Hi Guys

Just thought I would let you guys know that I am home once again. I'm sure that my husband must have told you guys that my pain was totally off the scale, so Monday at 5:30am we went to the ER. After getting the pain under some control they transferred me back to the hospital where I had my surgery. The nurses were funny...everytime there was a shift change the new nurse whould look at me funny and say, "Weren't you just here?" and I would reply that I just loved the food and service that I just had to come back.

It really helped to up my meds and the doctor even admitted that perhaps they discharged me too early - what a shocker!! They discharged me again Wednesday morning. The first thing we had to do was go out and buy a new mattress set. Luckily I didn't have to try too many mattresses before finding one that felt good. Later that evening, my Mom and I went out to Wal-Mart to do some shopping. Its amazing what you can do once the pain is under control.

I currently take:
2-Oxycontin 20mg every 8 hours
2-Percocet 5-325 every 5 hours
1-Diazepam(valium)5mg every 6 hours
2-Zanaflex 4mg every 6 hours
1-Zyrtec 10 mg once a day

We have a spreadsheet on the computer so I can keep track of all of the drugs & when they need to be taken. It seems like I take more pills than real food http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

I did make an unfortunate discovery while in the hospital...not only am I allergic to latex but also adhesives http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/frown.gif Every place where I had some kind of tape I am really red, swollen, hives, and I'm about to scratch all of my skin off. The worst place is across my butt. They taped a drape there during surgery so I am almost constantly itching my a$$.

It took them 5 tries before they were able to finally get a IV in before surgery. Then of course this last trip to the ER took 2 tried to get an IV in, so I am all bruised and itchy. I am done going to doctors and hospitals for a long time.

I'll have to spend some time today reading over the board and see what 've been missing.

Thanks again for all those who sent me messages while in the hospital. It really made my day.

Off to have some breakfast now - Wheaties breakfast of champions!

Later,

Lisa
**************************************** ****
7-23-93: anterior/posterior fusion L2-S1 with instrumentaion and cages
1-27-03: posterior fusion T10-L2 with instrumentation

Lisa~

Welcome Home!

I am glad to here you are feeling a bit better. I know exactly what you are talking about with the Latex and adhesive! I too found that out. I am 100% sure it is the constant use of that stuff that will cause us to have that reaction from now on. They can only use fresh paper tape on me now. Old tape doesn't stick. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/frown.gif

Oh the IV issue is another GREAT one hey? I have had my veins used so much already now that it also take more then one up to 6 attempts before they get one. Before my Lumbar fusion I was black and blue from the elbows down with very large hematomas on hands. Like having a fusion surgery wasn't enough to think about already.

Just wanted to say hi and again you are not alone. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

Shirl http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/heart.gif

------------------
Love,
Shirl

History:

1980- Transaxillary recection of 1st rib and division of band (left side)
1982- Diagnostic Laparoscopy
1985- Transaxillary excision of cervical rib (right side)
1991- Laser stapendectomy (right side)
1992- Fractinal D&C
1992- Diagnstic Laparoscopy
1996- Lumbar hemilaminectomy
1999- Left knee arthroscopic surgery
2001- Laparoscopic assisted vaginal hysterectomy
2002- L5-S1 Microdiscectomy
2002- L4-L5, L5-S1 Anterior interbody lumbar fusion with cages and my own bone from left hip for bone graft
2002- Neck problems Surgery??????
2002 Dec 21- C4-5, C5-C6 Anterior Cervical Corpectomy with Fusion and Internal Fixation

Hi Lisa, http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/wave.gif

I'm so happy that you are feeling better and back posting, I have missed you so much http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/dance.gif http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/bouncing.gif

I can tell by your post that you are feeling much better, you will be better each day.
I felt so bad that you had to return to the hospital, but it made me feel better that you went, because I knew you would be well cared for, and were able to get the pain under control.

You know the routine from here on out, time will tell, and you will just need alot of patience, something that I have almost run out of http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/bang.gif

Today, I have to fill out my LTD paperwork from work, it will start after 12 weeks, if I need it.
Geez, I'm only 8 weeks post-op, you would think they want my life story.
Here is a sample of some of the questions they ask:

They want to know how many hours that I :
sleep
walk
read
watch T.V.
grooming
left or right handed
gardening ???? Yeah right, I'm lucky I'm even walking !
cook
clean
drive
what time to I get up, and go to bed
how much time I'm on the computer, and so on.......

