Surgical Consult #1

Ok, so this morning I had my first surgical consult.  I brought my husband along for moral support, and I am so happy he was there.  He had some great questions, and he even made the surgeon laugh several times.  If you need someone sweet, kind, supportive and funny to go with you to the doctor, let me know--I will rent him out for a small fee.

Anyways, the orthopedic surgeon did recommend spinal fusion.  He recommended a TLIF (which I have to learn all about).  He was noncommittal about the time frame of the surgery until he realized I had sensory loss and motor weakness.  Given those facts, he advised me that I should probably have the surgery in the next couple of weeks.  Yowza!  That was shocking--I figured he would have me do physical therapy for 6 weeks and then schedule a surgery.

We watched a short video about fusion surgery and then he gave us some time to ask questions.  We asked everything from 'what is the recovery like?' to 'will I be able to resume normal activities post surgery?'  I think I may have asked him something about 'if I wanted to, could I become a power lifter after I am recovered?'--even though I do not nor have I ever had the desire to become a power lifter.  Hey, it's the first thing that popped into my head.  Geez.

We did ask for a referral to a neurosurgeon.  I was worried about asking, so my dear husband did it for me.  I think we did it in a way that was respectful, and, to his credit, he was receptive to a second opinion.  All in all, my impression of him was much better this time, maybe it was because we were 2 to his 1, maybe he is a power lifter enthusiast--we can't know these things.  He gave us a good amount of time, was not unrealistic in his prediction of my outcome, and was pretty friendly.

I will go to see the neurosurgeon he recommended on Thursday.  I am hopeful that that visit will go as smoothly, though I'll be flying solo on this one.  Maybe I can rent someone else's funny and supportive husband as my wingman...