Guest guest Posted February 12, 2008 Report Share Posted February 12, 2008 I started physical therapy immediately after leaving the surgical hospital. They took me to an acute rehab facility where I spent a week learning how to put on my shoes and socks, my pants, my brace, how to take a shower, etc. My muscle strength was so depleted that I had trouble walking 20 steps without complete fatigue. And this was with a walker!! After a week I was sent home, but no physical therapy arrangements were made. Unfortunately I developed DVTs and pulmonary embolisms and had to be hospitalized again. I spent one week in ICU, followed by about 12 days in the hospital. They resumed my physical therapy as soon as I got out of ICU. It felt like I had to learn to walk again. I had to learn how to climb the stairs again. After my release from the hospital, I returned 3 times a week for the next four months for physical therapy. My insurance paid because the PT was done at the hospital, not an out patient facility. My PT was a wonderful experience. I felt like I had a personal trainer, and he was so supportive with all my successes. Your doctor should be the one who refers you to PT. Hopefully he/she will do it immediately. Patti Re: Re: Shriners I would say about 3 months after would be a great time to start PT. It helps so much with the muscles that have been stretched. They are even working the muscles in between my daughters ribs. I can't wait to see where she is in 2 months. Thanks in MD In a message dated 2/12/2008 8:41:33 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, p0etiss@... writes: Thanks . Do you know how soon after the surgery physical therapy is recommended? --- _des@..._ (mailto:des@...) wrote: > I highly suggest physical therapy. My 15 year old > had her fusion last July > and we too were told we did not need PT. Now 6 > months later we are in PT > trying to help her muscles and wish so much we had > done PT last fall. Good luck. > > in MD > > > In a message dated 2/11/2008 7:47:22 P.M. Eastern > Standard Time, > _p0etiss@..._ (mailto:p0etiss@...) writes: > > > > > I was wondering about physical therapy after being > discharged from the hospital. My son's dr didn't > think that would be necessary but it would make > sense > to me that it might be. He will be 19 at the time of > the surgery. What do you all think? > --- debbie brickley <_debbiebrickley@_debbiebric > (mailto:_debbiebrickley@debbiebri_ (mailto:debbiebrickley@...) ) > wrote: > > > some people are just anti-surgery, and > maybe > > don't trust surgeons. Even though I am an RN, I > > always said that I would never have surgery for > my > > scoliosis. It was very hard for me to break > through > > and admit that I really needed it. I became > disabled > > rather than face surgery. Now, I see what a good > > thing it will be for me, after I get through the > > physical therapy and my body adapts to the > surgical > > changes. It's a big committment to have surgery, > and > > you have to realize that you must be committed to > do > > alot of physical therapy and spend time just > waiting > > for your body to heal. It's a slow process and > you > > will have to be PATIENT. But I think if you do > this > > now, it will change your life in the long run. > You > > have your whole life ahead of you. > > Give your parents some gentle nudging and let > > them know how you feel. Have they seen this chat > > room? Maybe they could ask some questions of > other > > parents. > > Good luck, Debbie > > > > chrisman22122 <_chrisman22122@_chrisman2 > (mailto:_chrisman22122@chrisman2_ (mailto:chrisman22122@...) ) > > wrote: > > I would love to tell him when I go back > > and if he tells me I need it, > > but my parents are doing research and all that > crap > > to find alternate > > options because they have heard only bad things > > about it, so they are > > doing everything they can so that I do not have > > surgery. It really > > irritates me, because I have heard of no horror > > stories anywhere I > > look, but since they found some. Then that means > > they have to defend > > me and are doing almost anything so that I do > not. > > > > > > > > > > > > > I've been reading the conversations with Chris > and > > I just want to > > > mention one thing to Chris. > > > > > > I had surgery in 1997 at age 50. The results > were > > far better than > > I > > > ever imagined they could be. I wish there had > been > > technology for > > me > > > such as they