Re: Re: Doctor visit-ventilator

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Hi Melody,

I am in a lot of pain. Walking is especially difficult. I am fused to the L-4 I think. Dr. Ondra is the doctor who did my first revision and I have a lot of faith in him. He said my pain would be reduced about 50% but that he did not foresee me ever being pain free. He said I would lose some movement in my neck. Which doesn't seem a big deal to me as I don't have a lot of movement in my neck now. He also said I would be able to walk and do normal thing a lot more comfortably. Like you the first surgery was difficult and it is hard to face another. Thanks for your support.

Elaine

Re: Doctor visit-ventilator

Hi Elaine,It's perfectly normal to be nervous and concerned about more surgery! Can you give us more details about your situation? Are you in a lot of pain at this time? If so, does your doctor think that surgery will reduce your pain? How much of your back is currently fused? Will the surgery limit or increase your mobility? I am new to this group...maybe others already have more information about you? The only advice I can think of is something I'm sure you've already heard or thought of.....and that is getting a second or third medical opinion. Like you, I had a revision surgery that included removing old and adding new hardware in my lumbar area last December and I also need another surgery (cervical) soon. My recent surgery was very difficult/painful. Thinking about going back to the hospital in the near future is very stressful. However...my neck causes me a substantial amount

of pain, and I am confident that the next surgery is going to help me feel much better after I recover. This group is a good place to connect and learn from others who have similar problems. I hope you get lots of supportive replies. Good luck with your decision. Melody>> Hi:> I went for a visit with Dr. Ondra this last week. When Dr. Ondra did > my revision surgery in November of 06 the plan was for me to go back > and have another surgery in 6 months. I had several complications and > could not face another big surgery so soon so put it off. I have been > trying to make up my mind to have the second surgery but have not

> been able to come to a definite decision. I went to see Dr. Ondra to > discuss it with him and maybe make some decision. The first surgery > all of my old hardware was removed and 2 new rods and 4 screws were > put in. This was to stablize my spine and helped my lower curve. I > have a significant curve in my upper back. What took me to Dr. Ondra > in the first place was that I am bending forward and can not walk > with my head up without a lot of pain. I am lucky in that I am still > walking around. But I am limited in much that I do. I ask Dr. Ondra > if he thought that the next surgety would make it a little easier for > me to be able to walk and do normal things. He said he thought it > would make me a lot better. So why am I hesitating. He explained the > surgery to me. He would open up my back and lossen thing up. Then I

> would be in traction on a ventilator for two days and then he would > take me back to surgery and extend the rod that is already there, > take out a vertabra and put in a cage, and fuse me all the way to mid > way of my neck. I'm a bit of a chicken and the thought of being on a > ventilator for two days scares me to death. He said I would be > sedated and not to worry about that. But I still remember waking up > in ICU on a vetilator after the first surgery and it was very > frightening. He said it was the safest way to get my spine back where > it needs to be. Has anyone else had this type of surgery? > Elaine>

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