2 level done today (long)

[ouch1966]

Greetings fellow spiney�s

Well, I had my two level Charte surgery this morning. The surgery took about 2 hours. I was put on a ventilator and had a catheter put in AFTER I was knocked out. I woke up in tremendous pain from both the access point and my back. Over the past several hours I continually improve.

6 hours post op I walked with a walker down the hall and back.

I urinated standing up (woo hoo! No bed pans)

I also began performing some very mild PT type exercises.

At 9:00 PM I urinated (about half a gallon) and walked down the hall again.

I am on a morphine pump (the button) and used the maximum allowed in a four hour period. Dr. Blumenthal started me on 10 (mg?) and it clearly was not enough. He then increased it to 30 and it seems to be helping a lot. They also gave me loritab and a stool softener.

I am connected up to a machine that squeezes my feet alternating from one to the ogher.

I aplopgise it ths message is difficult to read, I kind of have the morphine �nods� going on.

The current plan is to take me off the morphine tomorrow. I will then go home either tomorrow or Thursday.

Knock wood, so far I have very little (if any) distraction pain.

TBI is a beautiful facility, there is Internet in the rooms, they have tried very hard to accommodate me.

I will try to update my progress occasionly. Please let me know if anyone has any questions

[spotty14]

It sounds like your doing great for just having surgery this morning. I hope you keep improving and have a full recovery.

[Justin]

Wow--posting already!! Each day gets better. Wishing you a smooth and speedy recovery.

Justin

[ouch1966]

Thanks everyone, this forum has been awesome for me and I want to try to give a little back.

[gary]

Wow, i'm also impressed!!
i had the boots too, didn't help with my swelling issue, but made the Doc feel better. it's been 34
mos post-op for me and i still remember how i felt after my surgery, it was no where near how far along you are!! keep up the progress.

[mmglobal]

Way to go Ouch! Sounds like you are doing well. I look forward to hearing of your incredible recovery.

Mark

[Ksrowd]

Ouch,
I hope you heal quickly and I will send up a prayer for you. I will follow your recovery closely. When you get to feeling better, I would like to PM you, so I know what to expect with my surgery. Take care.
Kevin

[Poncho]

Ouch,

Sounds like you are doing great! Especially to be posting this soon like this. I couldn't even think about it at this point post-op. I hope you continue to notice improvement.

[ESL]

OUch

it will only get better from here....I am 13 days post-op with a 2 level prodisc installation. Drove my 5 year old daughter to and from school yesterday.....changing diapers on my infant twins......living a nearly normal life already. Some distraction pain, some (albeit very little now) incision pain, and some lower back pain (from the install) which is different and much less than my old LBP.......I am amazed every morning when i wake up and notice how different life is now......hang in there.....improvement will come !!!

[Fortitudine]

Great news, Ouch and ESL! Hope it continues.