I am delinquent on sending this email because I have been having so much fun! This is not a sarcastic remark, it is true. I feel GREAT!
During my first surgery they were not able to do what they had planned. They could only get a cage between the bottom verterbra. The other vertebrae were to full of arthritis and crumpled together that they couldn’t get it done. That’s okay.
I am currently able to stand up straight and walk with no pain in my spine, my stomach is a different story. On Wednesday I took a walk with our youngest (the broken leg boy) six houses down the block and back. Afterward I cried. He is 6 and I have NEVER been able to do this before. I still cry when I think about it - hormones!
I only had to use the walker for 6 days after surgery. I went out and bought a really cool cane just for stability. Pain meds are almost to nothing. My physical therapist says “You one crazy lady.“ (Yes, he is Asian.) I was put on a nerve pain med because that dang nerve that runs from the spine down my left leg to my toes likes to act up. I blame this on me trying to bend or twist.
I am on a BLT life for the next several months. BLT means no bending, lifting or twisting. Have you ever tried to wash your hands, brush your teeth or get in a car under these restrictions? It’s not easy.
I saw my spine specialist yesterday and he is also amazed how well I am doing.
Now for the next surgery on the 27th. Totally new procedure due to how well I am doing. He plans on opening up my entire spine, removing my existing rod, then doing a lot less fusion. My upper spine fells much better now that I stand up straight. There is some arthritis there but he doesn’t plan to touch it. On the lower back, he would like to try again to fix the space between L4 - L5 and also work on L2 - L3 and L3 - L4. Needless to say, I have been told this surgery will be more painful than the first. And no ostemony!!! If you do not know what this is, it is where they have to notch out the vertebrae to try to bend it back into place. I have been told it is a very painful procedure. Also, I may get out of the hospital quicker than 7 days!!!
If you cannot tell, I am happy and excited! All this pain and time is worth it.
Your prayers have helped tremendously, how else can I continue to amaze everyone. Please continue to pray. My goal is to be off all pain meds by September 1st before school starts. I want to be the wife and mom I haven’t been in many years.
Friday, July 23, 2010
Monday, July 19, 2010
First surgery down, one more in 7 days.
I don’t remember much the day of the surgery or the day after. Surgery was Tuesday the 13th and they couldn’t get done what they wanted. They could only get a cage between S1 and L5. I have about 30 staples (they will be taken out during the next surgery). To put it in terms that my family in Wisconsin speaks – I feel like a deer that was just gutted, all the inners taken out, then put back in and stapled back up. I have no pain in my spine just my entire front. The hardest thing is to get up and down with little pain.
Last Thursday I was given 2 units of blood because I was very anemic. I finally started feeling better on Friday. I got up each day to walk a little but Friday I walked all over!
I know people came to visit me, but sometimes I was asleep. Please know I appreciate all the visits and food. My family has been well fed!! I am slowly going from jello and water to soup and tea. In fact, I had two teenagers peeling potatoes in my bedroom. It’s funny how potato peels fly! By the way, the soup tasted great!!
When my mom talked to me a couple days ago I said there is no way I will ever do this again. As of today, I am thinking better and know I need this next surgery to be fully back to normal.
My husband and boys have been awesome! Our little one keeps telling me not to cough or laugh. He says, “You know mommy, it hurts so don’t do it!” Our middle one just keeps walking in the bedroom, looks at me, gives me a hug and leaves. Our oldest is doing his best to make me laugh in between texting. We also have a good friend’s daughter from Wisconsin staying for a week. She has been an angel. She keeps the boys on their toes and keeps offering to give me a leg massage. I need to especially thank my husband who gets to hear me rant and complain but still loves me. He is my rock!
Saturday I got a couple special phone calls. My family reunion from my dad’s side of the family was in Greenleaf State Park in OK. I really wanted to be there since it seems like everyone is getting older. But my family called to say hi and that they missed me. The next phone call was from my high school class of 1980. I haven’t talked with many of these people since then. They had a family picnic and played pass the phone to say hi to me! I was shocked to tears!
I do have one big question – now that more of my spine is fused, how do you wipe your bottom without twisting or bending? Stop laughing! This is serious. My PT guru told me to follow the “BLT”. No Bending, Lifting or Twisting for the next 6 to 9 months. Any suggestions?
Next doctor appointment is Thursday for post and pre-op. He will be taking more x-rays to determine what the next surgery will entail. Until then, I have PT, OT and a nurse that come to our home to keep me going.
Getting tired now. On two different pain meds and muscle relaxer. Also, typing makes me dizzy. God is still on the throne and in control!
Last Thursday I was given 2 units of blood because I was very anemic. I finally started feeling better on Friday. I got up each day to walk a little but Friday I walked all over!
