Re: Re: scoliosis surgery or not? Post surgery day four

[Guest guest]

Gail,

One last note here.. I'm starting to fall asleep, plus it is 3:30... My downfall

about the nurse is not having her name. As I said, I think I did anyway, at some

point, I sent registered letters to the hospital about another issue regarding

my chart and I never got any answer. Actually getting someone to go into a chart

that old ('96), find the time, see what she charted etc etc, then it would be

her word against mine- it just is not worth it. One sad note- I was in ICU and

there was a 15 year old Haitian girl who was next to me who had lupus and I was

later told that she was dying. She was so precious. In the night when I

continued to beg for pain med she told me that it didn't help to call for the

nurse, and sometimes you were better off not making trouble. My husband got her

some gifts for Valentine's day, I recall, he was so touched by her situation. I

always wondered what happened to her. If they were able to help her. I

understand that the Hosp For Joint Diseases was

doing a lot of research on Lupus and other autoimmune diseases at the time. It

was just sad that she had come to believe that you had to bite the bullet and

suck up the pain. I pray that nursing care has improved there by now. I

appreciate your advice and I wish I had reported it when I first got home, or

earlier. Lesson learned.

Again, I hope all the problems that I've read that are now old notes have

resolved. But you were sure right about one thing- a good nights sleep makes

everything better. I am just about to get up, take my prn med and hope for a

nap. Your son should not hesitate to attempt to relieve his pain at this early

time to get the healing rest he needs.

Blessings,

Bea

Gail Merri <p0etiss@...> wrote: Bea,

Thank you so much for your prayers; it really means a

lot to me. You are always so sincere and caring. My

son is having trouble sleeping. Part of it is he is

most comfortable on his back but his lower back, the

part that does not have the hardware hurts. Once he

gets up and around it feels better. His stomach also

hurts intermittently. He is only taking extra

strength tylenol before bed right now. I think if he

could get some good sleep it would go a long way.

After he eats his stomach usually feels better.

I am sorry about your mom. Declining mental health can

be just as painful as physical health. Having a back

problem yourself and helping your mom must be

exhausting physically and mentally. I hope once she

is settled into the cottage the physical part will not

be as taxing for you.

You have every right to feel the way you do about that

nurse and I don't think it is ever too late to make a

report. You can go to the Dept. of Health/division of

licensing for your state and file a complaint. You

can see if she still works at that hospital or you

might be able to track down where she is and send a

letter. In terms of any legal implications that I

would not know since I am not an attorney.

Even if you were able to track her down and write a

letter to her letting her know the effects of her

actions, that might actually make you feel better.

As always, wishing you all the best,

Gail

--- Beverlee <bea_simmons@...> wrote:

> Hi Gail,

>

> Oh my goodness..... I pray, and I sincerely meant

> that!....... that all of the problems your son had

> have resolved. I am SO sorry that I have not been

> able to get to the posts. My mother, who lives

> almost 2 hours away, has gone very rapidly down as

> far as her mental status and I have been making the

> trip every week. Driving or riding without leaning

> back is one of the roughest things on my back. We've

> decided to build her a very small cottage here, next

> to our home on the farm (she would NEVER live with

> any of us- she has always been reclusive) and that

> process is taking up every spare minute. But

> especially because your name, with " son's scoliosis

> surgery " was on that Monday on my calendar so I

> would remember to pray for you both, I really have

> thought of you both frequently and remembered you in

> my prayers.

>

> So, I suppose you have all the answers to the

> questions in your post, or don't need them by now

> :0). I really am sorry. If I can stay awake after my

> bath I am going to read as far ahead in the posts

> from the group so I know I will have a lot more info

> by the end of my time. To answer a couple of your

> things, tho: you know, I was almost paranoid that

> someone would " take it out on me " if I made too much

> noise about the nurse who withheld the meds, plus a

> host of other problems, that it was never addressed

> as it should've been. I thought about it over the

> years because I knew she should not be in the

> capacity she was in and regretted not reporting her

> when I felt less vulnerable.

