Re: 5/6 weeks post op

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

It's good to hear from you too. I do have quite a trip ahead of me in

going to see my son graduate boot camp. I live in NY and we have to go

to South Carolina. My doctor said a car trip would be too much on me.

She recommended a flight instead. So I booked a flight and hotel stay.

It is still early in my recovery and I am not walking too much yet.

There will be a lot of walking around the military base the day before

graduation. It's called " Family Day " . I anticipate that it may be too

much for me, so I ordered a travel wheelchair over the Internet to

bring with me. I got one that is lightweight. Only 16 pounds and folds

up like an umbrella stroller and has a carry bag for it too. I figure

that should be fairly easy to bring on the plane.

I want to get cushions/pads for it so it won't be hard on my back. My

wound still hurts if anything is touching it. That phantom itch can

be bothersome too. But it mostly bothers me at night.

I will be relieved when that numbness on my back goes away. I don't

remember the doc saying anything about it. But you mentioned that it

is a normal symptom after revision surgery.? It just feels so weird.!

I will be glad when that goes away.

So you also had a trip to go on early into your recovery? That's

rough. I am leaving in about 12 days. I am making some progress in my

recovery but it just seems so slow. I do get a little impatient with

it sometimes. Especially when I have this trip coming up. Even day to

day things too. I am grateful to my doctors for their good work. I

just can't believe how painstakingly slow this recovery from scoliosis

surgery can be. I guess having a NY backround makes me want this to be

over in a NY minute. LOL!

My upcoming trip could prove to be hard on me.? But I can't miss this

particular occasion. My son is really expecting me to be at his

military graduation. They even have what they call " Family Day " the

day before graduation. It's when the recruits get to show their

families all around the base and show us what they have learned in the

past 3 months. So I definitely have to go, if you know what I mean?

Do you get short of breath when you have to walk for a while or when

you do some movement quickly? I guess we have to build up strength

slowly. I find myself winded after even small chores and such. Do you

think that is normal?

I have only been back to Manhattan once for my 1st post op visit. My

doctors said I am doing well. But they sent me home with virtually no

instructions. I am not sure really what I should be doing at this

point other than convalescing?

How about you? Did your doc give you any instructions?

thanks

Carol

> >

> > Hi,

> > I am about 5 weeks post op and doing pretty well. I was 9 days in

> the

> > hospital, then I came straight home. My eldest daughter took off a

> > semester of college to stay home and care for me. I couldn't ask for

> > any one better to help me. She dispenses my pain meds, gets dinner

> > ready, etc.

> >

> > During my surgery I had the whole Harrington rod taken out. Then

> they

> > did osteomies, decompression, etc. They put in 2 new rods on either

> > side of my spine, with screws etc. They also put in a cage in the

> > lumbar region for stability. Then they fused what ever was left to

> > fuse,down to the sacrum.

> >

> > I woke up from the surgery in ICU, much like 's experience. I

> > had the ventilator down my throat. It was definitely unpleasant. I

> > couldn't talk but I waved down doctors and nurses frantically trying

> > to get someone to take it out of my mouth. Eventually someone came

> by

> > and took it out. Yes, it hurt. But so did most of the things they

> did

> > to me in the hospital. Which is why I think, most people cringe when

> > they think of hospitals. It goes with the territory I suppose.

> >

> > My pain is starting to subside but it comes back with a vengeance

> if I

> > go out and over exert myself. So I have to be careful and take

> > everything in moderation. I get winded and short of breath if I move

> > to fast or if I'm up too long. The recovery to me is madingly slow.

> I

> > am grateful though that I am walking better, and I am up straight

> again.

> >

> > I have lost 15 pounds over the course of my recovery so far. I am

> > thrilled about that. Who wouldn't be, right? Also, I gained about an

> > inch and a half. I am 81 years old and still growing. You can't beat

> > that. My relatives couldn't get over it when they saw me stand up

> for

> > the first time. It was pretty amazing.

> >

> > What I am not thrilled about is the " Phantom itch " that I am getting

> > often lately. Mostly at night when I am going to bed. It will drive

> > you half out of your mind. So I went to the medicine cabinet and got

> > out cortisone creme. Then I went to the kitchen and got a plastic

> > spatula. I put the creme on the spatula and spread it on my back. I

> > was desperate because I couldn't reach the itch myself. And everyone

> > else was in bed. It seems to work OK. But I would love to hear if

> > anyone has any other ideas or if anyone gets that ungodly itch on

> your

> > back in those unreachable places? Plus certain parts of my skin I

> can

> > feel and other parts are completely numb. Is that normal? Will the

> > numb places eventually get feeling back?

