Please, any post-surgery advice would be greatly appreciated. I've read several threads lately where some advice has been given but always looking for more.

I was told the plan was to send me home after surgery if the pain is manageable. If not, I get to do the 23 hr. 59 min. thing where they put me in "observation" but not officially "inpatient".

I can't believe it's only FOUR more days till I get the twins.

The BEST $10 I've ever invested in was one of those 'Reacher-Grabber' things! Indeed
Lots of


And plenty of this sure wouldn't hurt ---->>
`
And.....as always......you'll have all of us here waiting for you

We love you man

Enuf of the 'cutsie' cartoons........

Hey! There IS this one little procedure my doc did during the surgery in which I found VERY intriguing! (I was awake during the procedure, so was 'taking mental notes' in my 'twilight' daze....)

He asked one of the nurses to draw a small vial of my blood. He had this vial next to him and used this blooddraw to inject in and around the incision site before he stitched me up.....
....the medical term escapes me....but I think I brought it up to Mark, so I'll leaf thru his thread and add that post as an edit here.....

It has to due with the plasma-rich cells in your own blood being put around the surgical site to lower risk of infection and help the healing process......

I bet it would throw your doc for a loop and actually impress him if you ask if he does this 'special procedure'

Here it is: (Plasma Rich Platelet/Protein Injection)

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/post667743-153.html

Here somethings I did prior to having some surgery as I know I would be non weight bearing for awhile... Not for SCS...

I had books, magazines, extra shirt or 2, extra shorts close by. Within reach so All I had to was reach over and grab a fresh clean shirt.

I had snacks close at hand also.

I went through and figured out everything I would be having trouble with after surgery and just set myself up to have everything in that area close by.

Example:

I was non weight bearing for 6 weeks so I made sure I had a few towels close to the shower along with making sure soap was handy if I ran out. Hard to carry stuff with 2 crutches so I did everything up in advance. Extra toilet paper on the back of the toilet. Thats a must.

If you may be in bed for more then a few days, maybe having an extra pillow case handy to freshen up the pillow will be worth it. Its amazing how a fresh shirt or pillow case can make you feel. Even get a small thing of baby wipes next to the bed to freshen up.

If you already now what your limitations will be or how long you will be in bed, I would lay down in bed and picture everything that you will need next to you to make it easy. Snacks, fresh clothes, something to read, fresh batteries in the remote, a radio within reach, the phone within reach and so on....

I hope you get some ideas from this and it helps..

Wish you all the best.

I have used a small washcloth multiple times now after back surgery to Grit and Bear It because I did not want to cry out. It worked. Kept my dignity, kept the nurses in stitches [no wait a minute, that was me] helped my familiy since I was sent home LONG before the 23 hour marker so I wasn't doing the Ahh, OHH, Ouch thing out loud every time I had to move, and you will be having to move. So I would just jam that washcloth in my mouth and it muffled the cries. Worked every time.

Thursday!! You are in our prayers!
Mark56

Thanks guys. I went out and bought one of those grabber things and have pulled stuff down to lower shelves so I don't have to stretch to reach things. Doing laundry now so have the extra towels. I ordered some movies from Netflix (going to try to watch all 6 Star Wars while laid up) and have a bottle of rum to soak that washcloth in (just kidding...I think

Two more days...getting sorta' nervous. Know it will go okay but always feel better once on the other side of surgery.

Will let you know how it goes when I get the twins.

Well if ye got a spot o' the rum, best not bring it with ya to recovery. Might get the redcoats up in arms!!!

Truly Fiona- I know Thursday brings both excitement and trepidation. You will not be alone there. We all will be praying for you, your husband and family, your surgeons, neuromonitoring people, rep, nurses and recovery nurses. All will be well. You are in marvelous hands and those of our Lord who will bring comfort and healing when you are wondering "why did I do this?" the first time or two or three up out of that bed.

Be well my friend,
Prayers,
Mark56

Thanks, Mark. Now where did I put that rum
Oh yeah, it's in the snake bite kit.

Check Rae's other pocket. I think it was there last I heard,,,,,, or did I?
Mark56

Ah aim complitlee inohsent n this matter mates~