Guest guest Posted October 15, 2006 Report Share Posted October 15, 2006 Hi Carol... In recent years I’ve heard figures of anywhere between about $200,000 and $1,000,000. So much depends on whether you have any complications. Also, I wouldn’t get too hung up on setting a target for getting back to work. Some people are able to get back to work within a few months, while others take as long as a year. There’s just no way of knowing where you’ll fit into the curve. As for housework, in my opinion, you should plan on not being able to do much of anything for 6 months. And, what you are able to do, I think you’ll find, will take much longer because you’ll need to adapt your techniques. I think many people get themselves in trouble during recovery, because they try to do too much. Wouldn’t it be horrible to cause some complication because you were doing too much housework? :-) -- On 10/15/06 3:00 PM, " Carol " <dcvaughan@...> wrote: I was just wondering if anyone could give me a ballpark figure for the revision surgery. I'm not trying to pry into anyone's financial issues, but we just wanted to have a general idea of what we're looking at...those of you who have had the revisions already. I realize different hospitals, doctors, areas of country, etc. all play into it. If I'm stuck with paying 10% of the bill, that could be what?....$10,000---$20,000????? Just wondering if anyone had any comments about my visit to Dr. Hu. I've already gotten comments from and . Was wondering what some of you that have had the surgery thought about Dr. Hu's estimate of when I could return to work? I was suprised at the long expanse of time before she said I could go back to work full-time. I guess it all depends on WHAT a person does for a job and HOW you are doing after the surgery. I know quite a few people have gone back about 3-4 months, but she said I could probably only do PART TIME work at that point....maybe full-time in 6-9 MONTHS. I was surprised actually. I have a desk job with occasional lifting and bending. I guess the lifting and bending part is what gave her the long extended time, I don't know? Then the nurse said after surgery (6 months?) we can't lift, bend, twist or reach. The lifting can't be anything heavier than a 1/2 gal. of milk weight. I guess this leave out just about ALL housework for how long? Six months??? I would appreciate anyone's comments or suggestions... Carol V (CA) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 15, 2006 Report Share Posted October 15, 2006 Carol - My personal opinion? There is no 'ballpark figure' for what revision surgery costs. And if there was - by finding out what you would be " stuck with " - would that make a difference as to whether or not you would go ahead with the surgery? I can say that I was very glad NOT to have gotten a ballpark figure before my first revision in 2001, because we walked out of there barely under $400,000. And I think the same thing goes for recovery time.....we all recover at different speeds. Where some still can't function at their pre- surgical standard at the year mark, others can at 2-3 months. Just as hospital fees can be all different, so too can individuals. I don't think you will find what you are searching for by asking those who have already been through revision surgery Carol. Oh, but I can say that Dr. Hu is very conservative! ~~ > > I was just wondering if anyone could give me a ballpark figure for > the revision surgery. I'm not trying to pry into anyone's financial > issues, but we just wanted to have a general idea of what we're > looking at...those of you who have had the revisions already. I > realize different hospitals, doctors, areas of country, etc. all play > into it. If I'm stuck with paying 10% of the bill, that could be > what?....$10,000---$20,000????? > > Just wondering if anyone had any comments about my visit to Dr. Hu. > I've already gotten comments from and . Was wondering > what some of you that have had the surgery thought about Dr. Hu's > estimate of when I could return to work? I was suprised at the long > expanse of time before she said I could go back to work full-time. I > guess it all depends on WHAT a person does for a job and HOW you are > doing after the surgery. I know quite a few people have gone back > about 3-4 months, but she said I could probably only do PART TIME > work at that point....maybe full-time in 6-9 MONTHS. I was surprised > actually. I have a desk job with occasional lifting and bending. I > guess the lifting and bending part is what gave her the long extended > time, I don't know? Then the nurse said after surgery (6 months?) we > can't lift, bend, twist or reach. The lifting can't be anything > heavier than a 1/2 gal. of milk weight. I guess this leave out just > about ALL housework for how long? Six months??? I would appreciate > anyone's comments or suggestions... > > Carol V (CA) > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 15, 2006 Report Share Posted October 15, 2006 Yes--I agree totally about the housework. Nothing is worth risking " ruining " the surgery. Joann pointed some of that out in our meeting the other day. Thanks! Carol V > > > I was just wondering if anyone could give me a ballpark figure for > > the revision surgery. I'm not trying to pry into anyone's financial > > issues, but we just wanted to have a general idea of what we're > > looking at...those of you who have had the revisions already. I > > realize different hospitals, doctors, areas of country, etc. all play > > into it. If I'm stuck with paying 10% of the bill, that could be > > what?....$10,000---$20,000????? > > > > Just wondering if anyone had any comments about my visit to Dr. Hu. > > I've already gotten comments from and . Was wondering > > what some of you that have had the surgery thought about Dr. Hu's > > estimate of when I could return to work? I was suprised at the long > > expanse of time before she said I could go back to work full- time. I > > guess it all depends on WHAT a person does for a job and HOW you are > > doing after the surgery. I know quite a few people have gone back > > about 3-4 months, but she said I could probably only do PART TIME > > work at that point....maybe full-time in 6-9 MONTHS. I was surprised > > actually. I have a desk job with occasional lifting and bending. I > > guess the lifting and bending part is what gave her the long extended > > time, I don't know? Then the nurse said after surgery (6 months?) we > > can't lift, bend, twist or reach. The lifting can't be anything > > heavier than a 1/2 gal. of milk weight. I guess this leave out just > > about ALL housework for how long? Six months??? I would appreciate > > anyone's comments or suggestions... > > > > Carol V (CA) > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 15, 2006 Report Share Posted October 15, 2006 Dear Carol, Sometimes I just don't chime in unless I have firm answers. Cost of the surgery, I'm not sure, saw very little of the bills since they went straight to the insurance, so the ones I saw were only the ones the insurance didn't pay quickly. I recieved a bill for my last surgery for the anestheologist ( bet I spelled that one wrong!) for around 7 thousand, and a bill for the physician assistant for over 5. Lately I have been interested in the total cost for my three surgeries( two full revisions and a decompression). I know during that time frame I had a 18 thousand plus dollar bill with just Kumar, and for just what I'm not sure. I may call the hospital and see what I can get copies of the bills but I'm not sure how much they'd charge me to print it off. I just know their bill wouldn't include tons of other stuff all done by independant doc's, spinal monitoring, my second surgeon, anestheologist, on and on. I hope there is someone out there that looked into more about the costs that can chime in, maybe Lorrie or even Bonnie who had their surgeries with Boachie,since If I have it right, you pay him from what the insurance pays since he doesn't take insurance directly. My bill would vary from others since mine was a one day revision, would be interesting to find out if having it done in one day is more or less expensive. While estimates on how soon you can go back to work, are just that an estimate, probably an educated one. Each of us while similar in our Flatback, still are different in our healing, you see that all the time from posts. I think Dr. Hu is being very safe in her estimates. Better to take the time to heal properly than to have set backs. We have seen over time many do very well and are back to work in the three month time frame and others weren't ready then. I'm a stay at home Mom, but a stay at home Mom with a husband who travels a lot for work, and the year I had my last revision more than normal. At the one month time frame I was cooking all meals, while they weren't elaborate,but I did it. At about the six week time frame I was cleaning too, do something, rest, do something, rest. I did almost all housework by the three month time frame except the bath tub and changing linens. My daughter worked at the local grocery store, and I got fabulous treatment, someone always loaded my car, even went throught the store with me to get stuff down low. I didn't go shopping unless there was someone at home to unload till about 4-5 months out. I would say I was doing everything completely at about the 5 month range. Kumar never was one to say. don't do this or that. I think he knew that I tend to be cautious, and still am. I say that but do stuff others think I shouldn't like mow the lawns and garden. I read Cam's posts on climbing up steep slopes, and while I admire her, I have neither the stamina or balance for that, the going up is good hiking, but going down sometimes requires the help of a companion. We all have to find a balance in what we can do and what we do that might temp fate. I have already had a setback from my first revision where I cracked my old