I posted in the Spine Disorder area...but no one seems to want to respond...they are lurking...

I posted here because this is where all my buddy's are...

On April 18 I go to my doc for a surgical consult, for what will be my 5th back surgery and I'm scared to death!! I have two bulging disc and a vertibrae that is unstable...fusion time. He also wants me to bring all the op notes from the previous surgeries...

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 was very painful...so I'm really scared to go under the knife again. It’s a catch 22...darned if I do and darned if I don't.

They need to put a zipper in my back!!!

I'm just scared and have too much going on and can't even get dressed without someone telling me too...I need to soon...take a shower maybe...a Xanax...

Tamiloo,

I hope that things work out well for you. Maybe this time the results will be better than expected...and the paid from the bulging disk will be gone.

Sending my prayers your way...

-Vic

Oh, Vic...thank you so much...long time no hear from you...you take care as well!!

Oh Tammy, that sounds awful. My eyes stung up reading. I hope that this will help you. I have never had back surgery, so I can only imagine what is going through your mind.

Praying for you

I'm so sorry you are having to go through all this.

My mother has dealt with back problems for years and was told several times she would never walk again. She is completely missing a vertibrae and has 2 different areas where there is nothing but bone rubbing on bone. The drs. say it's a miracle she can even move! She's never had surgery though (she's stubborn) and like you she seems to trade one pain for another. I believe it is her faith in God and her love for life that keeps her strong and keeps her going.

Through your posts I've come to see that you are a lot like my mom. You are a very strong woman who loves dearly and is loved dearly. Hang in there and know that you are not alone!

Tam I am so sorry you are hurting so bad,

not sure if you have had a fusion yet, from a few I have heard it helped them,

I broke my back in 82 and have dealt with it for a long time, lately I have been debating this procedure,

I just hope if this is the first fusion that it helps a great amount for you and your pains

try not over stressing on this issue till you have talked to the doc, yes I know easier said than done,

my prayers and positive thoughts are with you(if they had a flower smily icon thingy it would be here)

Hey, Tammy, sorry I'm late, this thread somehow got under my radar. I just want you to know that I'll be praying for you.

Tamiloo,
You and Craig are always in my thoughts. Will send positive energy and thought to you and hope everything goes great and your pain is eased.

Back surgery is a MAJOR . . . but I just wanted to tell you that someone I know (a PwMS) had the same surgery you are getting, and they have had substantial improvement in their quality of life since then.

All the best!

Cherie