> >

> > Other than that I am doing pretty good. I just can't believe it's

> all

> > behind me now. The dreaded revision is done. It's like a miracle to

> > me. They did the entire surgery in 14 hours all in one day. They did

> > the whole thing posteriorly to. I was pleased about that. One less

> cut

> > was ok with me. I had about 2 and a half pints of blood transfused.

> 2

> > orthopedic doctors worked on me at the same time. Then for the

> last 2

> > hours a plastic surgeon closed up the whole wound. He did a

> terrific job.

> >

> > It was quite a surgery. I don't know what the future will hold but

> so

> > far so good. I won't rest easy though until my check up in 3 weeks

> to

> > find out if the fusion is taking. That is the next main hurdle. I

> > still can't believe I did it. The revision is behind me now. So

> far

> > everything seems to be ok. Although the doc called and told me I am

> > slightly anemic. I am taking iron pills now and trying to eat iron

> > rich foods. I am sure that will be cleared up in time.

> >

> > I still am amazed that I have gone through 2 major spinal surgeries

> in

> > my lifetime. I am hoping that this one was my last. I feel blessed

> > that I made it through. I think we all deserve to go on a cruise or

> > something. I don't know if I have a cruise in the future but in

> 2

> > weeks my family and I will be going to Parris Island South Carolina

> > for my sons graduation from Marine Corp boot camp. So I will have to

> > recuperate fast. Just in case though I will be bringing a travel

> > wheelchair just to make sure. Life goes on, but at least now I can

> see

> > myself with a future to look forward to.

> > God Bless

> >

> > Carol ***

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Carol,

Wow! That is a VERY ambitious trip you have planned so soon. I am

so glad to hear that you bought yourself a lightweight wheelchair,

because I think that the walking involved with the Family Day

activities might be a little rough on you so soon out of surgery.

Please bring with yourself (or purchase soon after arrival if it's

too much to take on the plane) a lot of pillows/cushions to pad the

chair with (I prefer small, squishy pillows so that you can cram them

where needed). The lightweight travel chairs don't typically have a

lot of padding, and you will need some to be comfortable. Also,

please be sure that your medications are filled and that you bring a

little extra with you " just in case " . Be sure to bring your meds in

their original bottles so that you don't have any problems at the

airport.

If you haven't already, please let the airline know that you will

need wheelchair assistance - whether you want to use an airport

wheelchair or whether you choose to use your own for getting to the

gate. They can have someone there to help you board, assist you in

getting your luggage from the baggage claim, etc. Don't tire

yourself out in the airport so much that you can't enjoy the

important parts later with your son. Are you travelling alone?

Also, LABEL YOUR WHEELCHAIR WITH YOUR NAME & CONTACT INFO, preferably

in some obnoxious and obvious/noticeable manner (like bright orange

tape) so that airport employees or other passengers don't mistakenly

think that the wheelchair is " up for grabs " for anyone needing

assistance. I haven't travelled by air since becoming wheelchair

bound, but I have heard occasional stories of someone's personal

chair getting taken by a passenger who was impatiently waiting for

the regular airport assistance/transport people but decided to take

matters into their own hands.

As far as your numbness goes, there is no telling when/if it might go

away. I was just relaying my personal experiences with it. Some

people I've heard have some degree of permanent numbness, while

others may have it for a few weeks to over a year. I hope that yours

goes away quickly, as it can be rather disconcerting at times.

You really have an extensive trip planned, and just try to remember

not to overdo things. It can be a really enjoyable adventure, and a

memory for both you & your son to carry with you. But also remember

your limits and try to convey that idea to your son beforehand so

he's not disappointed if you are too pooped to do every single

activity. Perhaps if you guys can go through the activity list

beforehand and determine which ones are the " can't miss " ones, you

can plan your days accordingly - and anything extra that you feel up

to will be a bonus. I would just hate for you to go in there

all " gung-ho " , overdo things in the first half of the day, and then

miss out on the most important parts later on because you're

exhausted and in horrible pain. And if you're cutting down your pain

meds already, don't be afraid to ramp them back up to help you get

through and enjoy this wonderful trip

I hope that you are able to share a great time with your son. Just

remember what you've been through these last 2 months, and don't do

anything to jeapordize the hard work that you've endured! Take it

easy and have fun!