have today way back when I was a > > young person. > > > > > > I know that the surgery is a real big deal, but > it > > is far better to > > > have as a teen than as an adult. > > > > > > Also, the teens who have surgery now are > restored > > to an almost > > > perfectly straight spine. > > > > > > Don't be afraid of the surgery. In fact, I > would > > campaign for the > > > surgery because it is far easier to recover as > a > > teen, and the > > > correction is so significant. It will wash away > > all those years > > > spent struggling with the brace. > > > > > > Jeanne > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been > > removed] > > > > > > __________________________________________________________ > Be a better friend, newshound, and > know-it-all with Mobile. Try it now. > __http://mobile.http://mobile.http://mo_ (http://mobile.http//mobhttp://mobile.) <_Whttp://mobile._ (whttp://mobile./) <Wht_ > > (_http://mobile.http://mobhttp://mobile.<Whttp://mobile.<Wht_ (http://mobile./;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ) ) > > > > > > > > > ************ ************<WBR>**The year's hott > carpet at the Grammy > Awards. Go to AOL Music. > (_http://music.http://music.<WBhttp://music.<WBhttp://mu_ (http://music.aol.com/grammys?NCID=aolcmp00300000002565) ) > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been > removed] > > __________________________________________________________ Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Search. _http://tools.http://tools.http://tools.http://tohttp://tools.http://t_ (http://tools.search./newsearch/category.php?category=shopping) **************The year's hottest artists on the red carpet at the Grammy Awards. Go to AOL Music. 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Guest guest Posted February 13, 2008 Report Share Posted February 13, 2008 Patti wrote: I developed DVTs and pulmonary embolisms and had to be hospitalized again. I wondered what DVT's are and if you know why you developed pulmonary embolisms, how old you were at the time, if you had any medical conditions which would lend itself to these things and if there anything that can be done in advance to prevent this. Thanks. --- Patti <pattijohnson@...> wrote: > I started physical therapy immediately after leaving > the surgical hospital. They took me to an acute > rehab facility where I spent a week learning how to > put on my shoes and socks, my pants, my brace, how > to take a shower, etc. My muscle strength was so > depleted that I had trouble walking 20 steps without > complete fatigue. And this was with a walker!! After > a week I was sent home, but no physical therapy > arrangements were made. Unfortunately I developed > DVTs and pulmonary embolisms and had to be > hospitalized again. I spent one week in ICU, > followed by about 12 days in the hospital. They > resumed my physical therapy as soon as I got out of > ICU. It felt like I had to learn to walk again. I > had to learn how to climb the stairs again. After my > release from the hospital, I returned 3 times a week > for the next four months for physical therapy. My > insurance paid because the PT was done at the > hospital, not an out patient facility. My PT was a > wonderful experience. I felt like I had a personal > trainer, and he was so supportive with all my > successes. Your doctor should be the one who refers > you to PT. Hopefully he/she will do it immediately. > > Patti > > Re: Re: Shriners > > > I would say about 3 months after would be a great > time to start PT. It helps > so much with the muscles that have been stretched. > They are even working the > muscles in between my daughters ribs. I can't wait > to see where she is in 2 > months. Thanks > > in MD > > > In a message dated 2/12/2008 8:41:33 P.M. Eastern > Standard Time, > p0etiss@... writes: > > Thanks . Do you know how soon after the > surgery > physical therapy is recommended? > --- _des@..._ (mailto:des@...) > wrote: > > > I highly suggest physical therapy. My 15 year > old > > had her fusion last July > > and we too were told we did not need PT. Now 6 > > months later we are in PT > > trying to help her muscles and wish so much we > had > > done PT last fall. Good luck. > > > > in MD > > > > > > In a message dated 2/11/2008 7:47:22 P.M. > Eastern > > Standard Time, > > _p0etiss@..._ (mailto:p0etiss@...) > writes: > > > > > > > > > > I was wondering about physical therapy after > being > > discharged from the hospital. My son's dr