Countdown to BacK SurgerY?

[BMF Machine]

Like it seZ; I have been in a bit of pain for over two years now. I have no idea why the surgeon waited so long. Now the cartlage between my L-5 and S-1 is completely gone. So, I guess that means the insurance company will finally pay for the fusion.

I am not too worried; as I sit now, my back is broke. My L-5 is completely unstable, I am in a bit of pain. I do not believe surgery has a chance at making it worse.

Leather Spine institute in louisville, Ky will be in charge. They are gonna do a minimal invasive surgery involving dialaters through two small holes in my lower back. Doc said they will harvest the bone off of the back of my spine, rather than off of my hip.

Anyway, I got a little time. Date for surgery is 7-24. If anyone has anything similar please post the good bad and the UglY. I think I am more worried about the cathatter? I here those really suck.

Maybe, hopefully, someday I will no longer need 5 percoset 10's to make it through the day!!!!!

I have the highest hopes going in to this. We will see how it turns out for me?
:spam:

Sorry for the SpaM?

[parsonsj]

Good luck Kevin. Just reading your post makes my back hurt! Take it easy, and let us know how it goes.

jp

[BMF Machine]

ThankS Jp, I will be taking it easier than ever! Gauranteed!

[dadto2jays]

Good luck man!!!

[rjsjea]

Buddy of mine did that fusion surgery two years ago, didnt work so he had the surgery a 2nd time and is much better now. Good luck, anything is better than living in constant pain.

[WS6]

Sounds like good news to me Kevin. I know you're in pain and I sure hope this alleviates it for you. I couldn't imagine being in the pain that you live with daily.

[shmoov69]

Well hopefully it will fix ya! Will you just then go down to 5 perc's a day then?!? LOL.

[bulldog19]

I've been through and yes it's tough but it was worth it. I was 14-months going through tests, therapy and medications before having surgery. I was out of work for 2-months then on restricted duty for another 4. I have some trouble every now and then but only becuase i did too much. The best advice i can give you is too listen to what they say afterwards in regards to what and how much you can lift as well as any theraoy that they tell you to do to continue with it the rest of your life. Good luck with the surgery.

[BMF Machine]

Thanks Guys! I know I got my PT-Bro'S pulling for me. Maybe when I am off the Perc'Z, just maybE, I will stop hitting that damN shift key, LmaO!

[PROTREE]

good luck hope it makes you feel better after surgery

[ProdigyCustoms]

Just seeing this thead. I do not know the details, but a good friend had back surgery last year the first day of SEMA and he is a new man. He could not sit at all without crazy pain. Now he is flying back and forth across the country. he was scared, but a big time advocate for it now

Good luck man. I am sure it will be fine.

[Damn True]

My father has had two fusions.

The first one was way back in 1986. Same procedure, same doctor as Joe Montana. Back then turned him upside down in a rig kinda like those old "gravity boot" things and they layed him open along 10" of his spine and screwed titanium abutments to the vertebrae. Not very invasive, but very risky due to the proximity to where all the nerves exit the spine. He still had a lot of back pain for about 7mos after this as stuff healed up.

He injured the next pair up about 18yrs later. His second surgery was about 5yrs ago. The technology has advanced a lot since the first surgery but the procedure was absolutely barbaric. This time they had him on his back, opened him up from the base of his sternum to the top of his pubic bone. Then they lifted out all of the organs from his abdominal cavity and layed them on the table next to him. This gave them access to the front of his spine, safely away from all those touchy nerves. They then snapped a teflon cage around the two vertebrae and bonded it using an ultraviolet cured adhesive. This eliminated internal pressure in the vertebrae from the screws. Then they piled his organs back in and sewed him up.

When he woke from the surgery his back didn't hurt and hasn't since. The incision site in this case was the only source of pain. There was a lot of that, but that was quite tolerable compared to his back. He wore this funky electromagnet belt that stimulated bone growth for 4hrs a day for about 6mos to get the bone on the vertabrae to bond to the teflon cage. He's been fine since. 65yrs old and he rides his motorcycle about 20,000 miles a year, hikes, goes fishing and rebuilds old furniture in the garage.

I think you'll be fine.

Look at it this way. Right now the machine is broken. You are taking it to someone to have it fixed. Best case scenario, the machine is fixed. Worse case scenario, they don't fix it. In which case, you make damn sure they keep working on the machine until its fixed. Remember that not unlike having someone work on your car, healthcare is a service that you are paying them to do. Make damn sure you get what you pay for.

[TonyL]

My ex girfriend had it done in the military. She went from bedridden (and not in a good way) to fully pain free in a few weeks. The difference was immediate after the surgery. She felt non of her "usual" pain after. Just the surgery pain. That went away quickly. And she was back to her old self in a weeks time.

[TonyL]

oh. I just read what True had wrote. (thanks true. I'll never sleep again...eeeeesh.) But that's what they did to Christina. They fused them with adhesive, not screws. It was like a miracle to her. This was 11 years ago, so its probably even better now.

