Post surgery news from

[Guest guest]

Hi everyone. I'm sorry to have not posted my results after my surgery January

12th. Unfortunately I did not have the greatest hospital experience and have not

had any relief yet. In fact, I am in far more pain. I SO wanted to be able to

log on and tell you all that everything went great and that I am all better!

My surgery was done by Dr Harold Rekate at Barrows Neurological Center in

Phoenix. I had a spinal cord detethering with repair of a split cord

malformation, lysis of conus medullaris, laminectomy of T12, L1 & L2.

When I woke up from surgery my sacrum was SCREAMING at me. I instantly tried to

roll off it and then of course my surgical area screamed at me not to. They were

unable to control my pain and I don't remember much of the first four days. What

I do remember I wish I didn't. I was in the hospital for a week. I developed a

DVT in my right calf.

Five days after being released I was transported by ambulance back to Barrows

vomiting, dehydrated and in pain. The ER doctor upped my narcotics, pumped me

full of fluids and said my incision looked " adequate " then sent me on my way.

Two days later (now 14 days post op) I went back to Dr Rekate to get my stitches

out. I was still using a walker and not much more than an invalid at that time.

I did not see him (although he WAS in the office!) but his nurse practioner. I

found out then that they had dropped the ball. I was supposed to have had a

nurse visit at home check on the DVT and be sure the blood thinner shots were

being given correctly. I was also to have had a PT home visit. None of that

ended up in my discharge instructions. My aftercare was non-existent.

I am now almost 8 weeks post op. I've been going to PT three times a week. I've

lost 17 pounds which is a lot for me; I am not a big person. The surgical area

pain is pretty much gone and I'm getting stronger but the pain in my sacrum if

FAR worse than before surgery.

I called my NS's office yesterday and explained again the pain is intolerable.

Some days I can barely walk. Can't sit. Can't stand. Can't lay down or get

comfortable. Dr Rekate wasn't available but I talked with the Nurse Practioner

who said she would update him and call me back. Last night she left a message on

my phone explaining she had talked with Dr Rekate and he said he's sorry I am

having more pain but there is nothing else he can do for me. I should be almost

pain free at this point. He doesn't know why I would have pain in my sacrum at

all, I simply shouldn't. Period. He does however want me to have hope, and give

it more time.

ARE YOU KIDDING ME???

I know it's only been 8 weeks, but my pain should NOT be getting worse. I should

not have pain in my sacrum when I didn't before surgery. And he doesn't think

this is his problem or related to his surgery?? Seriously?

My Pain Specialist doesn't know what else to do for me. Of course he's not

familiar with my condition. (who is?) He wants to install a pain stimulator. I

don't think that is a very good idea until we at least know WHY I'm having MORE

pain.

My PCP has been outraged by the lack of care I've received from Dr Rekates

office. He is going to come unglued when I tell him about the phone message I

received from the NS's office last night. But unfortunately he also has no more

suggestions for me.

If you've followed my story over the last couple of years you'll know I have

never been crazy about Dr Rekate. I put my surgery off for over a year looking

for someone else but was told by EVERY doctor I talked to, including other NS's,

that Dr Rekate is an expert in this field, and that Barrows Neurological Center

is one of the top rated facilities in the country so I decided to go ahead with

my surgery. I am so totally regretting this decision.

Thanks for listening. Sorry this is so long but I had to get all that off my

chest. I so hated the idea of posting such a crappy experience but I don't know

where else to turn. I am in so much more pain than before sugery and I'm hoping

someone will have some words of wisdom for me!