Re: My 12 week post-op with Dr Hu

[Guest guest]

Kathy,

That sounds like good news to me. Dr. Hu is such an attentive doctor and really

listens to you. Sounds like something to keep paying attention to. Wow, it

sounds like overall, you had a very good post-op appt. Congratulations!

Take care,

Liesel

>

> As you all may remember, I have been VERY worried about my back " creaking " .

It started about 3 weeks after my posterior surgery in December. It has been

getting louder & more frequent. I think I got my answer yesterday. Just my

luck...after driving for 300 miles, I guess the position I was sitting in...I

couldn't get my back to " creak " for Dr Hu if my life depended on it!!! Thank

God, she is a surgeon who actually LISTENED to what I was saying. While

reviewing my films, she was very pleased with the appearance of my

fusions...that's the good news. So anyway...I finally pointed my finger at the

film & said " the creaking in coming from right here " . If I was playing a game

of darts...my finger would have hit a " bullseye " . My finger landed on a piece

of hardware that I didn't even know was there. She said that she " rarely uses

it " . " It " is a small stabilizer bar that is used as extra support of the rods.

Kind of like the cross bar on the letter " H " . I can't believe that I never

noticed it before. So anyway, her educated guess is that the stabilizer may not

have been tightened enough...thus causing the creaking. So my fears were

confirmed, just in a different way. I was terrified that I had another failed

fusion & that somehow it was my fault from performing some activity the wrong

way. It's not a failed fusion, but just as potentially dangerous to my

recovery. Dr Hu confirmed that even though it isn't casuing me problems

now...it has the possibility of leading to rod breakage is the future. She

agreed with my assessment that ANY movement in the construct is bad. So I am

going to be in a " wait & see " mode for a while. I am supposed to be VERY

watchfull of ANY loss of correction & ANY increase in pain. Even though I got

some " not so good news " , I think I respect Dr Hu more now than ever before (if

that's possible). It was a team effort between us to figure out what was going

on. I can't tell you how much I appreciate the fact that she didn't blow me off

or try to give me a line of crap about it being my body getting used to the

hardware (like my last surgeon did). So my chances of needing a " fine tuning "

surgery are higher now...and I'm OK with that. She did such a fantastic job

cleaning up my last surgeon's mess, that I have no complaints. I had a feeling

from the very beginning that it might take one more surgery. So that is the

" not so good news " . The " good news " is I am strong, healthy, & my fusions look

good!!! Time for me to spend my day resting. Doing a 600 mile round trip in

one day is EXHAUSTING !!! Have a great day everybody.....Kathy

>

[Guest guest]

Kathy, I’m so glad you found out where the creaking is coming from as that sound emanating from one’s surgical area must be very disconcerting. It is a shame you may need further surgery though I appreciate Dr. Hu’s openness. Your ability to come through what you’ve come through gives me great hope for my surgery in May. Take good care in getting over the trip. Best, Kate

