UPDATE ON MY NIGHTMARE

[luckygrandma]

You wouldn't believe what I have been through the last few days. As you know
I got a call from my Doctor's office last Thursday telling me that my Spine
Specialist was called out of town on an emergency, and they would call me
next week or the week after and reschedule me for surgery.  Not that I
bought this for a minute as I had this happen once before and the doctor
never came back, but really had no control over the situation and had to
accept what they told me.

Monday my worst nightmare came true. I got a call from my Doctors office
asking me if I would mind seeing a Spine Specialist in Utica.  (80 miles from home) Being even
further from us I wondered why they were sending me to someone else and so
asked them when my Doctor would be back so I would know how much wait I had.
Guess what "the doctor has left our practice, he is no longer with us.  They
called and told me this the day I was scheduled for surgery. I had no choice
but to accept the alternative and it made me very nervous to switch doctors
in mid stream. Well, they say sometime things work out for the best and in
my case I think that's going to end up being true.

The frustrating part was filling out all the paper work again like a new
patient and the long waits, but when I finally got to see this doctor I was
very impressed. He was very thorough and talked to us for over an hour. he
explained things to me in a way that I could really understand them. For one
thing my back is a lot worse then I thought it was and the surgery will be
much more extensive to correct the problem properly. I think the other
doctor was going to do a Band-Aid fix that could have caused me to have more
surgery in the future.  He explained that in order to get the components to
fit properly he would have to enter through the stomach and back, and
therefore I will have a 6 inch incision in both my stomach and back.  The
surgery could take up to 8 hours. There are a lot more goury details but
this is the bulk of it. My surgery is scheduled at St. Elizabeth's Hospital
in Utica for February 28th. I have to redo all my preop testing etc. There
will be many trips there before that date.  When the nurse was scheduling my
surgery she told us it usually take two months to get into see this doctor.
This doctor put a day aside just to see this other guys patients which are
now his patients. I should say just surgical patients as everyone sent to
him was scheduled for surgery.

[peggy1]

Grandma,

Glad to hear that the doc turned out to be okay and that the surgery is scheduled. Maybe this was a blessing in disguise after all. Seems that he will be the one to patch things up better than the other doc. Good luck and keep us posted.

Peggy

[caren]

Gramma I am with Peggy keep us posted and we will all send good vibes your way for a speedy recovery for you
Sorry you are going thru all of it again for the restesting and all the paperwork but maybe this one is the one you were ment to be seen by
Hugs to u
Caren

[Kai]

Nightmare describes it pretty well.. my heart goes out to you.  You are a very courageous woman to face this enormous surgery with so much grace.  Things happen for a reason.   This doc sounds like a caring and conscientous person just based on the way he reshuffled his schedule to take care of people he knew were reeling from losing their regular doc.  You will be in my thoughts. 

[Doc79316]

Hey Becky,

I think that things happen for a reason, but it's a shame you've had to go through so much already just to get to this stage. Now maybe things are looking up for you and your surgery will completely fix your back problem for good.

How i syour daughter doing? I hope you and your family are well.

Take care,

Laura x

[plantgeek58]

Lucky is a good word to describe this situation, Luckygrandma,
I know it's been a difficult journey, but it sounds like at the end, you wound up with a much better and more caring doctor. Hopefully you'll come out of this surgery in much better shape. I'll be praying for you.
Terre

[knee deep in Goo]

HI

I hope the time passes fast  and you have a quick and fast recovery.
I tried that biofreeze after my TKR and I am glad I bought it after your high recommendation.


Regards
Annie

[luckygrandma]

Thanks everyone for your kind replies. You are all so wonderful.  After thinking my surgery would be over Monday it seems like it is forever away again, having to start all over is not easy. I know some people have had to wait for months to see a doctor and get a surgery date so for that I feel really lucky and I'm trying to look on the bright side. The problem is I am getting worse every day and the pain is unbearable. I feel shurt in as it is so hard for me to get areund that I don't even like to go out. Any suggestioons on how to pass the time and brighten my spirits.  I thought my knee was bad but it was nothing comopared to the pain I feel from this back and the leg pain it is causing from the pinched nerve. This is very extensive surgery and I feel nauseous thinking about it. Even with a TKR it is only about 2 hours and this could be 8 hours.

[plantgeek58]

How about scrapbooking? You could start a book about your grandkids. You don't even have to go shopping for supplies. There are a lot of websites that offer free paper patterns and decorative elements that you can print out and use. Or pick one person and make them a scrap recipe book, with all your favorite recipes in it. I did that a few years ago for my oldest daughter and she loved it. She told me it's a good thing I used page protectors, because she's used it so much, the pages are already splattered with all kinds of stains.
Terre

[DeborahinNC]

Hi lucky,

It sounds like you are at least going to get the care that you need and may the fix will come in one surgery (granted very long) but one instead of a quick fix with more possible in the future.  It really may have been a blessing in disguise that the only doctor left the practice.  And before you know it the end of February will be here and you'll be on the recovery side of the surgery.  We all know it will not be easy but you sound like a very strong person and with your family and our help we'll all get you through both the wait and the surgery.  To me, this seems better than having had the surgery and then having this guy leave right after.  At least you'll have continual care from the same doctor. 

If you're really bored I have a lot of homework that I thought I would be able to sit and do after my knee this week.  Well, my knee is the size of a basketball and I can't seem to concentrate on school work.  So, I'm happy to farm it out!!  All you have to do is listen to lectures and take quizzes - this will take your mind off the back.  OK maybe not but let me know... just kidding. 

