RE: August 2 spinal fusion
 

Byrd, I've been through it and have some pretty impressive hardware in my lower back (x-rays are pretty wild looking). I won'tgo into detail here but instead will PM you with what I experienced from the first time they make you get out of the bed and then moving onto rehab and recovery. But, I'll say "don't go getting all worried because you can and I'm sure you will recover 100%".

RE: August 2 spinal fusion
 

Agreed. I'll only post positive thought. My back is 100 times better than it was before the surgery. Just remember to stay active during and after recovery and you'll do fine.

RE: August 2 spinal fusion
 

I have had 4 spinal surgeries, including Fusions,over 100 trigger point injections. 16 ct guided nerve root blocks. Trial internal CNS stimulator insertion (and removal...didn't work). experimental procedures. Shoulder reconstruction. 69 urinary system operations including a urinary tract transplant in Sep 05......Lets just say I been through a lot.[X(]
I am on disability. Have been on and off since Sept of 1997. I HATE IT. I am bored, depressed, and feel about about as useless a screen door on a submarine. But I fight it all day everyday. I am "clinically addicted" to oxycontin (that just means they told me at the pain clinic they would place me on a controlled addiction) I guess that just means I don't need to go looking for it. [8D]
HOWEVER. I must say that drug did give me what life I have back. Without it I am in bed. I am off all antidepressants right now by choice. They only work so long then the body fights back. [:@]
On top of all this, I was in a bad car accident which everyone (including me) was sure would paralyze me for good. It never bothered my back a bit. I was rearended at over 70mph as I was sitting still. I went through the back window of an ex-cab pick up headfirst. then pulled back in by the seatbelt. My Left shoulder was demolished (which is why I have a new mathews low draw wt bow for sale on the classifieds) and I had a severe concussion. I later found out that it damaged my pituitary gland and now I have to take hormone shots to stay a man.
But on the bright side....My BP is good!!! LOL;)

I can still walk without a cane for the most part. I can hunt a little, I can drive, I can sit in front of this glowing box for short periods and I can eat....way too much! That is my life.

NOW, as for you Byrd.....LISTEN AND LISTEN GOOD. You have some wonderful advise. Do what you are told. Walk, walk walk walk walk walk walkwalk walk walk......you get the point??? and when you get tired of walking. put on your headphones and go walk some more. It is the ONLY way someone with a bad back can build muscle in the low back. If you don't keep them up, you will lose stability. Fusions are the best of the options as you will not be in near the pain as those of us that didn't have the fusion. GET OFF ALL MEDS FAST. Let me ask you a couple things. Can you walk now? Do you walk bent to one side or the other? If the answer is yes, then once you take your pain meds to leave the hospital, only take them BEFORE walking. The only pain you should have is SORENESS from the surg. itself....UNLESS you are bent to the side bad now when you walk. That is due to constant spasm of the paraspinal muscles, strongest muscles in the body. When these finally start to relax.....O MY GOODNESS does it ever hurt. But again it is SORENESS...not PAIN. Treat these discomforts as SORENESS. Heat/Ice/Anti-inflamatories (advil) NOT NARCOTICS. Get off that stuff ASAP. You should be in less pain when you wake up than when you go to sleep....PAIN that is. Remember buddy, there is a big difference. If you still have PAIN...the sharp stabbing, tearing, radiating to the butt or on down the legs then you got a problem. It is quite possible to have the same pain as before until all the swelling gets out there (2 mos or so max)

Now some advice I don't think you got. YOU NOW HAVE AND ALWAYS WILL HAVE a comprimised low back. This means no matter how good you feel,you can't go doing stuff like you did before. No heavy lifting, no hero acts and leaping tall buildings in a single bound. You know, pain is our friend, it keeps us from overdoing something while a body part is comprimised or trying to heal. I didn't listen....I kept working and working hard. Now I am in a mess. As far as the cane it will be allright to carry with you to lean on when you stop but using it will only keep one side of the back weak. I wouldn't recommend it. Slip on shoes are great for a couple weeks but then you need to be tying those shoes up for the flexibility. I would buy the best walking shoes you can afford. I personally like Rockports...the GOOD ones. Go to a good quality shoe store, not a discount place, and buy the thickest soled pair of Prowalkers you can find....not the ones like tennis shoes, but like good sturdy shoes. When you first put them on they will feel like crap. They form toyour foot and give you EXCELLENT support. I would buy them now and wear them around and get them formed to your piggies.