I know people came to visit me, but sometimes I was asleep. Please know I appreciate all the visits and food. My family has been well fed!! I am slowly going from jello and water to soup and tea. In fact, I had two teenagers peeling potatoes in my bedroom. It’s funny how potato peels fly! By the way, the soup tasted great!!
When my mom talked to me a couple days ago I said there is no way I will ever do this again. As of today, I am thinking better and know I need this next surgery to be fully back to normal.
My husband and boys have been awesome! Our little one keeps telling me not to cough or laugh. He says, “You know mommy, it hurts so don’t do it!” Our middle one just keeps walking in the bedroom, looks at me, gives me a hug and leaves. Our oldest is doing his best to make me laugh in between texting. We also have a good friend’s daughter from Wisconsin staying for a week. She has been an angel. She keeps the boys on their toes and keeps offering to give me a leg massage. I need to especially thank my husband who gets to hear me rant and complain but still loves me. He is my rock!
Saturday I got a couple special phone calls. My family reunion from my dad’s side of the family was in Greenleaf State Park in OK. I really wanted to be there since it seems like everyone is getting older. But my family called to say hi and that they missed me. The next phone call was from my high school class of 1980. I haven’t talked with many of these people since then. They had a family picnic and played pass the phone to say hi to me! I was shocked to tears!
I do have one big question – now that more of my spine is fused, how do you wipe your bottom without twisting or bending? Stop laughing! This is serious. My PT guru told me to follow the “BLT”. No Bending, Lifting or Twisting for the next 6 to 9 months. Any suggestions?
Next doctor appointment is Thursday for post and pre-op. He will be taking more x-rays to determine what the next surgery will entail. Until then, I have PT, OT and a nurse that come to our home to keep me going.
Getting tired now. On two different pain meds and muscle relaxer. Also, typing makes me dizzy. God is still on the throne and in control!
Monday, July 12, 2010
No turning back!
Here we go!! Twenty-four hours from now I will be under anesthesia in surgery. The one surgeon will open me up and move all my "inners" out of the way so the two spine surgeons can piece me back together. Sound like fun? I am actually very excited, and a bit nervous.
Excited because after these two surgeries, I have hope of a life with little to no back pain and the prospect of being able to walk. Going to Target and having to ride in a wheelchair and have little kids look at me and be scared, is not my idea of life. Not being able to walk further that a few feet is no fun. Taking pain pills every day and muscle relaxers at night just to sleep, is not my idea of life at 48 years old. I am excited to think I will be able to take a moonlit walk with my best friend and husband. I am excited to think I will be able to cook with my boys.
I am nervous because I always have problems with anesthesia. I have a hard time waking up and I usually throw-up for a long time afterward. I am nervous because I will not be in control of what happens while I am in surgery. I am a control freak and I am always in the drivers seat.
But here we go! Off on a new journey in life. God is in control and I am in the passenger seat.
Excited because after these two surgeries, I have hope of a life with little to no back pain and the prospect of being able to walk. Going to Target and having to ride in a wheelchair and have little kids look at me and be scared, is not my idea of life. Not being able to walk further that a few feet is no fun. Taking pain pills every day and muscle relaxers at night just to sleep, is not my idea of life at 48 years old. I am excited to think I will be able to take a moonlit walk with my best friend and husband. I am excited to think I will be able to cook with my boys.
I am nervous because I always have problems with anesthesia. I have a hard time waking up and I usually throw-up for a long time afterward. I am nervous because I will not be in control of what happens while I am in surgery. I am a control freak and I am always in the drivers seat.
But here we go! Off on a new journey in life. God is in control and I am in the passenger seat.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Basic Facts
The first surgery (July 13) they will be taking out all the arthritis and degenerated discs between levels L4-L5 and L5-S1. Then they will put in plastic cages and fill them with cadaver bone marrow. They will attached a strip of metal and screws to hold the vertebra in place. Surgery is scheduled for 4 hours and 4 days in the hospital. Sounds easy!!!
After the first surgery (July 22), they will take more scoliosis x-rays to see how straight I am. Then they will have more of an idea what they need to do during the second surgery.
As of now, the second surgery (July 27) they want to remove my Harrington Rod (if possible) or the loose parts. My current rod is T4 to L4. Then they will fuse the rest of the spine above and below. They are not sure yet if they will need to do any osteotomies or how high they will need to go. Surgery is scheduled for 8 hours long and 7 days in the hospital.
I do know I will have a walker and a brace from the legs up.
Tuesday.....here we come!!
After the first surgery (July 22), they will take more scoliosis x-rays to see how straight I am. Then they will have more of an idea what they need to do during the second surgery.
As of now, the second surgery (July 27) they want to remove my Harrington Rod (if possible) or the loose parts. My current rod is T4 to L4. Then they will fuse the rest of the spine above and below. They are not sure yet if they will need to do any osteotomies or how high they will need to go. Surgery is scheduled for 8 hours long and 7 days in the hospital.
