last month we had to cancel because i had a sinus cold that i just got over and i felt my immune system was too low to handle a surgery. 2 hours before the surgery i talked to the doc and he said if i get an infection i would be in the hospital for 6 months because they would have to take out the pain pump, the spinal stimulator, paddle, screws, rods, plates, artificsial discs etc...so even though it was going to cost me a lot of money to cancel and reschedule i did. i have to pay my caregivers for their time even though i did not go thru with surgery.

fast forward 4 weeks later. i go in for surgery at noon,checkin @1030am. of course they run late. surgery starts @2pm. in recovery @4pm. in hospital room by 5pm.

when i wake up in recovery i cant move or feel anything below my rib cage to my toes. it took almost an hour before i could wiggle my foot/toe.

the first 2 hours in the hospital room were amazing.meds were wearing off and by 11pm i couldnt handle the pain. i was getting a lot of dilaudid by IV but it wasnt doing much.i asked for meds to put me asleep and pump me full of zofran and phenergan to keep me from puking cuz i thought i would blow out the stitches(no staples for me). it worked. so we repeated this until i could handle the pain.

need to rollover and rest--will check back in later

Hey Alaska-

Thanks for the update on your surgery! Here's a heap of hope that it all goes well for you in recovery and use of the Pump!

Rest for now and we will look forward to hearing from you later!
G'night!
Mark56

Alaska Mike!! This is SOO exciting!!
When i logged on and saw your post I thought I was hallucinating!

Give us updates EVERY HOUR!!! ....... or at least as often as you feel up to it!!!

Best Wishes to you!
Rae

Thanks guys,

the surgical pain is getting better. i only get up to go to the bathroom and that hurts like crazy. i still cant lay on the side of the pump yet but atleast i can take a deep breath without yelling out in pain. they make you wear an abdominal brace sorta like a back brace over both incisions. i think its to keep the swelling down or maybe its to keep from ripping open the incisions. the swelling is down to the size of a softball where the pump was installed and rolling over on my back is getting better, at least i dont yell out in pain every single time now like i have had these last 5 days.

it took 5 trials to get my dose correct so maybe that is why i am able to manage right now. i go in to the doctor in 2 days to adjust the pump. now that the surgery pain is coming down i hope he turns it up a little so i can get off of my daily pain meds. i still take the same amount before the surgery for crps2/causalgia.

whats weird is my appettite is back and has been since the day of surgery. normaly i eat once a day and its so painful to eat that one meal. so a bonus to having this pump is it is cutting down the intestinal pains. i am not eating much, just more thanusual.

yesterday was a glorious day. why, cuz i finally had a bowel movement! its been 5 days so iwas scared how much it was going to hurt. remember i cant push. i cant even fart yet. i am sure when the surgical pain gets better i will have more control. when rolling over in bed you cant use your core cuz its been cut open so you just bear down and yell out when you roll over.

i will reportback in later.

should be able to answer questions later...

I am SOOOOO Happy for you!!! Woooooowzers!!! This just made my day! Congrats! This is going to be so inspiring for so many people that have read and seen what you have been thru!! Congrats, and keep it up!!! Deep breathing and you will get through it! Yippie!

Hi Mike-

It is good to learn your pump is working and that you are able to be a little bit mobile! If the brace with which you were fitted is anything like what I used after serious lumbar surgery, you most likely were provided it to prevent those bends and twists that can provide big trouble for your new incisions. I was told I had to wear the thing religiously for weeks during all waking hours, while being allowed to sleep without it.

Once I passed the early weeks of healing surgical interruptions of my dermal self, I was allowed to take it off, let it gather dust, and bend a bit again. You may be guided thusly by your doc. It will be a good idea to follow their lead.

Glad you are able to eliminate! Yeah, that first venture into the bathroom is scary, SCARY, but it does pass [no pun intended] and things to get back to normal. You are going to be fine.

Wow, with that pump functioning, once you pass the surgical pain phase, you will hopefully feel SO MUCH BETTER!!


Mark56

Mike,
Your last paragraph just MADE MY DAY!!
I remember that dreadful moment after I had a major surgery.......when the nurse brought in 'THE'......SUPOSITORY !!! aHHHHHHH!!!

What a moment of shear triumph when the deed had been done!!!

You sound so happy!

Dear Mike,

I know you have suffered a long time --- my prayers are with you for a quick and uneventful recovery!!!

Much love and peace, Sandy

.....How ya doin Mike ?
your 'gang' here is sendin 'good' vibes your way!

Hope you are doing well Mike!
Mark56