I've made it past my 4 week post surgery mark! I feel I have finally turned the corner. Recovery has been slow and painful, but this week I'm starting to feel like I can take part in life once again.
My neurosurgeon still warned me about over doing it. He really doesn't want me to start a walking program until spring. I told him this past week I've begun walking on the treadmill for 15-30 minutes at a time at speed 1. He didn't want me walking more than this, and strongly suggested I be extra careful. He understands I've been depressed about not being able to do anything. I will see him again in March at my 3 month post op.
I've started to wean off of the narcotic, oxycodone, and I have the doctor's permission to use Advil. Before and after surgery I was forbidden from using ibuprofen because of the increased bleeding risk and the fact its slows bone recovery. I'm getting by on 1 oxycodone and 2 Advil every 6 hours. I had been taking 2 oxycodones every 8 hours. I was nervous about coming off of the narcotic because I've read I could experience serious withdrawal symptoms. So far, I'm doing well. My hope is to be off the narcotic within a few weeks so I can return to work.
The numbness is still in my right foot and calf. Sometimes I also now experience a feeling like my skin is ripping apart when I first get up and start walking after being off my feet. I've been told, the nerve damage could be permanent or could take up to a year or two to go away. I've decided I can live with this after all. Its annoying, but I'm grateful I can still walk!
The leg pain feels not nearly as bad, but I do have some discomfort. I have hope though this will disappear as I reach a further point in my recovery. I'm sure as time goes by and I'm able to walk more, my leg will get the message.
My biggest challenge is and always has been, not over doing it. When you are drugged, you don't have the pain telling you to stop. Coming off the narcotic, I'm beginning to notice when my body is telling me its time to back off.
I had the neurosurgeon's nurse print me a copy of my MRI showing the terrible disc damage. Although it grosses my children out, I've posted it on my refrigerator to remind me to take it easy. The last thing I want is to end up back in that world of unbearable pain, looking at surgery once again.
This injury has taken two months of my life really, before surgery and then dealing with recovery. I'm now at a point where I feel like I can contribute to life and enjoy moments. I'm working from home a few hours, and I can stand long enough to wash dishes!! I never thought washing dishes would make me so happy but it does!
Being able to function and move is something I will never take for granted again.
Monday, January 21, 2013
Tuesday, January 08, 2013
Feeling Better? Here's The Bill.
Yesterday, (day 17), I was actually feeling pretty good. I started spacing my oxycodone every 8 hours instead of 6 and felt I was comfortable enough.
This morning, (day18), when I woke up, I didn't want to move. I suppose this is to be expected. You have a good day and then a not so good day. Either on my good days, I over do it, or just like with regular exercise, your body needs a recovery day. Whatever the case may be, I'm hopeful with these feeling better days that healing is actually taking place. Its been slow in my opinion, but I suppose others would say my healing expectations are too high. I'm choosing to stay hopeful that however much time it takes, I will restore my life to where I want it to be.
Also yesterday in the mail we received a billing statement. I am so grateful we have good insurance. Just a few years ago, we were without insurance. My heart goes out to all of those who have no choice but to go without insurance. If you are financially well off, I suppose you have nothing to worry about, but most families I know struggle. You can plan on living a healthy lifestyle, but I'm a perfect example of what could happen beyond your control. A simple fall can change your life.
My MRI bills have been in the $3,000-$6,000 range. I've had to have 3 of them.
I haven't seen the statement yet for my emergency room visit or any of the doctor bills.
My room and board for 23 hours in the hospital was $1,141.50. That was some expensive Jello I enjoyed that evening after surgery.
My drugs were $5,238. I'm sure I had some great pain relievers going through that IV in my neck, but there's actually a different bill for anesthesia.
My anesthesia bill is $2,574.75. I'm grateful I have no recollection of the operation, and I am very grateful I woke up!
Lab work was $665. I'm not exactly sure what lab work was done, but I remember being asked if I was pregnant and when I told the nurse no, I couldn't pee, she said, "That's okay. We'll run a pregnancy test with the blood work." I'm sure they needed to verify blood type and other stuff in case anything unexpected popped up during the procedure.
