Two Days to Go

The recovery from the myelogram was pretty simple. I just had to lay on my back until the next morning and then take it easy. Jane ordered Minsky's pizza and served it to me while I relaxed in the living room recliner. She overreacted to every movement I made.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!? DON'T MOVE!"

"Uh...I'm scratching my head."

"Oh, ok."

I know she was just caring for me, but it was entertaining to see her so hyper-reactive! After a weekend of recovery, I was back at work. On Wednesday May 2nd, I met with the neurosurgeon. The results didn't provide much new information, but did show some previously undetected scoliosis in my lower back. The herniated disc was still present at L4/L5. The doctor said that a three-level fusion would be necessary to correct all of the problems, but he could not recommend this to me due to my age. "Maybe in 8-10 years..." he said.

I was disappointed that there was no apparent correction available and asked what could be done about the leg pain. He went back into his office and reviewed the films more carefully and returned a few minutes later and suggested a laminotomy/discectomy at L4/L5. He gave an 80% chance of success, reduced from the normal 90-95% due to the problems at my other lumbar levels. He also gave me the option of neurontin, but indicated that I should not take it if I planned on doing the surgery.

After leaving his office, I immediately called Jane. I wanted to do the surgery. I wanted a chance to have the pain gone. We talked more that evening and discussed when to do the surgery. The next morning, I was on the phone to schedule the surgery. The date was set for May 24th.

I worked out arrangements with my mom to take care of our daughter, Holly, since I had to be at the hospital at 6:00 a.m. Since then I have mainly fretted, assessed, researched and organized.

I'm the type of person who can never really be ready for something like surgery. My mind races with options, paths, doubts and consequences. I can never shut it down. This problem even happens with simple things like a tooth filling, epidural steroid injection (ESI) and blood samples. For some of my ESI appointments, I took xanax. In fact, in one of the ESIs I had a few years ago, I requested sedation. I just can't calm myself down. I think this was probably the panic I experienced during the myelogram.

So today I went to the hospital for my pre-surgery appointment. They verified my information and gladly accepted the $250 copay for the surgery. I met with a nurse who took my temperature, blood pressure, pulse and medical history. She discussed the day of the surgery and how it would likely proceed.

6:00 AM - Arrive at hospital and check in

6:?? AM - I will be taken to a bed and prepped for surgery including an IV. An anesthesiologist will meet with me and gain consent. At this point I will be eligible for medicine to calm me down. After this is done, Jane can come back and sit with me until the surgery starts.

7:30 AM - Surgery is scheduled to start. Jane will be taken back to the waiting area. I will be taken to the operating room and transfer to an operating table. (I think I will be eventually placed on a special frame for lower back surgery. I hope that I am not wearing the tights and leotard.) Once everything is ready, the anesthesiologist will ask me to count backwards...

8:30 AM to 9:00 AM - The surgery should be done around this time. I am told that I will wake up in a recovery room, not the operating room. I might have an oxygen mask on to provide additional help while waking up. I should expect to spend a couple of hours in recovery until most of the effects have worn off and I am stable.

11:30 AM - I will be moved to a hospital room for the remainder of my stay. Here I will be able to eat, drink and get out of bed for the first time. Jane will be able to meet up with me again. I am not sure if the doctor will have talked with her yet. I hope so because I don't want her worrying too much.

After this, I will work on pain management, stabilization and preparing to go home. The nurse has set up the surgery so that I can stay overnight. I understand that someone will visit with me before I go home to discuss restrictions and provide methods for getting out of bed, walking, climbing stairs and other things we take for granted.

I'm getting anxious about the surgery. I woke up early this morning and couldn't go back to sleep. I'm looking for things to distract me, but the mind is a powerful thing and always seems to win.