I do know I will have a walker and a brace from the legs up.
Tuesday.....here we come!!
Sunday, June 20, 2010
A Small Bump In The Road
“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2
In the past 2 weeks a lot has taken place. Our youngest son (age 6) cracked his shin bone in a bike accident and he is currently in a wheelchair with a cast from his toes to his upper thigh. This has made me, as a mom, suck-up the pain and get moving more. When a child needs you, you do anything you can to help. This is where we are now. We have to carry him up and down the stairs. Luckily he is very light!
I have had more doctor appointments. I finally met the vascular surgeon. He is the doctor responsible to cut me open, move all my inners out of the way and close me up. Sounds kinda gross, but it’s the truth. The spine surgeons need to get to the spine to do their work. I feel very confident in all my surgeons. I am praying God will be with them and guide their hands.
All blood work and EKG are finished. Still need to get to the hospital for a lung function test (do to my asthma) and a chest x-ray. Hopefully I can get these done this week.
I feel I am on the right track and getting more prepared each day – mentally, physically and mommy-way too. I am trying to clean the bedrooms out of all the old clothes, toys and junk by July 1st. Yesterday I finally made a pair of curtains for our family room. Just lots of little things on my mind to get done before the surgeries.
Last night I had an awesome conversation with our youngest. Me: "Don't forget to pray to Jesus."...silence...arms and lips moving….Me: "Well, say your prayers." Brett: "I say my prayers in my brain. They go past my lips and straight to my heart where Jesus lives."
Through all our trials in life, we have to keep our eyes upon God and He WILL see us though.
In the past 2 weeks a lot has taken place. Our youngest son (age 6) cracked his shin bone in a bike accident and he is currently in a wheelchair with a cast from his toes to his upper thigh. This has made me, as a mom, suck-up the pain and get moving more. When a child needs you, you do anything you can to help. This is where we are now. We have to carry him up and down the stairs. Luckily he is very light!
I have had more doctor appointments. I finally met the vascular surgeon. He is the doctor responsible to cut me open, move all my inners out of the way and close me up. Sounds kinda gross, but it’s the truth. The spine surgeons need to get to the spine to do their work. I feel very confident in all my surgeons. I am praying God will be with them and guide their hands.
All blood work and EKG are finished. Still need to get to the hospital for a lung function test (do to my asthma) and a chest x-ray. Hopefully I can get these done this week.
I feel I am on the right track and getting more prepared each day – mentally, physically and mommy-way too. I am trying to clean the bedrooms out of all the old clothes, toys and junk by July 1st. Yesterday I finally made a pair of curtains for our family room. Just lots of little things on my mind to get done before the surgeries.
Last night I had an awesome conversation with our youngest. Me: "Don't forget to pray to Jesus."...silence...arms and lips moving….Me: "Well, say your prayers." Brett: "I say my prayers in my brain. They go past my lips and straight to my heart where Jesus lives."
Through all our trials in life, we have to keep our eyes upon God and He WILL see us though.
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Dates are set
Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
For many years, I have known that God uses every situation we go through for His glory. When we moved to Colorado in September 2000, we knew God brought us here for a purpose. After 10 foster kids, we knew for sure why God brought us here. He brought us here to touch these little lives with His love and to adopt one of these children. That was four years ago. Since then we have touched the lives of many more children through Scouts, church, school and everywhere we go.
My kids always tell me to stop talking to strangers, but I can't! I feel like if God puts me in a certain place, then I guess I should talk! As is in this situation.
I will be having two different surgeries, three doctors, numerous nurses and almost two weeks in the hospital.
My first surgery is scheduled for July 13th at 7:30am. The surgery is supposed to be 4 hours long and I will be in the hospital for 3 to 4 days. In this surgery, they will be going through my stomach to the spine. There is a lot of arthritis in my lower spine and no discs between the vertebrae. They will be inserting bone marrow from a cadaver to fuse the vertebrae together. They say this will be relatively easy to recover from. They feel this should take care of a lot of my pain in the lower back and I should be able to walk again.
They are trying to schedule the second surgery for August 4th. Trying to organize all these doctors on the same day is not easy! This surgery will be to rebuild the entire spine from the back. This surgery is scheduled for 8 hours and a week in the hospital. This will take longer to recover from.
As I contemplate these weeks ahead, I keep reminding myself that I am going through this for a reason. Not just to have a better quality of life but to glorify God. My path will cross the lives of many people that do not know Him and I am to be His light in the dark.
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
For many years, I have known that God uses every situation we go through for His glory. When we moved to Colorado in September 2000, we knew God brought us here for a purpose. After 10 foster kids, we knew for sure why God brought us here. He brought us here to touch these little lives with His love and to adopt one of these children. That was four years ago. Since then we have touched the lives of many more children through Scouts, church, school and everywhere we go.