Diagnostic Radiology was $754.75. I think this was the equipment used to make sure Dr. Neurosurgeron was operating in the correct place. I remember being told something about micro equipment and special glasses so he could see my tiny nerve well enough not to damage it.
Medical/Surgical supplies total was $5,498.75. I suppose Mercy Hospital has to pay off the specialized $70,000 back surgery table at some point.
Operating Room Services = $11,042.75. I suppose this helps pays the salaries of everyone else working with the surgeon and anesthesiologist. It certainly didn't go to pay the heat bill because that room was freezing!
Recovery Room total $3,086.50. This was for the nurses who monitored my vitals, and were so wonderful to place cool wash clothes on my forehead because I woke up so nauseous. I have very little memory of the recovery room other than wanting to throw up.
So if you are keeping track, without the actual doctor's costs, my microdiscectomy to repair my herniated disc has cost over $40,000. If we did not have health insurance, I would be beyond depressed. I fell. I didn't get in a car accident. There is no one to sue. This could happen to anyone, no matter how careful they are. I truly believe we must work together in this country to make health care affordable and even more importantly, accessible to everyone.
Interestingly, on the same day I received the billing statement from the hospital, I also received a survey asking me how I thought everything went and how well I was treated. Other than my emergency room nightmare, everyone else at Mercy has been wonderful.
I consider myself fortunate to be so well taken care of that night of Dec 21st because on the surgical recovery floor, it was a very busy night with several snow thrower damaged limbs. I was lucky to be directly across from the nurses' station and even though I felt like I was bothering them every 30 minutes, they assured me it was their job and their pleasure to be there for me. I knew they were busy, but I felt like I was their priority.
I will fill out the survey praising the staff, but not the prices.
This morning, (day18), when I woke up, I didn't want to move. I suppose this is to be expected. You have a good day and then a not so good day. Either on my good days, I over do it, or just like with regular exercise, your body needs a recovery day. Whatever the case may be, I'm hopeful with these feeling better days that healing is actually taking place. Its been slow in my opinion, but I suppose others would say my healing expectations are too high. I'm choosing to stay hopeful that however much time it takes, I will restore my life to where I want it to be.
Also yesterday in the mail we received a billing statement. I am so grateful we have good insurance. Just a few years ago, we were without insurance. My heart goes out to all of those who have no choice but to go without insurance. If you are financially well off, I suppose you have nothing to worry about, but most families I know struggle. You can plan on living a healthy lifestyle, but I'm a perfect example of what could happen beyond your control. A simple fall can change your life.
My MRI bills have been in the $3,000-$6,000 range. I've had to have 3 of them.
I haven't seen the statement yet for my emergency room visit or any of the doctor bills.
My room and board for 23 hours in the hospital was $1,141.50. That was some expensive Jello I enjoyed that evening after surgery.
My drugs were $5,238. I'm sure I had some great pain relievers going through that IV in my neck, but there's actually a different bill for anesthesia.
My anesthesia bill is $2,574.75. I'm grateful I have no recollection of the operation, and I am very grateful I woke up!
Lab work was $665. I'm not exactly sure what lab work was done, but I remember being asked if I was pregnant and when I told the nurse no, I couldn't pee, she said, "That's okay. We'll run a pregnancy test with the blood work." I'm sure they needed to verify blood type and other stuff in case anything unexpected popped up during the procedure.
Diagnostic Radiology was $754.75. I think this was the equipment used to make sure Dr. Neurosurgeron was operating in the correct place. I remember being told something about micro equipment and special glasses so he could see my tiny nerve well enough not to damage it.
Medical/Surgical supplies total was $5,498.75. I suppose Mercy Hospital has to pay off the specialized $70,000 back surgery table at some point.
Operating Room Services = $11,042.75. I suppose this helps pays the salaries of everyone else working with the surgeon and anesthesiologist. It certainly didn't go to pay the heat bill because that room was freezing!
