Re: LUMBAR FUSION QUESTIONS and comments.

[Guest guest]

Tonja and Eileen,

You both spoke of the lumbar fusions with the cages and instruments (rods).

You both say you are still in a great deal of pain.

I am getting ready to go in the hospital in approx. 2 weeks to have a total

lumbar fusion from L2-3 to S1. All of the discs will be removed and then bone

placed in the spaces to help hold my spine up. Then the rods and screws to keep

it solid.

I am looking at this as being my be all end all type of surgery, because there

won't be much more that can be done in that area....

I have DDD and stenosis and RSD and herniated and bulged discs... I have had 2

total discectomies: at L-4-5 and T9-10.

I do have a pain pump installed. I have dilaudid in it. It is the best thing

I have ever had done! I've had a total of 45 surgeries and I lost count about

home many of those were on my spinal column/back/nerves (I actually had a lumbar

sympathectomy! - almost every doctor I have seen since has said " Oh NO, that's

the worst thing you could have done! " -- Who knew at the time!?)

My questions to you and any others that have a lumbar fusion are:

1 - How much does it affect you normal life - after you have healed from it.

***(for those with delicate eyes and ears, please skip this question and the

next one, and go on to #4...................................................):

2- How limited are you truly.... I am afraid of how I am going to be able

to reach my bottom to wipe myself. How do you accomplish this??

My husband has been there for me for 13 yrs, but I pay for it with a

marriage that is nothing like a marriage... it is more like a brother/sister

living in the same house together. He's put up with alot of things, but he has

never had to wipe my behind... I don't think that is one that he would do...

And it is just he and my 14 yr old boy. My boy is my angel. He would take on

all of it, if I'd let him. His is VERY sensitive! He is afraid to go to school

because he thinks mom's going to die while he's in school and noone will tell

him.... He is EXTREMELY SENSITIVE!! He takes everything to heart and wears his

feelings on his sleeves.

3- How has the lumbar fusion affected your sex life? My husband and I have

been having problems in that area for several years now... We sleep in

different rooms because I sleep in a hospital bed.

if we do end up divorced, I wondered if I could ever think of that part of my

life again or not... I'm only 42 yrs old....

4- When you speak of still having a great deal of pain... what type of pain

medication or pain control do you use? And, how has it become different since

after your fusion?

5- Last, but not, least (at least for now... LOL), the additional surgeries,

following the fusions... what were they for?

Any help anyone could give me I'd truly appreciate it!!!! I am very afraid...

I don't know why, but I have had to be put on Valium for not just the actual

" nerve " damage pain, but for my nerves.... I'm soooooooo scared! This fusion is

terrifying me!!!

Thanks!

claypainter@...

[Guest guest]

.. My have you been through the wringer.. I cannot even begin to imagine

45 surgeries, I thought my two were bad.. I will answer your questions now:-)

how does it affect my life? Well the healing part was horrible. I had an

infection after my second surgery which resulted in a longer hospital stay plus

i had a PICC line because i had to be on antibiotics IV for 16 weeks. I also had

to wear a back brace that was very uncomfortable. Now it's been 7 years since

the last surgery and i have lower back pain still, my legs go numb if i stand

for more than ten minutes. I am currently going to PT but the pain really hasn't

subsided. I really don't have that much of a hard time wiping myself after I

have gone to the bathroom but there are times i do because i cannot twist very

well. I also have a really hard time shaving my legs since my mobility is not

good. My mom, bless her heart shaves my legs for me.

As far as my sex life is concerned i haven't really had that much problems in

that area. I have to be very careful but so far nothing out of the ordinary. I

am several medications for the pain post surgery, I take 2400mg of neurotin a

day for the nerve damage in my legs, i also take tramadol for the pain at night,

also he has me on oxycotin as well. It really helps me sleep. I used to take

Daypro but that caused a allergic reaction with me since my legs and feet

swelled. I woudl have to say post surgery i have about 30% less pain.

