Re: Two surgery questions (probably the first 2 of many)

[Guest guest]

, no worries, you can only think of so much while you are in there with the

doc. Besides, thats what we are here for. Yes, you will have a catheter....now,

when I had my surgery the nurses were unfamiliar with caring for a post-op TC

patient. They wanted to pull my catheter the next morning and make me walk to

the bathroom. I refused but finally gave in on day two after a day of

harrassment. Big mistake. I had a CSF leak. Moral of the story is, ask your doc

if the nurses where you will be are familiar with post-op care for your

condition. My nurses also had me repositioning myself by pulling up on the

triangly thing above the bed. Big mistake, dont do it. I didnt know post op care

either...so I did what the nurses said except that catheter part. As for

pooping, seems like I didnt go for several days due to the anesthesia and

inactivity. I remember being really afraid to go not knowing how much it was

going to hurt...like after childbirth

lol...anyway I think I thought it was going to hurt worse than it did. As for

laying flat, unfortunately I was only down a day but that was a BIG mistake.

Gleen all the info you can from us...so " you " know what to do and not to do,

just in case they dont.

Subject: Two surgery questions (probably the first 2 of many)

To: tetheredspinalcord

Date: Thursday, January 8, 2009, 1:09 PM

As monday the 12th draws closer I've got a couple of questions for

any

adults here that have had TC surgery:

1. Pooping - I guess I will have a catheter to take care of

urinating, but how do they address going #2 those first few days?

Which leads my to my second question....

2. Moving - When I was first diagnoised with TC due to a

diastematomyelia, my NS said recovery would be 3 days in ICU then 4

days in a regular room. He said I wouldn't be moved for those first

three days. Now since he changed my DX to a diplomyelia (less

complicated? ) he said one day in ICU, then 3 - 4 days in a regular

room.

My question is how long did everyone lay flat?

He's still opening the dura. And it seems the most common post op

horror stories I've heard have been the CSF leaks and related

headaches from moving too soon in the hospital?

I know these are questions I should have addressed with my NS during

my pre-op visit but I had close to a bazillion questions for him and

thought of these afterwards.

[Guest guest]

I don't think you need to worry about bms, all the drugs and anesthetic you will

be on will likely constipate you. I did not have a bm until day 3 when I was

finally up. And yes, you will have a catheter. I had my tc released at the

filum. I was suppose to lay flat for 24 hours but ended up flat for three days

as I was having horrible headaches and dizziness. They thought maybe a spinal

leak but in the end I think they decided it was simply a reaction to all the

narcotics. I did have a spinal leak around day 7, the day after I came home. I

had a long ferry and car ride home so wonder if that was just too much too soon.

Take it easy and do everything they tell you, and most likely you will not get a

leak, but I think it also just may be luck of the draw. (my leak did heal on

it's own but took awhile).

Good luck!

Dee

To: tetheredspinalcord

From: kbhansel@...

Date: Thu, 8 Jan 2009 13:09:00 +0000

Subject: Two surgery questions (probably the first 2 of many)

As monday the 12th draws closer I've got a couple of questions for

any

adults here that have had TC surgery:

1. Pooping - I guess I will have a catheter to take care of

urinating, but how do they address going #2 those first few days?

Which leads my to my second question....

2. Moving - When I was first diagnoised with TC due to a

diastematomyelia, my NS said recovery would be 3 days in ICU then 4

days in a regular room. He said I wouldn't be moved for those first

three days. Now since he changed my DX to a diplomyelia (less

complicated?) he said one day in ICU, then 3 - 4 days in a regular

room.

My question is how long did everyone lay flat?

He's still opening the dura. And it seems the most common post op

horror stories I've heard have been the CSF leaks and related

headaches from moving too soon in the hospital?

I know these are questions I should have addressed with my NS during

my pre-op visit but I had close to a bazillion questions for him and

thought of these afterwards.

_________________________________________________________________

Drag n’ drop—Get easy photo sharing with Windows Live™ Photos.

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[Guest guest]

Drats .. hate it when the computer erases what you wrote. Well here

it goes ...

As far as your concern regarding BMS with the anesthesia, steroids,

anti-biotics and narcotic pain meds you most likely will not go for 3

days or so post surgery. One thing I learned (and learned the hard

way) after surgery #2 refuse any or all laxatives -- and make this

known at the beginning before your surgery so it's noted in your

chart as they gave them to me and by the last day I was in hospital I

woke up with the worst abdominal cramps and bloating I've EVER had

and was forced to deal with " loose BM " prior to leaving and had no

choice but to stay in hospital until later on that day because it was

such an issue. For surgery # 3 in making the NO LAXATIVES known they

gave me colace (stool softener, to prevent hemmoroids & straining) I

took this until the day of my departure from hospital and made the

mistake of stopping it 2 days prior to my release as I once again had

abdominal cramps, bloating and loose BM not fun. I learned it's much

easy and more natural to use things from nature to get your rhythm

back on track -- by eating berries, apples, applesauce, oatmeal,

pears, oranges, drinking apple juice, cranberry juice and herbal tea.