Dont worry.

[BMF Machine]

Just seeing this thead. I do not know the details, but a good friend had back surgery last year the first day of SEMA and he is a new man. He could not sit at all without crazy pain. Now he is flying back and forth across the country. he was scared, but a big time advocate for it now

Good luck man. I am sure it will be fine.

ThankS FranK!

[BMF Machine]

[QUOTE=Damn True;534566]My father has had two fusions.


I think you'll be fine.

QUOTE]


ThankS TruE! They have not told me how they would hold the bone fragments in place? I was really wondering because they did not mention screws? I figureD they had some space age duck tape they were wraping around it now?

GooD to here!

Leatherman spine institute; They are the best!

Doc says it should be better than new! I can not wait. I am tell'N ya, this really freaking SuX right now!

:barf:

[BMF Machine]

oh. I just read what True had wrote. (thanks true. I'll never sleep again...eeeeesh.) But that's what they did to Christina. They fused them with adhesive, not screws. It was like a miracle to her. This was 11 years ago, so its probably even better now.

Dont worry.


ThankS TonY! I hope mine goes very well, they said the S-1 L-5 fusion has excellant results.

[Jim Nilsen]

I hope it all works out good for you and you get better soon. Fusions can go good or bad depending on the attitude of the patient more than anything and you have always had a good attitude about it.

I think you will do well.

Goodluck and may your doctor use the hands of god on you !!!!!

[BMF Machine]

Thanks Jim! All I know is I can not over do it at first or I will be screwed! Got to give it plenty of time to heal. I just want to get past it right now. I am missing life! I hope you are getting better as well. Take care,K

[BMF Machine]

2 weeks and a day left! I have been completely stressed/miserable and worried half to death, for about the past 4 weeks. Every day the pain gets a little worse, but today I had my pre-op exams, ekg, blood test.........

I feel like the wieght of the world was lifted off my shoulders, for the first time it felt like I was starting to crawl back up, and hopefully have my life back again soon.

I got an iphone last weekend, best damn gadget ever made! I will be stoked laying around in the hospital playing the games. It really is just plain cool! Plus the you tube access is awsome.

Anyway, I will keep ya updated on my status and how I'm feeling. I think I am using this more like a diary than a tech discussion; but I also believe most of us are friends in away. Talking with friends is a way to relieve some stress, so is blogging with friends?


Take care DudeZ, and always team lift heavy stuff, and lift smart... with your legs, not all bent over,

:lurk:

[wicked68]

good luck man :D

enjoy the rest.

[Motown 454]

Good luck with your surgery . They do miracles nowadays.

[BMF Machine]

Well, I am back home!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

They wound up using mini-rods and pins, I am kinda PO'd bout that? The catherater was the most god awful experience I have ever been through; I screamed bloody murder when they pulled that BisH out! It was in for about 14 hours when I asked them to remove it. It really hurt and I will leaved it at that.

I have been awake since the anethesia wore off Friday night. I slept for a hour here and there. I was released yesterday morning. I just had my longest nap of about 2 hours and it felt great! I am super sore, sitting at this computer is killing me; but physical Therapist said I need to sit for 30-60 minutes twice a day. What better place to sit than right here with my car brothers!

I wish there was something on TV besides more stuff about MichaeL JacksoN? Is that really the best news out there right now??

If there are any insane projects going on please post me a link, I can not search for too long; as I am too wasted to look at the screen?LmaO

FranK, I plan to finish our little project in about 4 to 8 weeks, or less, I got to let this initial surgery pain wear down some! Sorry BrotheR.

Also, has Larry got down to some bizz with Motiv8r, I would love to see some fresh vids on that baby!

Anyway, take care everyone! Always TeaM LifT, or use a forklift if it is that damn big; Nobody ever wants to feel like this I assure you!

I am going up to lap the driveway a few times, rigamortis sets in quick at this stage of recovery,

[bulldog19]

Glad to hear you are on the road to recovery! You are absolutely correct in that heavy stuff now requires help for the rest of your life. I live by the addage of work smarter not harder. Use the available equipment to move/lift heavy stuff. Take it one day at a time and let your body heal.

[Motown 454]

Glad to hear your home good luck with the recovery.

[Jim Nilsen]

Good to hear your on the other side of the surgery and you can still move.

now take it easy and just do range of motion before you go to the strength rebuilding.

hoping for a quick recovery for you !!!

[mc84_zz4]

Man, glad the bad part is over, and now you can get some rest at home, hospitals are not restfull, and you can't have a beer.

Get satellite TV, U-Verse or digital cable with the zillion channels, you can at least catch something interesting on it...

Keep the meds to the least tolerable amount possible, and watchout when you start looking forward to happy pill hour, time to switch before you get there, or quit them.
Had several friends w/back surgeries, I had knee work (ACL reconstruction).
Take your time getting around, being able to move, even though slow, is a blessing (being independent).
When you begin therapy, try to push the pain envelope, you will naturally create endorphins to manage the pain.