From: KATHYINBK

Sent: Tuesday, April 19, 2011 10:33 AM

Subject: [ ] My 12 week post-op with Dr Hu

As you all may remember, I have been VERY worried about my back "creaking". It started about 3 weeks after my posterior surgery in December. It has been getting louder & more frequent. I think I got my answer yesterday. Just my luck...after driving for 300 miles, I guess the position I was sitting in...I couldn't get my back to "creak" for Dr Hu if my life depended on it!!! Thank God, she is a surgeon who actually LISTENED to what I was saying. While reviewing my films, she was very pleased with the appearance of my fusions...that's the good news. So anyway...I finally pointed my finger at the film & said "the creaking in coming from right here". If I was playing a game of darts...my finger would have hit a "bullseye". My finger landed on a piece of hardware that I didn't even know was there. She said that she "rarely uses it". "It" is a small stabilizer bar that is used as extra support of the rods. Kind of like the cross bar on the letter "H". I can't believe that I never noticed it before. So anyway, her educated guess is that the stabilizer may not have been tightened enough...thus causing the creaking. So my fears were confirmed, just in a different way. I was terrified that I had another failed fusion & that somehow it was my fault from performing some activity the wrong way. It's not a failed fusion, but just as potentially dangerous to my recovery. Dr Hu confirmed that even though it isn't casuing me problems now...it has the possibility of leading to rod breakage is the future. She agreed with my assessment that ANY movement in the construct is bad. So I am going to be in a "wait & see" mode for a while. I am supposed to be VERY watchfull of ANY loss of correction & ANY increase in pain. Even though I got some "not so good news", I think I respect Dr Hu more now than ever before (if that's possible). It was a team effort between us to figure out what was going on. I can't tell you how much I appreciate the fact that she didn't blow me off or try to give me a line of crap about it being my body getting used to the hardware (like my last surgeon did). So my chances of needing a "fine tuning" surgery are higher now...and I'm OK with that. She did such a fantastic job cleaning up my last surgeon's mess, that I have no complaints. I had a feeling from the very beginning that it might take one more surgery. So that is the "not so good news". The "good news" is I am strong, healthy, & my fusions look good!!! Time for me to spend my day resting. Doing a 600 mile round trip in one day is EXHAUSTING !!! Have a great day everybody.....Kathy

[Guest guest]

BRAVO, Kathy. Understanding is so important, and much less scary than the feared unknown. Good work finding out the cause.On Apr 19, 2011, at 8:33 AM, KATHYINBK wrote:As you all may remember, I have been VERY worried about my back "creaking". It started about 3 weeks after my posterior surgery in December. It has been getting louder & more frequent. I think I got my answer yesterday. Just my luck...after driving for 300 miles, I guess the position I was sitting in...I couldn't get my back to "creak" for Dr Hu if my life depended on it!!! Thank God, she is a surgeon who actually LISTENED to what I was saying. While reviewing my films, she was very pleased with the appearance of my fusions...that's the good news. So anyway...I finally pointed my finger at the film & said "the creaking in coming from right here". If I was playing a game of darts...my finger would have hit a "bullseye". My finger landed on a piece of hardware that I didn't even know was there. She said that she "rarely uses it". "It" is a small stabilizer bar that is used as extra support of the rods. Kind of like the cross bar on the letter "H". I can't believe that I never noticed it before. So anyway, her educated guess is that the stabilizer may not have been tightened enough...thus causing the creaking. So my fears were confirmed, just in a different way. I was terrified that I had another failed fusion & that somehow it was my fault from performing some activity the wrong way. It's not a failed fusion, but just as potentially dangerous to my recovery. Dr Hu confirmed that even though it isn't casuing me problems now...it has the possibility of leading to rod breakage is the future. She agreed with my assessment that ANY movement in the construct is bad. So I am going to be in a "wait & see" mode for a while. I am supposed to be VERY watchfull of ANY loss of correction & ANY increase in pain. Even though I got some "not so good news", I think I respect Dr Hu more now than ever before (if that's possible). It was a team effort between us to figure out what was going on. I can't tell you how much I appreciate the fact that she didn't blow me off or try to give me a line of crap about it being my body getting used to the hardware (like my last surgeon did). So my chances of needing a "fine tuning" surgery are higher now...and I'm OK with that. She did such a fantastic job cleaning up my last surgeon's mess, that I have no complaints. I had a feeling from the very beginning that it might take one more surgery. So that is the "not so good news". The "good news" is I am strong, healthy, & my fusions look good!!! Time for me to spend my day resting. Doing a 600 mile round trip in one day is EXHAUSTING !!! Have a great day everybody.....Kathy

[Guest guest]

Hi Kathy...

I was concerned that the creaking was something like that. Glad you have a

diagnosis on it. If you have to have your implants replaced, it should be a

relatively easy surgery with only a mild setback.

Glad to hear about the cut back in drugs. That's huge for you!

Best,

>

> As you all may remember, I have been VERY worried about my back " creaking " .

It started about 3 weeks after my posterior surgery in December. It has been

getting louder & more frequent. I think I got my answer yesterday. Just my

luck...after driving for 300 miles, I guess the position I was sitting in...I

couldn't get my back to " creak " for Dr Hu if my life depended on it!!! Thank

God, she is a surgeon who actually LISTENED to what I was saying. While

reviewing my films, she was very pleased with the appearance of my

fusions...that's the good news. So anyway...I finally pointed my finger at the

film & said " the creaking in coming from right here " . If I was playing a game

of darts...my finger would have hit a " bullseye " . My finger landed on a piece

of hardware that I didn't even know was there. She said that she " rarely uses

it " . " It " is a small stabilizer bar that is used as extra support of the rods.

Kind of like the cross bar on the letter " H " . I can't believe that I never

noticed it before. So anyway, her educated guess is that the stabilizer may not

have been tightened enough...thus causing the creaking. So my fears were

confirmed, just in a different way. I was terrified that I had another failed

fusion & that somehow it was my fault from performing some activity the wrong

way. It's not a failed fusion, but just as potentially dangerous to my

recovery. Dr Hu confirmed that even though it isn't casuing me problems

now...it has the possibility of leading to rod breakage is the future. She

agreed with my assessment that ANY movement in the construct is bad. So I am

going to be in a " wait & see " mode for a while. I am supposed to be VERY

watchfull of ANY loss of correction & ANY increase in pain. Even though I got

some " not so good news " , I think I respect Dr Hu more now than ever before (if

that's possible). It was a team effort between us to figure out what was going

on. I can't tell you how much I appreciate the fact that she didn't blow me off

or try to give me a line of crap about it being my body getting used to the

hardware (like my last surgeon did). So my chances of needing a " fine tuning "

surgery are higher now...and I'm OK with that. She did such a fantastic job

cleaning up my last surgeon's mess, that I have no complaints. I had a feeling

from the very beginning that it might take one more surgery. So that is the

" not so good news " . The " good news " is I am strong, healthy, & my fusions look

good!!! Time for me to spend my day resting. Doing a 600 mile round trip in

one day is EXHAUSTING !!! Have a great day everybody.....Kathy

>

[Guest guest]

Kathy,

By the way, if you can find someone to take care of your pups for a night,

you're always welcome to stay here with me overnight. Getting some rest in

between the 300 mile drives is probably a good idea.

--

>

> As you all may remember, I have been VERY worried about my back " creaking " .

It started about 3 weeks after my posterior surgery in December. It has been

getting louder & more frequent. I think I got my answer yesterday. Just my

luck...after driving for 300 miles, I guess the position I was sitting in...I

couldn't get my back to " creak " for Dr Hu if my life depended on it!!! Thank

God, she is a surgeon who actually LISTENED to what I was saying. While

reviewing my films, she was very pleased with the appearance of my

fusions...that's the good news. So anyway...I finally pointed my finger at the

film & said " the creaking in coming from right here " . If I was playing a game

of darts...my finger would have hit a " bullseye " . My finger landed on a piece

of hardware that I didn't even know was there. She said that she " rarely uses

it " . " It " is a small stabilizer bar that is used as extra support of the rods.

Kind of like the cross bar on the letter " H " . I can't believe that I never

noticed it before. So anyway, her educated guess is that the stabilizer may not

have been tightened enough...thus causing the creaking. So my fears were

confirmed, just in a different way. I was terrified that I had another failed

fusion & that somehow it was my fault from performing some activity the wrong

way. It's not a failed fusion, but just as potentially dangerous to my

recovery. Dr Hu confirmed that even though it isn't casuing me problems

now...it has the possibility of leading to rod breakage is the future. She

agreed with my assessment that ANY movement in the construct is bad. So I am

going to be in a " wait & see " mode for a while. I am supposed to be VERY

watchfull of ANY loss of correction & ANY increase in pain. Even though I got

some " not so good news " , I think I respect Dr Hu more now than ever before (if

that's possible). It was a team effort between us to figure out what was going

on. I can't tell you how much I appreciate the fact that she didn't blow me off

or try to give me a line of crap about it being my body getting used to the

hardware (like my last surgeon did). So my chances of needing a " fine tuning "

surgery are higher now...and I'm OK with that. She did such a fantastic job

cleaning up my last surgeon's mess, that I have no complaints. I had a feeling

from the very beginning that it might take one more surgery. So that is the

" not so good news " . The " good news " is I am strong, healthy, & my fusions look

good!!! Time for me to spend my day resting. Doing a 600 mile round trip in

one day is EXHAUSTING !!! Have a great day everybody.....Kathy

>

[Guest guest]