Harrington Rod fusion mass, and required me to have a second revision, so that colors all I do. I'm careful, not a bad thing to be. You should always be mindful of what your body is telling you, and not judge yourself if you are not able to do something mentioned here in the same time frame as another. These surgeries are similar but not all the same, some are veryyyyy complicated, just look to Lorrie and Sharon, they have been through far more than me so it's very understandable that their recoveries will and have been different to my experience. My only advice is not to rush yourself, allow time to heal, better to have time arranged for healing and not need it, than to push yourself into someone elses time frame, like job or family. I spoke to Carla's family and support system( Her Church family) and laid it out very plainly to them and they recieved it better coming from someone whos been through it, being quite graphic with them so they " Got" it isn't like getting a small spinal procedure. Carla says they are so thankful to me for doing that, and are glad the had me to sound things off of while they were planning to be her support following surgery. While this isn't easy, it's doable, just take it a step at a time, don't rush, heal, it just plain takes time! [ ] Post ignored? I was just wondering if anyone could give me a ballpark figure for the revision surgery. I'm not trying to pry into anyone's financial issues, but we just wanted to have a general idea of what we're looking at...those of you who have had the revisions already. I realize different hospitals, doctors, areas of country, etc. all play into it. If I'm stuck with paying 10% of the bill, that could be what?....$10,000---$20,000????? Just wondering if anyone had any comments about my visit to Dr. Hu. I've already gotten comments from and . Was wondering what some of you that have had the surgery thought about Dr. Hu's estimate of when I could return to work? I was suprised at the long expanse of time before she said I could go back to work full-time. I guess it all depends on WHAT a person does for a job and HOW you are doing after the surgery. I know quite a few people have gone back about 3-4 months, but she said I could probably only do PART TIME work at that point....maybe full-time in 6-9 MONTHS. I was surprised actually. I have a desk job with occasional lifting and bending. I guess the lifting and bending part is what gave her the long extended time, I don't know? Then the nurse said after surgery (6 months?) we can't lift, bend, twist or reach. The lifting can't be anything heavier than a 1/2 gal. of milk weight. I guess this leave out just about ALL housework for how long? Six months??? I would appreciate anyone's comments or suggestions...Carol V (CA) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 15, 2006 Report Share Posted October 15, 2006 Thank you for answering, . Lucky you--only seeing the portion of your bills that the insurance didn't cover!! I usually always see the whole ball of wax and then see what the insurance covered of that. I realize the recovery will be very individual but I wanted an idea of how soon I could bend over and do laundry,(I don't see how a person can do laundry without bending over) cleaning the toilet and possibly sweeping the floor, mopping and vacuuming. All these activities require bending over to some degree or another. In order to stand perfectly straight, that pretty much leaves out most housework including loading the dishwasher. Even with a grabber most of these activities would not be possible. At least not that I can figure out. Cooking I would need to have someone bend over and get the pots and pans out of the lower cupboard so I could do the cooking. Vacuuming--I don't even do now because the vacuum is too heavy. So, I would be glad to turn that activity over to someone else for the rest of my life if possible!!!! I could probably do the shopping if I had a grabber that could pick things up off the bottom or lower shelves, but the store I go to makes you bag and carry your own to the car, so I wouldn't be able to do that. The stores that do that all for you usually the prices are quite high to make up for those services. I just wish I could afford a full-time maid and housekeeper--that would take care of all of these problems!!! When you have a husband that never does any housework and a 16 yr. old who can, but has alot of schoolwork and a slight scoliosis curve herself-- I don't want to dump too much responsibility on her. I've already told my husband that he'll have to help with the housework and his answer is: " you're the only one who's worried about that, not us " . Carol V (CA) > > Dear Carol, > > Sometimes I just don't chime in unless I have firm answers. Cost of the surgery, I'm not sure, saw very little of the bills since they went straight to the insurance, so the ones I saw were only the ones the insurance didn't pay quickly. I recieved a bill for my last surgery