Hi Everyone!
Going in for my back fusion tomorrow, so I may be offline for a few days.
I've had 2 back surgeries in the past 6 months, and I'm nervous as hell for this one. I would have thought I'd be used to the anticipation by now.
It's a "global" fusion. My surgeon and a vascular surgeon go through my stomach. They remove as much disc as possible, and fuse the front. Then they patch me up, roll me over, and go through my back, clean up the disc, bone spurs, scar tissue, whatever, fuse the back, and close me up. So it's two operations at the same time. Should take about 4 hours.
Thankfully, it's just a one night hospital stay.
Let's just say, I'm not a good hospital guest.
My first discectomy/laminectomy, I had to stay for a night. It is just so uncomfortable to know that you can't really just leave when you want. Being confined in a little space with someone else a curtain away from you. I wasn't given a PCA pump the first time, so the pain was terrible. Not one minute of sleep. Just lying there, asking myself why the hell I did this. Thank God I had the "John Adams" series on DVD and my lap-top. (And why don't they have wi-fi in hospitals?)
My roommate was a nightmare. Ear glued to his cell phone, or just really bizarre looking people coming to see him all day.
It was worse when he slept. His snoring could have tripped a Richter scale. I have NEVER heard a human make noises like that before. Not even on purpose.
Three months later, I had a second discectomy, since my disc re-herniated and it was worse than my initial herniation.
I almost had to stay overnight for that one, due to one missing signature which would have given me clearance to go home. After about 10 phone calls and, well, being persistent, to put it nicely, I was cleared.
This surgery pretty much requires at least a night's stay. If I pressed it, I probably could have gotten same-day discharge, but, even I think it is a good idea to stay and soak up the pain medication, as this is said to be a fairly painful procedure. They gave me hydromorphone (Dilaudid) last time I was in. Amazing stuff. I didn't feel all "googly" or happy like a nut like everyone else says they experience (I wish I did.), but the pain relief was incredible compared to my first operation. The PCA pump made all the difference.
Anyway, I just have to pack later. Clothes, toothbrush, deodorant, fiber tablets. I bought the book "No Country For Old Men," as I loved the movie, which I will also have. "John Adams," "Tombstone," "The Four Seasons," and some "Sopranos" should be enough movie time to help me through. My Mom is bringing a couple of "Curb Your Enthusiasm" episodes, too. The hospital TVs are pitiful.
I also have the first addition of "Halo" (videogame) installed, so I can run through the campaign.
Two things I have learned to bring for surgery: Chap Stick, and throat lozenges, as the after-effects of the breathing tube are uncomfortable.
Some Colace, too, as this pain medication puts the breaks on my bowels, and you DON'T want want to have to strain to unload one in the chamber after you've had back surgery. It SUCKS.
I'm pretty bummed that I need to have another surgery. But, this is it, unless they sew a sponge in and need to get it out.
I just want this to be over. There really is no other surgery that can be performed for this, so I am looking at this as the beginning of the end. Whether it produces a successful outcome or I still have problems, at least I know that I tried everything possible, and I can accept it and move on.
Anyway, wish me luck!
I'll post as soon as I can.
Take care all!
-Shawn
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Comments (18)
Good luck and may this be Y... (Below threshold)1. Posted by 914 | February 2, 2010 1:37 PM | Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
Good luck and may this be Your last hospital visit Shawn!
1. Posted by 914 | February 2, 2010 1:37 PM |
Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
Posted on February 2, 2010 13:37
2. Posted by Alan | February 2, 2010 1:39 PM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Good luck! When I had mine done (mid 70's) I spent 10 days in the hospital. Consider yourself lucky.
2. Posted by Alan | February 2, 2010 1:39 PM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on February 2, 2010 13:39
3. Posted by Hank | February 2, 2010 1:40 PM | Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
Good luck Shawn.
Keep us posted.
3. Posted by Hank | February 2, 2010 1:40 PM |
Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
Posted on February 2, 2010 13:40
4. Posted by Oyster | February 2, 2010 1:50 PM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Keeping my fingers crossed for you! Here's mud in yer eye ... or something. What's the normal thing to say when someone goes in the hospital?
4. Posted by Oyster | February 2, 2010 1:50 PM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on February 2, 2010 13:50
5. Posted by Paul Hooson | February 2, 2010 2:12 PM | Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
You also have my best wishes and prayers, Shawn. I pray for the day that the entire Wibang/Wizbang Pop crew will be entirely healthy.