I'm glad you found out the reason for the creaking.  I wish I could know where my creaking comes from.  Even my husband could hear it if he listened carefully.Peggy

On Tue, Apr 19, 2011 at 11:07 AM, Kate Carroll <katecarr@...> wrote:

 

Kathy, I’m so glad you found out where the creaking is coming from as that sound emanating from one’s surgical area must be very disconcerting. It is a shame you may need further surgery though I appreciate Dr. Hu’s openness. Your ability to come through what you’ve come through gives me great hope for my surgery in May. Take good care in getting over the trip. Best, Kate

 

From: KATHYINBK

Sent: Tuesday, April 19, 2011 10:33 AM

Subject: [ ] My 12 week post-op with Dr Hu

 

 

As you all may remember, I have been VERY worried about my back " creaking " . It started about 3 weeks after my posterior surgery in December. It has been getting louder & more frequent. I think I got my answer yesterday. Just my luck...after driving for 300 miles, I guess the position I was sitting in...I couldn't get my back to " creak " for Dr Hu if my life depended on it!!! Thank God, she is a surgeon who actually LISTENED to what I was saying. While reviewing my films, she was very pleased with the appearance of my fusions...that's the good news. So anyway...I finally pointed my finger at the film & said " the creaking in coming from right here " . If I was playing a game of darts...my finger would have hit a " bullseye " . My finger landed on a piece of hardware that I didn't even know was there. She said that she " rarely uses it " . " It " is a small stabilizer bar that is used as extra support of the rods. Kind of like the cross bar on the letter " H " . I can't believe that I never noticed it before. So anyway, her educated guess is that the stabilizer may not have been tightened enough...thus causing the creaking. So my fears were confirmed, just in a different way. I was terrified that I had another failed fusion & that somehow it was my fault from performing some activity the wrong way. It's not a failed fusion, but just as potentially dangerous to my recovery. Dr Hu confirmed that even though it isn't casuing me problems now...it has the possibility of leading to rod breakage is the future. She agreed with my assessment that ANY movement in the construct is bad. So I am going to be in a " wait & see " mode for a while. I am supposed to be VERY watchfull of ANY loss of correction & ANY increase in pain. Even though I got some " not so good news " , I think I respect Dr Hu more now than ever before (if that's possible). It was a team effort between us to figure out what was going on. I can't tell you how much I appreciate the fact that she didn't blow me off or try to give me a line of crap about it being my body getting used to the hardware (like my last surgeon did). So my chances of needing a " fine tuning " surgery are higher now...and I'm OK with that. She did such a fantastic job cleaning up my last surgeon's mess, that I have no complaints. I had a feeling from the very beginning that it might take one more surgery. So that is the " not so good news " . The " good news " is I am strong, healthy, & my fusions look good!!! Time for me to spend my day resting. Doing a 600 mile round trip in one day is EXHAUSTING !!! Have a great day everybody.....Kathy

[Guest guest]

Kathy,

Thanks for your update. Wow...600 miles in one day....amazing.

I am glad you were able to locate a " suspect " for the creaking noise. At least

you know what you are up against and there is some peace in that. And other than

that, it sounds like you are making very satisfactory progress. Its wonderful

that you are keeping it positive...it does so much to improve your overall

orientation toward this long slog. Eventually you will look back on this as all

worth the effort. You will be back to your life in no time.

