I
kept it quiet this time, only telling our immediate family, work, our
ward at church and some friends we would need help from. I didn't feel
like telling so many people what was happening and have the questions
rolling in. I just didn't have the emotional energy to deal with it. So
here's the background...
Summer 2017, I was having more than my usual low back pain. After many appointments, X-rays and a MRI, we tried to conservatively help a herniated disc with epidural injections, which didn't help. Dr. Chang performed a discectomy in April 2018 to trim off the bulging part. Only two months later, the pain was worse. After more appointments and trying conservative solutions again, the X-ray and MRI show that the vertebrae at the bottom of the fusion was collapsing and slipping to the left. It was time to extend the fusion down to my pelvis to stabilize my spine... another really big surgery with another year recovery. This is the surgery Dr. Chang really wanted to wait 10 years after my fusion to do, but he said I'm not the only one who has needed it sooner. I made it almost 7 years and that would have to do. I couldn't go on like I
was. I needed to feel better and move better to get Kevin through high
school. Dr. Chang said the outcome would be 90% less pain after recovering, which sounds amazing! My pelvis will hold my entire upper body much better than just my lowest vertebrae and disc can.
On February 15th, 2019, Dr. Chang opened me up from my mid back all the way down to my bum crack, removed some screws and rods (T10 to L4), put a cage in the disc space below L4 to hold the vertebrae apart, put new screws and rods in down to my pelvis, and one large screw into my pelvis. This surgery only took about 4 hours. I was in the hospital for 5 days like last time. Jim stayed with me the first two nights and my friend Annalisa stayed with me Sunday night so Jim could sleep better before going to work Monday. My sister, Pamela, came to stay with me for the last 3 days in the hospital and was at home with me until the end of February. She was such a great help to get me through the tough first 2 weeks. I was mostly in bed, of course, and she kept me entertained with chatting, movies and shows and trying to keep me taking my medications on time. Quite honestly, I don't remember a whole lot from the first few weeks. The pain medication kept me groggy and I slept a lot.
For the third week, my mother-in-law, Leigh, came to stay with me. I was still sleeping a lot, but Leigh kept me busy with lots of visiting which was really nice. By this time, I was up a little more working with a physical therapist who came to our home. The goal was to strengthen my legs since it's been so long that my left leg has been hurting badly. My personal goal is working to be able to walk faster than a toddler can. I am still working on that. Ha!
For the forth week, my sister-in-law, Melissa, came to stay with me. I was working on putting more time in between my doses of medicine. I was still working on my leg exercises and walking. Melissa kept me busy with lots of visiting too, which I love. We also watched some shows together and played a game.
The fifth week was spring break for Brian and Kevin. They took good care of me the whole week and helped me with whatever I needed. On Tuesday, Brian took me to get my neck adjusted because I had vertigo for the prior 3 days. My neck was really badly out of whack and I felt much better when Dr. Powell got it aligned. I watched a lot of shows that week and still worked on all of the things I mentioned in the above paragraph.
The sixth week, my dad and mom came. Monday I changed to a lesser pain medication, which I was very ready for. I was really sick of the side effects of the other one. I feel like it took me all week to adjust to it. Friday was my 6 week post op check up. My parents drove me to that appointment and my mom was able to come into the room with me. My main concern was that my left leg and foot are still hurting. It has lessened, which is good, but it's still hurting enough that it concerns me. Dr. Chang's PA, Mara, told me that the nerves are very angry because they were pinched for such a long time. Also, from the surgery, it will take a while for the inflammation to settle down. It should keep getting better and better until it doesn't hurt any more. Other than that, everything looks great and I now only have to wear the big brace when I am in the car. Now I need to repair my back muscles from the surgery. She told me they will spasm and complain for a while until they get stronger. Lets do this! I'm ready to get walking and moving better!
I will share all of the non-flattering pictures I have of myself.
This first one is just before I was taken back for surgery. I remember nothing after this was taken. I have no idea when they put me out which is weird to me.
This one is 3 days after surgery, just so I could see the bandages and length of the incision.
This is 6 days post op. The incision was closed with glue and mesh. The mesh was starting to peel off and it was itching. I couldn't wait for it to come off.
This is my happy face on the 7th day after. As you can tell, I did not feel like being up for the short walk I needed to take. Also, there was some pain medication involved. Ha!
Here I am on March 7th, a day shy of 3 weeks post op. I was at least trying to smile for this picture. I was moving much better than 2 weeks prior, I think, and I had spaced out the time in between my doses of pain medicine. I really don't like using it and I look forward to the day when I don't have to anymore.
This is the same day. I still can't believe how fast the incision healed up. If only the inside could heal just as fast.
For comparison, the x-ray below on the right was from the first surgery to correct my scoliosis. The bottom x-rays are from this surgery, March 29th at my 6 week post op appointment. You can see the added instrumentation I described above.
My next check up is in mid May. I'll update again then. Thank you to everyone who fasted and prayed for me. I know it all helps so much!