didn't > > think that would be necessary but it would make > > sense > > to me that it might be. He will be 19 at the > time of > > the surgery. What do you all think? > > --- debbie brickley <_debbiebrickley@_debbiebric > > (mailto:_debbiebrickley@debbiebri_ > (mailto:debbiebrickley@...) ) > > wrote: > > > > > some people are just anti-surgery, and > > maybe > > > don't trust surgeons. Even though I am an RN, > I > > > always said that I would never have surgery > for > > my > > > scoliosis. It was very hard for me to break > > through > > > and admit that I really needed it. I became > > disabled > > > rather than face surgery. Now, I see what a > good > > > thing it will be for me, after I get through > the > > > physical therapy and my body adapts to the > > surgical > > > changes. It's a big committment to have > surgery, > > and > > > you have to realize that you must be committed > to > > do > > > alot of physical therapy and spend time just > > waiting > > > for your body to heal. It's a slow process and > > you > > > will have to be PATIENT. But I think if you do > > this > > > now, it will change your life in the long run. > > You > > > have your whole life ahead of you. > > > Give your parents some gentle nudging and let > > > them know how you feel. Have they seen this > chat > > > room? Maybe they could ask some questions of > > other > > > parents. > > > Good luck, Debbie > > > > > > chrisman22122 <_chrisman22122@_chrisman2 > > (mailto:_chrisman22122@chrisman2_ > (mailto:chrisman22122@...) ) > > > wrote: > > > I would love to tell him when I go back > > > and if he tells me I need it, > > > but my parents are doing research and all that > > > crap > > > to find alternate > > > options because they have heard only bad > things > > > about it, so they are > > > doing everything they can so that I do not > have > > > surgery. It really > > > irritates me, because I have heard of no > horror > > > stories anywhere I > > > look, but since they found some. Then that > means > > > they have to defend > > > me and are doing almost anything so that I do > > not. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > I've been reading the conversations with > Chris > > and > > > I just want to > > > > mention one thing to Chris. > > > > > > > > I had surgery in 1997 at age 50. The results > > were > > > far better than > > > I > > > > ever imagined they could be. I wish there > had > > been > > > technology for > > > me > > > > such as they have today way back when I was > a > > > young person. > > > > > > > > I know that the surgery is a real big deal, > but > > it > > > is far better to > > > > have as a teen than as an adult. > > > > > > > > Also, the teens who have surgery now are > > restored > > > to an almost > > > > perfectly straight spine. > > > > > > > > Don't be afraid of the surgery. In fact, I > > would > > > campaign for the > > > > surgery because it is far easier to recover > as > > a > > > teen, and the > > > > correction is so significant. It will wash > away > > > all those years > > > > spent struggling with the brace. > === message truncated === ________________________________________________________________________________\ ____ Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile./;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 13, 2008 Report Share Posted February 13, 2008 Thanks we will look into it. --- des@... wrote: > I would say about 3 months after would be a great > time to start PT. It helps > so much with the muscles that have been stretched. > They are even working the > muscles in between my daughters ribs. I can't wait > to see where she is in 2 > months. Thanks > > in MD > > > In a message dated 2/12/2008 8:41:33 P.M. Eastern > Standard Time, > p0etiss@... writes: > > > > > Thanks . Do you know how soon after the surgery > physical therapy is recommended? > --- _des@..._ (mailto:des@...) > wrote: > > > I highly suggest physical therapy. My 15 year old > > had her fusion last July > > and we too were told we did not need PT. Now 6 > > months later we are in PT > > trying to help her muscles and wish so much we > had > > done PT last fall. Good luck. > > > > in MD > > > > > > In a message dated 2/11/2008 7:47:22 P.M. Eastern > > Standard Time, > > _p0etiss@..._ (mailto:p0etiss@...) > writes: > > > > > > > > > > I was wondering about physical therapy after > being > > discharged from the hospital. My son's dr didn't > > think that would be necessary but