>

> USANA products are not sold in stores- you have to

> buy thru a person who sells, usually on line. If you

> are interested you can just google it, or I can give

> you the 800# I call to place an order so you could

> ask about more info if you want. The multiples

> require taking 6 pills/day, but it is everything and

> more than I was taking in a bunch more tablets

> before these. It is 3 pills that are the vitamins

> and other nutrients and the other 3 are minerals. I

> love their skin care products as well. It is not

> cheap, but I spend less overall on vitamins and the

> skin care is less than a lot of compartment store

> brands. Whew! TMI!

>

> Gail, in reading a few of the recent posts I always

> see your kind, caring and concerned words to

> everyone. You have been such a wonderful friend to

> so many people here. A lot of us drop in and out and

> ask an every-now-and-then question, then disappear

> for a while. Thank you for being so consistent in

> your caring. I hope you have reached a point in your

> son's recovery where he is seeing light at the end

> of the tunnel and you are feeling all those Mom

> nerves start to settle. Again, I am going to try to

> catch up- if there is anything going on, I do want

> to know!

>

> Blessings to you both!

> Bea

>

> Gail Merri <p0etiss@...> wrote:

> Hi Bea,

>

> Thank you so much for your interest and education.

> I

> cannot believe that an ICU nurse withheld pain meds

> from you that is awful and downright sadistic. I

> feel

> terrible for you. That is a huge trauma. I hope the

> nurse was given a good talking to so he/she does

> not

> do that to anyone ever again.

>

> What is Senecot? The sharp pain has not repeated.

> He

> is staying up for longer time periods so I think

> that

> is a good sign overall. I keep reminding him how

> far

> he has come in just the past two days and that each

> day will bring him further along.

>

> His incision looks really good. Do you know how

> long

> someone is at risk for getting an infection? I

> know

> that it comes from inside so the outer layer may

> not

> be an indictor. He does not have hip pain because

> they took parts of three ribs for the bone graft.

>

> I never heard of USANA is that sold at health food

> stores or any type of pharmacy? I am going to send

> him

> to school with a list of foods to look for at the

> dining hall, but I hope over the years I have

> provided

> education for him in this area. I can look into a

> dietician if necessary. He doesn't come home for

> weekends but when he does for thanksgiving, winter

> break, spring break and summer I love to feed him

> well!

>

> Tomorrow I talk to the Spine Nurse Coordinator who

> is

> the surgeon's RN/right hand. She also assists in

> surgeries and is very knowledgeable. I will ask

> her

> about the senecot. The instructions he went home

> with

> said milk of magnesia but I would rather get the go

> ahead from her and give him until tomorrow to give

> it

> to him. He isn't complaining of discomfort in that

> area but I just want to make sure its okay that he

> hasn't had a BM yet. Thanks again for your

> interest

> and caring it means so much. Gail

>

> --- Beverlee <bea_simmons@...> wrote:

>

> > Hi Gail,

> >

> > Thank you for your kind words. If your son drinks

> > lots of fluids and eats enough fiber, he should

> get

> > his bowels moving on a regular basis soon. It

> > wouldn't hurt him to take some senecot every

> > evening, especially as long as he is on narcotic

> > pain meds. He probably hasn't had enough food

> since

> > the enema to cause him to have another BM. As a

> > Hospice nurse we always started out with senecot

> > with our patients who were on high dose narcotics

> > and it worked in most cases. I know it can be

> scary

> > to feel like you're getting " stopped up " . I've

> been

> > there. After my surgery that was a major

> concern. I

> > had an enema a couple of days post because I felt

> > like I was gonna explode! One of the few things I

> > remember from ICU.... begging the nurses for an

> > enema! I complained again later, day 5, and the

> ICU

> > specialist turned off my morphine pump without

> > talking with the pain management dr. That was a

> > horrible night- he didn't order enough to cover

> the

> > pain. Sorry....back to your son!...... the

> > sharp pain is probably a nerve. He will have a

> lot

> > of weird sensations while things start to mend. I

> > can tell you, there were sensations that I never

> got

> > an explanation for, even months later. As long as

> it

> > is not a pain that lingers or worsens I imagine

> it

> > is from cutting into nerves and muscles and

> moving

> > the spine around. But the doctor is there for

> you,

> > to answer your questions and you should call if

> you

> > feel there is a real concern. I finally decided

> that

> > pain I had from my hip, for many months, was

> from

> > giving me a totally new body alignment. Stuff

> just

> > no longer moves in the old way. New muscles are

> > being used, etc.

> >

> > As far as the college food- maybe a really good

> > supplement would help. Some are better than

> others.

> > There have been some independent studies about

> which

> > ones are the most complete and have the best

> > absorption. I have a book that gave the results,

> but

> > it is a few years old. Things like One-a-Day got

> > something like a 5 out of a 100! I take USANA,

> but I

> > can't say how they rate now- they were the best

> in

> > my old book. I know a lot of doctors don't think

> > much of supplements, but it is also not a subject

> > they are taught much about. Has your son had a

> > dietitian talk with him? Just knowing how to make

> > wise choices from the cafeteria, especially if

> they

> > are of the buffet style. And if he comes home on

> the

> > weekends, you can stuff him full of Mom's good

> home

>

=== message truncated ===

[Guest guest]

he is taking it with robaxin a muscle relaxer (works

on the muscle nerves vs the muscles directly and feels

much better...only needs it when he lays down. I am

wondering why only then.

--- KnightonND@... wrote:

>

> In a message dated 6/3/08 8:27:47 PM,

> p0etiss@... writes:

>

>

> >

> >

> >

> > the doctor prescribed a muscle relaxer and said to

> take it in conjunction

> > with the hydrocodone he had stopped taking. we

> will see how this works. I was

> > hoping that four weeks post-op he would be on xtra

> strength tylenol only. Is

> > this usual for a 19 year old?

> >

> >

> >

>

> It is absolutely normal for a 19 year old to

> continue needing prescription

> pain medication such as hydrocodone 4 weeks post op

> and beyond until he is

> relatively pain free. I know this from the

> experience of my son who had surgery

> at 16 and revison surgery at 19. There should be

> no hesitation in his

> taking it as long as he needs it for pain.

>

>

> **************

> Get trade secrets for

> amazing burgers. Watch " Cooking with Tyler Florence "

> on AOL Food.

>

>

(http://food.aol.com/tyler-florence?video=4? & amp;NCID=aolfod00030000000002)

>

>

> [Non-text portions of this message have been

> removed]

>

>

[Guest guest]

hope you have a good nap. thanks. It might be

therapeutic to write a letter to the nurse and get out

how you feel to her even if you can't actually get it

to her. I have had clients report this helps in other

situations.

--- Beverlee <bea_simmons@...> wrote:

> Gail,

>

> One last note here.. I'm starting to fall asleep,

> plus it is 3:30... My downfall about the nurse is

> not having her name. As I said, I think I did

> anyway, at some point, I sent registered letters to

> the hospital about another issue regarding my chart

> and I never got any answer. Actually getting someone

> to go into a chart that old ('96), find the time,

> see what she charted etc etc, then it would be her

> word against mine- it just is not worth it. One sad

> note- I was in ICU and there was a 15 year old

> Haitian girl who was next to me who had lupus and I

> was later told that she was dying. She was so

> precious. In the night when I continued to beg for

> pain med she told me that it didn't help to call for

> the nurse, and sometimes you were better off not

> making trouble. My husband got her some gifts for

> Valentine's day, I recall, he was so touched by her

> situation. I always wondered what happened to her.

