Re: Edie's (almost) 1 year follow up from laminotomy/discectomy

[Guest guest]

Edie,

I don't know why I just noticed it but it is just not right that

your doctors name is Bend-O!

I am glad you had a good follow-up visit and are satisfied with your

current state. I think if there is anything I have learned in this,

and in other things, people do things in their own time and when

they are ready to do them. Anything else seems to bring on it's own

set of resistances.

With the long recovery this surgery brings I suspect it is best to

be very committed to. So you have 5 years to figure out the time and

place of your choosing!

Does Dr Bendo say what your current pain comes from if it is not

nerves....bone on bone maybe? Is he at all concerned about bladder

or other issues...do you have to be on the look out since I think

that is a complication with any case of disc compression on those

nerves isn't it?

Well you will know it when you know it, I am sure. In the mean

time...there is the water. I love my water work more than ever these

days, and if I have to go too many days in a row missing a workout

because life has interferred...I get testy. I just feel better,

stronger and yet more relaxed and stretched after I swim. I have a

feeling it has something to do with all the little muscles that have

to work in order to keep me in line in the water that are gently

pulled and tugged on by the static pressure of the water...but that

is just a guess.

Keep in touch Edie. Your spirit is infectious and is your attitude

is good for keeping perspective!

Take Care, Cam

rest of your life

>

> Hi all,

>

> Posting as promised. Just went to see Dr. Bendo today, and here is

the

> outcome:

>

> Since my surgery one year ago, my severe nerve pain has never

> returned. He feels that my discs are as collapsed and degenerated

as

> can be (L4/L5), which hasn't changed. In other words, my x-rays are

> exactly as they were right after my last surgery. My condition

has, in

> effect, stabilized. No better, but absolutely no worse. So, long

story

> short, we are still doing a wait-and-see. He feels that if I can

live

> with the level of pain I've been in, which is controlled by

swimming

> and water work outs, and one vicodin per evening, and lots of

moving

> around and stretching, that I should continue on the course I've

been

> on. He even gave me clearance to go scuba diving again, although I

> need to have someone carry the tanks and equipment for me (which I

do

> anyway.) He agrees: any exercise in the water is worth doing.

>

> We both agreed that I should consider revision surgery before 50

(I'm

> 45 now), but he was very pleased that I was holding up as well as I

> am. He feels that I absoutely made the right choice for my

situation.

>

> He was not at all making light of my severe flatback (ugh, my xrays

> are brutal...no lordosis whatsover), but tells me that I will most

> certainly know when the time is right to pursue revision, then

we'll

> proceed. In the meantime, he said, if all stays stable as it is

now,

> come back in another year to keep an eye on things. And, of

course, if

> there is any change in my current condition, to contact him ASAP.

He

> really seemed to believe that I will know when the time is right,

and

> that I will know because that nerve pain will return.

>

> I did ask him about the revision surgery, which he performs in one

> operation, both anterior and posterior approaches, with rod

removal. I

> greatly prefer this approach to multiple stages, so I'm happy with

> that answer.

>

> So, the message was loud and clear: keep on keeping on. I'll know

when

> the time is right to pursue further surgical procedure, and until

> then, keep doing what I am and have been doing.

>

> Is there a conclusion to draw from any of this? I guess it would be

> that, so far, I've made the right choice for my life, and that I

have

> a great doctor who I trust intrinsically. I am willing to stay the

> course and live with controllable chronic pain until that option no

> longer becomes feasible. Now that the spring is coming, I'm hoping

the

> warmer weather will also bring a little more relief.

>

> Hope you are all well, and please feel free to drop me a line or

ask

> any questions regarding my procedure, choices, etc.

>

> All the best to everyone out there,

>

> Edie

>

[Guest guest]

Edie,

I think he is exactly right.. " you'll know when you know " ! and right now

you sound pretty upbeat and positive...so...great!! Ann

[Guest guest]

Hi Cam,

As always, it's such a joy to read your responses.

Yes, indeed, my doctor's name is Bendo, and don't think for a second

that I haven't reminded him of the irony of that!

