- long reply

[Guest guest]

Hey ,

Thanks for the message. I have been meaning to post for some time now, but

there was always something else going on...even if that something else was

lying on the couch watching really bad daytime television!

I am definitely on the mend, but to be honest, it has not been easy. My

surgery lasted 7 hours this time (first time was only 4). They did the

duraplasty as scheduled, but I guess that extra step added 3 hours to the

procedure. Afterwards, I was forced to spend the first 24 hours on my

stomach (to lessen the chance of a CSF leak). I don't want to scare people

on the list, but this was an experience I never want to repeat.

I spent 7 days in the hospital. A week after returning home, I developed the

CSF leak I mentioned in my last post. Three weeks after that I was back in

the hospital with a fever, massive headaches, and dizziness. They did a

spinal tap to check for meningitis and kept me in Emergency for 2 days. When

they discovered I did not have meningitis, they sent me home, but didn't do

anything about the CSF leak. (However, I have been told by a very

knowledgeable member of this list that it is best to leave CSF leaks to

close up on their own if possible). Since I am due to return to work in 3

weeks, I am still hoping they will at least consider doing a blood patch on

me.

While in the hospital, I was diagnosed with a neurogenic bladder and bowel

and am now seeing a urologist. I only empty about half of what is in my

bladder and the urologist is thinking about teaching me to self-cath. I'm

not happy about this obviously, but I also know that it could return to me

some of the freedom I've lost. I'm a bit tired of making plans based on the

proximity of the nearest washroom! ha ha

I have started physiotherapy, which is doing wonders for my energy levels

and state of mind. (I spend almost 2 months lying on my back after the leak

started and lost a lot of strength and muscle tone.) I find some of the

exercises difficult because they tend to bring on the headaches, but I am

doing my best. I think the worst is over now, and I'm optimistic about the

rest of my recovery.

I've been thinking about you too. How is your daughter doing? Weren't you

considering surgery for her a while back? What about yourself...how are you

feeling these days? Are you having the MRI to see if you have retethered? I

have my fingers crossed for you.

How bad is your nerve pain? Are you on Gabapentin? I am and I'm thinking

seriously about cutting back on my dosage. It just messes me up too much.

I'm at the point where I'm doing my physio exercises and I can't even keep

count! I get to the 4th rep, hold it for a count of 8, and then forget where

I was. Or I do absent-minded things like putting the milk in the cupboard!

(I always catch myself, thank goodness!) I have to clear my head before I go

back to work. It would be a different story if the Gabapentin actually

relieved all my pain, but it doesn't. I believe it just lessens it.

Anyway, it was great to hear from you. Please let us know how things go with

your MRI. How is your mobility these days?

Take good care and have a good weekend,

Debbie

Date: Fri, 30 Apr 2004 17:52:23 EDT

From: ainsliemae@...

Subject: Debbie

Hi there! I have been looking for a post from you! How are you doing? Sorry

about the bump/leak. How did the surgery go other than that? Long? Sis you

go to rehab or right home? Have you had a lot of symptom reduction or is it

to early? Sorry so many question. Most of all I just hope that YOU are ok

and healing and dealing with all this ok. I have a lot of admiration for you

going through your 2nd surgery so " soon " after the first. I am the same-

back pain- nerve

pain, etc. I go back to the Dr for a post mri apt in a week or two- we will

see what the plan is then. Anyway- hope you are doing great!