> If they were able to help her. I understand that the

> Hosp For Joint Diseases was

> doing a lot of research on Lupus and other

> autoimmune diseases at the time. It was just sad

> that she had come to believe that you had to bite

> the bullet and suck up the pain. I pray that nursing

> care has improved there by now. I appreciate your

> advice and I wish I had reported it when I first got

> home, or earlier. Lesson learned.

>

> Again, I hope all the problems that I've read that

> are now old notes have resolved. But you were sure

> right about one thing- a good nights sleep makes

> everything better. I am just about to get up, take

> my prn med and hope for a nap. Your son should not

> hesitate to attempt to relieve his pain at this

> early time to get the healing rest he needs.

>

> Blessings,

>

> Bea

>

> Gail Merri <p0etiss@...> wrote:

> Bea,

>

> Thank you so much for your prayers; it really means

> a

> lot to me. You are always so sincere and caring.

> My

> son is having trouble sleeping. Part of it is he

> is

> most comfortable on his back but his lower back,

> the

> part that does not have the hardware hurts. Once

> he

> gets up and around it feels better. His stomach

> also

> hurts intermittently. He is only taking extra

> strength tylenol before bed right now. I think if

> he

> could get some good sleep it would go a long way.

> After he eats his stomach usually feels better.

>

> I am sorry about your mom. Declining mental health

> can

> be just as painful as physical health. Having a

> back

> problem yourself and helping your mom must be

> exhausting physically and mentally. I hope once

> she

> is settled into the cottage the physical part will

> not

> be as taxing for you.

>

> You have every right to feel the way you do about

> that

> nurse and I don't think it is ever too late to make

> a

> report. You can go to the Dept. of Health/division

> of

> licensing for your state and file a complaint. You

> can see if she still works at that hospital or you

> might be able to track down where she is and send a

> letter. In terms of any legal implications that I

> would not know since I am not an attorney.

>

> Even if you were able to track her down and write a

> letter to her letting her know the effects of her

> actions, that might actually make you feel better.

>

> As always, wishing you all the best,

> Gail

>

> --- Beverlee <bea_simmons@...> wrote:

>

> > Hi Gail,

> >

> > Oh my goodness..... I pray, and I sincerely meant

> > that!....... that all of the problems your son

> had

> > have resolved. I am SO sorry that I have not been

> > able to get to the posts. My mother, who lives

> > almost 2 hours away, has gone very rapidly down

> as

> > far as her mental status and I have been making

> the

> > trip every week. Driving or riding without

> leaning

> > back is one of the roughest things on my back.

> We've

> > decided to build her a very small cottage here,

> next

> > to our home on the farm (she would NEVER live

> with

> > any of us- she has always been reclusive) and

> that

> > process is taking up every spare minute. But

> > especially because your name, with " son's

> scoliosis

> > surgery " was on that Monday on my calendar so I

> > would remember to pray for you both, I really

> have

> > thought of you both frequently and remembered you

> in

> > my prayers.

> >

> > So, I suppose you have all the answers to the

> > questions in your post, or don't need them by now

> > :0). I really am sorry. If I can stay awake after

> my

> > bath I am going to read as far ahead in the posts

> > from the group so I know I will have a lot more

> info

> > by the end of my time. To answer a couple of your

> > things, tho: you know, I was almost paranoid that

> > someone would " take it out on me " if I made too

> much

> > noise about the nurse who withheld the meds, plus

> a

> > host of other problems, that it was never

> addressed

> > as it should've been. I thought about it over the

> > years because I knew she should not be in the

> > capacity she was in and regretted not reporting

> her

> > when I felt less vulnerable.

> >

> > USANA products are not sold in stores- you have

> to

> > buy thru a person who sells, usually on line. If

> you

> > are interested you can just google it, or I can

> give

> > you the 800# I call to place an order so you

> could

> > ask about more info if you want. The multiples

> > require taking 6 pills/day, but it is everything

> and

> > more than I was taking in a bunch more tablets

> > before these. It is 3 pills that are the vitamins

> > and other nutrients and the other 3 are minerals.

