[bcyak]

I just got off the phone with the surgery scheduler, and I am a go for end of April. I have pre-op consult and testing on 4/19 the week prior.

I will be receiving the SJM Eon Mini rechargeable pulse generator with the Penta paddle lead (and lamenectomy).

Right now the plans are for short-term disability and about 2 week recovery. A return to work date of 5/11.

The timing couldn't be better - I have been struggling the past two weeks with pain. Even on my new higher dose of Exalgo (12mg) and breakthrough Dilaudid, I find myself still having stabing and burning pain down my low back and legs. I cannot wait to get my implant.

It was a heck of a tease to trial in December and have to wait until 4/25 for the perm implant. But I am thankful that I am finally getting one, and can hopefully open a new chapter of my life... one without high dosages of morphine, and one where I am able to do more and have less pain!

I will log back in once I have had the surgery and check-in with everyone. Sorry I haven't been very diligent in being on the boards the bast couple of months. My work has me fully consumed and then some - running 60+ hours most weeks, and a few light times in between.

[Nanc]

Originally Posted by bcyak

I just got off the phone with the surgery scheduler, and I am a go for end of April. I have pre-op consult and testing on 4/19 the week prior.

I will be receiving the SJM Eon Mini rechargeable pulse generator with the Penta paddle lead (and lamenectomy).

Right now the plans are for short-term disability and about 2 week recovery. A return to work date of 5/11.

The timing couldn't be better - I have been struggling the past two weeks with pain. Even on my new higher dose of Exalgo (12mg) and breakthrough Dilaudid, I find myself still having stabing and burning pain down my low back and legs. I cannot wait to get my implant.

It was a heck of a tease to trial in December and have to wait until 4/25 for the perm implant. But I am thankful that I am finally getting one, and can hopefully open a new chapter of my life... one without high dosages of morphine, and one where I am able to do more and have less pain!

I will log back in once I have had the surgery and check-in with everyone. Sorry I haven't been very diligent in being on the boards the bast couple of months. My work has me fully consumed and then some - running 60+ hours most weeks, and a few light times in between.

Congratulations! I hope everything goes well for you! I have two SJM stims (cervical and thoracic) and they saved me! Sorry you are having to wait so long between the trial and permanent implant. I had my trial June 1 and the permanent June 29 (2011). I would have been upset if I had to wait as long as you!

Anyway, good luck and keep us posted!!
Nanc

[TaraD]

Originally Posted by bcyak

I just got off the phone with the surgery scheduler, and I am a go for end of April. I have pre-op consult and testing on 4/19 the week prior.

I will be receiving the SJM Eon Mini rechargeable pulse generator with the Penta paddle lead (and lamenectomy).

Right now the plans are for short-term disability and about 2 week recovery. A return to work date of 5/11.

The timing couldn't be better - I have been struggling the past two weeks with pain. Even on my new higher dose of Exalgo (12mg) and breakthrough Dilaudid, I find myself still having stabing and burning pain down my low back and legs. I cannot wait to get my implant.

It was a heck of a tease to trial in December and have to wait until 4/25 for the perm implant. But I am thankful that I am finally getting one, and can hopefully open a new chapter of my life... one without high dosages of morphine, and one where I am able to do more and have less pain!

I will log back in once I have had the surgery and check-in with everyone. Sorry I haven't been very diligent in being on the boards the bast couple of months. My work has me fully consumed and then some - running 60+ hours most weeks, and a few light times in between.

I just had my permanent implant done on March 21 and hoped to go back to work today, 2 weeks post op. I decided to take another week due to the amount of swelling and pain I'm dealing with. Take it easy, don't rush into going back to work. This is our one shot to get better and off pain meds and the last thing we want to do is mess it up. I'm beating myself up about not going back to work but know I must do it.
Can't wait to hear how it goes for you!

[Rrae]

How excited you sound! And with good reason! You've waited plenty long.
It sounds as tho you've got a great plan in place and like Tara said, don't rush yourself.

We'll be anxiously awaiting to hear!

Rae

[Rrae]

Originally Posted by TaraD

I just had my permanent implant done on March 21 and hoped to go back to work today, 2 weeks post op. I decided to take another week due to the amount of swelling and pain I'm dealing with. Take it easy, don't rush into going back to work. This is our one shot to get better and off pain meds and the last thing we want to do is mess it up. I'm beating myself up about not going back to work but know I must do it.
Can't wait to hear how it goes for you!

Thanks for the update
I'm sorry you are still having swelling and discomfort. Good for you to take it easy on yourself and not rush back into work. I know you are chompin at the bit to get back to work, but like you said to bcyak, we can't rush. I kinda made that mistake when I got mine and started doing a bit too much too soon (tossing hay to my horses! NOT smart!). And of course I ended up with a migrated lead

I hope you'll be feeling better real soon.
Are you happy with the coverage you are getting?

Rae

[TaraD]

I learned from your posts in fact to chill out because my dr basically said if I screw this up, he's not doing it again.

As far of coverage, its not bad! Luckily I am not also dealing with major pain flair up in addition to my surgery (someone is looking out for me and only giving me what I can handle!) so it's the surgical sites, swelling and uncomfortableness of trying to sit, stand and lie down. Ugh. Sleep! I've been sleeping in a recliner for 12 nights now because my bed is too hard and I can feel the battery pack and muscles move around when I lay on my sides. And, of course I still can't lay on my back.