for the anestheologist ( bet I spelled that one wrong!) for around 7 thousand, and a bill for the physician assistant for over 5. Lately I have been interested in the total cost for my three surgeries ( two full revisions and a decompression). I know during that time frame I had a 18 thousand plus dollar bill with just Kumar, and for just what I'm not sure. I may call the hospital and see what I can get copies of the bills but I'm not sure how much they'd charge me to print it off. I just know their bill wouldn't include tons of other stuff all done by independant doc's, spinal monitoring, my second surgeon, anestheologist, on and on. I hope there is someone out there that looked into more about the costs that can chime in, maybe Lorrie or even Bonnie who had their surgeries with Boachie,since If I have it right, you pay him from what the insurance pays since he doesn't take insurance directly. My bill would vary from others since mine was a one day revision, would be interesting to find out if having it done in one day is more or less expensive. > > While estimates on how soon you can go back to work, are just that an estimate, probably an educated one. Each of us while similar in our Flatback, still are different in our healing, you see that all the time from posts. I think Dr. Hu is being very safe in her estimates. Better to take the time to heal properly than to have set backs. We have seen over time many do very well and are back to work in the three month time frame and others weren't ready then. I'm a stay at home Mom, but a stay at home Mom with a husband who travels a lot for work, and the year I had my last revision more than normal. At the one month time frame I was cooking all meals, while they weren't elaborate,but I did it. At about the six week time frame I was cleaning too, do something, rest, do something, rest. I did almost all housework by the three month time frame except the bath tub and changing linens. My daughter worked at the local grocery store, and I got fabulous treatment, someone always loaded my car, even went throught the store with me to get stuff down low. I didn't go shopping unless there was someone at home to unload till about 4-5 months out. I would say I was doing everything completely at about the 5 month range. Kumar never was one to say. don't do this or that. I think he knew that I tend to be cautious, and still am. I say that but do stuff others think I shouldn't like mow the lawns and garden. I read Cam's posts on climbing up steep slopes, and while I admire her, I have neither the stamina or balance for that, the going up is good hiking, but going down sometimes requires the help of a companion. We all have to find a balance in what we can do and what we do that might temp fate. I have already had a setback from my first revision where I cracked my old Harrington Rod fusion mass, and required me to have a second revision, so that colors all I do. I'm careful, not a bad thing to be. You should always be mindful of what your body is telling you, and not judge yourself if you are not able to do something mentioned here in the same time frame as another. These surgeries are similar but not all the same, some are veryyyyy complicated, just look to Lorrie and Sharon, they have been through far more than me so it's very understandable that their recoveries will and have been different to my experience. My only advice is not to rush yourself, allow time to heal, better to have time arranged for healing and not need it, than to push yourself into someone elses time frame, like job or family. I spoke to Carla's family and support system( Her Church family) and laid it out very plainly to them and they recieved it better coming from someone whos been through it, being quite graphic with them so they " Got " it isn't like getting a small spinal procedure. Carla says they are so thankful to me for doing that, and are glad the had me to sound things off of while they were planning to be her support following surgery. While this isn't easy, it's doable, just take it a step at a time, don't rush, heal, it just plain takes time! > > > [ ] Post ignored? > > > I was just wondering if anyone could give me a ballpark figure for > the revision surgery. I'm not trying to pry into anyone's financial > issues, but we just wanted to have a general idea of what we're > looking at...those of you who have had the revisions already. I > realize different hospitals, doctors, areas of country, etc. all play > into it. If I'm stuck with paying 10% of the bill, that could be > what?....