Adults with TC surgery-Any stories? ( pro or con-I have to decide soon )

July 12, 2007

I have posted twice about having to decide if I am going to have TC

surgery for my TC at T7-9 from 2 spinal cord tumor/syrnix

surgeries. I have received one response from someone whose final

surgery-her third did not go well but, she said she wouldn't change

it. What has everyone else done or was it to the point where there

was no options??? I have to decide by early next week. I am seeing

my Neurosurgeon for the third time. I am racking my brain with all

the options/possiblities/results pro/con.

Surgery- untether the cord, bowel/bladder may get better/ current

severe pain may get better. BUT, it may just form more scar tissue

and re-tether, each surgery has caused more deficits in my body and

increased my pain. I already have a pain pump and take probably 8

oral meds. I keep coming out from surgery still able to walk and

function alittle but, how many times can you operate in/around

something the size of your pinky?

No surgery- No rehab-Yeah, no hospitals, no more waking up and

hoping my toes move. But, the current bowel and bladder issues will

just get worse with time to where I have no function ( currently not

able to use bowels most of time and bladder is to the point where I

cathetherize 75% of the time. Will the scarring just get worse and

what does that mean long term?

My surgeon says he is 60% sure but, likes to be 90% sure. Dr. Jallo

at 's Hopkins said he was 50/50 when I sent him my MRI disk. My

other Dr.'s are all unsure if I should do it so, the weight of the

world in on me and my wife.

What would you do? What have you done those of you who had to make

a similar choice. What were/are you long term results. Any and I

mean ANY help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

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