Posted by Jackie L (207.108.105.88) on May 15, 2001 at 02:24:36:
My doc's want to perform a spinal fusion on me...from both the front side of the spine and the back side..using metal plates, rods, donor bone, and my bone from my hip ....
My first question is has anyone had this done or do you know of anyone who has? Second question what were the results from the surgery? and lastly any other comments or advice would be appreciated...
I am VERY SCARED to say the least to have this done..but this will be my only option at some point in the future and I am hoping later rather than sooner..As I have heard so MANY HORROR storied about this surgery...and very few positive things...So I would just like some feed back if possible from anyone who might have further insight into this surgery from a personal point of view etc... It would be done in the Lumbar region of the spine...
What makes me so frustrated is that Since 1987 I have been told to just live with the pain and learn to deal with it...now that I have I am being told by my doc's that I shouldn't accept where I am at...with using a walker etc..due to the premenant and SEVERE nerve damage caused by Worker's comp not approving me for my first surgery and waiting 5 years to long...which resulted in the severe nerve damage to my legs, stomach, bowel, bladder etc...The damage that has already been done is permenant and will not heal or get better...but the doc's want to do this surgery on me with hopes (small as they maybe) that I will have further pain relief and be more functional etc...BUT on the down side they also tell me that I can't get much worse than I am now if the surgery would fail ... the worse that I could get would be confined to a wheelchair and totally paralysed in my legs etc..
BOY WHAT A CHOICE HU??? So I am basically searching out for ANYONE that has had this surgery or knows of someone who has had it...
ANY information and feedback is and will be greatly appreciated...you can either post responses here or write to me personally via e-mail...
Thanks...Jackie L.