Looking for success stories from T3-Pelvis fusions

@memuno1stborn: For anyone reading this re: spinal fusion post-surgery, there are a few other areas that probably could be mentioned. No one told me about the possibility of intense itching and the emotional/mental stress that could be encountered after major surgery. 1-1/2 months after surgery, I had intense itching on my back. It was awful. Itching is due to the healing and regrowth of your skin and all the sublayers of tissue and nerve endings beneath your skin. During healing, histamines are released. I would use cold packs (not frozen) wrapped in a cloth to relieve the itching. I also used a cortisone cream--but be careful to read the label about re-application. The intense itching eventually ceases but I've had small flareups from time to time. If anything more than itching occurs, contact your doctor.
The other area of discomfort is the emotional distress that can occur during the healing process. I began to realize that I was not myself and talked with a doctor who suggested I meet with the practice staff therapist. A few sessions helped me work through concerns.

The itchiness and emotional distress don't happen with everyone, but I found out these are not uncommon aspects of healing after major surgery. I just wish someone had told me of the possibility because I felt alone, fearful, and misunderstood--and frankly, a bit down. All of the negative aspects have passed and I'm back to feeling like myself again. I just want to do what I can to help others about spinal fusion post-surgery aspects, and help others to know that they don't have to go through the recovery journey alone and uninformed. I think the medical profession could do more patient education about potential post-surgery issues.

@memuno1stborn I 100% agree with you on this! Healing is possibly more mental than physical! I'm really glad that your practice provided support for you! I do wish I had had that. There have been moments where the fear and the lack of progress just knocked me into a funk. I do think the field would have better outcomes if they did a mental health evaluation prior to surgery and had check-ins that were a little more substantial than just the periodic check in to see if you are in physical pain and using pain meds. I have heard of fusion patients hitting a mental slump at the one year mark, and I'm curious if anyone on the forum would be willing to share more about this?

@karenoharmon: Oh #@#*, I hope that I've already experienced the mental slump and don't have another to get through another at the 1-year mark! What likely contributed to having mental health funk post-surgery was the death of a favorite sister just 5 months before, placement in memory care of mother @ 101 yrs. with failing health just prior to surgery (recently died), another sister given only 5 months to live, other family issues; and, the seriousness and enormity of spinal surgery. A number of awful things could have happened during surgery. Mortality reality and mobility challenges overtook my ability and resiliency to "get through" tough times. Thankfully, all was put into positive perspective, along with adapting to and problem-solving the mobility issues. I don't know if going through all this made me any stronger, but it did teach me that I can endure and go on. Most, if not all, medical practices check on a patient's mental health status at each visit. As I mentioned in a previous chat, I firmly believe that the medical profession should do more in patient education about possible post-surgery issues.

I'm still looking for someone with a positive outcome from a T3 to Pelvis surgery..if they even exist! I'd love to hear from them. I'm hearing a lot of challenges (which I know I will have) but does anyone have a good end result?