Recovery Room total $3,086.50. This was for the nurses who monitored my vitals, and were so wonderful to place cool wash clothes on my forehead because I woke up so nauseous. I have very little memory of the recovery room other than wanting to throw up.
So if you are keeping track, without the actual doctor's costs, my microdiscectomy to repair my herniated disc has cost over $40,000. If we did not have health insurance, I would be beyond depressed. I fell. I didn't get in a car accident. There is no one to sue. This could happen to anyone, no matter how careful they are. I truly believe we must work together in this country to make health care affordable and even more importantly, accessible to everyone.
Interestingly, on the same day I received the billing statement from the hospital, I also received a survey asking me how I thought everything went and how well I was treated. Other than my emergency room nightmare, everyone else at Mercy has been wonderful.
I consider myself fortunate to be so well taken care of that night of Dec 21st because on the surgical recovery floor, it was a very busy night with several snow thrower damaged limbs. I was lucky to be directly across from the nurses' station and even though I felt like I was bothering them every 30 minutes, they assured me it was their job and their pleasure to be there for me. I knew they were busy, but I felt like I was their priority.
I will fill out the survey praising the staff, but not the prices.
Friday, January 04, 2013
Recovery Day 14
I've made it 2 weeks!! Yesterday a nurse removed my sutures, and the incision looks great, no infection. I thought I was going to be given the green light to take a shower, but I was told I still needed to wait another 72 hours. I was very bummed about that!
In 2 more weeks I will see the neurosurgeon for my 4 week post op. When I think back and read over my recovery blogs these past two weeks, I'm hoping 4 weeks out I will be feeling much better.
It was stupid of me less than one week after my surgery to think I needed to start weaning myself from the pain medication. My nurse reminded me yesterday, "Dawn, you had SPINE surgery!"
I do feel better taking the medication exactly as prescribed. I was just worried I would run out. My prescription bottle said zero refills. The nurse explained that was because it is a narcotic and in my case it is expected I will need several refills. I just need to call and request them from the doctor, pick them up in person and have them filled. It is not uncommon for someone with spine surgery to need pain medication for several months.
I think I'm starting to get the hang of not twisting, not bending, not lifting. It makes a huge difference in my comfort level.
I don't know why I expect myself to recover so quickly. I'm sure a part of it is the pressure of wanting to do everything I did before. Its easy to feel like this is taking forever when all you can do is lay on pillows or slowly shuffle around the same areas of your house, but the reality is, looking at the calendar, its only been two weeks. My c-section took me 4-6 weeks to recover from and that was just muscle, fat and skin. I have to remember my spinal nerve was messed with and the disc area has very little blood flow for cell replacement. The tear in the disc will never actually heal because of this, and this is why many people re-herniate their discs when they are not careful.
My right foot is still numb, but the pain in my leg has been reduced. Its still there, but manageable. One thing I read is nerve recovery takes about 1 month for every inch damaged. I'm going to ask the doctor if that's true and does that mean for me, the area around where the herniated disc material surrounded my dislodged nerve or are we talking all the way down my leg into my foot? I'm still very hopeful in my case, the nerve damage will not be permanent.
In 2 more weeks I will see the neurosurgeon for my 4 week post op. When I think back and read over my recovery blogs these past two weeks, I'm hoping 4 weeks out I will be feeling much better.
It was stupid of me less than one week after my surgery to think I needed to start weaning myself from the pain medication. My nurse reminded me yesterday, "Dawn, you had SPINE surgery!"
I do feel better taking the medication exactly as prescribed. I was just worried I would run out. My prescription bottle said zero refills. The nurse explained that was because it is a narcotic and in my case it is expected I will need several refills. I just need to call and request them from the doctor, pick them up in person and have them filled. It is not uncommon for someone with spine surgery to need pain medication for several months.
I think I'm starting to get the hang of not twisting, not bending, not lifting. It makes a huge difference in my comfort level.
I don't know why I expect myself to recover so quickly. I'm sure a part of it is the pressure of wanting to do everything I did before. Its easy to feel like this is taking forever when all you can do is lay on pillows or slowly shuffle around the same areas of your house, but the reality is, looking at the calendar, its only been two weeks. My c-section took me 4-6 weeks to recover from and that was just muscle, fat and skin. I have to remember my spinal nerve was messed with and the disc area has very little blood flow for cell replacement. The tear in the disc will never actually heal because of this, and this is why many people re-herniate their discs when they are not careful.
My right foot is still numb, but the pain in my leg has been reduced. Its still there, but manageable. One thing I read is nerve recovery takes about 1 month for every inch damaged. I'm going to ask the doctor if that's true and does that mean for me, the area around where the herniated disc material surrounded my dislodged nerve or are we talking all the way down my leg into my foot? I'm still very hopeful in my case, the nerve damage will not be permanent.
Wednesday, January 02, 2013
Recovery Day 12 From Microdiscectomy
It's been a roller coaster, up and down, but I'm hopeful I've finally figured out how to ride this. Last weekend I probably over did it, thinking I could sit long enough to enjoy a car ride and lunch out with my family. After a few days of trying to sit, even in soft chairs, I felt a huge set back, having more pain and frustration.
The past two days I've made a point not to sit, even in a soft chair. I'm either on my back or up walking. I still experience painful jolts of sharp pain if I move ever so slightly in a direction my spinal nerve doesn't want me to. I'm just happy I can find a semi-comfortable position so I'm not always in tears.
Its been very difficult letting go of all my responsibilities. It feels terrible asking for help even for simple things and watching my husband and family pick up my share of chores just depresses me. I've been better about not reaching and bending these past two days, and I do notice a difference. I just have to give this time and hope one day I will function again. Feeling like I do now, its difficult to believe I will ever feel normal again.
Tomorrow I will see the neurosurgeon nurse and hopefully she'll remove my stitches. Although I've enjoyed using my new happy, sunny yellow, wash clothes my co-workers sent me, I am looking forward to leaving sponge baths behind and enjoying a real shower. In fact, I'm predicting it will be the longest shower I have ever taken!! Before surgery, I was a shower every day at least once if not twice, type of person.
I'm fighting depression by thinking about things I will do again once I've recovered. I can't wait to walk my dog, go on family hikes, kidnap my husband away for a weekend to thank him for everything he's been doing for me, take my kids to the Kalahari, and I'm hoping to be well enough to participate in the March Of Dimes. I have a new sympathy for spinal disorders.
I've also found it interesting my MRIs have shown I have the same Chiari type malformation that my son was diagnosed with and I have a slight scoliosis. I consider myself very fortunate to not have suffered symptoms of these conditions.
The past two days I've made a point not to sit, even in a soft chair. I'm either on my back or up walking. I still experience painful jolts of sharp pain if I move ever so slightly in a direction my spinal nerve doesn't want me to. I'm just happy I can find a semi-comfortable position so I'm not always in tears.
Its been very difficult letting go of all my responsibilities. It feels terrible asking for help even for simple things and watching my husband and family pick up my share of chores just depresses me. I've been better about not reaching and bending these past two days, and I do notice a difference. I just have to give this time and hope one day I will function again. Feeling like I do now, its difficult to believe I will ever feel normal again.
Tomorrow I will see the neurosurgeon nurse and hopefully she'll remove my stitches. Although I've enjoyed using my new happy, sunny yellow, wash clothes my co-workers sent me, I am looking forward to leaving sponge baths behind and enjoying a real shower. In fact, I'm predicting it will be the longest shower I have ever taken!! Before surgery, I was a shower every day at least once if not twice, type of person.
I'm fighting depression by thinking about things I will do again once I've recovered. I can't wait to walk my dog, go on family hikes, kidnap my husband away for a weekend to thank him for everything he's been doing for me, take my kids to the Kalahari, and I'm hoping to be well enough to participate in the March Of Dimes. I have a new sympathy for spinal disorders.
I've also found it interesting my MRIs have shown I have the same Chiari type malformation that my son was diagnosed with and I have a slight scoliosis. I consider myself very fortunate to not have suffered symptoms of these conditions.
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