My kids always tell me to stop talking to strangers, but I can't! I feel like if God puts me in a certain place, then I guess I should talk! As is in this situation.
I will be having two different surgeries, three doctors, numerous nurses and almost two weeks in the hospital.
My first surgery is scheduled for July 13th at 7:30am. The surgery is supposed to be 4 hours long and I will be in the hospital for 3 to 4 days. In this surgery, they will be going through my stomach to the spine. There is a lot of arthritis in my lower spine and no discs between the vertebrae. They will be inserting bone marrow from a cadaver to fuse the vertebrae together. They say this will be relatively easy to recover from. They feel this should take care of a lot of my pain in the lower back and I should be able to walk again.
They are trying to schedule the second surgery for August 4th. Trying to organize all these doctors on the same day is not easy! This surgery will be to rebuild the entire spine from the back. This surgery is scheduled for 8 hours and a week in the hospital. This will take longer to recover from.
As I contemplate these weeks ahead, I keep reminding myself that I am going through this for a reason. Not just to have a better quality of life but to glorify God. My path will cross the lives of many people that do not know Him and I am to be His light in the dark.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
The Beginning
I have never had a blog before and I am NOT a writer but here we go...
My journey started in 1975 when I was diagnosed with Scoliosis. I had a double curve of 76 and 80 degrees. I had surgery to fuse my spine on my 15th birthday in 1976. The rod goes from T4 to L4. Post-op my curves are 18 and 21 degrees. A major improvement! I remember a lot of the pain and pt that I had to go through pre and post surgery. When I had the spinal fusion it was the newest and the best procedure out to help me.
I started having problems with pain in my lower back and weakness in my legs. I went to a spinal specialist in Milwaukee, WI. He told me there was nothing he could do but remove the rod and that would be MAJOR surgery. He was concerned about nicking something and I could not walk again.
So this was not an option. Prayer was the only option and it has worked for many years. The symptoms continued to get worse. In 2008 I had enough. I tried to have injections in my spine to numb the nerves. They could not get the needles in my spine. The arthritis is so bad the vertebrae are crushed together.
I have continued to live in pain. Finally I said - THIS IS ENOUGH! I cannot be the wife and mom I want to be. I have 3 boys at home that need a mom that is not on pain meds and asleep all day.
I called a spinal specialist in Longmont, CO and had an appointment on 5/7/2010. He said the rod needs to be removed because it has caused my spine to curve into my body - flat back. I was devastated. I thought this might be the case, but to hear a doctor confirm my suspensions was a shock.
I have done a lot of research on the Internet and feel more prepared.
This is just the beginning of a long journey. I know God has a purpose for the journey we are on. He had me meet the man of my dreams. He had a son for us all the way across the world in VietNam. He had us move to Colorado to be foster parents and adopt. He had a son here for us to adopt. He has all our days planned for us. He holds my tomorrows. He holds me in the palm of His hand.
I know this and I'll try to remember this all the way through the journey.
My journey started in 1975 when I was diagnosed with Scoliosis. I had a double curve of 76 and 80 degrees. I had surgery to fuse my spine on my 15th birthday in 1976. The rod goes from T4 to L4. Post-op my curves are 18 and 21 degrees. A major improvement! I remember a lot of the pain and pt that I had to go through pre and post surgery. When I had the spinal fusion it was the newest and the best procedure out to help me.
I started having problems with pain in my lower back and weakness in my legs. I went to a spinal specialist in Milwaukee, WI. He told me there was nothing he could do but remove the rod and that would be MAJOR surgery. He was concerned about nicking something and I could not walk again.
So this was not an option. Prayer was the only option and it has worked for many years. The symptoms continued to get worse. In 2008 I had enough. I tried to have injections in my spine to numb the nerves. They could not get the needles in my spine. The arthritis is so bad the vertebrae are crushed together.
I have continued to live in pain. Finally I said - THIS IS ENOUGH! I cannot be the wife and mom I want to be. I have 3 boys at home that need a mom that is not on pain meds and asleep all day.
I called a spinal specialist in Longmont, CO and had an appointment on 5/7/2010. He said the rod needs to be removed because it has caused my spine to curve into my body - flat back. I was devastated. I thought this might be the case, but to hear a doctor confirm my suspensions was a shock.
I have done a lot of research on the Internet and feel more prepared.
This is just the beginning of a long journey. I know God has a purpose for the journey we are on. He had me meet the man of my dreams. He had a son for us all the way across the world in VietNam. He had us move to Colorado to be foster parents and adopt. He had a son here for us to adopt. He has all our days planned for us. He holds my tomorrows. He holds me in the palm of His hand.
I know this and I'll try to remember this all the way through the journey.
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