The Conservative Cave
The Bar => The Lounge => Topic started by: Thor on April 08, 2010, 11:54:38 PM
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I will be under the knife, barring any unexpected complications. I have one more Dr appointment and then I'll know for sure. (Unless I chicken out)
The procedure: a C2 through C7 posterior cervical fusion and laminectomy. I should be out of the hospital Monday or Tuesday, the following week with any luck.
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Will you be able to post at all while you recover? Or did you not win an Ipad on FB yet? :p
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Best of luck with your surgery! Hopefully your recovery is quick and pain-free as possible. :)
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Wow. Good luck and prayers up!
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Good luck Thor.
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Best wishes and prayers for a great outcome and speedy recovery.
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Prayers out for you Thor. Dang man ... that is a lot of neck movement that will be lost. I have C5 - C7 fused and I can see a little loss of movement.
KC
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I already have C3-C5 fused anteriorally. This needs to be done because my spinal cord is really squished in a couple of levels. The amount of levels are subject to change per the Dr. I guess that he's planning for the worst case scenario. In looking at my MRIs, I only figured that a couple or three levels would be worked on. C6 & C7 don't look that bad, SOoooooooooo......... he may be using them for anchor points or something. I dunno...
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Dude. My thoughts will be with you. Stock up on the painkillers and entertainment for the bedridden.
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I already have C3-C5 fused anteriorally. This needs to be done because my spinal cord is really squished in a couple of levels. The amount of levels are subject to change per the Dr. I guess that he's planning for the worst case scenario. In looking at my MRIs, I only figured that a couple or three levels would be worked on. C6 & C7 don't look that bad, SOoooooooooo......... he may be using them for anchor points or something. I dunno...
Do you know how you hurt your back? How long have you been living with back pain?
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Hang in there, bud.
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Do you know how you hurt your back? How long have you been living with back pain?
Since 1992......but it was 1999 before I had any debilitating symptoms.
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Since 1992......but it was 1999 before I had any debilitating symptoms.
That is a hell of a long time to live with back pain Thor. I hope you find relief after this surgery.
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Must be hard to live with that much pain. I'd whine like a baby the whole time.
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Actually, one kind of gets used to it. Vitamin D3 (liquid) has helped a LOT over the last year since I discovered the VA trials. The bigger problem is the numbness and lack of coordination/ usefulness of my legs and hands. I used to type 50-60 WPM (self taught) and now, I'm lucky to get 30 WPM.
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Actually, one kind of gets used to it. Vitamin D3 (liquid) has helped a LOT over the last year since I discovered the VA trials. The bigger problem is the numbness and lack of coordination/ usefulness of my legs and hands. I used to type 50-60 WPM (self taught) and now, I'm lucky to get 30 WPM.
Will the surgery help with the numbness/lack of coordination?
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Will the surgery help with the numbness/lack of coordination?
Possibly. The fact that I also have Spino-Cerebellar Ataxia that will factor into those problems.
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You'll be in our prayers for a good outcome......
doc
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Best of Luck on the surgery, Thor. Heal quickly....
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Sending prayers your way Thor
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Sending prayers and hugs, my friend.... :heart:
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Good luck with the surgery. Get well soon.
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Are you still on for tomorrow? If so, Prayers Up!
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Barring any unforeseen circumstances, yes. I've been busier than a three peckered billy goat trying to get all of my reports done for the VFW and tying up loose ends. :o
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good luck!
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Sending prayers!!! :heart:
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T- 5 hrs (approx) until the knife, T- 1hr 15 mins until departure
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Good luck. :(
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Well, I get through North Dallas rush hour traffic to get to the hospital. Check in, get IVs, electrodes (for nerve conduction testing during surgery), some sort of leggings that keep the blood moving in one's legs only to find out that the surgery is to be postponed. MY blood tests were all out of whack. Long story short, the surgeon's assistant didn't bother actually reading the blood tests LAST Thursday and the surgeon didn't bother reading the blood tests until today. Despite the fact I raised a concern over them at the pre-surgical interview on Monday, the surgeon stated that he didn't foresee any problems. Uh huh...... so anyways, I'm still whole, no surgery and back home. Pure negligence.
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Ah man... blood sugars messed up? Sorry to hear this. :(
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Good lord! What a PITA!
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Wow....I was wondering this morning how you were doing....guess you're pissed and still in pain instead of drugged and no pain.... :(
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Good lord! What a PITA!
I agree, what a PITA.
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Deb, not really in pain, just still have the numbness, tingling and lack of coordination.
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I am sorry to hear about your surgery being postponed but better to be safe than sorry
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I'm seriously considering sending the Dr a bill for my wasted time, mileage, stress and anguish, and whatever else I think I can add on. I wonder how that would go over?? :uhsure:
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Could he forward it to a government agency? lol
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I'm seriously considering sending the Dr a bill for my wasted time, mileage, stress and anguish, and whatever else I think I can add on. I wonder how that would go over?? :uhsure:
It's always best to piss your doctor off AFTER he operates, so hold off on that bill for now.
