Craig and surgeryPosted at 11:30:00 PM
I can't believe it's already Wednesday and I leave in a couple days. I have been really busy especially today. I had a bunch of tests this morning and then had some time to eat lunch with a few of my physical therapists and then I had a conference with everyone. Basically you meet with your outpatient PT, the Family Counselor, nurse, OT (Occupational Therapist), and Doctor to go over what's been going on with me and how I check out. Well, good thing is that I passed with flying colors. My health is good and I've gotten even stronger since I left Craig so they were all pleased with that. The only issue is still the pain issue. So after I met with everyone in the conference I had a meeting with one of the top neurosurgeons around to get a second opinion on the unteathering surgery that I was told I needed from the doctor back in California. Dr. Falci started asking me a bunch of questions about any gain or loss of sensation and movement and also if I had tried any other medications besides the ones I was taking to help with the pain. The answers were yes I have gained both sensation and movement and yes I have tried all the different meds there are for this issue as well as a nerve blocker, which are injections. So with that said he told me that I would be a good candidate for the unteathering procedure. Normally, they try to wait to perform it on people that have been in pain for at least a year, but he could tell with the look on my face that I just couldn't handle it any longer. So right after our meeting I thanked him and set up a surgery date of November 17th. I have to get there a whole week before for pre-op and then after the 6-8 hour surgery I will have to stay lying down for 5 days before I'm able to get upright. I'll probably stay another couple days at Craig after I'm up in my chair before I fly home, which should be just in time for my bday so that works out well. As for the surgery he'll cut down the same scar I have on my back and may or may not have to take my rods and screws out. It just depends on if they're in the way. I guess it's not a big deal though. They just put them back when they're done. So what teathering means is that there are these little sort of like teathers that are holding my spinal cord up against my spinal column and the spinal cord is having to stretch more than it should and not in the right direction I guess. So they will take carefully take away those teathers so that my spinal cord can go back to floating down the middle of my spinal column. At first I was a little apprehensive only because I didn't think anybody should be touching my spinal cord, but apparently once it's undone from these teathers it wants to go back to where it's supposed to. Sort of like it wants to go back to it's home. :) So there you have it. I am really wanting to get this done and only wish it could be sooner. I'm going on vacation to visit my friends Hels and Jaymie in the UK in October and would much rather not have pain while I'm there, but Dr. Falci doesn't have an opening until November so what can you do. Tomorrow I have a really easy day and have PT from 10-11:30 and that's it. Although I think I'll meet for wheelchair class to do a run through the old obstacle course to see if I can beat my time from when I was here before. I'm always up for a challenge. Okay, well it's getting late and I'm getting tired so I'll try to write more before I fly outta Denver. Thank all of you for your messages and comments. I read every single one of them and it makes me feel better knowing that you're all out there rooting me on. Good night, tara Never Give Up! www.tarallanesroadtorecovery.com |
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