I have not been good at posting personal items in any forum, but want to start this thread about my medical issues.

First, I have had back issues for at least a decade or longer. I had always put this to stiffness or a minor bulging disc. Funny thing is that perspective, minor budging disc. This is a major issue for most. For me, it would have been a much better situation. I have been a very active adult. I routinely had stiffness after hiking or golfing. Then about 5 years ago, my right leg began to have issues, pain, pins, numbness, and other fun stuff. I again thought this was a herniated disc and issues with the syatic nerve. So plugged on. Did a bunch of stretching and warm ups before golf or any activity. This brought relief.

About two years ago it got much worse. I went to PCP (Primary Care Phyicain) to seek relief. I said I needed an MRI, this will be important later. He recommended an x-ray. This showed things were normal. I then went the Chroprator. They were able to give me temporary relief. After a few months, it began to get even worse.

Went back to my PCP. They referred me to a sports medicine group. At that visit, they recommend an MRI, based on my visit and symptoms. This happened in July of this year. The following week, I got my MRI, finally.

I had the MRI at 8:00am. Since I live close to where this facility was, I drove home to change before work. About 30 minutes after my test, I was driving to work. I received a call from the sports medicine group saying they were referring me to a neurosurgeon. They were quite vague on the phone.

I have my appointment about a week later, but this physician did deal with my specific issue. Come to find out, I have degenerative illness in my spine that required an extensive surgical procedure to fix. I then met with a very impressive surgeon right before Labor Day. I then schedule a second opinion. The approaches were the same, although the second said he would wait until I said when. The first one was more definitive about waiting. He said that paralysis and permanent damage was inevitable. I went with the first surgeon's approach.

Well yesterday I had my surgery. It was an extensive fusion of the lowest three lumbar vertebrae to the secrum (which is basically you hip bone). Two surgeons worked on me for 6 hours to fix the issues.

I am currently recovering, as I will be in the hospital until Sunday or Monday. I will be in pain for around 5 weeks and then get progressively better. I will not return to work for a bit, most-likely the beginning of 2015.

I will be posting various times during my recovery, as I will have time on my hands in the short-term. I work in administration in health care so I will post various things regarding the health system as well as my recovery.

I appreciate the ability to not only help with technical computer items, but also items regarding our health system. Being a patient and an administrator will help to lend a perspective to both.

Just got a pain shot which has help emensely. Onto a successful recovery, albeit as quickly as it can be. Please give me positive thought to assure I get the maximum support through this journey.

Well, it sounds like you found a good doctor. That's half the battle right there. Did they get you up and walking yet?
I have a similar story, but mine is car accident related and cervical. Your doctor will probably put you through physical therapy, which may be rough, but should be helpful. Were you told because of the fusions it may limit range of motion or not?
I hope you have a great recovery, just do what they ask of you.

Wow man, I am glad this is getting sorted out for you and that you got the help you needed.  I suffered with a bad back for 5 years until I met a specialist that knew exactly my problem and what to do.  Back pain is the worst, people look at you and think you are fine and just whining, and most doctors underplay the severity of it.  I had 2 Xrays that showed nothing and that was so frustrating.  Traction therapy finally helped me along with 6 months of physiotherapy.  I have been as good as new for the last 5 years.  I hope you have a full recovery and feel amazing afterwards.
 

Thanks for the kind words guys. Here is the surgical site. I have been able to get up and round but may have over did it today, as I am in a great amount of pain. One thing though, the immediate relief of the issues in my leg are extraordinary. I am sure I will do a better job of managing my pain when I get home. I just take them 30 minutes sooner. I have more later, but I walked without a walker and even did some steps today. I walked three times and probably should have only walked twice or allowed more time better adventures.

Not sure why I cannot upload the picture but the site is about two foot area on my back. I am hopeful I will go home tomorrow.

Being discharged today. YIPPEE!!!!!!!!! I cannot wait to get home. Pain better today. Walked well and felt stable on my feet. Another great thing was a bath. Whoa. Amazing how much better you can feel after even a sponge bath. I am also out of that freaking hospital gown. Tired from my walk might need a nap. Update to follow. Thanks again for the well wishes and positive thoughts.

notfordman
Well your progressing very nicely, that's great to hear!!  What, you don't like the peep show in the rear when wearing the gowns?
If your lucky they give you two, for 360 coverage...LOL  Glad to hear your doing well! Make sure to keep moving , as that promotes healing as well.

Not matter what size you are and what size gown they give, it never fits.  I am tall, as this has contributed to my back issues over the years.  The world is not made for tall people.  Funny about the peep show.  I have had issues getting the pictures of my surgical site, but will try that here today or tomorrow as my pain is being managed better since I have gotten home than it was while I was in the hospital.  Anytime today that you have a four day stay in the hospital things are serious.  They rarely have surgical cases stay over night, let alone 4 days.  The site is beginning to itch, which is good but drives my freaking crazy. 

