August 2 spinal fusion
 

Looks like my season is done before it even got started. With a 4-6 month rehab but I can still muzzleload hunt in Dec. Any tips to get through this would be appriciated. Kind of getting scared haven't been operated on since my ACL when I was 20, 18 long years ago. For you guys that have went through this what are some of the things I should get to make it easier on myself. My wife bought me a cane this week and slip on shoes. Any ideas at all will help. Thanks fella's

RE: August 2 spinal fusion
 

Sorry to hear this. Not sure what that is but hope ya get better quick. Do as the Doc. ordered and keep readn these post.

RE: August 2 spinal fusion
 

Just do everything the doctor says before and after the surgery. If they tell you to walkdo it even if it hurts to do it. Try to get them to write out your prescriptions and have them filled before you leave the hospital. If they offer a pill or shots before you leave take it. Don't sign your check-out forms until then.

I only had minor back surgery (disc material removal due to pressure on nerves that oxycodone or darvasetwouldn't help[&:]).He told me to walk 10 minutes the day after surgery and I thought he was crazy. It hurt but after a few days I felt better. That was minor compared to your surgery though.

If you are in pain tell them when it starts. Don't wait until it's unbearable. If you wait that long it takes longer for the meds to work and you will suffer for it. Sometime as guys we try to be tough and macho when it comes to pain.

Also, set up a support system before the surgery. That way you have family and friends around you the whole time to help keep mural up.

Good luck and hope for a quick recovery.

RE: August 2 spinal fusion
 

i was down for a year when i shattered my heels. the biggest thing was i started feeling worthless after a few months of not working. i'd start an argument w/ jamie when she was leaving for work - really because i didn't want her to go. all i'd have to talk about when she got home was what was on tv. i've talked to a bunch of other guys who've been down for a while- and seems like we all go through it in one way or another. good luck, hope the surgery goes perfectly, and keep your head up. also, when its time to get off the pain pills - that'll beafun week of hiding behind the couch LOL, and it sounds like daveand/or i could help talk with you about it,if you need it when the time comes.

RE: August 2 spinal fusion
 

I have had spinal fusion from l4 to s1 best thing to do is plenty of walking and swimming after the operation.

Get off the pain meds as fast as you can and let the pain guide you as to what you can and can't do.

Like others have said do what the doc tells you to do and just dont sit around the house, get up and get moving.

I was back refereeing soccer and playing cricket within a year of my op.

RE: August 2 spinal fusion
 

I agree with gibblet and Ausie on the contacting us and getting off the meds.

Depression can be a bigger problem than the surgery itself.[:o]

Definitely feel free to contact any of us if you need to talk about any of it.

The meds can hamper you if relied on too long. The more positive you are the more you will find that you do not need them as much.I think that often pain medications go hand in hand with depression.The more depressed one gets the more we feelpain from an injury or surgery that we otherwise would not feel if we weren't depressed.

Keep in good spirits and remember that after it's over with you will be in better shape than you are now.

RE: August 2 spinal fusion
 

I have been off work since July of 2006. I got hurt in May and tried to work but my employer would not abide by my restrictions of 5-10 lbs. Plenty of office work but I still had to load and unload trucks of lumber everyday until my doc said enough. I would come home from work and not be able to move and the mornings were worse. I have already gone through the depression of not being able to do anything. Then you have your buddies call you up and say shot a 270 today at 3-d or seen 10 deer you guys know stuff like that. Its hard to not do anything when you are use to do anything you want. I have had 30 vicadin through this whole thing. Only took them when I had to. I quit drinking 4 years ago and when I took them they made me have a hang over LOL. That is one of the reasons I quit drinking. I have a son that is 13 and would live in the woods if he could and a wife that is wanting to start hunting and I feel like I have let them both down in the last year. Thanks for all the help

RE: August 2 spinal fusion
 

man i feel for you buddy. you're not letting them down. hopefully this op will get you back in a good way. pray a lot, and remember - patience is learned!

RE: August 2 spinal fusion
 

Yeah Dave, what Gibblet said ..... you have my prayers as well, and your family .....

RE: August 2 spinal fusion
 

They putting in cages or an atrificial disc?

They will proably order a walker for you to use at first. I don't think they are going to want you to use a cane.

If you start reading a bunch of horror stories on here stay away from the thread you don't need any negatives right now.

I've had Four back surgeries going at ten today to set up an MRI, so I know where your coming from.