it would make > > sense > > to me that it might be. He will be 19 at the time > of > > the surgery. What do you all think? > > --- debbie brickley <_debbiebrickley@_debbiebric > > (mailto:_debbiebrickley@debbiebri_ > (mailto:debbiebrickley@...) ) > > wrote: > > > > > some people are just anti-surgery, and > > maybe > > > don't trust surgeons. Even though I am an RN, I > > > always said that I would never have surgery for > > my > > > scoliosis. It was very hard for me to break > > through > > > and admit that I really needed it. I became > > disabled > > > rather than face surgery. Now, I see what a good > > > thing it will be for me, after I get through > the > > > physical therapy and my body adapts to the > > surgical > > > changes. It's a big committment to have > surgery, > > and > > > you have to realize that you must be committed > to > > do > > > alot of physical therapy and spend time just > > waiting > > > for your body to heal. It's a slow process and > > you > > > will have to be PATIENT. But I think if you do > > this > > > now, it will change your life in the long run. > > You > > > have your whole life ahead of you. > > > Give your parents some gentle nudging and let > > > them know how you feel. Have they seen this > chat > > > room? Maybe they could ask some questions of > > other > > > parents. > > > Good luck, Debbie > > > > > > chrisman22122 <_chrisman22122@_chrisman2 > > (mailto:_chrisman22122@chrisman2_ > (mailto:chrisman22122@...) ) > > > wrote: > > > I would love to tell him when I go back > > > and if he tells me I need it, > > > but my parents are doing research and all that > > crap > > > to find alternate > > > options because they have heard only bad things > > > about it, so they are > > > doing everything they can so that I do not have > > > surgery. It really > > > irritates me, because I have heard of no horror > > > stories anywhere I > > > look, but since they found some. Then that > means > > > they have to defend > > > me and are doing almost anything so that I do > > not. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > I've been reading the conversations with > Chris > > and > > > I just want to > > > > mention one thing to Chris. > > > > > > > > I had surgery in 1997 at age 50. The results > > were > > > far better than > > > I > > > > ever imagined they could be. I wish there had > > been > > > technology for > > > me > > > > such as they have today way back when I was a > > > young person. > > > > > > > > I know that the surgery is a real big deal, > but > > it > > > is far better to > > > > have as a teen than as an adult. > > > > > > > > Also, the teens who have surgery now are > > restored > > > to an almost > > > > perfectly straight spine. > > > > > > > > Don't be afraid of the surgery. In fact, I > > would > > > campaign for the > > > > surgery because it is far easier to recover > as > > a > > > teen, and the > > > > correction is so significant. It will wash > away > > > all those years > > > > spent struggling with the brace. > > > > > > > > Jeanne > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been > > > removed] > > > > > > > > > > > __________________________________________________________ > > Be a better friend, newshound, and > > know-it-all with Mobile. Try it now. > > > __http://mobile.http://mobile.http://mo_ > (http://mobile.http//mobhttp://mobile.) > <_Whttp://mobile._ (whttp://mobile./) <Wht_ > > > > > (_http://mobile.http://mobhttp://mobile.<Whttp://mobile.<Wht_ > > (http://mobile./;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ) > ) > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ************ ************<WBR>**The year's hott > > carpet at the Grammy > > Awards. Go to AOL Music. > > > (_http://music.http://music.<WBhttp://music.<WBhttp://mu_ > > === message truncated === ________________________________________________________________________________\ ____ Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile./;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 13, 2008 Report Share Posted February 13, 2008 DVT stands for deep vein thrombosis (blood clots). As they break off they go to the lungs through the vena cava vein which runs from your legs up through your abdomen. The usual procedure is to insert a filter into that large vein to prohibit further clots from reaching the lungs. In a highly unusual circumstance, the doctor accidentally pushed the filter through the vena cava vein, prompting an emergency