Re: Surgery date Jan 29 (Jeri)

[Guest guest]

Hi, Jeri --

What specific spinal procedure are you having, and where, i.e., at

what hospital? I think you should be able to get any physical aids

you might need through the OT or PT folks. When I had flatback

revision surgery with Dr. Rand in 2001, New England Baptist had some

kind of " back packet " I purchased for about $20. (Everything else

was covered by insurance.) Their kit or packet included items such

as devices to help me put on my shoes and socks after I was fused to

the sacrum.

I remember prism glasses from the months after my first spinal

fusion (many moons ago, at age 13), when I was kept on my back for

months in a Risser jacket which thrust my head way back. Are they

still in use these days? I can't think you would need anything like

that after today's flatback revision procedures (or any fusion at

any age in 2008). I assume you will be up on your feet almost

immediately unless you have some additional disability. Some

revision surgeons like the patient to wear a short, lightweight,

removable brace (called a TLSO, for thoraco-lumbar-something-

something -- sorry, I'm having a " senior moment " here!) for a while

after surgery. Others do not feel this is necessary, given the

ability of internal spinal hardware to protect any new osteotomies

while they are healing.

I did not quite understand your question about the bra. I assume

this is completely a matter of personal choice. I like to wear one

most of the time too, so I made sure that I got it back with my

glasses as soon as I was conscious.

I'm impressed by you and everyone else who feels sufficiently feisty

to donate all that blood in advance. I must confess I did not feel I

was up to the challenge and said no thanks, taking my chances with

transfusions from the donor pool -- about 9 pints, as I recall. I

hope you are getting one of those blood-building medications to keep

your strength up.

Best,

>

> Donating 4 pints. 3 down, 1 to go.

>

> Working on all my pre-surgical questions for Jan 14.

>

> How about for recovery... prism glasses, reacher/grabbers, well-

> structured bra (40DD) to wear as soon as possible... in hosp if

> possible.

>

> Any experiences you can share about anything?

>

> Thanks!

> Jeri

>

[Guest guest]

Hi .

I'm having revision from T3-S1. Complete removal of Harrington rods,

w/osteotomies, bone wedges placed, and new segmented hardware.

No brace. I had one in 1980, but apparently not this time.

Dr. Tribus wants me on my back (absolutely NO twisting) for the whole

hospital stay and for several weeks at rehab. They'll use a tilt

table to tip me up for walking and eating. Hospital doesn't have one

so I won't get up until I get to rehab. He's even going to bring me

in on a stretcher for my 6 week check up. If fusions are working, I

get to go home. If not, back to rehab.

I got some zip-front sports-type mastectomy bras... no wires or

fasteners to irritate the back. They're great! I'm taking them with

me to get to wear one as soon as possible.

Got a lot to do tonight. So many things get left until the last

minute... with me, anyway.

Thanks.

Jeri

> >

> > Donating 4 pints. 3 down, 1 to go.

> >

> > Working on all my pre-surgical questions for Jan 14.

> >

> > How about for recovery... prism glasses, reacher/grabbers, well-

> > structured bra (40DD) to wear as soon as possible... in hosp if

> > possible.

> >

> > Any experiences you can share about anything?

> >

> > Thanks!

> > Jeri

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks, Jeri, for this very interesting information. Every doctor

seems to have his/her own individual regimen for revision surgery

patients -- this is a new one to me, keeping you in that one

position, but it sounds reasonable.

This is also the first time I have heard of Dr. Tribus, I believe.

How did you find him? I hope you may be willing to include some

comments about your experience with him (after your surgery, at

least) in our section devoted to individual doctors. We are always

interested in learning about new revision surgeons to whom we can

refer people.

I think and hope you will find your surgery an easier experience,

overall, than what you went through in 1980. We will certainly be

rooting for you and wishing you all good things.

Best,

> > >

> > > Donating 4 pints. 3 down, 1 to go.

> > >

> > > Working on all my pre-surgical questions for Jan 14.

> > >

> > > How about for recovery... prism glasses, reacher/grabbers, well-

> > > structured bra (40DD) to wear as soon as possible... in hosp if

> > > possible.

> > >

> > > Any experiences you can share about anything?

> > >

> > > Thanks!

> > > Jeri

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Hi, Jeri --

I hope by the time you read this, you will be feeling much better and

glad you had the surgery.

Much to my dismay, I wrote a reply to this post which apparently did

not get posted!

You are very much in my thoughts, and I -- like mamy other members

and revision-surgery vets, I feel sure -- am wishing you all good

things during this hugely challenging time. Please do let us know

more, when you can, about the whole experience, and also about Dr.

Tribus.

Best,

> > >

> > > Donating 4 pints. 3 down, 1 to go.

> > >

> > > Working on all my pre-surgical questions for Jan 14.

> > >

> > > How about for recovery... prism glasses, reacher/grabbers, well-

> > > structured bra (40DD) to wear as soon as possible... in hosp if

> > > possible.

> > >

> > > Any experiences you can share about anything?

> > >

> > > Thanks!

> > > Jeri

> > >

> >

>