Greetings from Cardaddy - Day 2 @ Emory Spine Center

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cardaddy

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So yesterday was the big day.
Woke up in recovery and THE FIRES OF HE!! had been loosed in my back! :-(

It was BAD, really bad.

There were at least 4 of them on me.... and were thrown back by how much it took to take effect (with my system) to stop the pain.

Turns out that NONE of the tests, X-Rays, MRI, CT showed just how bad it was. Dr. Rhee said once he got to it it was "a massive herniation, not the little one we thought". That and it being on the back side made everything more difficult.

That was the GOOD news!

The bad news is that when he went to do the discectomy the pressure inside the disc was so great that "it exploded". Which made the entire process more difficult and bathed the nerve, cord and roots in VERY inflammatory fluid.

Hopefully today I'll be getting out of this darned place. :dunno: But meanwhile the nerve pain (R leg) has returned to the higher levels I had over a month ago.

I am refusing to use the pain pump however. (At least for the last 12 hours or so.) :eek:

PT is supposed to come in today (I hope).... but haven't seen the surgeon yet. (His team was here @ 6:20.)

I'm just ready to get these compression sleeves off my legs! (Because I can't even get out of bed!!!!!)

Then get the heck out of here!

Just wanted to thank you all for the thoughts and prayers. Know that they have meant the world to me and my family. :)

For now it's going to be a lot of hard work but hopefully worth it all.

Thank you all,

Tony aka Cardaddy
Deb aka CarMomma


Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using AG Online
 
Get Well Soon. When you get out of that place find a good Massasge Therapist
 
Well, as a PT myself I can't offer a lot of positive anticipation that your PT will be "fun" considering what you are dealing with, but I will definitely pray for a quick and complete recovery.

My advise is to use the pain pump (even though I am in big opposition to meds), since not doing so generates a feedback message to the brain which will recruit more muscles (which have been cut or traumatized in the surgery) to guard the area ( this is called neurogenic muscle guarding), which leads to a nutritional deficiency (due to the demand associated with work, and this is called muscle spasms), which leads to more compression therefore more pain, leading to more guarding..... and the vicious cycle begins.

I am definitely not a narcotic supporter but in your case, you NEED it! (over just wanting it). The purpose of post-op PT is to restore the work/relaxation state of the tissue (over the guarding/work overuse). Considering the extent of the "injury" and surgery..... you get a pass from this "medication free therapist". Now if you take the meds and they get you so looped up that you can't do anything physically, then ask the MD to change the meds so you can participate in your rehabilitation (because if you don't use it you lose it....fast!!)

Good luck bud.... and if you need to talk about this shoot me a PM and I will be glad to give you my cell, and I can give you a little feedback to hopefully help direct the management of the physical recovery
 
Flash Gordon said:
Get Well Soon. When you get out of that place find a good Massasge Therapist
Click to expand...

Thanks Flash!

I gotta tell ya'.... right now it's taking every bit of resistance I have to stay away from "the button" (pain pump). :eek:

One of the nurses yesterday happened to slip and say I'd not be able to leave until I was "weaned" off of it. So I just quit!

Been over 12 hours (but I have my oral meds.... the night nurse "wink wink" CarMomma and I came to an agreement... off the record). ;)

Boy that Toradol in the IV is a bit weird though! Fuuuuuuuuunnnnnkkkyyyyy (taste/smell).

And WHY IN THE WORLD do they put an IV in the back of YOUR WRIST??!!!!?!?!!! (Where it BENDS for Gods sake!!!!)

Naaaaaaassssssttttttteeeeee bruising coming from this one!



Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using AG Online
 
Thank Deb for texting me after the surgery.
Keep this in mind Tony.
I still have leg pain from the nerve that was compressed but I spoke with the doctor and I was told it takes time to heal.
Hang in there bud:)
 
Dr. John Rhee at Emory is a highly respected Surgeon in the Spine Community.

You were fortunate to find him.

Best wishes for your fully recovery.
 
Here's to a speedy recovery Tony! Glad to here you came out ok and that things will get better for you in time.

Best wishes for you and the family!
 
So your in bed right now Tony? I wish I would have known about AGO back in those days. I just sat there watching Oprah Winfrey lol.

I did have my own personal night nurse too though ;)

Get better Tony, glad your hear posting.