My fusion was the last surgery I had, my first one which was a triple lamectomy

was an emergency surgery since my L4 was severing my bladder nerve..

HOpe I have helped you hon, feel free to ask me anything you need or want to

know

Tonja

---- " claypainter@... " <claypainter@...> wrote:

> Tonja and Eileen,

>

> You both spoke of the lumbar fusions with the cages and instruments (rods).

You both say you are still in a great deal of pain.

>

> I am getting ready to go in the hospital in approx. 2 weeks to have a total

lumbar fusion from L2-3 to S1. All of the discs will be removed and then bone

placed in the spaces to help hold my spine up. Then the rods and screws to keep

it solid.

>

> I am looking at this as being my be all end all type of surgery, because

there won't be much more that can be done in that area....

>

> I have DDD and stenosis and RSD and herniated and bulged discs... I have had

2 total discectomies: at L-4-5 and T9-10.

>

> I do have a pain pump installed. I have dilaudid in it. It is the best

thing I have ever had done! I've had a total of 45 surgeries and I lost count

about home many of those were on my spinal column/back/nerves (I actually had a

lumbar sympathectomy! - almost every doctor I have seen since has said " Oh NO,

that's the worst thing you could have done! " -- Who knew at the time!?)

>

> My questions to you and any others that have a lumbar fusion are:

>

> 1 - How much does it affect you normal life - after you have healed from it.

>

> ***(for those with delicate eyes and ears, please skip this question and the

next one, and go on to #4...................................................):

>

> 2- How limited are you truly.... I am afraid of how I am going to be

able to reach my bottom to wipe myself. How do you accomplish this??

> My husband has been there for me for 13 yrs, but I pay for it with a

marriage that is nothing like a marriage... it is more like a brother/sister

living in the same house together. He's put up with alot of things, but he has

never had to wipe my behind... I don't think that is one that he would do...

And it is just he and my 14 yr old boy. My boy is my angel. He would take on

all of it, if I'd let him. His is VERY sensitive! He is afraid to go to school

because he thinks mom's going to die while he's in school and noone will tell

him.... He is EXTREMELY SENSITIVE!! He takes everything to heart and wears his

feelings on his sleeves.

>

> 3- How has the lumbar fusion affected your sex life? My husband and I have

been having problems in that area for several years now... We sleep in

different rooms because I sleep in a hospital bed.

> if we do end up divorced, I wondered if I could ever think of that part of

my life again or not... I'm only 42 yrs old....

>

>

>

> 4- When you speak of still having a great deal of pain... what type of pain

medication or pain control do you use? And, how has it become different since

after your fusion?

>

> 5- Last, but not, least (at least for now... LOL), the additional surgeries,

following the fusions... what were they for?

>

> Any help anyone could give me I'd truly appreciate it!!!! I am very

afraid... I don't know why, but I have had to be put on Valium for not just the

actual " nerve " damage pain, but for my nerves.... I'm soooooooo scared! This

fusion is terrifying me!!!

>

> Thanks!

>

> claypainter@...

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hello ,

I also have stenosis and DDD. I had a total discectomy and

laminectomy...One in 2005 and the other this year. Rehab from the

surgery you are having is kind of long and painful. I had to wear a

back brace for many weeks. I never had formal PT because I could not

afford what it would have cost me. By summer of 2005, I could walk

though with a degree of discomfort. If I wanted to walk for a longer

time, I had to use a walker. As far as wiping myself goes, they gave me

these extra long tongs in the hospital for me to take home and use for

just that problem. I can't sit in the bathtub anymore and it is

difficult to shave my legs. As far as sex is concerned, because of more

problems I have with my back, I do have quite a bit discomfort. I also

have problems driving the car now because I can't turn enough to see

what or who is behind me. In order to drive, I need a passenger who can

tell me if someone is walking behind my car in a parking lot or if they

see a car in the next lane. I would say all in all, it has changed my

life, somethings are better and some are worse. Good Luck to you

.

Eileen

>

> Tonja and Eileen,

>

> You both spoke of the lumbar fusions with the cages and instruments

(rods). You both say you are still in a great deal of pain.

>

> I am getting ready to go in the hospital in approx. 2 weeks to have a

total lumbar fusion from L2-3 to S1. All of the discs will be removed

and then bone placed in the spaces to help hold my spine up. Then the

rods and screws to keep it solid.

>

> I am looking at this as being my be all end all type of surgery,

because there won't be much more that can be done in that area....

>

> I have DDD and stenosis and RSD and herniated and bulged discs... I

have had 2 total discectomies: at L-4-5 and T9-10.

>

> I do have a pain pump installed. I have dilaudid in it. It is the best

thing I have ever had done! I've had a total of 45 surgeries and I lost

count about home many of those were on my spinal column/back/nerves (I

actually had a lumbar sympathectomy! - almost every doctor I have seen

since has said " Oh NO, that's the worst thing you could have done! " --

Who knew at the time!?)

>

> My questions to you and any others that have a lumbar fusion are:

>

> 1 - How much does it affect you normal life - after you have healed

from it.

>

> ***(for those with delicate eyes and ears, please skip this question

and the next one, and go on to

#4...................................................):

>

> 2- How limited are you truly.... I am afraid of how I am going to be

able to reach my bottom to wipe myself. How do you accomplish this??

> My husband has been there for me for 13 yrs, but I pay for it with a

marriage that is nothing like a marriage... it is more like a

brother/sister living in the same house together. He's put up with alot

of things, but he has never had to wipe my behind... I don't think that

is one that he would do... And it is just he and my 14 yr old boy. My

boy is my angel. He would take on all of it, if I'd let him. His is VERY

sensitive! He is afraid to go to school because he thinks mom's going to

die while he's in school and noone will tell him.... He is EXTREMELY

SENSITIVE!! He takes everything to heart and wears his feelings on his

sleeves.

>

> 3- How has the lumbar fusion affected your sex life? My husband and I

have been having problems in that area for several years now... We sleep

in different rooms because I sleep in a hospital bed.

> if we do end up divorced, I wondered if I could ever think of that

part of my life again or not... I'm only 42 yrs old....

>

>

>

> 4- When you speak of still having a great deal of pain... what type of

pain medication or pain control do you use? And, how has it become

different since after your fusion?

>

> 5- Last, but not, least (at least for now... LOL), the additional

surgeries, following the fusions... what were they for?

>

> Any help anyone could give me I'd truly appreciate it!!!! I am very

afraid... I don't know why, but I have had to be put on Valium for not

just the actual " nerve " damage pain, but for my nerves.... I'm soooooooo

scared! This fusion is terrifying me!!!

>

> Thanks!

>

> claypainter@...

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hello Eileen. I had the Spinal Fusion on my lower back

back in 1992 1993 1994. I am now in a power

wheelchair. I can walk some , but not real far. I live

on pain patches and lower-tabs. My sugery really

messed me up. I met a guy at Church and he had the

same problems that I had. He also had the ame doctor.

I can't ride real far in a car without the pain really

hurting me. If I pull over and stand up for a little

while the pain quits. I will Pray for yall because I

know what yall are feeling. Have a nice day Best

Reguards Tommy

--- Eileen <joeeandco3@...> wrote:

>

> Hello ,

>

> I also have stenosis and DDD. I had a total

> discectomy and

> laminectomy...One in 2005 and the other this year.

> Rehab from the

> surgery you are having is kind of long and painful.

> I had to wear a

> back brace for many weeks. I never had formal PT

> because I could not

> afford what it would have cost me. By summer of

> 2005, I could walk

> though with a degree of discomfort. If I wanted to

> walk for a longer

> time, I had to use a walker. As far as wiping

> myself goes, they gave me

> these extra long tongs in the hospital for me to

> take home and use for

> just that problem. I can't sit in the bathtub

> anymore and it is

> difficult to shave my legs. As far as sex is

> concerned, because of more

> problems I have with my back, I do have quite a bit

> discomfort. I also

> have problems driving the car now because I can't

> turn enough to see

> what or who is behind me. In order to drive, I need

> a passenger who can

> tell me if someone is walking behind my car in a

> parking lot or if they

> see a car in the next lane. I would say all in all,

> it has changed my

> life, somethings are better and some are worse.

