Guest guest Posted February 12, 2008 Report Share Posted February 12, 2008 (and all) - I had my check-up last week. It was 5 months post-op. I finally got to see Ondra.;^) My appt. was at 7:30 at night, and the only other person there was Kathy Harley. No residents. So he was real relaxed and I had plenty of time to ask questions. He was pleased with my progress, and said I was about where he expected me to be. X-rays were good, fusion doing it's thing. I was surprised to hear there already was fusion, but he said it was due to the BMP. It enhances fusion by up to 50%. We did talk about my neuropathy, and the fact it wasn't improved much by the surgery, but we both knew that going in. I am straight (mostly), less pain (altho not pain-free), and it is easier to walk. I believe I will always have limitations but they should be much more livable. So to all those who ask if I'm glad I had the surgery, yes. To weigh in on the B/B and sex issues, I too suffer the same. Have any of you noticed that the docs don't want to talk about these things, let alone examine you in that regard? I have yet to find a doctor who seems willing/able to have a frank discussion in that regard. I have learned more on this forum in the past week - thank you for those of you willing to be so frank! Kathy W.rebeccamaas <rebeccamaas@...> wrote: Hi Kathy!Sorry to hear that you've got the B/B problems And that you're feeling a pull from the screws. I felt that intensely but briefly as I went off the pain meds, but then it cleared up thankfully.When is your next appointment at Northwestern? I'll be out there on April 8th for my 9 month followup. I see my neurologist the same day, as long as we're already out there - he's about 20-30 minutes from Northwestern.Dr Koski just used me as a patient reference I had a lady call me yesterday to ask some questions about dealing with an upcoming spinal surgery and MS both. Her spinal surgery isn't as in depth as our revisions, but it was nice to talk for a bit. Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Search. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 12, 2008 Report Share Posted February 12, 2008 Perhaps they get embarassed? I had most of my conversations regarding this with a pain doctor (DO) versus MD - Or perhaps they concentrate on the bone aspect of our bodies? Five months post op, who knows you might start experiencing more improvements. I hope you do. I feel like I'll be having another surgery to "tweak" my problems. I flip-flop on my personal expectaions and I do know that I also have more difficulty walking now than ever, but as long as my doctor believes he can help me I'll believe that I will get better...as the years keep going by! I'm right at 9 months post op. Great to hear about the fusion taking place - with so many other things we deal with post-op, I think that sometimes might get forgotten, and that is the first and foremost important thing about revision surgery. The doctors won't even think about moving to a different phase of treatment if fusion doesn't occur. For the sex realm, well, that's part of the whole thing - for a lot of us, it seems! G Re: [ ] Kathy W-update/input (and all) - I had my check-up last week. It was 5 months post-op. I finally got to see Ondra.;^) My appt. was at 7:30 at night, and the only other person there was Kathy Harley. No residents. So he was real relaxed and I had plenty of time to ask questions. He was pleased with my progress, and said I was about where he expected me to be. X-rays were good, fusion doing it's thing. I was surprised to hear there already was fusion, but he said it was due to the BMP. It enhances fusion by up to 50%. We did talk about my neuropathy, and the fact it wasn't improved much by the surgery, but we both knew that going in. I am straight (mostly), less pain (altho not pain-free), and it is easier to walk. I believe I will always have limitations but they should be much more livable. So to all those who ask if I'm glad I had the surgery, yes. To weigh in on the B/B and sex issues, I too suffer the same. Have any of you noticed that the docs don't want to talk about these things, let alone examine you in that regard? I have yet to find a doctor who seems willing/able to have a frank discussion in that regard. I have learned more on this forum in the past week - thank you for those of you willing to be so frank! Kathy W.rebeccamaas <rebeccamaas > wrote: Hi Kathy!Sorry to hear that you've got the B/B problems And that you're feeling a pull from the screws. I felt that intensely but briefly as I went off the pain meds, but then it cleared up thankfully.When is your next appointment at Northwestern? I'll be out there on April 8th for my 9 month followup. I see my neurologist the same day, as long as we're already out there - he's about 20-30 minutes from Northwestern.Dr Koski just used me as a patient reference I had a lady call me yesterday to ask some questions about dealing with an upcoming spinal surgery and MS both. Her spinal surgery isn't as in depth as our revisions, but it was nice to talk for a bit. Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Search. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 14, 2008 Report Share Posted February 14, 2008 Kathy, I'm glad that you had a good appt and that you were able to see Dr Ondra finally this time! I was able to see Dr Koski in January, after not seeing him since early August. He had been out sick at my 3 month check. I was wondering - are you still doing physical therapy? And if so, what are you doing now? Dr Koski keeps renewing mine, so I have been getting in-home therapy 3 times a week since I came home last summer, thankfully. Hope you're doing well! Hi Kathy! > Sorry to hear that you've got the B/B problems And that you're > feeling a pull from the screws. I felt that intensely but briefly as I > went off the pain meds, but then it cleared up thankfully. > When is your next appointment at Northwestern? I'll be out there on > April 8th for my 9 month followup. I see my neurologist the same day, > as long as we're already out there - he's about 20-30 minutes from > Northwestern. > Dr Koski just used me as a patient reference I had a lady call me > yesterday to ask some questions about dealing with an upcoming spinal > surgery and MS both. Her spinal surgery isn't as in depth as our > revisions, but it was nice to talk for a bit. > > > > > > > > --------------------------------- > Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Search. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 14, 2008 Report Share Posted February 14, 2008 - I have been "graduated" from PT for almost a month, and now I go to the fitness center. I walk treadmill (slow!), do NuStep (like recumbent bike), and upper body weights. I also do exercise ball and exercise bands. I don't have to go back to Ondra for six months, and i plan to spend as much time as possible exercising and getting strong. Kathy W.rebeccamaas <rebeccamaas@...> wrote: Kathy,I'm glad that you had a good appt and that you were able to see Dr Ondra finally this time! I was able to see Dr Koski in January, after not seeing him since early August. He had been out sick at my 3 month check.I was wondering - are you still doing physical therapy? And if so, what are you doing now? Dr Koski keeps renewing mine, so I have been getting in-home therapy 3 times a week since I came home last summer, thankfully.Hope you're doing well! Hi Kathy!> Sorry to hear that you've got the B/B problems And that you're > feeling a pull from the screws. I felt that intensely but briefly as I > went off the pain meds, but then it cleared up thankfully.> When is your next appointment at Northwestern? I'll be out there on > April 8th for my 9 month followup. I see my neurologist the same day, > as long as we're already out there - he's about 20-30 minutes from > Northwestern.> Dr Koski just used me as a patient reference I had a lady call me > yesterday to ask some questions about dealing with an upcoming spinal > surgery and MS both. Her spinal surgery isn't as in depth as our > revisions, but it was nice to talk for a bit.> > > > > > > > ---------------------------------> Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Search.> Never miss a thing. Make your homepage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 15, 2008 Report Share Posted February 15, 2008 Kathy, You don't have to go back for 6 months? They're making me come in for a 9month check as well as a 12month. Dr Koski did say that I am leaning forward slightly more than I was at 3months post-op, so maybe that's why. He had me stand up out of my wheelchair for him at my 6month checkup. Then he gently pushed my shoulders back until I was standing in a completely upright position and I was holding onto him for dear life Whenever I am completely upright, my equilibrium tells me I'm falling backwards. And then I usually do fall backwards shortly after But it was quite interesting to truly stand upright for a few moments. It sure takes a lot of balance and a lot of work! > > - I have been " graduated " from PT for almost a month, and now I go to the fitness center. I walk treadmill (slow!), do NuStep (like recumbent bike), and upper body weights. I also do exercise ball and exercise bands. I don't have to go back to Ondra for six months, and i plan to spend as much time as possible exercising and getting strong. Kathy W. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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