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It's always best to piss your doctor off AFTER he operates, so hold off on that bill for now.
I'm seriously considering another Dr., probably one out of state. He had TWO surgical cancellations on Thursday that I know of. Something ain't right. Besides, I did get an idea of a medical implant device. :cheersmate:
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I'm seriously considering another Dr., probably one out of state. He had TWO surgical cancellations on Thursday that I know of. Something ain't right. Besides, I did get an idea of a medical implant device. :cheersmate:
He does sound a little disorganized. Maybe he is a total genius in the operating room, but if you don't feel comfortable with him, don't hesitate to dump him. He works for you after all.
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When I go to build a computer, I don't start until everything is in order. I would HOPE that a surgeon would pay a little more attention to detail.
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Whole thing sounds like a cluster&%^$. Hope everything works itself out.
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I've dealt with doctor inconsistencies before. My neurosurgeon injured his hand before I was scheduled to have surgery. It was passed off to another doctor in his practice. My ophthalmologist had another doctor in his practice do an operation he was not familiar with. But not doing or checking lab work is just wrong.
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You are in my thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery.
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dang, Thor, all the best man!
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Sounds like he (the surgeon) is the too busy to focus on the small things. Something that would make me look elsewhere. BUT....saying that...usually, the surgeon doesn't care about all the blood work, it's something your primary doctor looks into before HE clears you for surgery. My surgery was postponed a few years ago because of high blood pressure. My primary wouldn't let me have my surgery until that was under control (first time Ilearned about my high bp), so I was put on medication and had the surgery 3 weeks later....Again, usually not something the surgeon looks into..
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According to the surgeon, his assistant was supposed to look at the blood tests. Hell, I had a time tracking her down to get them faxed to the hospital so the "hospitalist" could look at them. I almost started to go over to the surgeon's office and track down the assistant myself. Before I did that, I went back into the admitting section and there was a nurse looking for me. The nurse had to have the assistant paged and finally got the blood tests. In the interim, I had placed THREE calls to the assistant, left messages and ever, ever once got a return phone call. I'm thinking of finding another surgeon or maybe just waiting until I can't walk. My theory is that the pinched and compressed spinal cord is causing problems. The Doctors don't seem to think so. I'm like, "WTF"?? But, I don't have "medical training", as was pointed out by one of the Doctors on surgery day. I'd like to punch that arrogant bastard in the nose.
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According to the surgeon, his assistant was supposed to look at the blood tests. Hell, I had a time tracking her down to get them faxed to the hospital so the "hospitalist" could look at them. I almost started to go over to the surgeon's office and track down the assistant myself. Before I did that, I went back into the admitting section and there was a nurse looking for me. The nurse had to have the assistant paged and finally got the blood tests. In the interim, I had placed THREE calls to the assistant, left messages and ever, ever once got a return phone call. I'm thinking of finding another surgeon or maybe just waiting until I can't walk. My theory is that the pinched and compressed spinal cord is causing problems. The Doctors don't seem to think so. I'm like, "WTF"?? But, I don't have "medical training", as was pointed out by one of the Doctors on surgery day. I'd like to punch that arrogant bastard in the nose.
I've found that surgeons almost universally have a latent diety complex, (and my best friend is a retired neurosurgeon).........that said, he always advised me that if you think that your case is being poorly handled, the quickest way to get a doctor's attention is to fill out the form requesting your ENTIRE case record file (X-rays, MRI's, CT scans, blood work....the whole thing), stating that you are going to seek a second opinion, due to the fact that you feel that his/her staff has mishandled your case........and ask for a copy of the record request form to accompany a complaint to the state medical board (and the hospital ombudsman)........he said THAT will get the surgeon's attention......
A complaint to the state board means that the surgeon will have to spend a lot of time filling out paperwork to respond......and a complaint to the hospital ombudsman means that he/she will have to spend time in front of the hospital's professional review comittee. Both of these things require time, which takes money out of his/her pocket, as it represents time not spent actually doing surgery. Hits them where it hurts, in the bank account.
Be prepared, however, for one of two outcomes:
1. Your surgeon will suddenly become your new "best friend".....and his/her staff will be falling all over themselves to kiss your ass.....
2. He/she will give you your records, and tell you to get lost (after meeting with his staff to determine his liability in your case) .....so have a new doctor in your pocket......
doc
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Know what the difference between God and a surgeon is?
God knows He's God.....a surgeon thinks he's God.
Having been married to a surgeon....the above is true....in most cases. I'm sure there are a couple who know their feet are firmly planted on the ground....I've just never met one.
I agree with doc.....ask for all that stuff. Sounds like either result would be a good thing....a second opinion, which should give you the option of going to the second for your surgery, or getting a new surgeon altogether.
Sorry that you are having to go through all this, Rob. :heart: