A Little Update From Me
Mon Jan 30, 2006 4:43 am
I haven't been on here or Neo much for the past few months, and thought I'd let everyone know why.
Tomorrow morning, I leave for Wichita, KS. Tuesday morning, I'll be going into the hospital for back surgery. The procedure I'm having is called ALIF(anterior lumbar interbody fusion). Essentually, they're going to fuse 3 of my vertebrae together.
I've had back problems since I was 14(I'm 23 now). I was in a bad car accident back then, which we think caused the problems in the first place. I've basically just gone downhill since then. I haven't been able to work for the last 5 years, and therefore couldn't get insurance without paying an arm and a leg. My doctors have kept me comfortable with muscle relaxers and pain meds. I was finally able to get a medical card from the state, so I was able to get the tests I needed. After an MRI, a discogram, and multiple visits to my neuro doc, I now know that I have a couple bulging discs, degenerative disc disease, a bone spur on my spine, and mild stenosis(narrowing of the spinal cord).
So, I go in Tuesday, and will spend 3-5 days in the hospital. I have to wear this HUGE white plastic back brace, for at least 6 weeks if not more. BF and I are calling it my Storm Trooper suit. It basically makes me sit up straight so everything will fuse like it's supposed to.
Since the body adjusts to pain meds over time, and I've been on them for so long, I don't think or remember too well nowdays. That's why I haven't been on here much...I sometimes have problems reading(my vision gets blurry), and trying to find the right words to say something. I have no idea what things will be like when I get home, or how much time I'll be on the computer.
Hopefully, everything will go as planned, and I'll be able to get out of the house again. I want to be able to start training my dog for agility, and start working out myself, and just be able to do things as simple as ride in a car for more than 30 minutes.
Wish me luck.
I'll try to get back on here when I get home.
Tomorrow morning, I leave for Wichita, KS. Tuesday morning, I'll be going into the hospital for back surgery. The procedure I'm having is called ALIF(anterior lumbar interbody fusion). Essentually, they're going to fuse 3 of my vertebrae together.
I've had back problems since I was 14(I'm 23 now). I was in a bad car accident back then, which we think caused the problems in the first place. I've basically just gone downhill since then. I haven't been able to work for the last 5 years, and therefore couldn't get insurance without paying an arm and a leg. My doctors have kept me comfortable with muscle relaxers and pain meds. I was finally able to get a medical card from the state, so I was able to get the tests I needed. After an MRI, a discogram, and multiple visits to my neuro doc, I now know that I have a couple bulging discs, degenerative disc disease, a bone spur on my spine, and mild stenosis(narrowing of the spinal cord).
So, I go in Tuesday, and will spend 3-5 days in the hospital. I have to wear this HUGE white plastic back brace, for at least 6 weeks if not more. BF and I are calling it my Storm Trooper suit. It basically makes me sit up straight so everything will fuse like it's supposed to.
Since the body adjusts to pain meds over time, and I've been on them for so long, I don't think or remember too well nowdays. That's why I haven't been on here much...I sometimes have problems reading(my vision gets blurry), and trying to find the right words to say something. I have no idea what things will be like when I get home, or how much time I'll be on the computer.
Hopefully, everything will go as planned, and I'll be able to get out of the house again. I want to be able to start training my dog for agility, and start working out myself, and just be able to do things as simple as ride in a car for more than 30 minutes.
Wish me luck.
I'll try to get back on here when I get home.
Mon Jan 30, 2006 4:48 am
The greatest of luck for you. My entire family has back problems at one point or another, especially my mom. I really hope everything works out. If I remember, I'll try to put a word in with the gods for you. Isis is a good healer and great for luck. I hope I can get her to help you out.
Bestest of luck again and get well soon.
Bestest of luck again and get well soon.
Mon Jan 30, 2006 5:41 am
I'll be praying for you.
Mon Jan 30, 2006 9:09 am
Good luck! I hope all goes well. 
Mon Jan 30, 2006 9:18 am
Good luck with the operation! I hope your back gets better after all this time. You'll be in my thoughts.
Mon Jan 30, 2006 4:19 pm
Sorry. Best of luck with your operation, I can understand how debilitating your condition must be so I hope you're freed from that suffering.
Last edited by Paulisacretin on Tue Jan 31, 2006 9:11 pm, edited 3 times in total.
Mon Jan 30, 2006 11:51 pm
Good luck with everything tomorrow! You will be in the thoughts of every caring member of PPT!
Tue Jan 31, 2006 12:48 am
Good luck with your operation, I hope everything goes really well!
Tue Jan 31, 2006 2:12 am
Good luck! I had a back brace that I wore for about five years, so I know how that feels. It's uncomfortable for about a week, but you get used to it. Sometimes the metal that holds the straps on the back make little holes in you shirt though.
Tue Jan 31, 2006 2:35 am
... Wow. Ack. 
Well. Best of luck to you! I hope everything goes well!
Well. Best of luck to you! I hope everything goes well!
Tue Jan 31, 2006 8:12 pm
Ooh! My friend had similar surgery for scoliosis, except she had metal rods put in her spine too.
She has the storm trooper brace- it is so cool, I really wanted to wear it
She has the storm trooper brace- it is so cool, I really wanted to wear it
Tue Jan 31, 2006 9:02 pm
Well, I truly hope all goes well for you. *hugs*
Sat Feb 04, 2006 10:27 pm
Well, just wanted to let y'all know that I'm home. Still in quite a bit of pain, and don't know when I'll be on the computer more, but I think I'm over the worst of it. Hope everyone is doing well.
Sat Feb 04, 2006 10:40 pm
Glad to hear your OK, but I'm sorry that you're in pain. Anyway, don't feel obligated to get on the computer. Come back and visit us when you're feeling better. We wouldn't want something to happen to you, would we?
Sat Feb 04, 2006 11:02 pm
Good that things are progressing well.