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tamiloo · 04-10-2008, 09:56 AM

Well, sorry about the long post but I needed to have someone to talk to about all that is going on…

My first surgery was 17 years ago and I did so well I got stupid and that led to my second surgery. My fusion...I have six lumbar...L6 to S1. I also have Spina Bifida Occulta in my L5 and L6 vertebrae.

My third surgery was to take out screws that had broken...still have parts of the screws in my S1.

Fourth surgery was in 2001, my L5 was unstable and also had bone spurs so they fuse me using bone that they cut away cleaning up. On Monday had a new MRI and it showed that the fusion had not been complete.

Soooooooo...the MRI showed that I have bilateral disc bulging of the discs between L3-L4 and L4-L5 and also my L4 is unstable and moving in some strange ways when I flex my back. We have talked about surgery to make everything more stable and to fuse.

By the way I have heard people talk about using your own bone from you hip for fusion and that there is a new way??

I have been in pain all my life because of the Spina Bifida and other factors. I know that I won't get pain relief from this surgery...I will exchange one kinda of pain for another. To walk or stand pains me greatly. Recovery after my last surgery of very painful...so I really scared to go under the knife again. It’s a catch 22...darned if I do and darned if I don't.

On April 18th, I go to talk to my surgeon and he wants me to bring all the op notes from all my surgeries. I know this is what you would call a surgery consult type of meeting so wish me the clear mind and luck if there is such a thing when dealing with medical challenges.