Update on spinal stenosis surgery

Because Lilly was asking, I thought I'd post an update on hubby's surgery in February.

You know, I think the surgery really did help the pain he was having in his lower back.  It has taken forever for him to heal.  There are huge long scars running down the front and back center of his body.  But they are healing nicely, now that it's been 9 months.  The wound that is still healing is the one on his ankle where they took the vein out for his open heart surgery in March 2010!

When they fuse the vertebrae, there is limited or no movement in those areas.  So other joints have to work harder to compensate for what doesn't move.  We were told this.  It was all explained quite clearly by the surgeon and I was present at all of those meetings and remember the conversations.  Hubby doesn't remember them.

His lower back was fused, so of course, 4 months after the surgeries, his upper back started hurting.  As did both of his hips.  But now, one of his hips is so painful that he's back to not moving.  Which means he is putting on weight.  He's probably around 280 pounds at this point.  So this weight does not help with the joints hurting either, but because he hurts, he won't move....and he just eats and put on more weight.

Was it worth it?

Absolutely not.  But then he is "special" in that all of his internal organs shut down and he needed multiple dialysis treatments to get his kidneys to function again.

Does he think it was worth it?  He said that considering what he went through and his current level of pain - probably not. But we both agreed that when you are in the moment and desperate for pain relief, you do what you think is best not really thinking that there's going to be more/different pain down the line.  I hope we have both learned that lesson at this point.

If I were to compare him to a year ago, I'd say he's worse off.  He doesn't have the back pain, but he has worse hip and upper back pain (2 locations instead of 1).   He is no more mobile than he was a year ago, but this extra year of not moving has put more weight on his body.  His A1c is higher than it's ever been.  His determination to avoid doctors is greater.  And because he's still not mobile, his depression has increased.

Would he do it again?  At this point he is saying "no".  I asked him if he wanted to start the process of getting his hips replaced and he said no - and it was rather adamant!  LOL!!!   But I have to wonder as time goes on, will he change his mind?

Of course - neither of us are going to make a decision right now.  But the less he does or is able to do, the more it all falls on me and I'm afraid it's going to wear me out over time. There's only so much one can do - especially when they become a full time caregiver for another.

But now worries - I've slept good the last 2 nights and today I'm off to work in the garage - taking advantage of a warmer day weatherwise!!!

DW

Doctor's update

We went to see his surgeon today.

Brought up the fact that he is still anemic.  That he will get up at 7 am and be asleep at 9 am.  That he is having tunnel vision with a feeling of passing out.

All the surgeon did was look at his back xrays, discuss the continuing numbness in his thighs, blame that on diabetic neuropathy and release him. We don't return til 1/12.  He can drive. He can start lifting things - as much as he wants.

Xrays show that his back above the fusion is starting to curve.  No, he will never get it fixed. No matter how bad it gets.

Numbness in his thighs.
How does the surgeon think he's going to sense that he's pushing the brakes in far enough?

I swear!  Doctors are all idiots!  And I actually really like this guy.  He is a great surgeon.  But he has tunnel vision himself - he only wants to talk about the back...not the whole being.

We go see the cardiologist next Wednesday.  She is my only hope.

I'm sure he will drive somewhere tomorrow.  Just because he can!


Thanks to everyone for all of your kind comments.  I will get to them in a few days....when there is a lull in everything that's going on.

On the job front - his boss had a staff meeting today and said it was just a "fire drill" - to see how they would react. This is beyond stupid because the next time they ask hubby to give up an employee, he's going to think it's just a fire drill again.  Remember it brought him to tears?  Just so totally stupid.

Emotional day to say the least!  Time for bed!

DW