The pain I still experience is definitely from the collapsed discs. We

did not even discuss bladder problems, simply because, at least up til

now, that has never been an issue for me. Since my status seems to be

status quo, I feel in tune enough with my body that I will most

certainly know if anything is awry, so I'll keep that issue in mind.

In the meantime, I am still trying to come to terms with what so many

of us are that are considering revision: thinking of what the future

most likely holds, and how that compares to my current level of

(dis)comfort. We know there are no guarantees, so as long as I can

live with myself the way things are currently, that's what I'll do.

And knowing I have the support of my friends on this board, although I

am not a frequent poster, is a lifeline I am so grateful for.

Take Good Care,

Edie

> >

> > Hi all,

> >

> > Posting as promised. Just went to see Dr. Bendo today, and here is

> the

> > outcome:

> >

> > Since my surgery one year ago, my severe nerve pain has never

> > returned. He feels that my discs are as collapsed and degenerated

> as

> > can be (L4/L5), which hasn't changed. In other words, my x-rays are

> > exactly as they were right after my last surgery. My condition

> has, in

> > effect, stabilized. No better, but absolutely no worse. So, long

> story

> > short, we are still doing a wait-and-see. He feels that if I can

> live

> > with the level of pain I've been in, which is controlled by

> swimming

> > and water work outs, and one vicodin per evening, and lots of

> moving

> > around and stretching, that I should continue on the course I've

> been

> > on. He even gave me clearance to go scuba diving again, although I

> > need to have someone carry the tanks and equipment for me (which I

> do

> > anyway.) He agrees: any exercise in the water is worth doing.

> >

> > We both agreed that I should consider revision surgery before 50

> (I'm

> > 45 now), but he was very pleased that I was holding up as well as I

> > am. He feels that I absoutely made the right choice for my

> situation.

> >

> > He was not at all making light of my severe flatback (ugh, my xrays

> > are brutal...no lordosis whatsover), but tells me that I will most

> > certainly know when the time is right to pursue revision, then

> we'll

> > proceed. In the meantime, he said, if all stays stable as it is

> now,

> > come back in another year to keep an eye on things. And, of

> course, if

> > there is any change in my current condition, to contact him ASAP.

> He

> > really seemed to believe that I will know when the time is right,

> and

> > that I will know because that nerve pain will return.

> >

> > I did ask him about the revision surgery, which he performs in one

> > operation, both anterior and posterior approaches, with rod

> removal. I

> > greatly prefer this approach to multiple stages, so I'm happy with

> > that answer.

> >

> > So, the message was loud and clear: keep on keeping on. I'll know

> when

> > the time is right to pursue further surgical procedure, and until

> > then, keep doing what I am and have been doing.

> >

> > Is there a conclusion to draw from any of this? I guess it would be

> > that, so far, I've made the right choice for my life, and that I

> have

> > a great doctor who I trust intrinsically. I am willing to stay the

> > course and live with controllable chronic pain until that option no

> > longer becomes feasible. Now that the spring is coming, I'm hoping

> the

> > warmer weather will also bring a little more relief.

> >

> > Hope you are all well, and please feel free to drop me a line or

> ask

> > any questions regarding my procedure, choices, etc.

> >

> > All the best to everyone out there,

> >

> > Edie

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Hiya Ann,

Thanks for the encouragement. To be honest, I am not feeling that

upbeat and positive right now, but that will pass. The fact that I got

clearance to go diving again is great news. I'm hoping that when I can

do so (hopefully in June) that will be the big emotional turnaround

I'm looking for. Trying to stay focused on thinking of myself as

functionally able will be a great mental stress relief. And as a

fellow diver put it: When you are down there swimming with the fishes,

the last thing on your mind is paying bills! (Or more spinal surgery.)

And I still hope that we get a chance to hook up your next time in New

York. Let me know if there are any plans in the offing.

Hugs, etc.

Edie

>

> Edie,

> I think he is exactly right.. " you'll know when you know " ! and right now

> you sound pretty upbeat and positive...so...great!! Ann

>