Let us know how you're doing and you will certainly be in my thoughts.  Deborah

[peggy1]

Hello,

I started a hook rug and had lots of puzzle books that kept me busy for the 1st few months after my accident. I like Terre's idea of the Recipe Scrapbook, it sounds like a neat idea. I don't know about you but I am terrible at putting pictures in the albums and have so many pictures that really needed to be put away that I don't even know where to start now, oh well!

What about getting a jump start on next years' holiday gifts? Easter gifts, or decorations? What is your favorite show that you could collect on dvd? Pick up 1 or 2 seasons and sit back and enjoy.

Hope this helps. I am sure that we can come up with many more ideas.  What about it ladies?

Peggy

[caren]

Gramma sorry you are in so much pain will send good thoughts your way and maybe that will help
My kids bought me pocket electronic games like yahtzee jeopardy and slots it helped pass the time and I like to read alot plus caught up on all those projects that I could do sitting down like quilt blocks for needle work and baby bibs just an idea
Hope that you get resolution soon will be thinking good thoughts for you
Keep us posted on how you are doing
Hugs to you
Caren

[luckygrandma]

Hi Everyone, Thanks so much for all yor kind words and suggestions. Please keep those letters coming as it passes the time just reading your letters. This will be my 4th operation in the past 2 years. As you know I had a knee arthroscopy and it was all down hill from there, then a Partiial Knee Replacemente, that shoud have never happened and then a TKR all in 9 months. It's been a year since my TKR and here I am again only this time the surgery is the worst I've ever had.  I can't beleive it has taken this long for the doctors to figure this out, that all my problems were not just my knee.  In fact I walk worse now then I did before and through out my other surgeries.  I think the other operations obviously made my back worse and my back just could not handle it.  I think my TKR was successful but I won't know until I get rid of this leg pain which radiates down my leg and into my knee.  There are loose disks in my back  that move around especialyy when I walk or stand which cause my knee to buckle under me.  This year has not started out good so I hope and pray it gets better.

[peggy1]

Hi Grandma,

The new year has only just begun and with the surgery at the end of Feb., it may just turn out that this is your best year yet. I can't begin to understand the pain and frustration you are having but please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.

Can you get out at all? Do you have a good support system at home? What do you do for fun when you are on 2 good legs? Tell us a little about yourself. Can you still cook dinner for yourself? Yes, I am trying to take your mind off of the problem, how am I doing

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Peggy

[luckygrandma]

Hi Grandma,

The new year has only just begun and with the surgery at the end of Feb., it may just turn out that this is your best year yet. I can't begin to understand the pain and frustration you are having but please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.

Can you get out at all? Do you have a good support system at home? What do you do for fun when you are on 2 good legs? Tell us a little about yourself. Can you still cook dinner for yourself? Yes, I am trying to take your mind off of the problem, how am I doing

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Peggy

Thanks Peggy. I'd be glad to tell a little about myself. I just turned 60 and until about 2 years ago I was very active. I weigh 120 pounds. and am 5 ft 1" My last job was working in a Preschool with mentally and physically handicapped children, along with this job I also went out into the homes and worked with mentally and physicaly handicapped children and adults. I had to quit both jobs as the problem got worse. My Title was "Developmental Rehabilitation Aide"

I went to Pain Management for years for my back and I think that is what has kept me going for so long, but I got sick and tired living on pain pills and getting injections in my back every two months.  I finally found an Orthopedic Doctor who looked at the whole picture and not just my knee. I did have a knee problem but that wasn't all and he took x-rays of my back and ordered an MRI and then sent my to his Spine Specialist who worked in the same office. This is the Spine Surgeon who left his patients in a lurch and caused the nightmare. My Orthopedic Doctor said I was dealt a double whammy and we were finally getting to the bottom of the problem when all this happened. 

I've raised 4 children (2 girsl and 2 boys)and have 6 grandchildren ranging in ages from 14 -1 year.  My husband and children are wonderful and very supportive and take good care of me.  I have 2 daughters who are both in the medical field and two wonderful sons. All my children are very prosperous and have great jobs and careers. 
The Spine Surgeon wanted me to stop all pain management in preparation for the surgery and so that is why I feel the full force of pain now.  Around the house I have gotten so I need to use my walker all the time as my balance is so bad and I've fallen several times. I still do a lot of housework despite the pain, but my husband does the laundry as it is in the basement and I have trouble with stairs. He vacuums, mops the floors, and does any lifting that needs to be done. He also shops a lot. I don't know what I would do without him. He has been so patient through this whole thing. I also have great friends and suppport system with the church.  I drive but have trouble going out by myself right now as walking is so painful and I'm embarrassed to be seen this way.  My last evaluation and x-rays shows severe arthritis in L4 & L5 of my Spine, spinal stenosis, slipped disk and bulging disk. It has been increasingly getting worse the more I walk as when I stand or walk the disk moves around and piches on the nerves which is what is causing the pain. I was turning green as he talked to us about what the surgery would involve but my husband understood and has been explaining it to everyone. I guess I just figured he would be operating through the back, it never occured to me that he would be going through the back and stomach.
You asked what I did with two good legss. Things I can't do now. I hiked, camped, climbed, etc. My hobby for the most part now is singing. I love to sing and it helps me with the stress. I have my own Karaoke equipment and sing whenever we have friends over and have sung in public places a few times. I mostly do country and the Oldies songs, but if I like a modern song I'll do it. I like songs with meaning and that tell stories. The great thing about this is I can do it sitting down and is one thing I haven't had to give up.  I can crochet about anything but have done so much crocheting that I've run out of things to make. I gave over 50 afghans to the church, bed-dolls and many other items. The only thing I can't make is a mitten.  I like crafty things and have macromayed many lawn chiars but because of my back had to give that up as it is back breaking. I don't know what else to tell you but if there is anything else you want to know don't be afraid to ask.