I can't remember exactly what I wrote so please forgive me if I repeat myself.
After the 3 surgeries on my spine, the end result is rods from T4 and screwed into my pelvis. Since the screw has popped through the vertebrae and hitting the vertebrae above it, the neurosurgeon wants to go up at least 3 more levels. H didn't see any reason for me to do it right away and said he wanted to see me in about 8 weeks. I did have damage to my vocal cords when I was on the vent 6 yrs ago and had to have another surgery to repair them. My voice still isn't the same and stays weak for a while after coming off of the vent. I'm scared of that, the fact we are getting into where I have full sensation vs. the last surgery was mostly where I didn't have full sensation. I have a hard enough time with my wheelchair now because of my back not bending. My chair tips backwards going up ramps and forget about curbcuts. I am having a hard time getting rid of some weight now with eating right as it is and I will probably need a powerchair so I guess you could say that if I'm awake, I'm thinking about this. The only way I can get to the neurosurgeons down here for a second opinion (the ones that I want which are in the same office) is with a referral from my rehab doc. I finally went to that appt today and will likely have to wait about a month before I can see the surgeon and then I see my neurosurgeon in hopkins in the mid of April. That's only a fraction of my concerns. I have been in a lot more pain the last few days and I wasn't sure if it was because I did more weight on the ricshaw or chest presses. My back was kept stable and dont use those muscles in the exercises I do so I couldn't figure out what did it. My therapist felt the muscles and they were really tight so that explains a lot of the pain but I am still worried I did something else to trigger it. I may end up going to the hospital before I get an appt with anyone so if I dissapear, I am likely back the hospital to start the whole process all over again with rehab and all of that fun stuff. Hopefully not another summer missed though. I seem to have rambled in this email as well. Sorr for that and Thanks for your compassion Dana, Stacy ----- Original Message ---- From: "[EMAIL PROTECTED]" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; [email protected] Sent: Monday, March 3, 2008 12:55:05 AM Subject: Re: [QUAD-L] Spinal surgeries Stacy I am so sorry to hear about this Stacy. I will pray for this. I know waking up on a ventilator is terrifying. I know you are much lower level, so you should not have as much trouble getting off, but I know that does not take into the fact that your vocal cords can be damaged as I remember, that being a possible problem. You have been through already. I may be missed the post about a nine hour surgery and exactly what they're going to do. Please explain or send me the post.. I have woke up on a ventilator before in the past for my bladder removal, superior mesenteric artery syndrome, pneumonia and it was horrifying especially with the rules of the state and taking away your care if you're in the hospital too long. I don't know the exact rules, but I remember being told if you're in over 30 days you can lose your care. Does anyone know the rules regarding this? It happened to me in 88 and they were threatening to put me in a nursing home. It was a real nightmare. Dana I have not experienced any long-term hospitalization over 30 days, so I have not had deal with I know may be each state is different. Do any of you wise quads out there know this answer? I tried to look up on the web site and could not find. . Dana In a message dated 2/21/2008 9:55:53 P.M. Central Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: I am going to a specialist hopefully soon. I have to go to my rehab doc first to get referred to him, because he won't take just anyone. I'm just in a ton of pain and want it to stop. I'm so afraid of losing the little bit of flexability, let alone being a quad again. I had 3 surgeries between the end of may and beginning of july. First he put a cage to replace a couple of vertebrae's mid T sec, then I ended up with 2 more cages and rods in t and l spine, then finally on my bday in beginning of july, he had to remove a screw too close to my aeorta. Waking up on a vent scares the crap out of me since I had gotten damage to my vocal cords the first time I was on one and had to get surgery to get my voice back. This all scares the hell out of me in general not even considering being put to sleep for a 9 plus hour surgery. Stacy ----- Original Message ---- From: RONALD L PRACHT <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [email protected] Sent: Thursday, February 21, 2008 10:46:31 PM Subject: [QUAD-L] Spinal surgeries B4 I would do any surgery on my spine I would get three opinions and ask about the percentage of failure rate and the possibility of improvement. Then I would investigate it all further then make an educated decision. I say this because you might have 40 yrs or more to live as a quad ........if you get too many surgeries too soon the later years could be a rough go. Surgery is a last resort when your paralyzed. Ron c7 Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your homepage. Delicious ideas to please the pickiest eaters. Watch the video on AOL Living. ____________________________________________________________________________________ Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ
