Re: pain mgmt appt - Peggy /

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Hi , My underlying fear is that having just turned 39.... & not knowing how much time Revision will get me (of course I'm Assuming the Best Possible Outcome)... & Harrington Rods got me about 21 good years.... 2 really bad years.... I know this is NOT the first, nor will it be the last time that this topic will be discussed... but there was a Fellow at Dr. Akbarnias office who said "you may get 10 years out of this" - which Dr. A rejected by saying something like "we really don't know how long you will get".. Just being honest with all of you: That really scared me.... 10 years!!!??? I'd only be 49.... I'm not wavering in my decision.. just need to get this out!!!! (venting...) Thanks for listening!! Ken. Kirkaldie <.Kirkaldie@...> wrote: Dear Ken, For me, and this is just my opinion, and how I dealt with all this, why put a bandaid on something, when the root cause will still be there, just masked ( and for me, not very well) by pain meds. I was given the pain management option after my first revision, Dr. O'Brien said since I had two surgeries already, that if I wanted to wait on the third which I needed, I could go the pain management route. I felt that since I

hadn't exhausted the surgical route yet, I give it a third shot, and if that didn't work I'd resolve myself to dealing with the pain with pain management. There are some here that pain management is a Godsend, not all of us get through revision and have the painfree outcome I have had. It's all about function, surgery and multiple ones got me where I wanted to be,some it will be surgery and some pain med's. I also am keenly aware that while I'm very good now, and hope I always will be, age and wear and tear on this body may find me hurting again in the future, and if I am, pain management is an option. There will always be some among us that surgery isn't possible for, due to other health issues, lack of insurance or funding. Some will have to wait for sometime, due to the listed reasons,

jobs or family too. We are all blessed by these members who relate how they deal with the pain while waiting for surgery, or because it's not possible for them.These members are pro's at getting through a day, and have such wisdom for those who are trying to manage the pain on their runup to surgery. You can always second guess yourself, I just didn't want to live my life around pain anymore if there was a chance that surgery could give me a more painfree existence, I had lived with the pain at various levels for 15 years, and surgery was the golden ring I reached for to give me a chance at having my life back. Colorado Springs ----- Original

Message ----- From: Ken Leonard Sent: Wednesday, March 21, 2007 9:46 PM Subject: Re: [ ] pain mgmt appt - Peggy Question: Is the pain you get "driving"..... Mucsle Pain or Sciatica?? All this talk about Meds makes me wonder about my situation... that is, I only take a 1/2 soma at bed time.... That's it.... But, I have shrunk my life down to not need meds very much... One of my main reasons for surgery is to get my life back... (or at

least More of it back) I just can't think that taking more meds would allow me to avoid surgery (perhaps it could buy time) but would I really get more Quality of Life by taking meds? Don't get me wrong, I want to get the surgery behind me - but - I also hear many of you saying that you need to be at peace with your decision and this is that Last Lingering thought... "Would Meds have improved my life and prolonged surgery?" Peggy Greene <jpgunlimitedec (DOT) rr.com> wrote: Vicodin tends to make me a little hyper. I'm okay with Skelaxin if it's not a long distance drive. Now if I mix it with Percocet, I'm out like a light! Peggy Re: [ ] pain mgmt appt - Peggy My Goodness Peggy.... You're a busy bee.... Can I ask if this much activity puts you in pain? And also, what are you taking to get you through such a shopping spree? LOL, I'm getting sciatic pain just reading your post!! =) I believe Kohler has the "Comfort Height" toilet.. there may be others as well? But watch the placement of the handle to flush... some are lower than others... (guess thats more of a problem for guys, eh?) Also.. great job getting stocked

up!! Ken.Peggy Greene <jpgunlimitedec (DOT) rr.com> wrote: I went to Lowes and bought the shelving I need for the garage so I can stock up for the summer. I discussed how to go about weaning off my pain meds now that I am home. When I start to hurt again then I stop and go back to what I was taking just before I started to hurt. I'm supposed to drop just one pill a day each week. He said I don't need to come back unless my leg pain starts up again. So far the epidural injections seem to have helped. His opinion of Dr. Reeg is that he is an excellent surgeon and he's very conservative. I called Dr. Reeg's office yesterday and asked when I might be getting answers to my questions. I also called Dr. Fitch's office to find out if he performs revision surgery. He is at Duke. I went to Dollar Tree and stocked up on cotton balls, headbands and hair clips for the summer. Then I went to Wal-mart, JC Penney, and Belk and got some sweats to wear around the house and got some exercise outfits. I also found a grabber today in Eckerd so I'll test it out this week and see how well it does at picking things up. It's the one called the Deluxe Gopher. Please let me know if you have one and how well it works. I'm almost set for all the gadgets I'll need after surgery. I ordered robes from Bath and Body Works while they are on sale. My oldest needs one for college to get from her room to the dorm bathroom. So I got one for the youngest as well since I am sure she'll be going to visit her sister and she'll need one in 2 years when she starts school, and then decided to get one for the hospital as I don't have a robe that fits me. The one I try to wear around here dates back to high school. I guess it's kind of old. :-) Peggy Bored stiff? Loosen up...Download and play hundreds of games for free on Games. No need to miss a message. Get email on-the-go with for Mobile. Get started.