surgery to repair the vein and keep me from bleeding to death. I was put on a regimen of Coumadin for about 6 months until all the clots were gone from my legs and lungs. They checked this with a CT scan. It was a very scary time for me and my family. This happened just 4 weeks out of my spinal fusion surgery in which I had 15 vertebrae fused. People can develop blod clots when they are sedentary. i.e., like when you are in the hospital. And this is why your doctors will tell you to walk walk walk after your surgery. I thought I was doing all that I could to keep moving, but maybe not enough. I was incredibly weak at that time. I remember the physical therapist in the hospital told me to keep moving my legs while I lay in the hospital bed. Those of you who have had your surgery probably remember those " socks " they put on you that are called pressure hose - or something like that. They keep squeezing and releasing, squeezing and releasing. Also, I was still taking Premarin which is an estrogen replacement therapy drug. I should have been taken off that drug before my surgery. One of the known precautions of taking Premarin can be blood clots. I was in very good condition physically prior to my surgery, even though I had a 94 degree thorocolumbar scoliosis curve (which has now been corrected to 59 degrees). I began physical therapy and walking again immediately after my release from the hospital the second time. I was still in my brace, and it was uncomfortable and hot, but I got used to it. Every time I saw my vascular surgeon, he would say I want you walking two miles the next time I see you. Then he would say I want you walking three miles. And so on. It has been sixteen months since my surgery and I am doing very well. I have hiked in the mountains, exercised at the local gym and have done some water aerobics. I have a " spin " bike at home which I ride every other day. Keeping my legs strong is my main " job " . Most people say that I am a miracle walking, now. And I have no pain. So in answer to your question: " what can be done to prevent this? " just keep moving! I was 66 years old when I had my back surgery. My heart goes out to all of you still contemplating surgery. Patti Re: Re: Shriners > > > I would say about 3 months after would be a great > time to start PT. It helps > so much with the muscles that have been stretched. > They are even working the > muscles in between my daughters ribs. I can't wait > to see where she is in 2 > months. Thanks > > in MD > > > In a message dated 2/12/2008 8:41:33 P.M. Eastern > Standard Time, > p0etiss@... writes: > > Thanks . Do you know how soon after the > surgery > physical therapy is recommended? > --- _des@..._ (mailto:des@...) > wrote: > > > I highly suggest physical therapy. My 15 year > old > > had her fusion last July > > and we too were told we did not need PT. Now 6 > > months later we are in PT > > trying to help her muscles and wish so much we > had > > done PT last fall. Good luck. > > > > in MD > > > > > > In a message dated 2/11/2008 7:47:22 P.M. > Eastern > > Standard Time, > > _p0etiss@..._ (mailto:p0etiss@...) > writes: > > > > > > > > > > I was wondering about physical therapy after > being > > discharged from the hospital. My son's dr didn't > > think that would be necessary but it would make > > sense > > to me that it might be. He will be 19 at the > time of > > the surgery. What do you all think? > > --- debbie brickley <_debbiebrickley@_debbiebric > > (mailto:_debbiebrickley@debbiebri_ > (mailto:debbiebrickley@...) ) > > wrote: > > > > > some people are just anti-surgery, and > > maybe > > > don't trust surgeons. Even though I am an RN, > I > > > always said that I would never have surgery > for > > my > > > scoliosis. It was very hard for me to break > > through > > > and admit that I really needed it. I became > > disabled > > > rather than face surgery. Now, I see what a > good > > > thing it will be for me, after I get through > the > > > physical therapy and my body adapts to the > > surgical > > > changes. It's a big committment to have > surgery, > > and > > > you have to realize that you must be committed > to > > do > > > alot of physical therapy and spend time just > > waiting > > > for your body to heal. It's a slow process and > > you > > > will have to be PATIENT. But I think if you do > > this > > > now, it will change your life in the long run. > > You > > > have your whole life ahead of you. > > > Give your parents