Saw The Surgeon

Saw the surgeon yesterday. Probably the reason I am awake at 5 in the morning. Not good news. While I am better now than before the surgery, I still don't think it was worth it. I still have the same facet joint pain in my lower left back when I stand for more than 5 minutes or walk 50 yards. The walking is better when I use a cane but the standing is still a problem.
The surgeon said that they don't do to well with facet pain. Wish I had heard that BEFORE the surgery. He said that using a cane isn't the worst thing, yea unless your the one having to use it! He reminded me that it is only 2 1/2 months out and final determinations aren't made until 6-12 months. I am holing out hope, but I think that "I am what I am" as far as improving.
Don't get me wrong, there is improvement. I am standing much straighter, most people comment on that. The numbness in my right leg has improved by 75%. I can do some things easier now than before the surgery, however I still have the back pain and that is why I considered the surgery in the first place. I would put up with all of my other problems if I could get some back pain relief!

Matt

Happy 50!

Wednesday the 22nd was my 50th birthday. It has been 9 weeks since the surgery and to tell you the truth I don't feel much better. Still have lower back pain when I stand or walk (without my cane), Both feet still numb and tingling at the toes, right leg still weak. My right thigh is still numb from the actual surgery. I get pain there a lot and really need to take my Neurotin to keep it at bay.

See  the Dr. the 29th and after 12 sessions of PT I am not much better than the last time I saw him. PT wants me for 2 more weeks so they "can get me off the cane", even though I told them that walking with the cane doesn't hurt my back!

Matt

September 3, 2010

Physical therapy today. This is my 3 session. When I came in for the 2nd session te therapist asked my how I made out after the 1st session. I told he she was a 10. She said thanks and I told her that after I got home I had to take a #10 Percocet!!

Every session they add more excersises! Today I rode a bike for 10 minutes. I can hardly stand up straight now.

Matt

Day 46 August 30, 2010

Went to see the surgeon today. Got X-rays first. Then saw Dr. Mitchell. He asked me how I was doing. I started telling him my problems and when I was done he turned to Diane and asked her how I was doing! It seems that my bones are fusing. So much so he started me on physical therapy tomorrow! 3 times a week for 4 weeks. I guess I am doing better than I think.

Still have the same pain in my back when I stand too long, he seems a little concerned about that. If it keeps hurting he will send me back to the pain management doctor for injections. I got the surgery to stop getting injections. If that doesn't work he told me he can do more surgery!!!!!!!!!!

Oh well!

Friday August 20, 2010

Saw my family doctor yesterday about my chest. I took a picture with me of how it looked right after surgery. He thought it looked like a staff infection and loaded me up with anti-biotics, predisone and a Rx cream.

I also weighed myself and I have lost 20 more pounds since surgery. That is a total of 52 pounds since November.

Matt

Wednesday August 18, 2010

Was visited by a friend today. He said that he hadn't seen anything on my blog for a while and was wondering how I was doing. My apologies for not keeping current!

Things are going pretty well. Nurse and therapist come at least once a week. I am going stir crazy. Can't wait to go to the surgeon so maybe I can get permission to drive!

Visiting nurse is happy with my progress. She is concerned about my chest. So I am going to my family doctor to have him look at it tomorrow.

Monday August 9, 2010

Physical Therapist came at 8 AM! We went for a walk and I made it all the way around the block. Sweating my ass off. Therapist told me to talk to the surgeon about changing from my walker to a cane.

Diane took a 1/2 day and took me to the surgeon for a check-up. He was pleased with my progress. He reminded me that I have had major surgery and that with all the repairs that they made, it will be a slow recovery.

He took my off the oxycontin and I am to use the percocet as needed for pain. I told him about the therapist wanting to transition from the walker to a cane and he agreed. Hey no more walker!

Chest irritation still comes and goes. Doctor looked at it and said that the "burn" was healed and I should stop using the burn cream. He said it might be a fungal infection. I am to use Gold Bond power and an anti-fungal cream.

I go back to surgeon on August 30th and I will get x-rays to see how the fusion is going.