I felt so MUCH better sticking to my own regular diet but eating

smaller meals throughout the day.

As far as the catheter debacle? In the beginning two days or so I

found it more comfortable to keep it in -- but by day 3/4 my own body

said " get this thing out " and it pushed itself partially out. I used

a portable toilet chair at night for the first day/night or so and

then with the help of a nurse walked to the bathroom to take care of

my business.

Yes, you will most likely be asked to lie flat for the first 2-3

days. I was able to prop myself up slightly on my elbow to eat and on

the end of day two they slowly raised the head of my bed little by

little.

>

>

> Subject: Two surgery questions (probably the first 2 of many)

> To: tetheredspinalcord

> Date: Thursday, January 8, 2009, 1:09 PM

>

>

>

>

>

>

> As monday the 12th draws closer I've got a couple of questions for

> any

> adults here that have had TC surgery:

>

> 1. Pooping - I guess I will have a catheter to take care of

> urinating, but how do they address going #2 those first few days?

> Which leads my to my second question....

>

> 2. Moving - When I was first diagnoised with TC due to a

> diastematomyelia, my NS said recovery would be 3 days in ICU then 4

> days in a regular room. He said I wouldn't be moved for those first

> three days. Now since he changed my DX to a diplomyelia (less

> complicated? ) he said one day in ICU, then 3 - 4 days in a regular

> room.

> My question is how long did everyone lay flat?

>

> He's still opening the dura. And it seems the most common post op

> horror stories I've heard have been the CSF leaks and related

> headaches from moving too soon in the hospital?

>

> I know these are questions I should have addressed with my NS

during

> my pre-op visit but I had close to a bazillion questions for him

and

> thought of these afterwards.

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I had nurses trying to prop me up right away too after surgery... I had to

insist they talk to my doctor before touching me and sure enough they were

wrong. TC surgery is so different than typical spine surgeries which is what

the nurses are used to. As for the cathetar -- I ended up getting a bladder

infection having it in for so long (had it in for 3 days).

Dee

To: tetheredspinalcord

From: livedream_believe@...

Date: Thu, 8 Jan 2009 08:36:48 -0800

Subject: Re: Two surgery questions (probably the first 2 of many)

, no worries, you can only think of so much while you are in

there with the doc. Besides, thats what we are here for. Yes, you will have a

catheter....now, when I had my surgery the nurses were unfamiliar with caring

for a post-op TC patient. They wanted to pull my catheter the next morning and

make me walk to the bathroom. I refused but finally gave in on day two after a

day of harrassment. Big mistake. I had a CSF leak. Moral of the story is, ask

your doc if the nurses where you will be are familiar with post-op care for your

condition. My nurses also had me repositioning myself by pulling up on the

triangly thing above the bed. Big mistake, dont do it. I didnt know post op care

either...so I did what the nurses said except that catheter part. As for

pooping, seems like I didnt go for several days due to the anesthesia and

inactivity. I remember being really afraid to go not knowing how much it was

going to hurt...like after childbirth

lol...anyway I think I thought it was going to hurt worse than it did. As for

laying flat, unfortunately I was only down a day but that was a BIG mistake.

Gleen all the info you can from us...so " you " know what to do and not to do,

just in case they dont.

Subject: Two surgery questions (probably the first 2 of many)

To: tetheredspinalcord

Date: Thursday, January 8, 2009, 1:09 PM

As monday the 12th draws closer I've got a couple of questions for

any

adults here that have had TC surgery:

1. Pooping - I guess I will have a catheter to take care of

urinating, but how do they address going #2 those first few days?

Which leads my to my second question....

2. Moving - When I was first diagnoised with TC due to a

diastematomyelia, my NS said recovery would be 3 days in ICU then 4

days in a regular room. He said I wouldn't be moved for those first

three days. Now since he changed my DX to a diplomyelia (less

complicated? ) he said one day in ICU, then 3 - 4 days in a regular

room.

My question is how long did everyone lay flat?

He's still opening the dura. And it seems the most common post op

horror stories I've heard have been the CSF leaks and related

headaches from moving too soon in the hospital?

I know these are questions I should have addressed with my NS during

my pre-op visit but I had close to a bazillion questions for him and

thought of these afterwards.

[Guest guest]

Hi for my first 2 surgeries I was down on my back for 2 days and for my third

one I was 3 days flat on my back. Then the physio got me up we started by

standing by the bed side and then the next step was taking a few steps with a

walker. I think the last one I was in for 2 weeks. My experience is keep on

top of your pain meds and make sure they give you your pain meds about a half an

hour befor physio is coming to work with you.

take care jackie

p.s. if you have any more questions just ask

Two surgery questions (probably the first 2 of many)

To: tetheredspinalcord

Date: Thursday, January 8, 2009, 1:09 PM

As monday the 12th draws closer I've got a couple of questions for

any

adults here that have had TC surgery:

1. Pooping - I guess I will have a catheter to take care of

urinating, but how do they address going #2 those first few days?