some gentle nudging and let > > > them know how you feel. Have they seen this > chat > > > room? Maybe they could ask some questions of > > other > > > parents. > > > Good luck, Debbie > > > > > > chrisman22122 <_chrisman22122@_chrisman2 > > (mailto:_chrisman22122@chrisman2_ > (mailto:chrisman22122@...) ) > > > wrote: > > > I would love to tell him when I go back > > > and if he tells me I need it, > > > but my parents are doing research and all that > > > crap > > > to find alternate > > > options because they have heard only bad > things > > > about it, so they are > > > doing everything they can so that I do not > have > > > surgery. It really > > > irritates me, because I have heard of no > horror > > > stories anywhere I > > > look, but since they found some. Then that > means > > > they have to defend > > > me and are doing almost anything so that I do > > not. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > I've been reading the conversations with > Chris > > and > > > I just want to > > > > mention one thing to Chris. > > > > > > > > I had surgery in 1997 at age 50. The results > > were > > > far better than > > > I > > > > ever imagined they could be. I wish there > had > > been > > > technology for > > > me > > > > such as they have today way back when I was > a > > > young person. > > > > > > > > I know that the surgery is a real big deal, > but > > it > > > is far better to > > > > have as a teen than as an adult. > > > > > > > > Also, the teens who have surgery now are > > restored > > > to an almost > > > > perfectly straight spine. > > > > > > > > Don't be afraid of the surgery. In fact, I > > would > > > campaign for the > > > > surgery because it is far easier to recover > as > > a > > > teen, and the > > > > correction is so significant. It will wash > away > > > all those years > > > > spent struggling with the brace. > === message truncated === __________________________________________________________ Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile./;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 13, 2008 Report Share Posted February 13, 2008 Dear Patti, I agree with you wholeheartedly about the PT to learn how to do the stairs, dress, walk, etc. It was a Godsend and helped me immensely, too. I said it before, and I'll say it again, after scoli surgery DEMAND rehab. I was in a rehab associated with the hospital where I had the surgery, for nine days. Lana Patti <pattijohnson@...> wrote: I started physical therapy immediately after leaving the surgical hospital. They took me to an acute rehab facility where I spent a week learning how to put on my shoes and socks, my pants, my brace, how to take a shower, etc. My muscle strength was so depleted that I had trouble walking 20 steps without complete fatigue. And this was with a walker!! After a week I was sent home, but no physical therapy arrangements were made. Unfortunately I developed DVTs and pulmonary embolisms and had to be hospitalized again. I spent one week in ICU, followed by about 12 days in the hospital. They resumed my physical therapy as soon as I got out of ICU. It felt like I had to learn to walk again. I had to learn how to climb the stairs again. After my release from the hospital, I returned 3 times a week for the next four months for physical therapy. My insurance paid because the PT was done at the hospital, not an out patient facility. My PT was a wonderful experience. I felt like I had a personal trainer, and he was so supportive with all my successes. Your doctor should be the one who refers you to PT. Hopefully he/she will do it immediately. Patti Re: Re: Shriners I would say about 3 months after would be a great time to start PT. It helps so much with the muscles that have been stretched. They are even working the muscles in between my daughters ribs. I can't wait to see where she is in 2 months. Thanks in MD In a message dated 2/12/2008 8:41:33 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, p0etiss@... writes: Thanks . Do you know how soon after the surgery physical therapy is recommended? --- _des@..._ (mailto:des@...) wrote: > I highly suggest physical therapy. My 15 year old > had her fusion last July > and we too were told we did not need PT. Now 6 > months later we are in PT > trying to help her muscles and wish so much we had > done PT last fall. Good luck. > > in MD > > > In a message dated 2/11/2008 7:47:22 P.M. Eastern > Standard Time, > _p0etiss@..._ (mailto:p0etiss@...) writes: > > > > > I was wondering about physical therapy after being > discharged from the hospital. My son's dr didn't > think that would be necessary but it would make > sense > to me that it might be. He will be 19 at the time of > the surgery. What do you all think? > --- debbie brickley <_debbiebrickley@_debbiebric > (mailto:_debbiebrickley@debbiebri_ (mailto:debbiebrickley@...) ) > wrote: > > > some people are just anti-surgery, and > maybe > > don't trust surgeons. Even though I am an RN, I > > always said that I would never have surgery for > my > > scoliosis. It was very hard for me to break > through > > and admit that I really needed it. I became > disabled > > rather than face surgery. Now, I see what a good > > thing it will be for me, after I get through the > > physical therapy and my body adapts to the > surgical > > changes. It's a big committment to have surgery, > and > > you have to realize that you must be committed to > do > > alot of physical therapy and spend time just > waiting > > for your body to heal. It's a slow process and > you > > will have to be PATIENT. But I think if you do > this > > now, it will change your life in the long run. > You > > have your whole life ahead of you. > > Give your parents some gentle nudging and let > > them know how you feel. Have they seen this chat > > room? Maybe they could ask some questions of > other > > parents. > > Good luck, Debbie > > > > chrisman22122 <_chrisman22122@_chrisman2 > (mailto:_chrisman22122@chrisman2_ (mailto:chrisman22122@...) ) > > wrote: > > I would love to tell him when I go back > > and if he tells me I need it, > > but my parents are doing research and all that > crap > > to find alternate > > options because they have heard only bad things > > about it, so they are > > doing everything they can so that I do not have > > surgery. It really > > irritates me, because I have heard of no horror > > stories anywhere I > > look, but since they found some. Then that means > > they have to defend > > me and are doing almost anything so that I do > not. > > > > > > > > > > > > > I've been reading the conversations with Chris > and > > I just want to > > > mention one thing to Chris. > > > > > > I had surgery in 1997 at age 50. The results > were > > far better than > > I > > > ever imagined they could be. I wish there had > been > > technology for > > me > > > such as they have today way back when I was a > > young person. > > > > > > I know that the surgery is a real big deal, but > it > > is far better to > > > have as a teen than as an adult. > > > > > > Also, the teens who have surgery now are > restored > > to an almost > > > perfectly straight spine. > > > > > > Don't be afraid of the surgery. In fact, I > would > > campaign for the > > > surgery because it is far easier to recover as > a > > teen, and the > > > correction is so significant. It will wash away > > all those years > > > spent struggling with the brace. > > > > > > Jeanne > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been > > removed] > > > > > > __________________________________________________________ > Be a better friend, newshound, and > know-it-all with Mobile. Try it now. > __http://mobile.http://mobile.http://mo_ (http://mobile.http//mobhttp://mobile.) <_Whttp://mobile._ (whttp://mobile./) <Wht_ > > (_http://mobile.http://mobhttp://mobile.<Whttp://mobile.<Wht_ (http://mobile./;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ) ) > > > > > > > > > ************ ************<WBR>**The year's hott > carpet at the Grammy > Awards. Go to AOL Music. > (_http://music.http://music.<WBhttp://music.<WBhttp://mu_ (http://music.aol.com/grammys?NCID=aolcmp00300000002565) ) > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been > removed] > > __________________________________________________________ Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Search. _http://tools.http://tools.http://tools.http://tohttp://tools.http://t_ (http://tools.search./newsearch/category.php?category=shopping) **************The year's hottest artists on the red carpet at the Grammy Awards. Go to AOL Music. 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Guest guest Posted February 14, 2008 Report Share Posted February 14, 2008 I am glad you have no pain. --- Patti <pattijohnson@...