> Good Luck to you

> .

>

> Eileen

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> >

> > Tonja and Eileen,

> >

> > You both spoke of the lumbar fusions with the

> cages and instruments

> (rods). You both say you are still in a great deal

> of pain.

> >

> > I am getting ready to go in the hospital in

> approx. 2 weeks to have a

> total lumbar fusion from L2-3 to S1. All of the

> discs will be removed

> and then bone placed in the spaces to help hold my

> spine up. Then the

> rods and screws to keep it solid.

> >

> > I am looking at this as being my be all end all

> type of surgery,

> because there won't be much more that can be done in

> that area....

> >

> > I have DDD and stenosis and RSD and herniated and

> bulged discs... I

> have had 2 total discectomies: at L-4-5 and T9-10.

> >

> > I do have a pain pump installed. I have dilaudid

> in it. It is the best

> thing I have ever had done! I've had a total of 45

> surgeries and I lost

> count about home many of those were on my spinal

> column/back/nerves (I

> actually had a lumbar sympathectomy! - almost every

> doctor I have seen

> since has said " Oh NO, that's the worst thing you

> could have done! " --

> Who knew at the time!?)

> >

> > My questions to you and any others that have a

> lumbar fusion are:

> >

> > 1 - How much does it affect you normal life -

> after you have healed

> from it.

> >

> > ***(for those with delicate eyes and ears, please

> skip this question

> and the next one, and go on to

>

#4...................................................):

> >

> > 2- How limited are you truly.... I am afraid of

> how I am going to be

> able to reach my bottom to wipe myself. How do you

> accomplish this??

> > My husband has been there for me for 13 yrs, but I

> pay for it with a

> marriage that is nothing like a marriage... it is

> more like a

> brother/sister living in the same house together.

> He's put up with alot

> of things, but he has never had to wipe my behind...

> I don't think that

> is one that he would do... And it is just he and my

> 14 yr old boy. My

> boy is my angel. He would take on all of it, if I'd

> let him. His is VERY

> sensitive! He is afraid to go to school because he

> thinks mom's going to

> die while he's in school and noone will tell him....

> He is EXTREMELY

> SENSITIVE!! He takes everything to heart and wears

> his feelings on his

> sleeves.

> >

> > 3- How has the lumbar fusion affected your sex

> life? My husband and I

> have been having problems in that area for several

> years now... We sleep

> in different rooms because I sleep in a hospital

> bed.

> > if we do end up divorced, I wondered if I could

> ever think of that

> part of my life again or not... I'm only 42 yrs

> old....

> >

> >

> >

> > 4- When you speak of still having a great deal of

> pain... what type of

> pain medication or pain control do you use? And, how

> has it become

> different since after your fusion?

> >

> > 5- Last, but not, least (at least for now... LOL),

> the additional

> surgeries, following the fusions... what were they

> for?

> >

> > Any help anyone could give me I'd truly appreciate

> it!!!! I am very

> afraid... I don't know why, but I have had to be put

> on Valium for not

> just the actual " nerve " damage pain, but for my

> nerves.... I'm soooooooo

> scared! This fusion is terrifying me!!!

> >

> > Thanks!

> >

> > claypainter@...

> >

> >

> > [Non-text portions of this message have been

> removed]

> >

>

>

>

>

> [Non-text portions of this message have been

> removed]

>

>

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Hi Tommy,

I am so sorry to hear of the trouble you have had from spinal fusion. And your

friend had the same doctor?

That is terrible. Is there anyway you two can bring your stories to light to

expose him? I know we sign papers pretty much keeping doctors out of the clear

of any probems with their patients but this sounds like a story that maybe a

newspaper or the Medical Association or someone could hear and help with.

Once again, I am sorry and hope you somehow feel better. May God bless you.