Next, I'd wouldn't be surprised if they ask about my
color of underwear, and about my non-existent sex life
!!! GGRRRR!!!

I understand why they ask the questions, but I feel like I'm on trial here.
I'm so jammed up, that I don't have a set schedule, I do things as I feel I can.

I can just imagine what the social security packet will look like when I receive that in the mail http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/bang.gif

I'm not trying to soak the system, as they make us feel, I want to return to work at 12 weeks !

Happy reading, you have alot to catch up on.

Being able to post is the one thing that takes my mind off of my own pain, I hope it helps you as well.

Please keep us posted and have a super day.

Hi Shirl,

I hope you are feeling well, I miss you when you are not here as much http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/heart.gif

Take Care,
Baxter http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/heart.gif

------------------
Two level laminectomy fusion L5-S1 & L2-3 done on 12/6/02.
Fifteen inch scar from the very top of butt crack (sorry), to the bra line.
BAK cages, rods & screws.(Titanium)
My pelvic bone was used for grafting.
Praying that the other two discs in between, won't have to be fused later, as I was told it was a possibility, due to the other two discs in between, not being in that great of shape.
Doc didn't want to fuse four levels, unless it is really necessary.
I would hate to repeat the surgery, as the recovery period, is so very painful.
I also have a free fragment in my T11-12 area, that I'm still refusing surgery for, at this point in time.
That surgery is way too dangerous for me to consider, until if affects my being able to walk.

[This message has been edited by BAXTER (edited 02-06-2003).]

Hi Lisa - Shirl - Baxter!

Lisa.....I am so happy they got your pain under control. I know what you mean about the adhesives and the veins too! I learned long ago to use only paper tape (hehe-I bring my own wherever I hospital go). teehee welll....do you blame me?!? And as for the veins....I too, bring my own wherever I go (hahahahahaha--sorry, that does sound funny). But seriously? My hubby is a phlebotomist and has been 'poking people with needles' for over 23 years. He IS THE BEST. He isn't allowed to stick me in a hospital...but he DOES stand there and talk 'the talk' to the techs and they always listen to him...and I don't ever have a problem anymore. Hubby knows exactly where I should be stuck at that time (yep, he's that good). The senior citizens LOVE him (he works at a lab in a senior citizen community). He doesn't just go with the standard stick...he determines where he's going to get the best and quickest blook draw, AND he uses a 'butterfly' with the smallest gauged needle. I have NEVER bruised under his expertise. I am blessed for sure! So finding a really good blood tech is very hard (from what I can see). But then...they don't pay really well so there aren't that many with the skill level out there. What a shame. Anyway, we are thinking of you every day to get better....stay as positive as you can. Open the drapes, open a window if you can--get a whiff of fresh air just for the sake of it. I know that helps ME get the cobwebs outta the head! http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/wink.gif hehe What with the pain and all.

Shirl...nice to hear from you! I've missed you lately. I wonder...is that adhesive tape so much cheaper that they don't just use the paper tape? You were an EMT...what kind of tape did the (company-hospital) purchase for you guys to use? I know my hubby's place of work normally uses papertape (hubby will ONLY use that)...to hold the cotton ball onto the arm after a blood draw, hmmm....maybe that is normal practice after blood draws, and adhesives for patch-work. Do we have time to contemplate the uses of adhesives versus paper tape? hehe http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/biggrin.gif Take care friend...and I made you a promise, which I intend to keep http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/wink.gif

BAXTER......Hiya buddy http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/biggrin.gif I just wanted you to know that they don't ask for the color of your underwear, they just want to know how often you change them. hehehe hahahahahaha heeeheeee My suggestion is to keep a copy of everything you fill out. They ALL ask basically the same questions, great reference material and CYA stuff. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

Which reminds me...I was approved for SSDI! Woohoo! Didn't even need a lawyer http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/biggrin.gif I would HIGHLY recommend you make a copy of every "last" report from every doctor or therapist (yadda yadda)-even their IMEs or QMEs (if written honestly) and include with your SSDI application. There are other tips, I'll hold off for now though, because I am getting off track here (who me? http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/rolleyes.gif ) hehe

Take care ladies and all.....catch ya'll later.



