Sara,
Good luck on your upcoming surgery. I ditto all of Amy's info on what you'll need at home. The other thing that I found wonderful was the continuous ice machine. Your Dr. can prescribe it. It is like a cooler that fills with ice and pushes cold water through a pad that you lie on. It is wonderful. if you can't get that, there are some large ice packs that I kept in the freezer and used on a chair to sit on or lie on.
The other thing I used was a little rolling cart near the bed to keep stuff on so I wouldn't have to reach too far for things like the phone or a glass of water. I drank lots of water and kept a pitcher near the bed.
You sound so organized and with help, you will be okay. Nothing can prepare you for the initial pain and just make sure they have you on as many meds as you need to be comfortable. I do not mean to scare you but the pain can be difficult the first few days. Ice really helps for that too. All my best wishes.
Phylly
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Cervical fusion C4-C6 2002
Fall on tailbone April 2005
Discogram concordant at L4-S1 2007 for back pain not leg pain
Prodisc ADR surgery L4-L5-S1 November 2007
Decompression surgery L4-S1 for left sided sciatica July 2008
Continued back and leg pain, looking at possible fusion
Removal of Prodiscs and L4-S1 fusion February 2009
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