Barbara

TOM HARMON <longhairedcountryboy99@...> wrote:

Hello Eileen. I had the Spinal Fusion on my lower back

back in 1992 1993 1994. I am now in a power

wheelchair. I can walk some , but not real far. I live

on pain patches and lower-tabs. My sugery really

messed me up. I met a guy at Church and he had the

same problems that I had. He also had the ame doctor.

I can't ride real far in a car without the pain really

hurting me. If I pull over and stand up for a little

while the pain quits. I will Pray for yall because I

know what yall are feeling. Have a nice day Best

Reguards Tommy

--- Eileen wrote:

>

> Hello ,

>

> I also have stenosis and DDD. I had a total

> discectomy and

> laminectomy...One in 2005 and the other this year.

> Rehab from the

> surgery you are having is kind of long and painful.

> I had to wear a

> back brace for many weeks. I never had formal PT

> because I could not

> afford what it would have cost me. By summer of

> 2005, I could walk

> though with a degree of discomfort. If I wanted to

> walk for a longer

> time, I had to use a walker. As far as wiping

> myself goes, they gave me

> these extra long tongs in the hospital for me to

> take home and use for

> just that problem. I can't sit in the bathtub

> anymore and it is

> difficult to shave my legs. As far as sex is

> concerned, because of more

> problems I have with my back, I do have quite a bit

> discomfort. I also

> have problems driving the car now because I can't

> turn enough to see

> what or who is behind me. In order to drive, I need

> a passenger who can

> tell me if someone is walking behind my car in a

> parking lot or if they

> see a car in the next lane. I would say all in all,

> it has changed my

> life, somethings are better and some are worse.

> Good Luck to you

> .

>

> Eileen

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> >

> > Tonja and Eileen,

> >

> > You both spoke of the lumbar fusions with the

> cages and instruments

> (rods). You both say you are still in a great deal

> of pain.

> >

> > I am getting ready to go in the hospital in

> approx. 2 weeks to have a

> total lumbar fusion from L2-3 to S1. All of the

> discs will be removed

> and then bone placed in the spaces to help hold my

> spine up. Then the

> rods and screws to keep it solid.

> >

> > I am looking at this as being my be all end all

> type of surgery,

> because there won't be much more that can be done in

> that area....

> >

> > I have DDD and stenosis and RSD and herniated and

> bulged discs... I

> have had 2 total discectomies: at L-4-5 and T9-10.

> >

> > I do have a pain pump installed. I have dilaudid

> in it. It is the best

> thing I have ever had done! I've had a total of 45

> surgeries and I lost

> count about home many of those were on my spinal

> column/back/nerves (I

> actually had a lumbar sympathectomy! - almost every

> doctor I have seen

> since has said " Oh NO, that's the worst thing you

> could have done! " --

> Who knew at the time!?)

> >

> > My questions to you and any others that have a

> lumbar fusion are:

> >

> > 1 - How much does it affect you normal life -

> after you have healed

> from it.

> >

> > ***(for those with delicate eyes and ears, please

> skip this question

> and the next one, and go on to

>

#4...................................................):

> >

> > 2- How limited are you truly.... I am afraid of

> how I am going to be

> able to reach my bottom to wipe myself. How do you

> accomplish this??

> > My husband has been there for me for 13 yrs, but I

> pay for it with a

> marriage that is nothing like a marriage... it is

> more like a

> brother/sister living in the same house together.

> He's put up with alot

> of things, but he has never had to wipe my behind...

> I don't think that

> is one that he would do... And it is just he and my

> 14 yr old boy. My

> boy is my angel. He would take on all of it, if I'd

> let him. His is VERY

> sensitive! He is afraid to go to school because he

> thinks mom's going to

> die while he's in school and noone will tell him....

> He is EXTREMELY

> SENSITIVE!! He takes everything to heart and wears

> his feelings on his

> sleeves.

