Multiple Surgeries

[Guest guest]

I am responding to Caroloyn's post where she mentions that she had hoped to

learn something here about avoiding additional surgeries. I think this is an

interesting topic (especially since surgery #4 appears to be somewhere in my

future). Some docs seem to prefer to leave disks in good shape alone to preserve

mobility...others seem to want to go ahead and fuse.

I had the osteotomy for flatback in 1990. Was there something I could have done

to protect my two remaining unfused disks? Getting the lordosis back didn't

help. I stayed fit and active..and L5/SI completely deteriorated anyway. I had

that fused (June) and facets on L4/L5 are acting up. Should I have had both

levels fused in June? Some of the folks here already fused to the sacrum are

saying that it is not a big deal and they are pain free. How come surgeons are

reluctant? Do hips go when you are fused to the sacrum? well, it seems like

folks here have problems with them either way.

Do I sound frustrated?? I am. What do you guys think? any studies on this? When

and where does it stop?

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

To answer the question about multiple surgeries, it is totally unusual for this

to happen. I just happened to be the unusual. The CI is 98% successful but on

rare occasions, there are physical conditions that interfere with the sound

process. This by no means should prevent a person from going forward with the

surgery and laying out the question in someone's mind is the very last thing I

wanted to do. I felt that it was time that I came forward and expressed where I

am these days but I cannot expound enough on the benefits of this device. I

loved my 9 years. Given what I know today - I probably should have had none of

them. I was blessed to have 9 very special years of hearing with my miracle.

Don't let yourself be deprived of any time with sound. It's too precious.

Alice

http://www..net

[Guest guest]

Alice,

It is so wonderful that you can be grateful for the nine years you got rather

than be focused on what you lost.

You have been wonderful example for everyone, in many different ways. For that

I, and I'm sure many others, are indebted to you. You could have stopped in 2008

but you continued, with courage and grace, to help others.

I do hope that the possibility of brainstem implant is one that might have new

potential for you, for whatever changes and improvements might happen in the

field of CIs. Never say never. Science has given us so many gifts.

I hope our group can give you the support you need, the encouragement to go

forward, and the grace to accept whatever you deem is necessary to resolve this

for yourself.

Many good wishes and endless prayers for your comfort and inner peace. You are

surrounded by an internet family that stands strong hugging you with love.

From: alice@...

Date: Mon, 12 Oct 2009 22:35:17 +0000

Subject: Multiple Surgeries

To answer the question about multiple surgeries, it is totally

unusual for this to happen. I just happened to be the unusual. The CI is 98%

successful but on rare occasions, there are physical conditions that interfere

with the sound process. This by no means should prevent a person from going

forward with the surgery and laying out the question in someone's mind is the

very last thing I wanted to do. I felt that it was time that I came forward and

expressed where I am these days but I cannot expound enough on the benefits of

this device. I loved my 9 years. Given what I know today - I probably should

have had none of them. I was blessed to have 9 very special years of hearing

with my miracle. Don't let yourself be deprived of any time with sound. It's

too precious.

Alice

http://www..net