Urgent advice needed!

[Running11]

So sorry they won't let you put your surgery off. I had an ADR C5-6 on April 23 and everyone said I would feel great (pain-free) in a month's time. I don't . I feel lousy … I am in a lot of pain at night so I can't get much sleep which makes me exhausted and crabby during the day.

Hey, I had to be a chaperone for teenagers in Disneyland last weekend for my daughter's school's choir. It was very difficult physically for me and I was in a lot of pain. This weekend I have to go Girl Scout camping . I committed for these activities a year ago. My point being, my insurance dictated my date of surgery as well as yours; life happens and we just have to make the best of the things that are thrown at us.

I love babies ; everyone loves babies. I am sure everyone will want to help you and your wife. Good luck . Just do the best you can. It will be hard but you'll get through it.

Tammi

[jss]

I'm betting that you won't be up to hanging out at the hospital for hours or even days at a time. Like your surgeon said, everyone is different. But congratulations on y'all's upcoming delivery! I hope you'll post a picture once the little guy gets here.

Good luck, Jeff

[Grover771]

Sniper,
It's times like this when you'll find out who your real friends are. I'm sure you're neighbors would be willing to lend a hand here and there. When we took our two week "vacation" to be the caregiver for my sister post BMT, my pet sitter (grandma) didn't bitch about the length haha, the neighbor mowed the lawn, and other things. I hope they'll step up for both you, mom and baby!

Best of luck with both your surgery and the birth of the babe.

[Sniper8541]

Thanks for the kind words everyone! They help right now as I am detoxing hard! I feel so bad for my poor wife. She's über pregnant and is with Lily, our 3yr old, all day because I'm useless! I have have a cardiac clearance appointment today at 1 and I'm sure my blood pressure and heart rate are through the roof. I've had pericarditis like 12 times so I have to see the cardiologist to clear me for surgery. I hope he doesn't take the elevations as a norm and clears me.

We do have lots of help. Besides all the family in the area if we get into a bind the guys on the Fire Department will help with physical needs. I think it'll suck for a bit, but we'll find a balance. As I said, I've been through worse and my wife is extraordinary!

Thanks again for the "encouragement, boom"! - couples retreat yoga guy

[2Confused]

Sniper,

Congrats on the upcoming delivery! Wishing you the best! And take advantage of the help... you guys are gonna have your hands full!

[Dingie]

Hi,

Just chiming in with my experience. I had a 3 level lumbar-One thing I purchased was a rolling tall cart with tub like shelves-things won't fall off.

With this, I was able to transfer items throughout the house without lifting. I got mine on Overstock.com abut $100 and now use it in the garage.

Might help, good luck and Congrats!

Laurie

[SonjaB]

Hey sniper above all remember your weight lifting limits. A gallon of milk weighs 8+ pounds, buy it in quarts for the first week or have your wife put some in a jug, you won't even be able to have milk in your coffee without hurting yourself otherwise.

Reading through these posts the pattern I see is lumbar takes longer to get out of pain than cervical. The lifting restrictions are tighter for lumbar and the healing time is at least 3 times longer. Think all organs moved, deep surgery, abdominal surgery (try doing anything without using stomach muscles! Impossible) and usually much less activity before surgery due to pain restrictions so less abdominal strength to start with.

Keep your expectations really low or you will hurt yourself and prolong the healing.

Babies come in small packages but an 8lb baby is still 8lbs more than you are allowed to lift for quite a while.

Take it from someone who has been there, I had a hysterectomy with 4 kids aged 6 years to 1 month. No help after the surgery and boy did I cause myself injury. If you have the help use it for everything, even stupid stuff like splitting a gallon of milk!

Good luck and please upload photos of the new one, it uplifts everyone!

[Sniper8541]

Again, thanks to everyone for the advise! I found out today that comp will pay for home aid things like toilet extenders, rails to get out of bed, a shower chair, compression socks, ect. I imagine these things would help. All I have to do is get the doc to write a script for them! I cleared the cardiac exam so I should be all set for the 4th.

[SonjaB]

Originally Posted by Sniper8541

I cleared the cardiac exam so I should be all set for the 4th.

Hey Sniper, where and with whom are you getting the surgery?

So glad you passed cardiac, that was one of my fears but I too passed thank goodness.

[Sniper8541]

Hi Sonja. Dr. Hardenbrook at newton wellsley hospital. I was a little concerned with the cardiac because of the BP and HR from detox, but it all worked out.