MarkE
05-07-2003, 07:41 PM
On August 7 I am to undergo an anterior posterior diskectomy fusion and instrumentation to correct my hyperkyphosis caused by Rheumatoid Arthritis. The doctor says it will take 6-10 hours. I can't ever remember being so nervous, has anyone gone through anything similar. If so I would love to hear how it worked out.
Thanks a bunch,
Mark
Thanks a bunch,
Mark
Sponsor
franjo
05-07-2003, 07:53 PM
Welcome, Mark :wave:
Glad you found your way here. I'm scheduled for a tethered spinal cord release (my second one) on June 5. Although our situations are different, I do understand about being nervous before such a major surgery. My last cord release took 12 hours, but they had also removed some instrumentation, so I'm hoping for a shorter stint this time.
As far as the nervousness goes, after it's all said and done, it seems to boil down to this for me: My belief that God will bless the surgeon. That's the only thing that gives me real peace before a surgery. Having my goofy sisters around before they take me down to OR doesn't hurt either. They're nuts :D
I'm sure that someone will be along in no time who can answer your specfic questions about the type of surgery you'll be having. They're good that way.
Again, welcome!
~Teri
------------------
Spina-bifida occulta; Congenital Scoliosis (dextrorotatory and 'S' curve, 42 and 57 degrees); Meningomyelocele (split cord @ L1); Diastematomyelia (re-sectioned at L2-3); tethered cord @ S-3; various developmental abnormalities of the spine.
Surgeries include, but not limited to:
Lumbar fusion-1968
Fusion with Herrington Rod instrumentation-1970
Femoral osteotomy-1971
Tethered cord release-1987
Rod removal-1987
Chiari-type pelvic osteotomy-1988
Trochanteric osteotomy-1989
[This message has been edited by franjo (edited 05-07-2003).]
Glad you found your way here. I'm scheduled for a tethered spinal cord release (my second one) on June 5. Although our situations are different, I do understand about being nervous before such a major surgery. My last cord release took 12 hours, but they had also removed some instrumentation, so I'm hoping for a shorter stint this time.
As far as the nervousness goes, after it's all said and done, it seems to boil down to this for me: My belief that God will bless the surgeon. That's the only thing that gives me real peace before a surgery. Having my goofy sisters around before they take me down to OR doesn't hurt either. They're nuts :D
I'm sure that someone will be along in no time who can answer your specfic questions about the type of surgery you'll be having. They're good that way.
Again, welcome!
~Teri
------------------
Spina-bifida occulta; Congenital Scoliosis (dextrorotatory and 'S' curve, 42 and 57 degrees); Meningomyelocele (split cord @ L1); Diastematomyelia (re-sectioned at L2-3); tethered cord @ S-3; various developmental abnormalities of the spine.
Surgeries include, but not limited to:
Lumbar fusion-1968
Fusion with Herrington Rod instrumentation-1970
Femoral osteotomy-1971
Tethered cord release-1987
Rod removal-1987
Chiari-type pelvic osteotomy-1988
Trochanteric osteotomy-1989
[This message has been edited by franjo (edited 05-07-2003).]
winged phantom
05-08-2003, 01:05 AM
Hi Mark,
That sounds like real serious stuff, and I hope you really like and have great faith in your surgeon. Have you researched this and found this to be the best way to treat the hyperkyphosis? Have you had more than one opinion? If not, I suggest you get another opinion before your surgery, if for no other reason than to reassure yourself on any number of issues. There is plenty of time before your August 7 date (which, astrologically speaking, is a really cool date, if I may say so myself), so there is no need to cancel or postpone what you already have planned.
Welcome to the board, Mark. You will get lots of suggestions and lots of comfort from everyone here. And don't worry about needing that occasional pity party: we all need them, at least occasionally!
wr :wave:
------------------
12/29/89 C5-6 Microdiskectomy (no fusion)
4/9/03 ACDF C4-7 with plating and donor bone
That sounds like real serious stuff, and I hope you really like and have great faith in your surgeon. Have you researched this and found this to be the best way to treat the hyperkyphosis? Have you had more than one opinion? If not, I suggest you get another opinion before your surgery, if for no other reason than to reassure yourself on any number of issues. There is plenty of time before your August 7 date (which, astrologically speaking, is a really cool date, if I may say so myself), so there is no need to cancel or postpone what you already have planned.
Welcome to the board, Mark. You will get lots of suggestions and lots of comfort from everyone here. And don't worry about needing that occasional pity party: we all need them, at least occasionally!
wr :wave:
------------------
12/29/89 C5-6 Microdiskectomy (no fusion)
4/9/03 ACDF C4-7 with plating and donor bone