Well, it's been 2 or 3 weeks since I last heard from the surgeon's office about scheduling my SCS surgery. You will recall I was unable to have a trial as a procedure as they were unable to put the leads through the arthritis in my back, so I have to have a laminectomy to do my trial. I also have lots and lots of allergies, and other health problems so my surgeon had to do a lot in order to figure out how to do my surgery. But it's been 10 weeks!!! I called the surgeon's assistant yesterday and left a pleading message to please find out what is going on - 10! Weeks is just too long to be kept hanging. Well, she called me late afternoon today and apologized - my surgeon had a long talk with my pain specialist and the Boston Science Rep and they decided with all my allergies they could do the test and the implant in one surgery. Yeah! What a relief! Only negative was that they forgot to tell me - they thought I was already scheduled so they left a note for the scheduler for Monday. I did call her just last week about this and got no reply. But that's behind me now - I'm finally going to get this chance. I don't even know what to expect and I don't want to get my hopes up - but what if it helps? Oh how I hope it helps! I need to get thoughts of a plan B thought out in case it doesn't help, but for today I am excited. I'm hoping they have 12/26 or 12/28 open - if not I'll take whatever but it would be nice to have it after Christmas. Could this really be happening? It's now been 14 months since I asked my pain specialist to refer me. That's a long time to have hope - oh please Lord let it help! I don't want to have to live the rest of my life like this! Please let it help. I'll let you know my surgery date on Monday folks -

Wow, your situation almost sounds like that old childhood game back in the 20th Century called Mousetrap. Finally, all the pieces are coming together and you are about to make it into the OR! May all be well, and go well for you in your situation as the single Trial/Perm situation is accomplished. I wonder whether you might be the first in the U.S. to have that?

Prayers all goes well,
Mark56

Hi Mark - no, I actually heard of this somewhere online. They put in the paddle leads and if the patient feels the sensation where it is needed they go ahead and do the rest of the implant. It's what I proposed back in August as I was concerned about exposure to more meds/chemicals as it seems the more surgeries I have, the more allergies I get. evidently my surgeon feels he can justify it to insurance as it's just too risky to do two surgeries. I am so grateful that he is willing to do this. I have no worries as I know if anything went wrong the worst (or best depending on how you look at it) is that I'll go home to be with the Lord. Just don't want to make my current situation any worse - that would not be good! But no, I'm not setting any records that I know of! I'll skip being in the record books for now!

Yay. .. At last. Wishing you all the best x. X

In your case, the two surgeries at once is probably the best route for you to go.

My trial left me with a "bad experience" and the leads were not staying where thy were suppose to. Not sure but; with all the wires glued to your back, holding the battery and wires temporairly in place might have been the cause for an unsuccessful trial.

looking forward to hearing all about your surgery. Of course, you do need to be very very careful - no bending, twisting, etc. for quite some time. Patience is the hardest part. Too tempting to do things you should not be doing. Be prepared and have many things in order so as to make things easier for you when you get home. Wishing you a successful implant and a great reduction in your pain level.

How Exciting!
I'm so happy for you! I agree with ger715, Just GITTER DONE all in ONE! I'm thinking that if they did it this way to more of us, it could potentially save alot of frustration with scheduling and having to go thru with this twice. Course, it needs to be done by someone who is very confident and experienced.

This is really great news, Eliza and I can tell you are gung-ho for this! You've put much thought and prayer into this and you KNOW there is no lack of prayer coming from US!

This is going to be GOOD!

Rae