> I

> > love their skin care products as well. It is not

> > cheap, but I spend less overall on vitamins and

> the

> > skin care is less than a lot of compartment store

> > brands. Whew! TMI!

> >

> > Gail, in reading a few of the recent posts I

> always

> > see your kind, caring and concerned words to

> > everyone. You have been such a wonderful friend

> to

> > so many people here. A lot of us drop in and out

> and

> > ask an every-now-and-then question, then

> disappear

> > for a while. Thank you for being so consistent in

> > your caring. I hope you have reached a point in

> your

> > son's recovery where he is seeing light at the

> end

> > of the tunnel and you are feeling all those Mom

> > nerves start to settle. Again, I am going to try

> to

> > catch up- if there is anything going on, I do

> want

> > to know!

> >

> > Blessings to you both!

> > Bea

> >

> > Gail Merri <p0etiss@...> wrote:

>

> > Hi Bea,

> >

> > Thank you so much for your interest and

> education.

> > I

> > cannot believe that an ICU nurse withheld pain

> meds

>

=== message truncated ===

[Guest guest]

I wouldn't worry about it so much. The pain will get better and in the meantime,

take pain meds. 6 weeks on them is common. He had a very big surgery.

Re: Re: scoliosis surgery or not? Post surgery day

four

he prescribed a muscle relaxer and said to continue with the hydrocodone. I

believe a muscle relaxer is not a NSAID is that correct?

KnightonNDaol (DOT) com wrote: No NSAIDS - they inhibit fusion! Ask his surgeon for

some prescription pain

medication such as percoset, vicodin, duragesic patch,etc. There are lots

for his doc to choose from and will certainly know what's best for you son.

Don't get 'hung up' on addiction, he simply needs to have pain relief to

recover. He'll do fine stepping down from the meds after he has some time to be

painfree. (If he gets itchy it may be an allergy and the doc should switch

to something different.)

************ **

Get trade secrets for amazing burgers.

Watch " Cooking with Tyler Florence " on AOL Food.

(http://food. aol.com/tyler- florence? video=4? & amp;NCID= aolfod0003000000

0002)

[Guest guest]

Thanks Randie. I was concerned that maybe there was

something touching in the wrong place since it only

hurts him when he lays down. The meds are helping

tremendously. He went for a walk outside and to the

movies in one day and was still in a good frame of

mind.

On the other hand I am concerned about you. To have

gone through that surgery and now a screw may need to

be moved. How much should one person be expected to

endure? And, with it all, you are here for all of us.

--- Randie Meyer <taknitlite@...> wrote:

> I wouldn't worry about it so much. The pain will get

> better and in the meantime, take pain meds. 6 weeks

> on them is common. He had a very big surgery.

>

>

>

> Re: Re: scoliosis

> surgery or not? Post surgery day four

>

>

> he prescribed a muscle relaxer and said to continue

> with the hydrocodone. I believe a muscle relaxer is

> not a NSAID is that correct?

>

> KnightonNDaol (DOT) com wrote: No NSAIDS - they inhibit

> fusion! Ask his surgeon for some prescription pain

> medication such as percoset, vicodin, duragesic

> patch,etc. There are lots

> for his doc to choose from and will certainly know

> what's best for you son.

> Don't get 'hung up' on addiction, he simply needs to

> have pain relief to

> recover. He'll do fine stepping down from the meds

> after he has some time to be

> painfree. (If he gets itchy it may be an allergy and

> the doc should switch

> to something different.)

>

> ************ **

> Get trade secrets for amazing burgers.

> Watch " Cooking with Tyler Florence " on AOL Food.

>

> (http://food. aol.com/tyler- florence? video=4? &

> amp;NCID= aolfod0003000000 0002)

>

> [Non-text portions of this message have been

> removed]

>

>

>

>

>

> [Non-text portions of this message have been

> removed]

>

>

>

>

>

>

> [Non-text portions of this message have been

> removed]

>

>