This is a BUNCH of info I know, so I will stop here. Read this through a time or two, and then ask me all the questions you want. I likely have been there and done that.

GOOD LUCK, I will be praying/pulling for you,

Dave in WV

PS: I was a RN for 14yrs before I finally had to hang up my stethescope. So, I know a little about this from all sides. Oh, and one more thing. INSIST on getting warm water and washcloth at least once, maybe even twice a day. Man it will make you feel SO much better if you just stay clean. The hospital care is bad for the most part anymore. They are shortstaffed and the Gov. has made it so that nurses spend 6hrs of an 8hr shift covering everyones butt on paper.

RE: August 2 spinal fusion
 

Thanks for the info guy

RE: August 2 spinal fusion
 

I go to the doc tomorrow and I expect to get similar news. I have already had 3 surgeries from c3-c7. Looks like I am moving on to the l's and t's. If the doc says I gotta get cut, I'll push him to do it asap. I'm not missing any of this season even if it means replacing my hydration bladder with an IV bag.

RE: August 2 spinal fusion
 

Doc already said no more construction or lumber business unless sales. I plan on walking alot. I think I can handle the pain. The waiting is the hardest part. I am trying to get me a tread mill now so I can start walking asap. I just don't want to have this pain again. I can tolerate quite abit of pain and I already told the wife to not give me pain pills unless it is time for them. I don't want a addiction out of this. I am very lucky I have a great wife. She has already bought quite a few deer hunting videos for me. And my son will help me with anything great kid for 13.

RE: August 2 spinal fusion
 

Byrd, first of all good luck with everything, and do exactly what the doc tells you to do. I had 2 broken vertebrae and my discs were crushed, operated on L5 - S1 in 93 and while I have the occasional back pain or spasms my back is great for the most part. You always hear horror stories about back surgery but I am here to tell you I would do it again in a heartbeat. I know the pain you are in but believe me it will be better after the surgery. if you have any questions feel free to pm me.

Mark

RE: August 2 spinal fusion
 

Sounds like you have a good wife and son.

I didn't mean to get so heavy on you earlier, I just want to make a point. Be careful forever. Heck, I had my 3rd surg on Tues...Went deer hunting on Sat. and killed a deer. I had my first surg. Sept 30th took a deer w/bow on Oct 11th. Gutted and drug her about 150yds uphill (STUPID). Point is though, heck, I felt good enough to go hurt myself. You will be ready for this season, just exercise and get off the meds and you will be fine.
As for the meds. If you only take pills when you need them for PAIN you won't be addicted. You will have some withdrawl if you are on them for 6 mos or more on a reg 12hr basis but not if you have only had 30 pills.

You are doing fine, you have a good attitude and a great family support system. You will do fine. You just go ahead and look forward to hunting this fall. I bet your doc can get you off work at least through Nov. if you want. They don't like to send people to work as long as they can afford to be off. More healing, less lawsuits. Besides you need something to look forward to to get you through this.

Best of luck,

Dave in WV

RE: August 2 spinal fusion
 

well good luck and i hope everything pulls through. as they say though your seperation from the sport you love will only make the reunion all that much sweeter

RE: August 2 spinal fusion
 

Sorry to hear about this Byrd. Sounds like these guys have some good advice. Iam going to be looking at this ame experience some time in the not too distant future. Maybe finding some alternative hobbies that you can do, and some good reads will help you feel more productive, but keep inmind that what youare is not defined by what you do. Your family is not being let down, you need to give yourself a break, and allow yourself to get well.