Going to see surgeon on Friday!

frogmella

Hi again,

Well I have now got an appointment for me and my OH to see the surgeon to decide about surgery on Friday (18th Jan).

I have written loads of questions down so that I don't forget! If any of you have any to add I would be pleased to see them in case they are ones I have forgotten! :roll:

I called the blue insurance company to authorise the appointment and mentioned their previous "no more injections" decision and was told that that policy has been changed AGAIN! So now they do do them. That has put the cat amongst the pigeons somewhat as I had sort of got my head around surgery.

I think timing is the main issue. My GP thinks surgery is inevitable (as, I think does the surgeon) and I think that this spring is a good time to do it. For many reasons - 1) I don't want recovery in the winter like last time. Made walking difficult in ice etc.
2) I have a really light timetable at school this year, I could have twice as much next year and so returning to work would be twice as hard.
3) I am not sure I could face having the injections, feeling better, but knowing that this pain is coming next!

I am only one week into this term and I already feel as bad as at the end of last term. I am not sure how long I can keep going.

I am toying with taking codeine in the day rather than saving it for bedtime. I keep it for night because it makes me sleepy if I don't take it often so I get a good sleep. I am not sure how well I will be able to teach on codeine on top of the stupidness caused by the gabapentin! Maybe I will ask my surgeon about this too!

I went on the introduction to pain management course last week and it was quite good. I have already started writing down my activities and colur coding them. I think it will be useful to show to work to explain my need to plan and not just do stuff when my disorganised head of dept drops it on me!

Anyway, I think there will be a lot to discuss on Friday. I am nervous about it. Think I will be needing my codeine at bedtime this week!!

bubbadog

Hey frogmella, you have got yourself covered!! I wanted to say good luck with the appointment and you could ask for pocket duties for the appointment I know I will definatly be in your pocket!!

barbara12

I do hope you have a good appointment, this is all we can wish for, just a point I sometime split the cocos in half, and take a paracetamol with it...but please make sure you never go over the dose of paracetamol.
Please let us know how you get on and I will be thinking about you xx

dreamdaisy

If surgery is the option then yes, go for a spring/summer date if possible because I'm sure recovery is easier in the longer, brighter days. I had three big ops within two years of each other and the easiest to get over was the one done in June. DD

villier

Hoping you have a good appointment on Friday Frogmella xx

stickywicket

You seem to have all bases covered. Good luck for Friday.

frogmella

Thanks for the good luck wishes. I am sure my head will go back into a scramble, hence my notebook of questions!!

Barbara- I have codeine on its own, not in cocos so I can take codeine seperate to the paracetamol. I am debating taking one 30mg in the day, maybe twice a day, to cope with the "mechanical" back pain. But I will need to speak to dr because I am only prescribed enough to take 2 at bedtime. But thank you for the advice. It is difficult to get the right balance isn't it?

Bubba - thanks, yes please sit in my pocket. It is at 11.15!

wall1409

Good luck hun , fingers and toes crossed for you and I'm in your pocket with a packet of mints

Wendy x

babytiger

All the best on your appointment Friday ,depending on what time ,I'll be in your pocket for support ,I have an appointment with my surgeon on Friday as well ,in morning
Eileen xx

frogmella

yum, mints! Thanks again for the support.

frogmella

Due to blimmin' snow I am cancelling the appointment today. Will let you know when I actually go!

hileena111

Awww ...you've had to cancel your appointment. After all the work {notes etc}
Actually I've cancelled my acupuncture appt for this morning.
Thats not so bad.....just added that week on to te end of the session I was having.
Love
Hileena

stickywicket

That's disappointing when you had it so well-planned but, I guess, inevitable given the weather. The plans will keep - as long you're careful where you put them, but not too careful so that you can't remember :roll:

frogmella

Well, I didn't lie - we weren't going but then my OH got to the end of our lane and came home decreeing that "it was fine" so we went. In hindsight, after it took me 4and a half hours to escape Birmingham and a total of 5 hours to get home, it wasn't "fine" and we shouldn't have gone. But hey ho!

So the decision is made. I am having L4L5 fused on 26th Feb. He will cut away quite a lot of my pesky facet joints while he is in there so I should wake up from the 7 hour op better.

We were in there for ages with our list of questions and he was soooo patient. Mr F drilled him on his stats (which are v good). He said there is a 75% chance that I will be better so we asked about the other 25%. To be fair he has only had 5 people not better and from what he said they mostly weren't worse afterwards. There are the usual risks of death from blood clots etc. The risk of infection is higher this time, but infection didn't kill me last time so I am less stressed about that. He hasn't paralysed any one yet and only has one patient that ended up ioncontinent and he was 78 and not really an ideal candidate, So all in all I am pretty optimnistic.

barbara12

Hi frogmella
I am glad to see you got there, an I do wish you well with the op..hopefully it will get rid of the awful pain,.
This op has been mentioned to me, so I will be interested to see how it goes.
You take care xx

wall1409

Good luck hun, here's to a speedy recovery.

Wendy x

valval

so glad you got there and it is sorted it will go well and you will be so much better after well done will be in your pocket incase you need me ((())) val

stickywicket

That sounds like a plan. I hope it all goes very well. That does sound likely

bubbadog

I'm glad you got to Birmingham with all the snow!! to be honest now we've got to know each other the thought of the operation worries me!! I will be worrying about you alday! And waiting to hear from you to know the operation has helped! I truely hope it will help you and you woun't have to suffer anymore hurrendous pain.

frogmella

Hi and thanks for all the positive wishes.

Val - you have enough going on so your offer to be in my pocket is lovely. I keep sending positive vibes your way, hope they are getting through all the snow!

Bubba - here's a deal, I'll let you worry for me then maybe I won't have to worry for myself! Oh, get thinking of some books for me to read, I will have a long recovery to entertain myself through! I will try and teach my hubby how to use this forum to tell you all that I am ok!

SW - yes, I hope it is likely. I so want it to work to get some of my life back. Within realistic bounds, of course!

Barbara - I will keep you well informed. Maybe I can be the guinea pig?

Wendy - thanks. I want to get better quickly to make the most of my sick leave!! haha!