certainly leaves a lot to be desired. Hope that the ultimate outcome makes up for all the crud I am going through right now!
Sharon R.
2 lamenectomies at L5/S1 (left side)1987 and 1988
nucleotomy at the same level (left side) 1988
fusion/decompression of the L4/L5 and L5/S1 (right side) 2000
3 epidurals 2007
2 facet injections
2 nerve block attempts
diagnosed with a L4/L5/S1 non union of 2000's fusion/decompression 2007
nerve ablasion at 4 levels Feb. 2008
anterior/posterior fusion June 2008

[chasswen]

dear sharon
i am very sorry to hear of the problems you have had to live though during your recovery.it can only get better for you
i am thinking about you and sending positive vibes for a speedy recovery.
best wishes
chuck

[Sharon R.]

Chasswen,
Thanks for the reply. I need to thing positively and look forward to a complete recovery.
Sharon R.
2 lamenectomies at L5/S1 (left side)1987 and 1988
nucleotomy at the same level (left side) 1988
fusion/decompression of the L4/L5 and L5/S1 (right side) 2000
3 epidurals 2007
2 facet injections
2 nerve block attempts
diagnosed with a L4/L5/S1 non union of 2000's fusion/decompression 2007
nerve ablasion at 4 levels Feb. 2008
anterior/posterior fusion June 2008

[Harrison]

Sharon, thanks for the update -- and I am glad you are OK!

When you feel better, tell us a bit more about the fusion procedure you had. In the meantime, good luck and take it slow.

[ZorroSF]

so is this a typical 360 fusion or was there a special procedure involved? I didn't know that they would perform part of the surgery one day and another part another day. That's horrible to go through.

keep your chin up. The pain will come and go for quite a while. stretch out those hamstrings slowly as you can bear it. It might help you sleep a little. Thanks for posting your recovery here.

[FUZZDOG]

sharon...keep your chin up...no pun intended...
as you know it will be a long road with lots of 3 steps forward 2 steps back days. I am 9 mos and still have issues to deal with but they are improving and I finally have hope for the future. Be careful..be patient..listen to your body...do things that will make you laugh it helps mentally. I had depression during the first 3 mos post surgery big time and did not share much with anybody so give me a yell if you need an ear. I may take a bit but I will keep an eye out for you...anything I can answer let e know. Rough news about the hardware issue what is up with that now??? keep us posted we are thinking about you...be strong..

Fuzz/coll

[ans]

Wishing you well in this long, tough path and hope your problems w/be permanently resolved.

Allan