Which leads my to my second question....

2. Moving - When I was first diagnoised with TC due to a

diastematomyelia, my NS said recovery would be 3 days in ICU then 4

days in a regular room. He said I wouldn't be moved for those first

three days. Now since he changed my DX to a diplomyelia (less

complicated? ) he said one day in ICU, then 3 - 4 days in a regular

room.

My question is how long did everyone lay flat?

He's still opening the dura. And it seems the most common post op

horror stories I've heard have been the CSF leaks and related

headaches from moving too soon in the hospital?

I know these are questions I should have addressed with my NS during

my pre-op visit but I had close to a bazillion questions for him and

thought of these afterwards.

[Guest guest]

After my first surgery, the nurses tried to have me sit up too...then they would

move me up in bed by grabbing the bed sheet and sliding me up (while I was on my

back) with my incision rubbing the whole way...yikes! Plus I had a CSF leak and

every time they made me sit up, I vomited everywhere which really hurt my

incision...I was still vomiting in the w/c when they where discharging me from

the hospital.

Two surgery questions (probably the first 2 of many)

To: tetheredspinalcord

Date: Thursday, January 8, 2009, 1:09 PM

As monday the 12th draws closer I've got a couple of questions for

any

adults here that have had TC surgery:

1. Pooping - I guess I will have a catheter to take care of

urinating, but how do they address going #2 those first few days?

Which leads my to my second question....

2. Moving - When I was first diagnoised with TC due to a

diastematomyelia, my NS said recovery would be 3 days in ICU then 4

days in a regular room. He said I wouldn't be moved for those first

three days. Now since he changed my DX to a diplomyelia (less

complicated? ) he said one day in ICU, then 3 - 4 days in a regular

room.

My question is how long did everyone lay flat?

He's still opening the dura. And it seems the most common post op

horror stories I've heard have been the CSF leaks and related

headaches from moving too soon in the hospital?

I know these are questions I should have addressed with my NS during

my pre-op visit but I had close to a bazillion questions for him and

thought of these afterwards.

[Guest guest]

I had a different experience....my NS had me get out of bed on day 2 after the

surgery and encouraged me to move around. I stayed in the hospital 4 nights

after the surgery and then went home. To be quite honest moving in an upright

position (slowly!!) was not at all unpleasant. I took showers and found out

later I shouldn't have gotten the bandage wet until about 5 days post-op (it

didn't seem to matter). Bad were stairs and getting up from charis/beds - that

was terrifying and often painful. This went on for about another 10 days before

I was out of the  worst phase. I have a houseful of small kids and also needed

to get back to work. If you don't have those constraints I would say take it

easy for several weeks after the surgery.

My NS is of the opinion that movement is important after surgery.

Best of luck!

Subject: Two surgery questions (probably the first 2 of many)

To: tetheredspinalcord

Date: Thursday, January 8, 2009, 2:09 PM

As monday the 12th draws closer I've got a couple of questions for

any

adults here that have had TC surgery:

1. Pooping - I guess I will have a catheter to take care of

urinating, but how do they address going #2 those first few days?

Which leads my to my second question....

2. Moving - When I was first diagnoised with TC due to a

diastematomyelia, my NS said recovery would be 3 days in ICU then 4

days in a regular room. He said I wouldn't be moved for those first

three days. Now since he changed my DX to a diplomyelia (less

complicated? ) he said one day in ICU, then 3 - 4 days in a regular

room.

My question is how long did everyone lay flat?

He's still opening the dura. And it seems the most common post op

horror stories I've heard have been the CSF leaks and related

headaches from moving too soon in the hospital?

I know these are questions I should have addressed with my NS during

my pre-op visit but I had close to a bazillion questions for him and

thought of these afterwards.

[Guest guest]

Three days is not a very long time to have a foley catheter. It may be a bit

long for TC surgery is there are not any complications, but after my last

surgery, I had a foley catheter for about a month. Some people live with

them. When I was admitted for my PEs, I requested a foley. My risk of UTI

was much greater doing ICs than having a foley. Not to mention, with the

fluids, I was having sudden urges to pee and not a lot of notice. Then I

would have to buzz for the RN and wait for a response to get everything

together for me to cath (mainly because reverted back to my IP days at

shepherd with regard to cleansing - and have managed to keep UTI free any

time I have been IP and cathing. It's a pain in the butt, but its better

than a UTI). But I get off the subject. A foley is not always bad, nor is it

necessarily a big risk for UTI compared to some alternatives. Because of the

risk of UTI, you want to have an indwelling catheter as little amount of

time as possible, but a UTI can always be treated with antibiotics. There

are worse things that can happen. Such as removing the catheter too soon and

having the stress of up and down to the bathroom put too much stress on your

back and the surgical site.

Jenn

From: tetheredspinalcord

[mailto:tetheredspinalcord ] On Behalf Of Dee Allaert

As for the cathetar -- I ended up getting a bladder infection having it in

for so long (had it in for 3 days).