I have an appointment with my back surgeon next Monday. She told me to write a list of questions for her for this appointment.
I'm due to have decompression and fusion surgery with disc replacements.
Any advice on important questions to ask, would be appreciated. I'm terrified & just hope I ask everything I need to know.
Thank you all 😊
Thought I should add that I'm 35 & have 2 children, 1 school aged & 1 toddler.
I also work part-time, completely alone for the company - as in I'm the sole employee. There are typically other people in the building as we have tenants, but they work for other companies.
Hi sweetie ok I know how hard it is to remember everything and to sit there in pain when your worried and write down all this crap that you have gone through thousands of times!? So just ask them about how there going to control your pain afterwards, how long will it be before they have you up walking .? Are you going to have breathing problems after the surgery from the anaesthesia. ? Because it can cause coughing which will hurt like a bitch(excuse my language) will you have anybody to help you at home? What are the success rates on this surgery? Is it worth me having this surgery ? Are you at risk for any other problems from this surgery? I hope this helps you a bit! All my love and hope everything turns out just great,,, Sherish hope...
Oh sweetie I just noticed you said you have a couple little ones!! Ok what you need to do is talk to the head superintendent at the hospital explain your cercumstances and tell her your children are precious to you . But you need this surgery so that you can keep taking. Are of them. Asks her for any help you can get as far as help with yourself and for the children. Tell her you are basically self employed. Which is basically what you are (good girl) - and that you just need someone to come check on you a couple times a day and to take the kids out of pick them up and do some shopping for you ! Maybe when there doing that someone else can be there to help get you in the tub! This is a big operation! Every doctor will tell you it's nothing! But what are you going to tell a patient? Something terrible? So you need to get as much are as you can !
Thanks Sherish! I so appreciate the reply 😌
I've had other surgeries before, including last December - so I do (somewhat haha) recall the coughing non-stop after from the anesthetic. Thank you 😊
I am very lucky to have an amazing husband. He is extremely helpful wth the kids - actually stayed home with our eldest for over a year when she was just a babe. We also have a lot of family & some pretty awesome friends who live close by & are willing to help as we need. That being said, I wouldn't let others help in the tub - only hubby. 😂😬 As far as I am aware, our hospitals don't have people to help us afterwards, at least not in our homes. I assume I'll need to go for physiotherapy after. I'm not aware of more than that sort of thing, however.
I will definitely ask to see what she says. Thank you so much!!!
Hahaha not laughing at you sweetie! I was just pointing out to my husband that I'm not the only one who wanted a stranger in my house giving me baths! Just feels to wierd! But I'm sure they would have other ways of offering help in anyway you might need! All the luck in the world
Hello Keeping Faith..I'm really sorry to hear you've got to have spinal surgery. Having any sort of operation is obviously not a nice experience (!!) and feeling anxious about it is only natural..so hugs are coming your way..xx Your operation sounds very similar to my first back op..and like you..I was asked to take a list of any questions I had. I personally think when you have a consultation with the Surgeon..they generally seem to answer a lot of what you're wondering, whilst you're in the appointment..but, once you've spoken with them and they've discussed your operation etc, I think you're bound to have questions after. I wrote to my Surgeon (pre-email days for me!) with questions I needed answering after, and as a result of my appointment, and received a really personal and fully explanatory letter in response. So, please don't think that your appointment is the cut off for anything you wish to know..I'm sure your Surgeon would be only too happy to do the same as mine. I hope that helps just a little. Wishing you well with your operation, recovery and for the future with your "new back"..! Take good care of yourself and would be lovely to hear of your progress..BooBear xx
Thanks BooBear! Hugs are welcome 😊
I have met my surgeon & had my first consultation with her and a member of her team. After my very recent MRI & X-rays, she wanted to round it off with a CT scan in case anything was missed. This next visit will be going over everything, including surgery day! Eek! The facility where pre-screening occurs and I meet her has been fantastic. I had to see the specialist there for the last year as well, so must say that I'm happy they're so great. I am sure you are very correct & I could call/email with further questions.
My surgery is to occur in a city that is a 1.5 hour hiway drive away from my own city. I worry about getting home, as well as road conditions if I am lucky enough to get the surgery soon, during the winter.
My daughter is also extremely active in dance (recreational) & cheer (very competitive). She has just been asked to advance to a new team with Cheer. However, this may result in an extra competition outside of our province. I don't know how I could get her there & ready to compete if I can't move. I feel awful as I fully know she wants to advance. I'm just so curious of everything.
Would you say your back surgery was a success? How many have you needed?
Sorry I'm so long-winded!
