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In 2012, I had 2 operations back-to-back. It was an excruciating and grueling recovery. I was doing well until about 8wks post-op when I broke my back (T12 transverse process) in therapy. I spent another 10 days in the hospital and a month in an acute rehab facility. I was in a clamshell brace for over 8 months with no improvement. I underwent surgery #5 on 11/20/12 and required a 6th surgery on 11/24 due to serious complications. After spending another month in the hospital, I finally came home on 12/21/12. Recovery has been difficult and challenges seem to pop up whenever they get the chance. My most pronounced challenge are these terrible positional headaches that started in early 2013. I had a prior CSF leak in Nov 2012 however both the neurosurgeon and ortho surgeon believe it's occurring all over again as my brain MRI shows "clear & obvious indications of a CSF leak." I had at least 1/2 dozen consults with various specialists to determine what would be the best course of treatment and since bed rest hasn't worked, surgery is the only option left. Surgery #7 is full of unknowns regarding length of surgery, stay and recovery.

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

9 hours to go....

All I can say at this point is...there's no turning back! I'm about 9 hours away from what I am praying will be a safe, successful spinal repair of a badly fractured T12 as well as an entire-length spinal fusion with the exception of my neck. When all is said and done, I will be fused (literally) from top to bottom...but "All is well."
At bedtime, my 3 yr old cried for me for 10' and after that I just had to go in and hold her - rock her - one more time....before....well, then I went into my son's room and he was a little less upset but no less emotional - so after calming his fears of me going into the hospital (again), I reminded him that next week was a big day for Mommy - and that it just so happened that my birthway would be the same day as Thanksgiving this year - and he thought that was cool. BUT, then I made him promise me he would draw me a picture of a "Burkey" - - and he looked at me like "huh?" - - and I said, "Yep, I want a picture of a big fat yummy "burkey" - a birthday turkey! Can you make me one and color it in and draw a bunch of candles on it for me!?!?" And my son, "the professor" as we call him says (as he's giggling the sweetest little giggle you've ever heard) "Yeah, I will...but Mom, can't I just put a '4' and '0' on it...I don't want to draw 40 candles!"  HAHAHAHA!!!  That's JUST what I needed - a good laugh myself, complements of my almost 5 yr old. God I love those kids...tantrums and 'breakfast with a big bowl of grumpy flakes' days and all...they're my life...and I'm so blessed to have them in my life.
 
So with that, I hope I left you with a smile on your face and as much hope in your hearts as I have in mine. My "family" has grown by leaps and bounds over the past year, and I am so incredibly grateful and blessed to have each and every one of you in my life. I honestly don't know how my family and I could have managed to make it through this year without ALL of your love, support and friendships. So don't worry too much - I have an incredibly talented surgeon, an unbelievable support system and a solid faith in God that I will be ok...and in the not-too-distant future, my family and I will wonder how we ever weathered that year...2012...
 
Until I see you again....
 

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2 comments:

  1. Patty from the NSFNovember 15, 2012 at 5:08 PM

    Michelle...I have been praying for you all day. I hope your family can post to your blog and let us all know how you are doing. I know this will probably be a rough recovery but be patient and your healing will come.

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousNovember 18, 2012 at 8:39 PM

    Patty, Michelle's okay. She had a rough time but she's hanging on.

    ReplyDelete

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