------------------
successtory
Oct 2000: Repetitive Stress Injury-Inverted Hernia
Feb 2001: MRI. Shows only slight bulge at L4-L5
Dec 2001: Discogram/CT scan shows Inverted Hernia at L5-S1. L4-L5 & L5-S1 ruptured in all 4 quadrants. Unable to walk.
Feb 2002: IDET, Nucleoplasty, Intra-Discal Injections
Sept 2002: Rated in the top 10% for successful patients. Retraining for new career.

Hi Successtory, http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/wave.gif

I loved your reply to me http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/bang.gif

You had me totally cracking up http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/tongue.gif http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

I also received the social security disability papers in todays mail, two huge envelopes, I'm sure they will want to know the color of my underwear http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/bang.gif

Great news on getting approved for the SSDI, I hope that you can get a retro check, and do something really special for yourself, you certainly deserve it !

I don't look forward to filling out all of this paperwork, but I guess it's a good thing to cover all of the bases in advance, in case I do need it later.

I'm still praying that I can return to work at 12 weeks, but, only time will tell !

I appreciate all of your advice, and I will let you know if I come up with any SSD questions, you are the best http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/t_up.gif

Take Care,
Baxter http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/heart.gif




------------------
Two level laminectomy fusion L5-S1 & L2-3 done on 12/6/02.
Fifteen inch scar from the very top of butt crack (sorry), to the bra line.
BAK cages, rods & screws.(Titanium)
My pelvic bone was used for grafting.
Praying that the other two discs in between, won't have to be fused later, as I was told it was a possibility, due to the other two discs in between, not being in that great of shape.
Doc didn't want to fuse four levels, unless it is really necessary.
I would hate to repeat the surgery, as the recovery period, is so very painful.
I also have a free fragment in my T11-12 area, that I'm still refusing surgery for, at this point in time.
That surgery is way too dangerous for me to consider, until if affects my being able to walk.

Succestory~

Nope, we didn't use paper tape. I believe the reason is because paper doesn't stick well when there is moisture. Blood, sweat and water all caused the tape not to stick. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/biggrin.gif I worked for the city's fire department so you never knew what you were going to get!

Baxter~ HI GIRL! I miss you too!

Love,
Shirl http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/heart.gif

------------------
Love,
Shirl

History:

1980- Transaxillary recection of 1st rib and division of band (left side)
1982- Diagnostic Laparoscopy
1985- Transaxillary excision of cervical rib (right side)
1991- Laser stapendectomy (right side)
1992- Fractinal D&C
1992- Diagnstic Laparoscopy
1996- Lumbar hemilaminectomy
1999- Left knee arthroscopic surgery
2001- Laparoscopic assisted vaginal hysterectomy
2002- L5-S1 Microdiscectomy
2002- L4-L5, L5-S1 Anterior interbody lumbar fusion with cages and my own bone from left hip for bone graft
2002- Neck problems Surgery??????
2002 Dec 21- C4-5, C5-C6 Anterior Cervical Corpectomy with Fusion and Internal Fixation

Hey Lisa! I'm sooooo glad to hear that your feeling better and the pain is less! That's just great!!! I have to have surgery tomorrow morning (L-5 S-1 anterior disc fusion with cage). Hope mine goes as well as yours and my pain gets better, LOL!

Just really, really glad for you and hope your itching goes away real soon!! Love and HUGS......Judy

hi....lisa .. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/wave.gif glad to hear your home again, and feeling better, i cant believe you were at store already..wow..im impressed..hope i do that well..its all uphill now, you can do it!!!! sandy

Hi Lisa http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/wave.gif
Great that you're back home and able to post again!!!! :bounce: I sure hope everything starts going well and your meds keep your pain under control this time!

Yes, like successtory says, there is a wide variation in skill level when it comes to inserting IVs. I have had some that didn't hurt at all, no bruising... and some that hurt constantly during and after removal, and left a huge bruise that took a week to go away. And I have pretty good veins. Someone once called me "a phlebotomist's dream"! http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

Hey Baxter, Shirl, and success, http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/wave.gif
Nice to hear from you too. I enjoyed reading all your posts...

Oops, the doorbell just rang... gotta go.

See you all later, and best wishes to everyone!
http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/heart.gif Telzey



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4 years of back pain
Annular tear L5-S1 diagnosed 3/02 via MRI
IDET 12/2/02
Still worse pain than pre-op, am told to wait 3-6 months for improvement