I am stressing though because I fly out to Ft. lauderdale Texas on the 12th of this month alone for work and I'm worried about carrying my luggage and overdoing it. This has by far been the toughest recovery! They really played it down.

[Nanc]

Originally Posted by TaraD

I learned from your posts in fact to chill out because my dr basically said if I screw this up, he's not doing it again.

As far of coverage, its not bad! Luckily I am not also dealing with major pain flair up in addition to my surgery (someone is looking out for me and only giving me what I can handle!) so it's the surgical sites, swelling and uncomfortableness of trying to sit, stand and lie down. Ugh. Sleep! I've been sleeping in a recliner for 12 nights now because my bed is too hard and I can feel the battery pack and muscles move around when I lay on my sides. And, of course I still can't lay on my back.

I am stressing though because I fly out to Ft. lauderdale Texas on the 12th of this month alone for work and I'm worried about carrying my luggage and overdoing it. This has by far been the toughest recovery! They really played it down.

Hi Tara -

Glad you are taking it slow and easy. I made the mistake of only taking 1 1/2 weeks off when I had both SCS implanted (cervical and thoracic). I definitely went back to work too early!! When I had the thoracic leads changed out to paddle leads and that battery moved, I took 2 1/2 weeks that time and felt much better going back to work. It is a very uncomfortable surgery to heal from, but in time you will heal. I had to sleep on the recliner and sofa for quite a while myself, our bed was way too uncomfortable.

Because of the restrictions, I have had to learn to ask for help. You would be surprised, but there are many people who are willing to help you! I am sure you can get help with your bags, etc. Just ask...don't do it yourself!!

Wishing you continued healing!!
Nanc

[Mark56]

How THRILLED am I for you in this, a glorious opportunity to restorative life. It CAN work if one takes it easy with the surgical sites [remember this is major stuff, not some DiDo filling of a cavity in a tooth followed by a few hours of talking funny]. YOU GOTTA TAKE CARE OF NUMBER ONE [and I do not mean going to the restroom] so you do not experience premature movements which are a risk at MOVING paddle placement and such.....

SO..........

TaraD, remember BLAST, do not bend, lift, stretch, or twist. What does this mean to that business trip on the 12th?
1. Arrange for wheelchair through the airport on both ends, this will help you avoid overdoing on the travel legs, will whisk you through security, tell them about the very recent implant surgery and they will be gently with you.
2. DON'T YOU DARE plan to use the overhead bin on an aircraft- remember BLAST. Go for light stuff under the seat in the stowage place, or ask for flight attendant help both placing items in overhead and retrieving them, and I do not care if you are 6' 9" tall, lifting and placing such items in overhead will violate two of the sacres rules of BLAST, and BLAST is meant to enhance your healing process, not inhibit your life.
3. If you have a large wheely bag Check It, the wheelchair assistant will help get you to the luggage carrousel and retireve it for you as you sit calmly in the wheelchair.
4. Use a limo or a taxi to travel to your land destination and back to the airport because they will load and retrieve your luggage.
5. If you rent a car, put the luggage in the back seat and squat to place it on the seat.
6. In your Hotel room, remember BLAST, and squat to place your luggage on the luggage holder so you need not bend down to retrienve items.
7. Be kind to yourself above all things. Remember BLAST in all things while you are in business meetings. Avoid raising the arm to a full height howdy to someone, because that is stretching.

All of this is from one VERY experienced business traveller to another, concerned about your welfare as you scar in. Be careful for your sake.

BC Wow- you have arrived, read everything above written for TaraD and intone it so it becomes second nature. If that swelling is problematic, you do yourself no good service by prematurely returning to work. Soreness is a natural result form surgery. You remmeber this as part of your life as a child whn you would accidently receive a cut.... sore..... part of the territory. The differences here are you are older and will take a while to heal, and things are so tender apparently as to interfere with your work.

You may need a pillow or cushion for your back to help deal with the tenderness of that suture, and I share this for you if, like myself of younger years, you believe yourself erroneously to be superman. If so, take a pillow for leaning back in that office chair. OK? You are still wounded. That is reality. A pillow is not a badge of disgrace or embarassment, it is a tool to aid restoration to the job at hand.

ABOVE ALL REMEMBER BLAST.

'Nuff preached?
I will stop before belaboring any points,
All of my best and prayers for each of you,
Mark56
A working executive lawyer, who is careful to practice BLAST to this day.... just becausel

[bcyak]

Thank you very much for your words of wisdom. I will definitely take it easy (though the urge will be to run with excitement). I am not a good one to sit still for long, so I will print and daily remind myself of you experiences and shared wisdom.

Thanks again everyone for being here and so willing to help. You guys rock!

[TaraD]

Mark- THANK YOU! That's a perfect acronym for me to remember. The doctors really didn't stress the lifting part so I need to remember this.

Oh, putting aside the pride of a 35 year old woman in a wheelchair who looks, by all appearances "normal". Even my employees don't fully get it as I put on my game face at work and get never realize how much I truly suffer. Thank goodness for my dear hubby. He has spoiled me exceptionally throughout this process, because of course, only he see my true pain.

Maybe I'll sport some sunglasses and is hat while in a wheelchair in the airport! ;-)