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Hi , I'm assuming truck drivers / travelers are more likely to take the 5 Fwy.. so I may go the Ocean Route as I'm thinking it could be less Bumpy.... I'm going to call CalTrans to see which has the most road construction (The California "CHP") Also has info like that..... I will also need to see how many miles I would be adding by going the Ocean Route... News at 11.... Either way - the Camera will be packed... (Daughters are staying with grandparents)!! Ken. Kirkaldie <.Kirkaldie@...> wrote: Dear Ken, Which way are you driving up, I-5 or the coast route? In California they have excellent Reststops, take advantage of them, stop at least every hour to walk and change positions. My other recommendation is if you have time to go the coast route on the way home, do it, one of the most beautiful drives in the country, when I get the opportunity to do it I always visit Hearst Castle, amazing place to visit, especially if you have you daughters with you. When you are in " The CITY" SF, enjoy too, some of the best eating and sight seeing anywhere. Boy, I wish I was going! Colorado Springs Re: [ ] pain mgmt appt - Peggy My Goodness Peggy.... You're a busy bee.... Can I ask if this much activity puts you in pain? And also, what are you taking to get you through such a shopping spree? LOL, I'm getting sciatic pain just reading your post!! =) I believe Kohler has the "Comfort Height" toilet.. there may be others as well? But watch the placement of the handle to flush... some

are lower than others... (guess thats more of a problem for guys, eh?) Also.. great job getting stocked up!! Ken.Peggy Greene <jpgunlimitedec (DOT) rr.com> wrote: I went to Lowes and bought the shelving I need for the garage so I can stock up for the summer. I discussed how to go about weaning off my pain meds now that I am home. When I start to hurt again then I stop and go back to what I was taking just before I started to hurt. I'm supposed to drop just one pill a day each week. He said I don't need to come back unless my leg pain starts up again. So far the epidural injections seem to have helped. His opinion of Dr. Reeg is that he is an excellent

surgeon and he's very conservative. I called Dr. Reeg's office yesterday and asked when I might be getting answers to my questions. I also called Dr. Fitch's office to find out if he performs revision surgery. He is at Duke. I went to Dollar Tree and stocked up on cotton balls, headbands and hair clips for the summer. Then I went to Wal-mart, JC Penney, and Belk and got some sweats to wear around the house and got some exercise outfits. I also found a grabber today in Eckerd so I'll test it out this week and see how well it does at picking things up. It's the one called the Deluxe Gopher. Please let me know if you have one and how well it

works. I'm almost set for all the gadgets I'll need after surgery. I ordered robes from Bath and Body Works while they are on sale. My oldest needs one for college to get from her room to the dorm bathroom. So I got one for the youngest as well since I am sure she'll be going to visit her sister and she'll need one in 2 years when she starts school, and then decided to get one for the hospital as I don't have a robe that fits me. The one I try to wear around here dates back to high school. I guess it's kind of old. :-) Peggy Bored stiff? Loosen up...Download and play hundreds of games for free on Games. No need to miss a message. Get email on-the-go with for Mobile. Get started.

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HI Ken, ,

10 years? If done properly, I would think it would be a lot longer than 10 years. I am 9 years post op and no one thinks more surgery is in the cards for me.

Bonnie

Re: [ ] pain mgmt appt - Peggy

My Goodness Peggy.... You're a busy bee.... Can I ask if this much activity puts you in pain? And also, what are you taking to get you through such a shopping spree?

LOL, I'm getting sciatic pain just reading your post!! =)

I believe Kohler has the "Comfort Height" toilet.. there may be others as well? But watch the placement of the handle to flush... some are lower than others... (guess thats more of a problem for guys, eh?)

Also.. great job getting stocked up!!

Ken.Peggy Greene <jpgunlimitedec (DOT) rr.com> wrote:

I went to Lowes and bought the shelving I need for the garage so I can stock up for the summer. I discussed how to go about weaning off my pain meds now that I am home. When I start to hurt again then I stop and go back to what I was taking just before I started to hurt. I'm supposed to drop just one pill a day each week. He said I don't need to come back unless my leg pain starts up again. So far the epidural injections seem to have helped. His opinion of Dr. Reeg is that he is an excellent surgeon and he's very conservative.

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