> >

> > 3- How has the lumbar fusion affected your sex

> life? My husband and I

> have been having problems in that area for several

> years now... We sleep

> in different rooms because I sleep in a hospital

> bed.

> > if we do end up divorced, I wondered if I could

> ever think of that

> part of my life again or not... I'm only 42 yrs

> old....

> >

> >

> >

> > 4- When you speak of still having a great deal of

> pain... what type of

> pain medication or pain control do you use? And, how

> has it become

> different since after your fusion?

> >

> > 5- Last, but not, least (at least for now... LOL),

> the additional

> surgeries, following the fusions... what were they

> for?

> >

> > Any help anyone could give me I'd truly appreciate

> it!!!! I am very

> afraid... I don't know why, but I have had to be put

> on Valium for not

> just the actual " nerve " damage pain, but for my

> nerves.... I'm soooooooo

> scared! This fusion is terrifying me!!!

> >

> > Thanks!

> >

> > claypainter@...

> >

> >

> > [Non-text portions of this message have been

> removed]

> >

>

>

>

>

> [Non-text portions of this message have been

> removed]

>

>

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

First I'd like to thank those who have emailed me privatly about my questins on

hygien and sexual activity! Thank you so much for the ifnor!

2nd, a couple of things to individuals, that would help the group to know.

Tonja,

When you spoke about your mom helping you, do you live with her and did you

before the surgery, or was it necessary after the fusion, that you had to move

in w/ your mom?

Also, are you married? Does your husband help?

The reason I ask this is because my husband had to clean out a staph.

infection in my spine. He had to go all the way down to my spine - about 6 "

deep...and scoop out the bad stuff and rewrap the area and all. So, now when he

looks at me, he doesn't see the sexual wife he married, he see the open spine...

he says he could even see my spine movingas I moved.... it has damaged him... he

has Post Trauma Stress Disprder over the incidents... he had to do it for

approx. 6 months and then I had approx 4 add'l staph infections afrer that

one...

So, you see, we had problems before this fusion ever came along...... I just

need to know HOW MUCH this fusion will change my life.

You mentioned having trouble driving.... is it really bad??? That was one of

my big concerns...

I don't want to become completely dependent upon my husband or anyone else...

I don't have anyone else.... all of my friends have bailed on me, and I have no

sisers and my brothers, well... brothers... they don't help... and my mom has

lost my father in the last 2 yrs., plus has had throat cancer and lost a right

breast to cancer and has had to have a tracheotomy put in and finally removed

after 2 yrs. - who knew when we lost my dad, SHE had cancer also! And, I, of

course was the one to take care of everyone..... my husband did the wood

burning stove for her....

Now we have noone to help us with me after my fusion surgery.... I'm scared...

I really am!!

Shirley, I answered you in a private email, please let me know if you didn't

get it.

Thanks again for all of your emails and suggestions and your help!!

Here's hoping to less painfull days!!

[Guest guest]

,

I was married when I had my fusion. For the first two weeks after surgery my

husband was a gem. He would get me out of bed every morning and get me on my IV

pump ( I developed an infection so I was on a PICC line with antibiotics for 15

weeks after surgery) But then for some reason he snapped and hit me two weeks

post surgery, he was arrested and went to jail. That is when I moved back home

with my parents. I had to do that because I needed help with everything. Anyone

who has been through a fusion knows that you are not to do anything. So i was

practically forced to move back home so that my mom could help me recover. My

husband was sentenced to 4 years in jail for hitting me. When I walked into the

court room the judge asked me " Maam did your husband hit you in this condition? "

I was in a brace and IV at the time, and I said " Yes your honor " and he threw

the book at my husband. It was then that i filled for divorce.

You will need assistance hon after surgery. With bathing, and you will NOT be

allowed to do anything for the first several weeks. This is because you have to

be very careful that the fusion does'nt move and has time to fuse. That is the

reasoning behind the brace.

I didn't drive for about 4 months post surgery. My family had to drive me to

appts and eventually physical therapy.

I hope that helps hon. if you have any more questions feel free to ask. I will

be as honest as I can in answering.