Side Note: Mind if I go off topic Tony with a question for everyone?
 
Hey Tony, glad everything went well and you're on the mend.

Medical marihuana is good choice for pain. I used to use it when I was a kid....but I never remember being in pain....I never got a speeding ticket either...:dunno:
 
Claude,

As much as I hate a short reply, just wanted to acknowledge your professional, medical reply (while I'm up at 2:00 am of course).

I want to take the time to THANK YOU SINCERELY not just from myself, but from this community as a whole. You have always been more than free with your input and you sir are owed that recognition.

I'll address the rest with you personally if that's ok.

A quick note though is at least I'm home. They don't want ANY PT for 6 weeks, (for any number of reasons), especially the severity of the disc as it was. It'll not be a short healing period (for the disc) because so much of it was removed.

Time..... guess we'll see. ;)

Dr_Pain said:
Well, as a PT myself I can't offer a lot of positive anticipation that your PT will be "fun" considering what you are dealing with, but I will definitely pray for a quick and complete recovery.

My advise is to use the pain pump (even though I am in big opposition to meds), since not doing so generates a feedback message to the brain which will recruit more muscles (which have been cut or traumatized in the surgery) to guard the area ( this is called neurogenic muscle guarding), which leads to a nutritional deficiency (due to the demand associated with work, and this is called muscle spasms), which leads to more compression therefore more pain, leading to more guarding..... and the vicious cycle begins.

I am definitely not a narcotic supporter but in your case, you NEED it! (over just wanting it). The purpose of post-op PT is to restore the work/relaxation state of the tissue (over the guarding/work overuse). Considering the extent of the "injury" and surgery..... you get a pass from this "medication free therapist". Now if you take the meds and they get you so looped up that you can't do anything physically, then ask the MD to change the meds so you can participate in your rehabilitation (because if you don't use it you lose it....fast!!)

Good luck bud.... and if you need to talk about this shoot me a PM and I will be glad to give you my cell, and I can give you a little feedback to hopefully help direct the management of the physical recovery
Click to expand...



Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using AG Online
 
Glad to see your home.....one day at a time brother.

All though I'm quite a drive away if you need anything buddy you now how to find me.
 
God speed on your recovery .... may car wax and the scent of detailing sprays soon be back in your future !
 
Hope you have a quick recovery sir! Adding to what Flash Gordon said, look for a NKT (NeuroKineticTherapy) certified "body worker".

Neurokinetic Therapy?

I had chronic hip pain for 8 months and my hips were going out of place, left leg almost 1.5 inches shorter than my right. Did one 60 minute session with my "body worker" and have been pain free ever since (~3 months now).
 
Tony - glad you are on the mend and making progress. There will be challenges to come, but I know you will keep your focus on the light at the end of the tunnel.

Be well, my brother.
 
HateSwirls said:
Thank Deb for texting me after the surgery.
Keep this in mind Tony.
I still have leg pain from the nerve that was compressed but I spoke with the doctor and I was told it takes time to heal.
Hang in there bud:)
Click to expand...

Absolutely Kevin, thanks for just 'being there'. It helped her to have a couple of you guys that she could send word out to.

Your leg is STILL hurting? I'd hope after this last time they'd gotten it brother.

I gotta' tell ya', when I woke up it wasn't my leg, but the fire in my back. Then later in the day, and the next day it was my leg AND the fire in my back. My leg had gone from worse to MUCH worse.

Today though, my rear and hip are better. Dude.... I'd bet REAL MONEY that I'd not seen/felt this today. Lower down it's still sore, and the lower it goes, the worse it is, but I've got hope that it'll be better.

Then again I'm not moving much AT ALL, so who knows.

smack said:
Get well soon Tony. Thanks for keeping us in the loop.
Click to expand...

Thanks Mike! :xyxthumbs:
Man this one has been a doozy.
Weird enough, there were 2 jobs where I know I messed it up. One last July, and the nail on the head was in November. Both were long days, neither I should have done!!!!! (One wasn't even my customer!) :rolleyes:

HD.Detailing said:
feel better
Click to expand...

Thanks dude.... we're trying.
My daughter came back down today (brought her hubby this time) and put a second coat of DG coating on her new Sportage. Couldn't resist but to "supervise" that one a bit. Not my best moment, that's for sure. :laughing:
 
Damn that sounds terrible. Get well soon bro

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