About Me

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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.

Thursday, March 1, 2012

The Nuts & Bolts of it all....

I was reminded very clearly this afternoon just how much surgery I had done on my back last month when i stooped down at the toilet while in the bathroom with my 2-1/2 yr old daughter, who is not exactly a fan of the whole potty training thing, and then attempted to get back up!  Although not on my back (thank GOD!) it was about as difficult to get back up as it would be for a turtle to right itself while on its' back.  Kate and I both have some work to do! 

I opened the mail and there they were - my long awaited, much anticipated xrays and CT scans from when i was in the hospital.  No one but me would ever be this excited to see what they look like - it's hard to describe.  I just couldn't wait to see what was (and continues to be) causing me so much discomfort and pain - it's not the same kind of pain like before surgery though; now it's more like a healing, surgical pain...and hopefully it will subside substantially in the coming weeks and months like it continues to do every day (albeit very slowly according to me!).  But then when I opened the disc and saw what was inside of me, my pain felt somewhat justified - like it was ok to allow myself to rest when i'm in pain and not feel bad or guilty about it - and not push myself.  I need to be patient.

So, here are several pictures (xray & CT) of my 'new and improved' spine post-op the 1/31/12 surgery.  Pretty gosh darn amazing to see screws in there the lenght of my index finger!

BEFORE PHOTOS:
"Flatback Deformity" (X-ray) with Harrington rods/hooks and no lumbar sway/curve of the lower back.

The dreaded Harrington hook and rod - - This is an acutal 7" piece of rod that was taken from my body using bolt cutters; the actual original rods were 13" long.  As crazy as it sounded, I wanted a piece of that rod for no other reason other than I wanted to see what was causing me so much pain.  The hook pictured was the hook sticking out of my upper back for the past 5 years...AMEN they're all finally OUT of my body now.  Good riddance!

AFTER PHOTOS:
ABOVE: (CT scan - lateral view)
All of my previous Harrington hardware was removed and replaced with pedicle screws and smaller titanium rods with fusion from L1-S1 with pelvic fixation.  And notice the beautiful lumbar sway/curve in my lower back now when compared to the "flatback" above!

ABOVE: (CT scan - frontal view)  
Pedicle screws and rods extending from L1-S1 and laterally into each side of the pelvis.




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2 comments:

  1. LindianMarch 6, 2012 at 7:41 PM

    You've got some very sexy curves now Michele, especially that lateral CT scan. Glad you're doing well and finally standing tall!
    Linda DeSimone

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  2. Don SmithApril 12, 2012 at 1:35 AM

    Hi, I'm Don, Michele's Dad. The following is an email Michele sent out after not having access to this site at the Acute Rehab Facility she is in.
    4/8/2012
    Hello everyone!!!! Please forgive the mass email but I can't seem to access and update my blog over the past few weeks so this was the only thins I could come up with! Soooooooo much has happened since mast lst blog entry and I will try to be as concise yet detailed as possible.

    First of all HAPPY Easter!! Our Easter was unique and dub and like no other Easter ive ever celebrated. BEFORE the kids had eeven gotten here at 12:15pm, Mommy had already completed THREE (consecutive) HOURS of OT and PT (which i also did the exact same thing yesterday). Exhausted isn't even the word. Anyway, the kids came over to Magee Rehab for an Easter egg hunt on the rooftop and what a beautiful day for it. They have a beautiful rooftop area and a greenhouse where you can grow and plant flowers and make crafts as well as bbq's and a little basketball net for playing ball on the outside wrap-around patio. Tables and chairs potted and planter-style flowers and plants all over. We all enjoyed every minute of it! I have to say though without a doubt, the highlight of MY day was seeing Matthew and Katie run full speed ahead down the hallway to greet me when they turned the corner and saw me sitting in my wheelchair at the end of the hall yelling "Mommy Mommy Mommy!" the whole way!!! It was a moment i will never ever forget.

    I'll have to fill you in sometime on pain mngmt AND pscho-social mgmt of this all. As you can imagine it as not been easy on any of us....for me, it's taking a huge toll on me physically, emotionally, psychologically, etc and I'm just not feeling like "Michele" anymore. As for my Dad and Chad, they're working hard to keep he kids happy - safe - entertained - etc. And my exhausted patience of a saint mom is doing a phenomenal job at keeping be house running and keeping the kids on their schedules. The love that Chad and my parents have for their family is not only admirable but even overwhelming times. We're all just working together.

    It's so hard to describe the guilty sad frustrating feelings in all of this so I wont try. I'll just tell you that they exist and are ever-present unfortunately. I have very personable psychologist who I can hopefully continue to see while I'm here. A lot of work to be done from the inside out----my surgeries were approx. 10 weeks ago - and somehow I broke T12 which is 1 on level above where the fusion started ---- MY OPTIONS: full neck to bottom brace worn 24/7 and if that doesn't work extensive surgery (again) SO, we're praying for the brace to do its job but I'm still in excruciating pain so we will see what the drs say tomorrow.

    Unil then, i pray for and EXPECT MIRACLES and although I feel as though I've "used up" all my requests for prayers, I still née them. I will try to keep you posted.

    Love
    MICHELE

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