Take Care, Cam

[Guest guest]

Hi Cam - I can't help but have a positive attitude. You are so right...the "not knowing" is FAR worse than a possible future "fine tuning" surgery. I have been so freaked out that I had somehow done something wrong. I'm sure that if another procedure is required, it will be relatively minor. So here is the score card... I have a great doc, I'm standing up straight again, my recovery is going great, & I'm weaning off of my meds. Did I mention I'm enrolled in community college, taking online courses to get my accounting degree? Life is GOOD!!! = ) ..............................Kathy

From: cammaltby <cammaltby@...>Subject: [ ] Re: My 12 week post-op with Dr Hu Date: Tuesday, April 19, 2011, 12:52 PM

Kathy,Thanks for your update. Wow...600 miles in one day....amazing.I am glad you were able to locate a "suspect" for the creaking noise. At least you know what you are up against and there is some peace in that. And other than that, it sounds like you are making very satisfactory progress. Its wonderful that you are keeping it positive...it does so much to improve your overall orientation toward this long slog. Eventually you will look back on this as all worth the effort. You will be back to your life in no time.Take Care, Cam

[Guest guest]

Thanks for bringing a satisfying smile to my face. Your attitude is contagious

and whether you realize it or not, you are paying it forward!

Congrats, Kathy!

kam (in Oklahoma)

[Guest guest]

Hi Kathy-

I've been praying for you and will keep doing so. I'm glad you have an answer;

even if it isn't the best of news that you may need more surgery, it is better

to know what's wrong and have a plan to fix it before it turns into a bigger

problem.

I'll be going for my one year check up with Dr. Rand on Monday - it was supposed

to be this Thursday but his office cancelled and rescheduled me. Since his

office also cancelled my six month appointment because I hadn't had a myleogram

yet, I haven't actually seen him since the beginning of July. The neurological

pain in my foot which started returning while I was still in the hospital,

continued to get worse in rehab, was as bad as before by July, is now worse than

ever.

-Beth

>

> As you all may remember, I have been VERY worried about my back " creaking " .

It started about 3 weeks after my posterior surgery in December. It has been

getting louder & more frequent. I think I got my answer yesterday. Just my

luck...after driving for 300 miles, I guess the position I was sitting in...I

couldn't get my back to " creak " for Dr Hu if my life depended on it!!! Thank

God, she is a surgeon who actually LISTENED to what I was saying. While

reviewing my films, she was very pleased with the appearance of my

fusions...that's the good news. So anyway...I finally pointed my finger at the

film & said " the creaking in coming from right here " . If I was playing a game

of darts...my finger would have hit a " bullseye " . My finger landed on a piece

of hardware that I didn't even know was there. She said that she " rarely uses

it " . " It " is a small stabilizer bar that is used as extra support of the rods.

Kind of like the cross bar on the letter " H " . I can't believe that I never

noticed it before. So anyway, her educated guess is that the stabilizer may not

have been tightened enough...thus causing the creaking. So my fears were

confirmed, just in a different way. I was terrified that I had another failed

fusion & that somehow it was my fault from performing some activity the wrong

way. It's not a failed fusion, but just as potentially dangerous to my

recovery. Dr Hu confirmed that even though it isn't casuing me problems

now...it has the possibility of leading to rod breakage is the future. She

agreed with my assessment that ANY movement in the construct is bad. So I am

going to be in a " wait & see " mode for a while. I am supposed to be VERY

watchfull of ANY loss of correction & ANY increase in pain. Even though I got

some " not so good news " , I think I respect Dr Hu more now than ever before (if

that's possible). It was a team effort between us to figure out what was going

on. I can't tell you how much I appreciate the fact that she didn't blow me off

or try to give me a line of crap about it being my body getting used to the

hardware (like my last surgeon did). So my chances of needing a " fine tuning "

surgery are higher now...and I'm OK with that. She did such a fantastic job

cleaning up my last surgeon's mess, that I have no complaints. I had a feeling

from the very beginning that it might take one more surgery. So that is the

" not so good news " . The " good news " is I am strong, healthy, & my fusions look

good!!! Time for me to spend my day resting. Doing a 600 mile round trip in

one day is EXHAUSTING !!! Have a great day everybody.....Kathy

>