> wrote: > DVT stands for deep vein thrombosis (blood clots). > As they break off they go to the lungs through the > vena cava vein which runs from your legs up through > your abdomen. The usual procedure is to insert a > filter into that large vein to prohibit further > clots from reaching the lungs. In a highly unusual > circumstance, the doctor accidentally pushed the > filter through the vena cava vein, prompting an > emergency surgery to repair the vein and keep me > from bleeding to death. I was put on a regimen of > Coumadin for about 6 months until all the clots were > gone from my legs and lungs. They checked this with > a CT scan. > > It was a very scary time for me and my family. This > happened just 4 weeks out of my spinal fusion > surgery in which I had 15 vertebrae fused. People > can develop blod clots when they are sedentary. > i.e., like when you are in the hospital. And this is > why your doctors will tell you to walk walk walk > after your surgery. I thought I was doing all that I > could to keep moving, but maybe not enough. I was > incredibly weak at that time. I remember the > physical therapist in the hospital told me to keep > moving my legs while I lay in the hospital bed. > Those of you who have had your surgery probably > remember those " socks " they put on you that are > called pressure hose - or something like that. They > keep squeezing and releasing, squeezing and > releasing. Also, I was still taking Premarin which > is an estrogen replacement therapy drug. I should > have been taken off that drug before my surgery. One > of the known precautions of taking Premarin can be > blood clots. > > I was in very good condition physically prior to my > surgery, even though I had a 94 degree thorocolumbar > scoliosis curve (which has now been corrected to 59 > degrees). I began physical therapy and walking again > immediately after my release from the hospital the > second time. I was still in my brace, and it was > uncomfortable and hot, but I got used to it. Every > time I saw my vascular surgeon, he would say I want > you walking two miles the next time I see you. Then > he would say I want you walking three miles. And so > on. > > It has been sixteen months since my surgery and I am > doing very well. I have hiked in the mountains, > exercised at the local gym and have done some water > aerobics. I have a " spin " bike at home which I ride > every other day. Keeping my legs strong is my main > " job " . Most people say that I am a miracle walking, > now. And I have no pain. > > So in answer to your question: " what can be done to > prevent this? " just keep moving! I was 66 years old > when I had my back surgery. > > My heart goes out to all of you still contemplating > surgery. > Patti > > > > Re: Re: Shriners > > > > > > I would say about 3 months after would be a > great > > time to start PT. It helps > > so much with the muscles that have been > stretched. > > They are even working the > > muscles in between my daughters ribs. I can't > wait > > to see where she is in 2 > > months. Thanks > > > > in MD > > > > > > In a message dated 2/12/2008 8:41:33 P.M. > Eastern > > Standard Time, > > p0etiss@... writes: > > > > Thanks . Do you know how soon after the > > surgery > > physical therapy is recommended? > > --- _des@..._ (mailto:des@...) > > wrote: > > > > > I highly suggest physical therapy. My 15 year > > old > > > had her fusion last July > > > and we too were told we did not need PT. Now 6 > > > months later we are in PT > > > trying to help her muscles and wish so much we > > had > > > done PT last fall. Good luck. > > > > > > in MD > > > > > > > > > In a message dated 2/11/2008 7:47:22 P.M. > > Eastern > > > Standard Time, > > > _p0etiss@..._ (mailto:p0etiss@...) > > writes: > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > I was wondering about physical therapy after > > being > > > discharged from the hospital. My son's dr > didn't > > > think that would be necessary but it would > make > > > sense > > > to me that it might be. He will be 19 at the > > time of > > > the surgery. What do you all think? > > > --- debbie brickley > <_debbiebrickley@_debbiebric > > > (mailto:_debbiebrickley@debbiebri_ > > (mailto:debbiebrickley@...) ) > > > wrote: > > > > > > > some people are just anti-surgery, > and > > > maybe > > > > don't trust surgeons. Even though I am an > RN, > === message truncated === ________________________________________________________________________________\ ____ Never miss a thing. Make your home page. http://www./r/hs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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