$10,000---$20,000????? > > Just wondering if anyone had any comments about my visit to Dr. Hu. > I've already gotten comments from and . Was wondering > what some of you that have had the surgery thought about Dr. Hu's > estimate of when I could return to work? I was suprised at the long > expanse of time before she said I could go back to work full- time. I > guess it all depends on WHAT a person does for a job and HOW you are > doing after the surgery. I know quite a few people have gone back > about 3-4 months, but she said I could probably only do PART TIME > work at that point....maybe full-time in 6-9 MONTHS. I was surprised > actually. I have a desk job with occasional lifting and bending. I > guess the lifting and bending part is what gave her the long extended > time, I don't know? Then the nurse said after surgery (6 months?) we > can't lift, bend, twist or reach. The lifting can't be anything > heavier than a 1/2 gal. of milk weight. I guess this leave out just > about ALL housework for how long? Six months??? I would appreciate > anyone's comments or suggestions... > > Carol V (CA) > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 15, 2006 Report Share Posted October 15, 2006 Dear Carol, I'm fused very high T-1 and to the sacrum, so basically only my neck is unfused. I have a lot of hardware, and I don't have more than a slight lean forward till I feel hardware and stop. So, I'm basically a upright torso, and yes I do all the things you listed okay with some adapting. First, your family will have to chip in, no getting around that. I have three kids, my oldest was a busy senior in highschool during my last surgery, she took a leave of absence from her union supermarket job to help out. I was blessed to still have her at home, and she was glad to help. My son was in Junior high, and he learned all the outdoor chores. My youngest did her fair share too, and she was diagnosised with scoliosis too during that time period( her curve was 20 degrees then). Children step up to the plate if asked, the well being of the family depends on it, and they wanted me to get better. You took care of your daughter when she was little, let her do it for you now. My kids and I have a closeness from our shared battle. Kumar offered to tell the family just what was needed, I should have let him. The kids got my disability, and still get it to this day better than the hubby, mine just wanted me to pop back, and in some ways I'll be forever changed by this surgery, and he doesn't get it, or does and refuses to see it. First, it's tough, but with time and healing it gets better. To load the bottom rack of the dishwasher I do a deep knee bend. For the first while I did the top rack and the kids did the lower rack. Vacuuming can be tough at first, spend some money and get a self propelled model, I have one by hoover, it's great. Take smaller strokes so you aren't tempted to bend.Laundry is tough, but doable. I don't yet have the money to replace my normal washer and dryer but next year I'll replace mine with front opening models on a pedistal. I use a grabber to get stuff out of the dryer, or get down on my knees and pull it out. Stuff at the bottom of the washer I use the grabber too. I have my kitchen set up for me. I have a lot of stuff on the counter, bins with sugar and baking needs, stackable baskets with onions and potatoes. I have untensils in crocks on the counter too. While it looks crowded it's functional, and thats all that matters. I reversed my cabinets, all rarely used stuff goes down low, pots and pans up high, and since the kids are still home a lot of those" can you get that for me calls". While you still have time play with things try placements till you find what works for you. The grocery store can be hard, but if they value your patronage, they will help you out. You have to ask for help, explain your circumstances to the manager, and you'll be surprised just how helpful people are. All stores I routinely deal with know my disability, and are helpful when I need it. It's okay to ask for help, a lesson I had to learn. If for a time you had to go to a Safeway or Albertsons, who will bag for you, do it, it will save you that chore and it isn't forever. I wish you were closer so I could just show you how I get through the day, and if you'd like to call me to ask I'd be willing to go over it with you. Living with a really fused body sucks, but would I trade it for the pain, no way, so I just get around it. Is it always easy, no, but I feel lucky in the scheme of things that while it's hard, it isn't something truly awful like cancer. Just takes adapting. Right now you are at the beginning of this and it looks unsurmountable and impossible. Time gives you a gift of adjustment and acceptance. I have been fused to the sacrum for five years now and I truly don't even think about bending fully anymore( I do have a slight leaning quality), not a reaction I have to seeing something on the ground I need to pick up. My first thought is my grabber, and I have one in every main room. I rent, but if we ever get to buy, the first thing I'd want is a wall mounted oven, especially at Thanksgiving, always have to get someone else to get the turkey in and out! Most in the group after a period of healing, have a much greater ability to bend at the hip than me, and I do have more of a forward lean now than I did even a year out from surgery. I would ask people who have had surgery with your surgeon just how bending at the hip went for them. I'm a little special since my hardware has a really complex setup in my lumbar region ( my X-rays are on the site under pictures, under misc) so my not having as much bending ability at the hip is a bit unusual even for those of us who are fused to the sacrum. I just make do, what else can a person do! [ ] Post ignored?