Thanks again for taking the time to reply 🙂
Hello..! Bless you for replying..I'm so pleased to hear you've got confidence in and feel comfortable with the team looking after you. That's really important. If its ok...I'll reply a little later... take care and have a good day..xx
Hi. I am thinking that as far as your very talented daughter is concerned, now is the time to ask, beg, plead and/or bribe your relations and friends to step into the breach about getting your daughter to her competition. It sounds like you are in Canada so distances can be a real problem and as you are going to be in more than a little pain, travelling will be problematical for you. Yes she will want her mum and of course you want to be there to cheer her on but it may not be realistic. Just a thought. Whatever you decide, I hope everything goes well with your op and the dance competition.
Thanks Lana! I am definitely already wheeling & dealing with those closest to me. They are all very willing to do all they can & help as we need them. My parents are close & want to help too. Which is great!
I am in Canada, yes! Was it distance in hours or my apology that gave me away?? 😂
I know I won't be able to help and cheer her on as I'd like to. I'm more concerned with getting her ready as I don't know who I would ask at cheer 😳 Oh well. I suppose it's one step at a time.
Thanks again!!
Maybe you could skype each other on the day? It was your mention of "province" that tipped me off.
Very true! She loves to FaceTime, so that would work
And, I didn't even realize I said province - lol! Just read my response again haha!
Hello there, Jules here.
Physio rehab let me down after surgery. Maybe find out more about the standard you will be given (if you haven't already).
Horrible time for you - wishing you luck
Jules
x
Hi there Faith, Jules here.
Re: Physio.
I had a spinal injury, 5 years ago.
After about a year i was given NHS physio after being referred by the GP.
I had a head injury too and like many of us, couldn't/still cant concentrate with noise around me.
At the time i wasnt able to deal with lots of people near me and struggled to complete admin forms.
The rehab was a room full of people (probably 20 people) with a radio on in the background whilst we were all asked to fill out some forms, whilst at the same time the instructor was verbally informing us what to do on what equipment and in what order.
Its not their fault that i have a Tbi I thought, so i didn't proceed - i went over and talked to the instructor and explained my problems.
It was a bit like being herded as cattle. They were lovely people dont get me wrong, but i had waited a long time for the physio and had put a lot of trust in it really helping me, so i wanted to do my very best at it.
They said they would keep an eye out for me.
But, this to one side, because we had to all work as one group, there was many things i just couldn't do and i held the team up as they were trying to get on the equipment i was still on.
Weights were to be raised above your head whilst sitting - but the weights were situated on the floor and i couldn't reach them. We were to stand on the machine that made you hips circle, but i nearly fell off because of my balance problems - at home my husband holds and supports me.
In a nut-shell, it wasn't tailored to a spinal injured Tbi person. People were a lot older than me there too - i was 44/45 at the time, others there were i think 60/70 years old.
I persisted with the GP and was then referred to a spinal physio in a different hospital. This time it was different - it was advice on exercises to do, no exercises at the session. The sessions were a massage as he was talking.
The massage did do a lot of good and he did acupuncture at the last couple of sessions too.
(i wish i had been sent to this physio the first time, it was more of a sports injury physio).
Its been 3 years since, and at the moment i am looking for a private 'clinically trained spinal rehab/trainer who could advise me on my spine posture and push me through the (painful) exercises that i know are good for me. Not cheap, but it seems thats the best way to do it for me.
Try and make sure you get a spinal physio appointment, rather than just being told you need to exercise ! Might be worth chatting to the guy/woman prior (especially if you have needs and are put in a 'one size fits all' group).
best luck & kind regards
Jules
x
Wow! I've never heard of nor seen a group physio. I've had physio numerous times, always one-on-one as with everyone else I know.
Thanks for the heads up, though! Greatly appreciated. Definitely on my list of questions!
I'd love to be sent back to the gym I was at after my car accident 18 years ago (start of my back problems). It was mostly all one-on-one training with everything tailored to your needs. Since mine was my back, all exercises were for strengthening my back/abs. It was amazing! Also happens to be where I met my hubby 😍! Sadly, it has since closed down & ive never seen another place as good.
I hope you can find something amazing for you, as well!! We all deserve to find health & happiness.
Take care & thank you for sharing.
Figured I'd throw an update on here. I had surgery 5 weeks ago now, at the end of January. I ended up with an L5-S1 fusion with disc replacement & a cage around it all.
Week 1, in hospital, was very hard. However, I'm doing so much better now. I am so happy already! I see my surgeon for a follow-up on Monday. That will be 6 weeks. I'm hoping she gives me the go-ahead to drive once again 😊 I'm not enjoying relying on people all of the time. Haha!!
I expect to have physio start up shortly. I'm dying to start doing more. I feel like I could do so much, hopefully I'll be allowed to start soon.
I hope everyone is doing well. Thank you all again for the support!
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