[BMF Machine]

I walked around for a year on percocet 10's because my Doctor is a ****ing idiot. I then went to a surgeon because I thought I needed a hip replacement. My doctor did not refer me, it was my own opion that there was something really wrong.

So for the next year I was trying therapy, epidural blocks and eventually up to 180 percocet tens a month.

In short........it is too late; I hope I can get off the meds when the pain stops, but I am very aware of how dependent my body has become to them.


Today is day 8, as well as my birthday. I am completely depressed and sore as hell. I am going to take my sons to an indoor blacklight miniature golf coarse. My day sucked, I have many more ****ty days to come. I will not let that make my boys lives suck. I will be happy just to see them smile and here their laughs. they will be 3 and 6 in a couple months!


Take care all my PT.com bro's!
I am going golfing with the two people that admire me the most. Plus my wife, who I love very much, she is just at wits end because of how ****ed up and depressed I have become.

When I look back at the sand I only see one set of footprints; I can not wait till I can see two sets again! Then I will know the man is walking with me and not having to carry me anymore.

[mc84_zz4]

Hang in there man! Put your Docs face on the dartboard, make a vodoo beany-baby, try to re-direct that...lol

One day at a time, it does get better, slowly, and with patience...
Yeah, Yeah! and how long is THAT gonna take?!

Take it easy man! baby steps, I know that sounds like a crappy line, but it's the damn truth. :cheers:

[nvr2fst]

Seems like things went well so far. My wife has had 3 back surgerys to date. The first one she had did not go so well. She was recommended to go down to Florida to some hospital specializtion there from fellow doctors she works with. It went horrible. The second one was done here in WI. Same fusion you listed, the recovery was good and she did a follup up surgery 6 moths later. She has been doing great since, that was over a year ago.
Good luck and Happy B Day

[BMF Machine]

Thanks Bro's!

I am starting to really put some space between taking them KillaZ! I can make it 6 hours now instead of four. Plus I take one KillA instead of two. I am walking a good three hours plus a day, yes they are baby steps, yet it seems as though I almost get my stride back every now and then.
But then something will let me know that is too much and I go back to half stepping. I had my surgery at Leathermans spine institute here in louisville, KY. They are the best, people travel from all over the US and the world for that fact to have these guys fix their SpineS.

Anyway, I bought some super cool new toy trucks today, so I could have some fun outside with my little PaughtnaZ. I got a RevO 3.3 and I got my oldest a StampedE. They are both made by TraxxaS, mine is a 20 percent nitro methane burning two speed monster. My little ones is an ElectriC top of the line monster TrucK.

If you guys ain't never seen one of these wicked little RC's Please watch the video's. NitrO MethanE RC trucks are incredible too say the least

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8tcJYiXdUQ (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8tcJYiXdUQ) RevO
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8uXJ_yTzWs (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8uXJ_yTzWs) another revo
RevO is DadS toy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHY9btZpfcY (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHY9btZpfcY) StampedE
Stampede should be my oldest's toy. But I would say he will wind up with the RevO and three year old will have the StampedE soon enough. TheN DaD will just be happY to get a turn with either one while they are asleep!LmaO

Tomorrow morning is day 14. It feels great, I am getting better rather than watching my life slip down the toilet. I can not bend and it is still painful, but I am getting better!

I have to thank my wife for letting me spend 930.00 dollars on these two wicked little trucks today,:worship: I was smiling ear to ear and it felt damn good! ReaL DamN GooD! It has been so long since I could say I wasn't depressed enough to go see kavorkian!:injured:

:angel:I am so very thankful for my wife and kids,:angel: without them I would have never made it through the worst part.:angel:

[BMF Machine]

Week three is down! It feels like someone cracked me in my lower back with a Louisville sluggeR! I hope it gets better than this? I am probably trying to do too much; and I am freaking paying for it! I promise to rest as much as possible for the next 6 to 9 months!LmaO!

Oh well, my spirits are much better and that is what counts, I hate for my little ones to see me depressed all the time. Now, I am smiling more than frowning so, I figure I really can not complain.

Sorry for using the site as a diary? Nobody else will listen,LoL, so you guys are the ones to suffer with me.
:lurk:

On a good note, I have been leaning out my fuel on my little RC truck! Nothing like your eyes burning, from top fuel exhaust, at 8:00 in the morning! Priceless, absolutely PriceleSS! This little truck is blistering fast, plus the tires squal in a doughnut! Speaking of tires I have ran a half gallon of fuel through it and I almost need four new tires!

[Bill Howell]

You need to get better soon, I need something special on my charger and you are the only one I know that can do that....:)

[tones2SS]

Glad you are feeling better and the surgery went well Kevin.
Hopefully the little bit of pain you are feeling now goes away. Take care & take it easy for a little while.

[TonyHuntimer]

I hope you get better soon. I found out a couple of years ago that back pain is like "love", you don't know what it's like until you REALLY feel it. I always thought my friend was just a whiner.

You know you're better when you don't HAVE to take the percoset. :)