You gots this... *hugs* but gently of course, don't wanna pop anything else :D

Just an update. Went to my first 30 day post op appointment on Tuesday. Everything is progressing well. The X-Rays show so much metal is in my back and it amazed me. Eight, yes, eight titanium screws into four vertebrae, each having two. These screws go in about 65% of the depth of the bone. Amazing. Then two more rods connecting these screws to hold them in place. I guess I'll have some explaining to do with TSA the next time I fly. This entire area will eventually be one bone when the bone growth compound and bone fragments along with time combine all this together. Still about a one year total recovery time, but I am easing back on the pain medication, which is good. Next appointment in two months. Amazing work that can be done medically today. I stand up straight, which I have not done for over two years, and I lost 50 pounds so far. Still got about 10 to 15 to go. Th constant issues I had with my right leg are gone and I am even getting strength in my toes which had zero before . This shows that the nerve damaged,ay be reversible, but time will tell. Looks like January for back to work, but I can start some exercising with low-impact devices and weight machines. All-in-all pleased with the progression, but got a long way yet to go. Thanks for the support of all the members and the prayers and thoughts that all having given have helped greatly. Moving along, but the road is long. I am up for it and know I will reach the end. Thanks again EVGA community, as you have helped more than you will ever know.

Awesome news on the progress.

notfordman
I hope they used the "good stuff" on you, so you don't have to be oiled like the Tin Man.....
 
Nah, It's great to hear your having such great progress with your surgery. I don't think the metal detectors pick up on that though. I have titanium wires in my neck ,and it doesn't seem to be an issue. Just try to keep active, it helps with blood flow healing ,ect.  Now you can put on your dancing shoes, glad your doing so much better.
 

+1. Glad to hear things seem to be going in a positive direction. I've had back pains for years and have to rely on ibuprofen.

Well it has been a good while since my last update.  Sorry, but I had been cleaning my rig and loop over that time.  I started back to work this week.  Part-time.  Can barely handle the four hours.  The pain is gone and I am making a good recovery.  Got the "This is not a Bill" statement from the hospital.  About passed out on the cost.  Just glad I had coverage.  Unbelievable.  I get tired easily, but it was nice to get back to work.  The heal time will be around a year, but I can tell after the initial 10 weeks that I feel much better.  It still seems weird to walk without issues in my right leg, but a good weird.  It is amazing to realize that you being held together with titanium screws and rods.  The things we can do today.
 
Happy Holidays to everyone on this forum and your families.  Thanks for the support and for the companionship.  Be safe this season.

notfordman
That's a great update, sounds like your healing up nice. It's good you can be with out pain after all that. Have you been doing any physical therapy, or occupational therapy? You will just have to build up your stamina at work. Glad your feeling better, that's cool. I have titanium wires and cadaver bone in my cervical spine.
Have a great Christmas/ New Year!!
 
oh, on the water cooling cleaning I have been checking out a product called Mayhems Blitz Cleaning. Check out the videos. I am thinking of doing this next loop drain. 
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/24694/ex-liq-415/Mayhems_Blitz_Pro_Cleaning_System.html
 

I am glad they have procedures like we have had.  Without them, at least my prospects were dim.  I considered buying that.  Let me know how it goes, as I would be willing to try it out if the efforts had some definitive benefit.
 
Thanks for the holiday wishes.  Happy Holidays to you and your family.

God bless you. I myself have had four procedures on my back and two on the neck. The neck jobs went perfect so I assumed the back would work out the same. Nope, not so lucky. First guy did a snip and clip at L5-S1 and that did nothing. Almost 2 years later after therapy and what not, went in for fusion of the bottom two discs and had plastic wedges with bone growth hormone sponges in them which took almost 9 months to complete the fusion but my pain was still there and actually worse. I retired to Vegas from DC on a disability pension and continued on to find relief and found a good surgeon here, not that the DC guy was bad, he did a marvelous job on my neck fusing three spaces. The first thing the guy in Vegas said was why didn't he fuse all three spaces. I told him he was concerned about range of motion issues and he said screw the range of motion what about the pain? So he said he would not cut me but the comp pain mgt guys the comp carrier set me up with did the first install of a spinal chord stimulator and botched it. I spent another year on pain pills and finally went back to the surgeon who repaired it with a new setup. I know about the cuts. The first big surgery for the fusion was done via access thru the front. Had my belly laid open and most my guts pulled out at placed on a surgical towel while they hammered and drilled away. My Femoral's coming down were so plugged up they had to call a vascular guy in to move them and I ended up spending 8 hours on the tables. And unsuccessful. I am now doing a bit better with the new stimulator ( that took 16 inches of cut down my back to replace) and off the pain meds but the arthritis is so bad now it affects my hips, feels like cutting torches in the hip joints if I walk to fast or far. Totally screwed up my golf game. They don't want me playing anymore but geezus, come on. Well several months back my right knee started messing with me and had good luck with the first two shots but not the third so an mri got done and lucky me, I'm going to need a new knee. Really tired of being healing almost yearly from some type of surgery ( had some more arterial issues and a botched bowel resection during all this). I feel pretty beat up from all the knives having been stuck in me so I have to get my nerve up to go in for the knee job. Man, I'm only 61 but I would have taken better care of myself had I known I'd live this long. LOL Now I know what my stepfather meant when he told me old age wasn't for sissies!! I'm glad you had success, wish I had been born lucky instead of so damn good looking :)