> > > I was just wondering if anyone could give me a ballpark figure for > the revision surgery. I'm not trying to pry into anyone's financial > issues, but we just wanted to have a general idea of what we're > looking at...those of you who have had the revisions already. I > realize different hospitals, doctors, areas of country, etc. all play > into it. If I'm stuck with paying 10% of the bill, that could be > what?....$10,000---$20,000????? > > Just wondering if anyone had any comments about my visit to Dr. Hu. > I've already gotten comments from and . Was wondering > what some of you that have had the surgery thought about Dr. Hu's > estimate of when I could return to work? I was suprised at the long > expanse of time before she said I could go back to work full-time. I > guess it all depends on WHAT a person does for a job and HOW you are > doing after the surgery. I know quite a few people have gone back > about 3-4 months, but she said I could probably only do PART TIME > work at that point....maybe full-time in 6-9 MONTHS. I was surprised > actually. I have a desk job with occasional lifting and bending. I > guess the lifting and bending part is what gave her the long extended > time, I don't know? Then the nurse said after surgery (6 months?) we > can't lift, bend, twist or reach. The lifting can't be anything > heavier than a 1/2 gal. of milk weight. I guess this leave out just > about ALL housework for how long? Six months??? I would appreciate > anyone's comments or suggestions...> > Carol V (CA)> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 16, 2006 Report Share Posted October 16, 2006 Thank you and Cam for the info. I'm like you Cam--I'd like nothing better than to ever have to mop or vacuum or clean tubs again the rest of my life, but I'm afraid that's wishful thinking!! I do own my house, but can't afford any remodeling to change my laundryroom for a stackable washer/dryer combo or to install a wall oven. My oven is directly under my stove--wish it wasn't, but that's the way the house came. I already use a grabber now for the dryer, but tried using one for the dishwasher (bottom rack) the other day, but the dishes fall from the grabber, so that won't work. I already have a Hoover Self-Propelled vacuum, but I don't know if it doesn't work right, or I'm just in so much pain, just can't use it!!! I have trouble with my knees now, so don't know if the surgery will make them any better or not. If it doesn't, I don't think I'll be able to do " deep knee bends " to do any household chore. I'm sure the pain in my knees is from the flatback, or the damage the flatback has wrought over the years. I plan on taking it easy. I already don't pick up things from the ground if I'm out in public, because unless it would be a $20 bill--pennies or dimes just aren't worth the bend NOW!! Carol V (CA) > > > > Dear Carol, > > > > Sometimes I just don't chime in unless I have firm answers. Cost of > the surgery, I'm not sure, saw very little of the bills since they > went straight to the insurance, so the ones I saw were only the ones > the insurance didn't pay quickly. I recieved a bill for my last > surgery for the anestheologist ( bet I spelled that one wrong!) for > around 7 thousand, and a bill for the physician assistant for over 5. > Lately I have been interested in the total cost for my three surgeries > ( two full revisions and a decompression). I know during that time > frame I had a 18 thousand plus dollar bill with just Kumar, and for > just what I'm not sure. I may call the hospital and see what I can > get copies of the bills but I'm not sure how much they'd charge me to > print it off. I just know their bill wouldn't include tons of other > stuff all done by independant doc's, spinal monitoring, my second > surgeon, anestheologist, on and on. I hope there is someone out there > that looked into more about the costs that can chime in, maybe Lorrie > or even Bonnie who had their surgeries with Boachie,since If I have > it right, you pay him from what the insurance pays since he doesn't > take insurance directly. My bill would vary from others since mine > was a one day revision, would be interesting to find out if having it > done in one day is more or less expensive. > > > > While estimates on how soon you can go back to work, are just that > an estimate, probably an educated one. Each of us while similar in > our Flatback, still are different in our healing, you see that all > the time from posts. I think Dr. Hu is being very safe in her > estimates. Better