Anyway, to start....the shots i had for "SI dysfuntion/arthopathy" didn't work because as i said all along, it's not my SI joint (sacro-iliac joint) that is causing my pain - but hey, what do i know? I'm just the patient. But the pain dr and my ortho dr insisted that it was most likely the SI joint giving me pain and problems. Uh...huh...right...okay then, so i get them done - wait - wait - and wait some more and nothing (as i expected). So once it was clarified that it was a big waist of time (my interpretation not theirs of course! haha!), i decided what's the point in waiting [for surgery, that is]...this back brace that i've been wearing since March 24th is not working (that's over 5 months!) - and I wore/wear it religiously, even now, when i don't really have to wear it anymore...i wear it...just in case - oh let's say I fall off a porch, for instance! It's good to have it on. And speaking of falling off porches, which i did last week without even thinking about it, accidents can and do happen - so i wear the brace all the time.
So on August 25th, my Uncle Larry took me to the sureons office to discuss, ask questions about and discuss the specifics of my upcoming 3rd spine surgery. I, myself, even typing this can not believe #3 is just 8 weeks from tomorrow:
WHAT: 3rd back surgery (see below for details)
WHEN: 10/30/12
WHERE: Cooper University Hospital
WHY: T12 transverse process is still broken with no signs of healing
TIME: Early AM on Tuesday 10/30
LENGTH OF SURGERY: Estimated at 8+ hours start to finish
Here's what Dr. Clements will do to stabilize my back and T12 fracture:
- He will go in and explore the fusion, tighening any exhisting loose screws, removing any bone spurs that may have formed.
- He will ADD pedicle screws from 1 level above where my current fusion beings (L1); so in my case he will first add screws upward starting at T12,11,10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3 and end at T2 which is very high up on the spine--S1 to T2---that's a 15-16 level fusion...that's enormous.
- He will then REMOVE the current rods and put 2 new rods fomr T2 to T12.
- The major risks for this surgery are BLEEDING & INFECTION. It was explained to me and my Uncle as being a lot more risky with regard to bleeding and infection due to the number of major back surgeries I will have had on my spine *which 4 before this surgery* He said because i have so much scar tissue, that makes me much more susceptible to infection. I had NO idea scar tissue had a higher incidence of infection as opposed to muscle. And basically since my spine is ALL scar tissue up and down my, back why he said that.
- As for the loss of blood (last surgery i lost HALF my blood volume, he's going to add a blood recirculation machine so whatever blood I do lose will go right back into my body and then after surgery, i'll also get the blood that i donated back as needed.
So here's some good news: our Katie Kakes spent her first night in her big girl bed last night with NO problems whatsoever!!! She LOVES her new princess sheets and blanket and pillow! Thank goodness for Walmart! And Matt starts soccer next Saturday so we're very excited about spending our Saturday morning hour at his games :) - - they are, and continue to be my #1 priority in all of this and i want to try and keep everything as normal and routine as possible for their sake. And yes, my Mom & Dad will be shortly before my surgery to help out with the kids and help with me! I'm so blessed to have such loving and supportive family and friends. I honestly don't know WHAT i would do without them in my life. I am so grateful to have them during such a scary time. But we WILL get through this. We will.
No comments:
Post a Comment