> > >

> > > Hi,

> > > I am about 5 weeks post op and doing pretty well. I was 9 days

in

> > the

> > > hospital, then I came straight home. My eldest daughter took

off a

> > > semester of college to stay home and care for me. I couldn't

ask for

> > > any one better to help me. She dispenses my pain meds, gets

dinner

> > > ready, etc.

> > >

> > > During my surgery I had the whole Harrington rod taken out.

Then

> > they

> > > did osteomies, decompression, etc. They put in 2 new rods on

either

> > > side of my spine, with screws etc. They also put in a cage in

the

> > > lumbar region for stability. Then they fused what ever was left

to

> > > fuse,down to the sacrum.

> > >

> > > I woke up from the surgery in ICU, much like 's

experience. I

> > > had the ventilator down my throat. It was definitely

unpleasant. I

> > > couldn't talk but I waved down doctors and nurses frantically

trying

> > > to get someone to take it out of my mouth. Eventually someone

came

> > by

> > > and took it out. Yes, it hurt. But so did most of the things

they

> > did

> > > to me in the hospital. Which is why I think, most people cringe

when

> > > they think of hospitals. It goes with the territory I suppose.

> > >

> > > My pain is starting to subside but it comes back with a

vengeance

> > if I

> > > go out and over exert myself. So I have to be careful and take

> > > everything in moderation. I get winded and short of breath if I

move

> > > to fast or if I'm up too long. The recovery to me is madingly

slow.

> > I

> > > am grateful though that I am walking better, and I am up

straight

> > again.

> > >

> > > I have lost 15 pounds over the course of my recovery so far. I

am

> > > thrilled about that. Who wouldn't be, right? Also, I gained

about an

> > > inch and a half. I am 81 years old and still growing. You can't

beat

> > > that. My relatives couldn't get over it when they saw me stand

up

> > for

> > > the first time. It was pretty amazing.

> > >

> > > What I am not thrilled about is the " Phantom itch " that I am

getting

> > > often lately. Mostly at night when I am going to bed. It will

drive

> > > you half out of your mind. So I went to the medicine cabinet

and got

> > > out cortisone creme. Then I went to the kitchen and got a

plastic

> > > spatula. I put the creme on the spatula and spread it on my

back. I

> > > was desperate because I couldn't reach the itch myself. And

everyone

> > > else was in bed. It seems to work OK. But I would love to hear

if

> > > anyone has any other ideas or if anyone gets that ungodly itch

on

> > your

> > > back in those unreachable places? Plus certain parts of my skin

I

> > can

> > > feel and other parts are completely numb. Is that normal? Will

the

> > > numb places eventually get feeling back?

> > >

> > > Other than that I am doing pretty good. I just can't believe

it's

> > all

> > > behind me now. The dreaded revision is done. It's like a

miracle to

> > > me. They did the entire surgery in 14 hours all in one day.

They did

> > > the whole thing posteriorly to. I was pleased about that. One

less

> > cut

> > > was ok with me. I had about 2 and a half pints of blood

transfused.

> > 2

> > > orthopedic doctors worked on me at the same time. Then for the

> > last 2

> > > hours a plastic surgeon closed up the whole wound. He did a

> > terrific job.

> > >

> > > It was quite a surgery. I don't know what the future will hold

but

> > so

> > > far so good. I won't rest easy though until my check up in 3

weeks

> > to

> > > find out if the fusion is taking. That is the next main hurdle.

I

> > > still can't believe I did it. The revision is behind me now.

So

> > far

> > > everything seems to be ok. Although the doc called and told me

I am

> > > slightly anemic. I am taking iron pills now and trying to eat

iron

> > > rich foods. I am sure that will be cleared up in time.

> > >

> > > I still am amazed that I have gone through 2 major spinal

surgeries

> > in

> > > my lifetime. I am hoping that this one was my last. I feel

blessed

> > > that I made it through. I think we all deserve to go on a

cruise or

> > > something. I don't know if I have a cruise in the future

but in

> > 2

> > > weeks my family and I will be going to Parris Island South

Carolina

> > > for my sons graduation from Marine Corp boot camp. So I will

have to

> > > recuperate fast. Just in case though I will be bringing a travel

> > > wheelchair just to make sure. Life goes on, but at least now I

can

> > see

> > > myself with a future to look forward to.

> > > God Bless

> > >

> > > Carol ***

> > >

> >

>