Tonja

---- " claypainter@... " <claypainter@...> wrote:

> First I'd like to thank those who have emailed me privatly about my questins

on hygien and sexual activity! Thank you so much for the ifnor!

>

> 2nd, a couple of things to individuals, that would help the group to know.

>

> Tonja,

>

> When you spoke about your mom helping you, do you live with her and did you

before the surgery, or was it necessary after the fusion, that you had to move

in w/ your mom?

>

> Also, are you married? Does your husband help?

>

> The reason I ask this is because my husband had to clean out a staph.

infection in my spine. He had to go all the way down to my spine - about 6 "

deep...and scoop out the bad stuff and rewrap the area and all. So, now when he

looks at me, he doesn't see the sexual wife he married, he see the open spine...

he says he could even see my spine movingas I moved.... it has damaged him... he

has Post Trauma Stress Disprder over the incidents... he had to do it for

approx. 6 months and then I had approx 4 add'l staph infections afrer that

one...

>

> So, you see, we had problems before this fusion ever came along...... I

just need to know HOW MUCH this fusion will change my life.

>

> You mentioned having trouble driving.... is it really bad??? That was one

of my big concerns...

>

> I don't want to become completely dependent upon my husband or anyone

else... I don't have anyone else.... all of my friends have bailed on me, and I

have no sisers and my brothers, well... brothers... they don't help... and my

mom has lost my father in the last 2 yrs., plus has had throat cancer and lost a

right breast to cancer and has had to have a tracheotomy put in and finally

removed after 2 yrs. - who knew when we lost my dad, SHE had cancer also! And,

I, of course was the one to take care of everyone..... my husband did the wood

burning stove for her....

>

> Now we have noone to help us with me after my fusion surgery.... I'm

scared... I really am!!

>

> Shirley, I answered you in a private email, please let me know if you didn't

get it.

>

> Thanks again for all of your emails and suggestions and your help!!

>

> Here's hoping to less painfull days!!

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

...I still have problems driving. After a fusion, with the rods

you just do not have the same flexabilty in turning your body as you do

before the surgery.

Eileen

>

> First I'd like to thank those who have emailed me privatly about my

questins on hygien and sexual activity! Thank you so much for the ifnor!

>

> 2nd, a couple of things to individuals, that would help the group to

know.

>

> Tonja,

>

> When you spoke about your mom helping you, do you live with her and

did you before the surgery, or was it necessary after the fusion, that

you had to move in w/ your mom?

>

> Also, are you married? Does your husband help?

>

> The reason I ask this is because my husband had to clean out a staph.

infection in my spine. He had to go all the way down to my spine - about

6 " deep...and scoop out the bad stuff and rewrap the area and all. So,

now when he looks at me, he doesn't see the sexual wife he married, he

see the open spine... he says he could even see my spine movingas I

moved.... it has damaged him... he has Post Trauma Stress Disprder over

the incidents... he had to do it for approx. 6 months and then I had

approx 4 add'l staph infections afrer that one...

>

> So, you see, we had problems before this fusion ever came along......

I just need to know HOW MUCH this fusion will change my life.

>

> You mentioned having trouble driving.... is it really bad??? That was

one of my big concerns...

>

> I don't want to become completely dependent upon my husband or anyone

else... I don't have anyone else.... all of my friends have bailed on

me, and I have no sisers and my brothers, well... brothers... they don't

help... and my mom has lost my father in the last 2 yrs., plus has had

throat cancer and lost a right breast to cancer and has had to have a

tracheotomy put in and finally removed after 2 yrs. - who knew when we

lost my dad, SHE had cancer also! And, I, of course was the one to take

care of everyone..... my husband did the wood burning stove for her....

>

> Now we have noone to help us with me after my fusion surgery.... I'm

scared... I really am!!

>

> Shirley, I answered you in a private email, please let me know if you

didn't get it.

>

> Thanks again for all of your emails and suggestions and your help!!

>

> Here's hoping to less painfull days!!

>

>

>

>

>

>