to take the time to heal properly than to have set > backs. We have seen over time many do very well and are back to work > in the three month time frame and others weren't ready then. I'm a > stay at home Mom, but a stay at home Mom with a husband who travels a > lot for work, and the year I had my last revision more than normal. > At the one month time frame I was cooking all meals, while they > weren't elaborate,but I did it. At about the six week time frame I > was cleaning too, do something, rest, do something, rest. I did > almost all housework by the three month time frame except the bath > tub and changing linens. My daughter worked at the local grocery > store, and I got fabulous treatment, someone always loaded my car, > even went throught the store with me to get stuff down low. I didn't > go shopping unless there was someone at home to unload till about 4-5 > months out. I would say I was doing everything completely at about > the 5 month range. Kumar never was one to say. don't do this or that. > I think he knew that I tend to be cautious, and still am. I say that > but do stuff others think I shouldn't like mow the lawns and garden. > I read Cam's posts on climbing up steep slopes, and while I admire > her, I have neither the stamina or balance for that, the going up is > good hiking, but going down sometimes requires the help of a > companion. We all have to find a balance in what we can do and what > we do that might temp fate. I have already had a setback from my > first revision where I cracked my old Harrington Rod fusion mass, and > required me to have a second revision, so that colors all I do. I'm > careful, not a bad thing to be. You should always be mindful of what > your body is telling you, and not judge yourself if you are not able > to do something mentioned here in the same time frame as another. > These surgeries are similar but not all the same, some are veryyyyy > complicated, just look to Lorrie and Sharon, they have been through > far more than me so it's very understandable that their recoveries > will and have been different to my experience. My only advice is not > to rush yourself, allow time to heal, better to have time arranged > for healing and not need it, than to push yourself into someone elses > time frame, like job or family. I spoke to Carla's family and support > system( Her Church family) and laid it out very plainly to them and > they recieved it better coming from someone whos been through it, > being quite graphic with them so they " Got " it isn't like getting a > small spinal procedure. Carla says they are so thankful to me for > doing that, and are glad the had me to sound things off of while they > were planning to be her support following surgery. While this isn't > easy, it's doable, just take it a step at a time, don't rush, heal, > it just plain takes time! > > > > > > [ ] Post ignored? > > > > > > I was just wondering if anyone could give me a ballpark figure > for > > the revision surgery. I'm not trying to pry into anyone's > financial > > issues, but we just wanted to have a general idea of what we're > > looking at...those of you who have had the revisions already. I > > realize different hospitals, doctors, areas of country, etc. all > play > > into it. If I'm stuck with paying 10% of the bill, that could be > > what?....$10,000---$20,000????? > > > > Just wondering if anyone had any comments about my visit to Dr. > Hu. > > I've already gotten comments from and . Was > wondering > > what some of you that have had the surgery thought about Dr. Hu's > > estimate of when I could return to work? I was suprised at the > long > > expanse of time before she said I could go back to work full- > time. I > > guess it all depends on WHAT a person does for a job and HOW you > are > > doing after the surgery. I know quite a few people have gone back > > about 3-4 months, but she said I could probably only do PART TIME > > work at that point....maybe full-time in 6-9 MONTHS. I was > surprised > > actually. I have a desk job with occasional lifting and bending. > I > > guess the lifting and bending part is what gave her the long > extended > > time, I don't know? Then the nurse said after surgery (6 months?) > we > > can't lift, bend, twist or reach. The lifting can't be anything > > heavier than a 1/2 gal. of milk weight. I guess this leave out > just > > about ALL housework for how long? Six months??? I would > appreciate > > anyone's comments or suggestions... > > > > Carol V (CA) > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 16, 2006 Report Share Posted October 16, 2006 Carol, You can't afford to hire help. So that will leave your family to manage all the cleaning. We are not kidding....you will not be able to take care of this stuff....for long awhile....so please start training them in vacuuming 101, right now!!! Take Care, Cam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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