5. Posted by Paul Hooson | February 2, 2010 2:12 PM |
Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
Posted on February 2, 2010 14:12
6. Posted by Jeff | February 2, 2010 2:25 PM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
I'd say break a *** but thats not PC for a hospital visit. Get well soon ... hopefully in 24 hours ...
6. Posted by Jeff | February 2, 2010 2:25 PM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on February 2, 2010 14:25
7. Posted by Cindermutha | February 2, 2010 2:51 PM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Good luck! I hope you heal quickly.
7. Posted by Cindermutha | February 2, 2010 2:51 PM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on February 2, 2010 14:51
8. Posted by P. Bunyan | February 2, 2010 3:14 PM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Get well soon! The wife and I will keep you in our prayers.
8. Posted by P. Bunyan | February 2, 2010 3:14 PM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on February 2, 2010 15:14
9. Posted by GarandFan | February 2, 2010 3:59 PM | Score: 0 (2 votes cast)
Just grab the doctor by the balls, squeeze lightly while saying "Now we're not going to hurt one another, are we?"
9. Posted by GarandFan | February 2, 2010 3:59 PM |
Score: 0 (2 votes cast)
Posted on February 2, 2010 15:59
10. Posted by Kenny | February 2, 2010 4:05 PM | Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
Shawn,
Best wishes for a successful surgery and a speedy recovery.
10. Posted by Kenny | February 2, 2010 4:05 PM |
Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
Posted on February 2, 2010 16:05
11. Posted by Cullen | February 2, 2010 4:13 PM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Good luck, man. I just got the bad news about a potential back fusion myself.
And dilaudid is awesome stuff. Got it when I had the tip of my finger sewn back on. Hell of a drug.
11. Posted by Cullen | February 2, 2010 4:13 PM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on February 2, 2010 16:13
12. Posted by bobdog | February 2, 2010 5:44 PM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Shawn, you might ask for oatmeal when they start bringing you food. Quaker instant seems to be the best. I don't know if they serve this in hospitals, but it's easy on your stomach, doesn't mess up your blood sugar, and works wonders without any drama.
Best wishes.
12. Posted by bobdog | February 2, 2010 5:44 PM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on February 2, 2010 17:44
13. Posted by Gmac | February 2, 2010 7:51 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Get well and post soon.
13. Posted by Gmac | February 2, 2010 7:51 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on February 2, 2010 19:51
14. Posted by Imhotep | February 2, 2010 10:57 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Good luck Shawn! I'll be saying a prayer for you. Be easy on the hospital staff, they do want to help you.
Get well and speedy recovery!
14. Posted by Imhotep | February 2, 2010 10:57 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on February 2, 2010 22:57
15. Posted by Vivien Hibbert | February 2, 2010 10:59 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Shawn - you are in my prayers. All the best for this surgery.
15. Posted by Vivien Hibbert | February 2, 2010 10:59 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on February 2, 2010 22:59
16. Posted by DJ Drummond | February 3, 2010 10:33 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Good luck Shawn, and God bless you.
16. Posted by DJ Drummond | February 3, 2010 10:33 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on February 3, 2010 10:33
17. Posted by Stve Green | February 3, 2010 11:50 AM | Score: 0 (2 votes cast)
Shawn Mallow:
Because King Mallow says so.
Well, believe it or not, I wish you the best of luck in our upcoming surgery. Hospitals suck, been there, got that scar. Hurry back.
17. Posted by Stve Green | February 3, 2010 11:50 AM |
Score: 0 (2 votes cast)
Posted on February 3, 2010 11:50
18. Posted by Baron Von Ottomatic | February 3, 2010 4:45 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
When I had a discectomy the surgeon was kind enough to keep me in the hospital for a couple of nights hooked up to the PCA pump. I blew through over $3k worth of morphine in a little over 48 hours. Man, that was awesome.
And the throat thing from being tubed is a huge drag. I was powering down liquids (along with the morphine) trying to soothe my throat. The first time they came to empty my catheter the lady had to make four trips to the br to empty/measure the volume of pee I'd passed. Same thing again four hours later.
Good times...
18. Posted by Baron Von Ottomatic | February 3, 2010 4:45 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on February 3, 2010 16:45