@judyhendricks1959
I’m still not sure how I endured it. Apparently the body has a high tolerance for physical trauma. And pain meds helped. I’ll get to every question you have. I’ve had 3 surgeons, Dr. Ciacci in Annapolis, Md, then Dr. Neece, in Frisco TX, and the last 2 major rebuilds were from Dr Callewart, specialist in spinal deformities, in Dallas TX. How did it start: In my early 20’s, I was recruited to a Federal (3 letter) agency. My function was very diverse. I had a parachute accident and compression fractures of several vertebrae. 20+ years later I developed degenerative disc disease after it was reinjured in 2004. Post op pain can be a double edged sword. Sometimes on the OR table the body has to be positioned in an unnatural way. For instance, one surgery required my arms be hyper extended above my head and pushed backwards. My armpits were in more pain than my back, and lasted a month. The pain in the hospital has never been a problem. Always got a PCA, Patient Controlled Analgesic, also known as a morphine button. It will dispense a preset amount of drug every 15 minutes if you push the button. It’s the pain after you get home, along with the loss of range of motion that’s the real issue. The intense trauma the body experiences lasts a few months, but easily handled by 10/325 Hydrocodone. Depending on what’s getting done will determine a loss of flexibility vs a permanent loss of a specific function, like bending or twisting at the waist. When the Lumbar Spine is fused, that’s a permanent loss. And it took me a while to adjust to my new normal. And I’ve had several new normals. In the beginning it was very hard hard physically and emotionally. You have to relearn how to live with all the assistive devices. To put on socks, shoes, wipe my behind, and in my case walk with a cane. I think it’s the most difficult part of the recovery. Being forced to sleep on your back, and in the middle of the night you subconsciously want to sleep on your side, but when your body attempts it, it locks up and wakes you up from the jolt inside you. I wish there was a voice function for this chat. I have so much to say, but no patience to type for a long time. I work off my phone. Keep asking, I’ll always answer. Happy New Year!