I'm back from St V Back Surgery

As many of you know, I have had back problems for well over a year. Back problems that have made me have chronic pain. On June 16, 2008, my husband and I were on vacation and cleaning out the garage moving my son's boxes (he moved to Phoenix and I sold his house & packed it up after he was already gone!) to our 2 story barn. It was when I moved those boxes that I ruptured (herniated) my L3-4 disc. In August, I had a lumbar discectomy. However, it never really helped. So over the past year, I have been having pain management epidurals and pain balls. The chronic pain I have suffered has been very debilitating. I go to work and I come home take pain meds and lay on ice. My life has totally changed. I hate it!

So in August I begged my pcp to refer me to another surgeon as my last surgeon said he couldn't do anything further for me. The new surgeon, Dr. Kenneth Renkens of Indiana Spine Group, got me a MRI and then a discogram. On 10/29, I found out that my vertebrae on L2-3 and L3-4 was inflamed. No less, my L2-3 and L3-4 discs are very significantly missing. So on December 7th at St, V's 86th Street I will be having surgery to replace (artifically) my 2 discs and then using titanium rods fuze them together. I will be in the hospital 3 days and then home bound. Therapy will be water therapy after 3 weeks. I will be off work 2 months.

It does scare me, but this time the pain will be HEALING PAIN not CHRONIC PAIN. Of course, he can't guarantee that the pain will go away but he tells me the success rate is VERY high. It will take up to 1 year to be fully healed.

I'm posting this to ask for prayers. This past year and half has been very hard on me and my family. It's been very costly also. I would prefer no visitors as I do not react very well to anesthesia.  When I had my WLS, I don't even remember being in the hospital.   Some friends came up and visited and I guess I said some pretty funny things and to this day I can't live them down.   So I just want to rest and get better!

Thanks all......I know I can count on you all!

Blessings,
Lois K

Will pray that this will be the "cure" you need to get back to a quality life Lois!!

Prayers!! Follow orders!!

Linda kay

Prayers for you sweetie
Neil had this surgery almost 6 years ago and he says its the best thing he ever done for himself..
Sometimes he sends the buzzer off at the courthouse,but other than he has done well he was off work from feb til the end of april..
Take care of yourself

Prayers!!! My mom had something similar but never followed directions and has a screw loose, so make sure you follow the doctors orders!!!! :) Good luck

Lois,
I know you've been in pain for a very long time.  I'm glad you found the Indiana Spine Group.  That is where I recently went also for 3 bulging discs and I've been very happy with this group of doctors.  Back pain is very debilitating and painful.  I will pray that your surgery goes well and this is the beginning of healing for you.  Please follow through with your rehab.  Don't let anymore of your life  and happiness be stolen from you.  Fight back and know we are all here for you.

Love and Prayers,
Kat

my thoughts are with you. i somewhat understand what you are going through. my 20 year old is in a very similar situation but unfortunately her spine dr says "no surgery, she is too young". she has such severe pain (that nothing seems to help with) and so many restrictions on her activity that she definately is not living the life of a 20 year old. i wish you the best of luck and hope that this surgery gives you back your life.

Thank you all.  I plan on following through on rehab as much as it takes.  I have to be off 2 months so that therapy will be done...at least the bulk of it.   I feel for anyone who has back problems.  When your quality of life is at risk because of horrible pain, the hopelessness of it all comes down on you.  I have been trying to keep a positive attitude but there are times when I cry, both in pain and in that hopeless feeling.   Dr. Renkens has given me hope.   I'm clinging to that with both hands and my feet are wrapped around it also!   I just truly dread another surgery.  I hate anesthesia (I'm so afraid I'll wake up!) and have a hard time coming out of it because I think they give me more because I am so afraid! LOL!

Thanks all for your prayers!  I covet them!

I consider it  a honor to ask for prayers from Indiana OH family.  Tomorrow (Monday 12/7) is my back surgery.  I will be at St. V 86th Ortho hospital (entrance 8) at 5:30 a.m. for an 8:00 a.m. surgery.  I am first for the day.  I don't do well with anesthesia.  My DH Joe and DIL Laura will be there with me.   I will be in the ortha hospital til Wednesday.   Dr. Renkens is my surgeon.

Please keep me in your prayers.  I am so ready as the pain is only increasing greatly every day that goes by. 

I've got all my Christmas shopping done.   Shipped my Arizona kids their presents yesterday and got the leftovers wrapped last night and today.

Thanks all and have a great time at the St. V party!  I can't wait to see pictures!  This will be the first one I've missed :(

 

 

 

Well on Monday 12/7 I had my back surgery.  I had a major painful complication.  When the surgeron worked on removing the scar tissue he accidentally nipped my spines dura layer which caused a leakage in my spine.  So I had to lay flat on my back for two days. They kept me highly sedated and and then finally on Wednesday they began to lift my restrictions. I also had heart problems which wasn't going well and had so many heart tests.  The pain is great and I am ready to be done.  Thought I would let you all know.

Blessings

Lois K