Bracing for Impact

Well, I was fitted for my back brace yesterday. All I can say about that experience is-yuck I have to wear a back brace. There is nothing sexy or exciting about that…

There is a silver lining, however. I was told I will not have to wear it lying down, sleeping, or reclining. I will only have to don this belted black beauty when standing, moving about, or sitting up. Hallelujah!! I had been imaging many sleepless nights, gloved in ridged plastic—but, alas this will not be!

Since I will be wearing this brace for 90 days post op, I think it is only appropriate that I name her (after all, we will be pretty close) . Therefore, I dub thee Snuggles.

Snuggles will be coming with me to the hospital and we will unite in the effort of healing, happiness, and harmony together. Let’s do this, Snuggles!

Well, I'm less than 2 weeks pre-op and my to-do list is increasing by the minute.  There is a lot of preparation that is required for this surgery, especially since I will be down for a little while.  The following is the preparation I've done so far:

Cleaning-  Since I will have house guests and visitors after the surgery and I won't be able to clean for several weeks after the surgery, I am compulsively cleaning and organizing.  Cleaning the fridge is a good idea, since people may bring you food (and who wants to see that tomato sauce you spilled back in August, right?).  If you have family that will be coming to stay and help you, making room in a closet and drawers is also a good idea.

Shopping- This is a pretty annoying to-do since it is not fun shopping, rather it is more utility shopping.  If you are going to be in a back brace, make sure you have soft tank tops to wear underneath.  Also comfy pajamas, warm socks, stretchy bottoms, loose tops, and a robe are good items to have.  I assembled all of these items in a basket and placed it at waist level so I won't have to bend.  One more thing, shoes that you can slip on that have backs are necessary for the hospital.

Setting Up Your Recovery Area- We have a fairly large master bedroom, so we have decided to make this my recovery suite.  I have plenty of waist high surfaces to set things on, a bathroom with a shower in close proximity, a tv for entertainment, and a computer stand on wheels (kind of like a hospital table).  We went to our local Good Will and bought a recliner for either me or the Mr. to sleep in.  I read several blogs that said lying in a recliner post surgery was easier than lying in bed, so I cleaned that bad boy up and it's ready to go.

Making Things Accessible- Since bending is a no-no, I plan on putting everyday items like toiletries, clothes, snacks, remotes, books, etc. at waist level.  I watched a very informative vlog where a lady suggested putting everything in baskets.

Grooming- I know I will not feel like sitting at the salon getting my hair highlighted and cut for a while, so I took care of that.  I also plan on getting a pre-surgery pedicure since I won't be able to do my own toesies.  If I could afford to get my legs waxed, I would!  It would at least give me a few weeks of smooth legs!

Well, I guess that about wraps it up for now.... I have no time to blog, I have to get moving!

I've Got A Date

I have a surgery date!  Now all I have to do is get scheduled for some pre-op testing, get a brace fitting, and show up on the morning of October 3rd.

While I am glad most of the waiting is over, now the nerves are starting to set in.  I have to remember to keep my mind focuses on my faith and trust in God.  Trust is a hard thing to do when you are scared, but it's really my only option.

To help me with my trust process, I am going to:

• STOP reading about this surgery on the internet (oh, the horror!)
• Start thinking less about the surgery and more about life beyond the surgery
• Start praying when the worry kicks in

During a church service years ago, every member in the congregation was given a bible verse that was selected for them individually.  My pastor gave me Philippians 4:13: "I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me."  This was not the first time this bible verse had come to me, in fact it's made it's way to me several times over the years.  Since it has been so meaningful to me in the past, I am adopting it as my personal strength statement.  I am weak, be He is strong!

Surgical Consult #2

Yesterday was my second neurosurgical consult--this time with Dr. H.  I knew from the time that I walked in the office that this was the place for me.  Ages ago, I worked in the medical field--and you can tell a lot about the quality of care you will receive by the doctor's office.  Why do I say this?  Well, it's because 90% of the care you receive is not from the doctor--it's from his staff.  Well run office, well cared for patient--at least in my opinion that's how it goes.  I digress...

Anyway, my husband and I met with Dr. H--who was business like with a dash of humor.  I liked him immediately.  He asked a few questions and then asked if we'd like to see the CT Myelogram results.  I'm sorry...did you say you wanted to show me results?  This is what sealed the deal....Dr. H is the man for me!

He recommended a posterior approach--so no incisions in my belly.  He advised me that I would be wearing a brace for 3 months, and said he's like me to stay out of work until the brace is off.  He said if I can't stay out for that long (which I can't)--we'd talk about going back to work 6 weeks post-op.   I felt good about his conservative approach. 

The next step is scheduling the surgery date, getting pre-op testing, a brace fitting, and I'm ready.  I felt so relieved walking out of his office--I have my surgeon, I have my plan, I will have my life back  someday soon.

Confusion

When navigating the medical system, have you ever felt like a lab rat?  Well, this lady has.  It seems like every time I gain any tiny bit of momentum, I run into a wall. 

So here's the story:  My orthopedic doctor referred me to a neurosurgeon per our request.  I show up at the neurosurgeon's office for a surgical consult.  He very casually says I need a spinal fusion, but he doesn't really explain the procedure.  In fact, he is very aloof when I start asking questions.  This puzzled me--I guess I expected him to be a little more engaged.  So I stopped asking questions.  After the appointment, I kicked myself for not being more forceful about asking questions.  By the next morning, I had convinced myself that maybe I mis-read him (maybe he's just a type B personality and he had a heavy lunch after a terrible night's sleep?) and I should not have stopped with my list of questions.  Don't get me wrong--he was very nice, just a little too indifferent for my comfort level.

So, the next day, I call his office to talk about scheduling a surgery--albeit after I got  some answers to some of the questions I had left out the day before.  The nurse that I spoke to was confused; she said they had already sent my records back to the orthopedic doctor's office since I was just there for a second opinion.  Huh?  Nobody told me.

She said that this doctor would not take me as a patient in fear of offending the referring orthopedic...at least he wouldn't take me on the up and up.  She said I would have to go get my records, sneak them back to their office, and then hope that the doctor would then take me on.  I told her that this system was confusing--maybe I should just find another doctor.  She kept assuring me, very nicely, that the doctor that I used was 'my choice.'  I assure you, it is anything but.

So, I decided to cut bait and move on to another neurosurgery group.  This way, medical politics would not be a factor.  It just seems cleaner this way. 

In the meantime, I have good news:  the pain in my leg and foot has diminished!  My back is still status quo--and by that I mean status-it-hurts-a-lot--but I'll take any improvement that comes my way!