My journey with a T11 to L4 spinal fusion - 40 degree scoliosis curve

Posted by sherrym25 @sherrym25, Nov 7, 2024

Hi, I am scheduled for an L4 to T11 spinal fusion for my 40 degree scoliosis curve on December 11 2024.

Looking for feedback or advice for recovery from anyone who has had a similar surgery!!

I very active, with an “almost” teenager, and I ride horses.

Thank you!!

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Spine Health Support Group.

tonie727 | @tonie727 | Dec 15, 2024

Take care trust surgery went well. Just common sense any surgery requires time to heal. Listen to your dr

sassytwo | @sassytwo | Dec 17, 2024

In reply to @dlydailyhope "Great planning and praying! 🙂 I had cervical and lumbar surgeries in 2022 and 2024 and..." + (show)

@dlydailyhope

Great planning and praying! 🙂

I had cervical and lumbar surgeries in 2022 and 2024 and the hardest was lumbar (L3-L5 decompression and fusion). Mine was invasive. Pain was 11/12 out of 10 for the first week but started to get better gradually afterwards.

I bought grabbers and a bed assist bar to help me pick things up and maneuver in bed/help me get out. I also bought a walker at the hospital and had a cane at home to help me stabilize when standing up and moving about my home after surgery. Bathroom/toilet wiping tool helped to wipe when I wasn’t able to twist/turn. Lots of pillow to prop up head and legs when in bed and a bedside organizer for everything you need close to you next to couch and bed. I used my chair in the shower when I was able to (I needed to wait a couple of weeks but did sponge baths using my hand sprayer).

I am also a single parent of a 15 year old son but do not have any family so you are blessed to have the help you have. Don’t forget to stock up not just for yourself and daughter but also all of your pets. I have 2 rescue dogs and 8 cats so having food, litter, etc. stocked, helped with heavy lifted before surgery. Bending down and twisting is restricted so putting food down and picking up bowls was difficult. Get all vet appointments and grooming done in advance. Pay as many bills ahead as possible to reduce burden for several weeks post op.

A plane trip after surgery puts you at risk for blood clots so make sure you are able to move around often. Will you be in first class? You will be in pain and need more room to move around. If you are in CA and need to go to AZ (I used to live in CA), I would probably opt for driving rather than flying. Yes it is longer but you can control stops and movement breaks and fully recline in your car seat. I moaned in pain for the first week so would be embarrassed to be around people on a plane. 😉 I would have never been able to fly with the pain and discomfort I was in.

Good luck and keep praying! Ask God to guide you in preparing for what is a major surgery, even if minimally invasive. 🙏

Jump to this post

preparing for my fusion from T12 - S2 -- what is a hand sprayer? Trying to get my house and hospital stay in order!

dlydailyhope | @dlydailyhope | Dec 17, 2024

In reply to @sassytwo "preparing for my fusion from T12 - S2 -- what is a hand sprayer? Trying to..." + (show)

@sassytwo
It is part of your shower head where you can use it to target spraying off your legs/arms, etc. to keep your back and wound/dressing from getting wet. I used my bench and hand sprayer to do a better than “sponge bath.” I was told I could not shower for 2 weeks and felt gross so I found a way to get clean in the shower without a shower. 😉 I kneeled over my tub and laid my upper body on my bench for support while using the hand sprayer to wash my hair. I used a back brush to help me wash my legs because you aren’t supposed to bend or twist/reach for some time after surgery.

sassytwo | @sassytwo | Dec 17, 2024

In reply to @dlydailyhope "@sassytwo It is part of your shower head where you can use it to target spraying..." + (show)

oh these are great tips!!!! thanks! I will practice! I was hoping they would wash my hair before i leave and i could just stop at my stylist enroute home for the rest😂. would I be able to sit in a wash chair at a salon??

i am practicing with my grabber.. i didn’t realize how klutzy I am. I drop a lot of “stuff”

dlydailyhope | @dlydailyhope | Dec 17, 2024

In reply to @sassytwo "oh these are great tips!!!! thanks! I will practice! I was hoping they would wash my..." + (show)

@sassytwo
I wasn’t able to go to my salon for a month and couldn’t do stairs so my stylist accommodated me by doing my hair on the first floor. Sitting in a chair was easier than trying to lie down/rollover in bed. I really relied on my bed grab bar and still do today over 4 months after surgery. It helps you maneuver yourself in bed. Here is the one I purchased off amazon.
https://a.co/d/4NEAHfd

sassytwo | @sassytwo | Dec 17, 2024

Thanks! I just ordered a bed rail from Amazon but still unassembled in box. so will compare and maybe return.

I am really nervous about sleeping and mobility in bed..( especially long term)

I am looking to order a reclining chair for my bedroom to sleep in. Someone said it was a huge help.

I could not get into my bed without severe pain and cramps after knee replacement 2 years ago but somehow I could maneuver on my sectional ok.. slept there a month! What ever works.

This is going to take a lot of self talk .. already so sad about loss of mobility but tired of the pain too!

Refresh me.. what type of fusion and how long ago?

Did you get a bidet? Not sure how that would work with a riser??

It is sooo nice to have someone to chat with on these details. Thank you! 🙏

Just ordered a rumba vac and help to clean.

sherrym25 | @sherrym25 | Dec 19, 2024

Good afternoon! I have not posted anything for a while because it’s been a painful journey the past week. I was supposed to fly home on Sunday but here I am, still in the hospital. I fly home this afternoon and should be in Sacramento by 5:30 pm.
I have lots to share with you and hope to do that within the next couple days. I hope everyone is doing well.😊

sassytwo | @sassytwo | Dec 19, 2024

In reply to @sherrym25 "Hi Tamra, it was definitely wonderful to hear my surgeon say that it went well!! Even..." + (show)

Hope your healing continues...thinking of you!

vikkitennis | @vikkitennis | Dec 20, 2024

In reply to @sherrym25 "Good afternoon! I have not posted anything for a while because it’s been a painful journey..." + (show)

Sherry,
I admire you for attempting to continue the Blog about our health. First, you have many of us praying for you to get over the hurdle, and take each day as it presents itself; Second, the pain must be intense, and I hope your support people are with you. Where in the Sacramento area are you? I am a former Modesto born-and raised girl, who moved to Goodyear, AZ over 8 years ago. It is true, you need to seek health care for a high-need procedure as you went through, outside the Valley. I was a patient at UCSF 2012-2016.