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Just got back from the Neurosurgeon!!

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Posted 3/4/2009 8:54 PM (GMT 0)
To all of Pete's freinds who supported him and listened to all the complaining throughout this neck ordeal the past 3 weeks, THANK-YOU! YOU FOLKS ARE THE BEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I just got back to work after a 3 hour apt. w/ this wonder-doc! He looked like Doogie Houser, Young and a Harvard Grad! I could tell just by looking at him that he was something special, one of those super genius dudes! First his Physicians Assist. came in and went over all my paper work, medical history, meds, and all the misc. stuff I did over the phone yesterday. Then she started doing tests on me, flexability, strength, coordination which lasted about a 1/2 hour. Then the Doc came back in and asked me some questions and put my MRI pics up on the lighted screen. He showed us (my wife Lisa was there) everything that was wrong and asked me what the ortho doc told me? (I had written on my paperwork that this apt. was a second opinion) He, the ortho said, I could either have physical surgery or a surgery but he would rather me get the theropy first. My wizkid doc said well, it's a good thing you didn't opt for the theropy yet!!! You would have made your problem much worse! Then he continued to tell me that 3 disks were sticking right into my spinal cord and cutting off the nerve roots going to my left side where all my pain is. He said I had to get a specially fitted neck brace right away so I don't do any more damage and then another MRI (ouch!), a cat scan & some special X-rays down at their facility in Miami. Then he said, surgery would be the best thing to do at this point! The first thing to do would be to take them (the disks) all out, clean it all up and fuse the three vertabrae w/ some metal hardware so they grow together. He didn't go into great detail but I had all my questions written down and asked abot success rates, how many he did, how often, recovery times (one to two weeks>back to work!!) and a whole bunch more questions which he answered. I liked this guy alot!! So it looks like this is the route we are going. I told him I've suffered long enough and he agreed! Thank you Lord and all my HWCP friends who have put up w/ my whining and crying!! It looks like there is light at the end of this G.D. tunnel from hell!

Your good Friend,

Pete  

Posted 3/4/2009 9:17 PM (GMT 0)
Pete,
That's fantastic news! I'm really glad you found this guy. I know I had probs with my neck & was sent to PT, b/c of my prob it just made it infinitely worse to the point where I could barely walk & had slurred speech. Not good. Surgery's no fun at all :( but it is definitely better than the alternative. I'm so glad your wife could be there with you. It sounds like you've got a good plan & a potential for a fantastic future! Get in & get that surgery done ASAP while you've still got the good benefits. I'd say with all the running you ragged your boss has been doing that you are long overdue for a break. Plus, hopefully the neck brace will earn you a few sympathy points. he he he

Do take care of yourself & let us know how everything goes so we can celebrate with you!

peace,
frances
Posted 3/4/2009 9:55 PM (GMT 0)
Great news, Pete. I hope that you get relief from the surgery. I have read many of your posts and you sound like a great guy. Good luck.
Posted 3/4/2009 11:23 PM (GMT 0)
YEA Pete!!!! GO Doogie Houser!!!! This was the UM doc right? Im so happy that it went well and i hope that all your tests go well!!!!
Posted 3/5/2009 12:01 AM (GMT 0)
Congratulations Pete. Glad there is light at the end of your tunnel too. I tell ya, being in Miami is the best place to be when you have issues such as yours. They have the best of the best there.

My doctor was in North Miami and his name is Dale Johns. He is brilliant and did my surgery. I went for many opinions myself and he was the one that I trusted. My surgery was a success and yours will be too.

God bless you Pete and keep posting. I look forward to hearing from you.

Lindaloo
Posted 3/5/2009 1:51 AM (GMT 0)

Pete,

I am so happy for you buddy! This is good news, at least once you have the fusion done, and the bone heals, it should relieve the pain that you are in and at least some of the numbness and nerve pain.

I wish you only the best as you go forward with this. At least you are in some of the best hands around when it comes to dealing with spinal issues. God speed my friend. Make sure that you let us know when the surgery will be, and how long we will have to wait to hear from you afterward. Or maybe you can PM someone and give them your phone number at the hospital once you know the date. That way, one can check on you and let the rest of us worry warts know how you are fairing.....

Sandi

Posted 3/5/2009 1:53 AM (GMT 0)
Pete,
I'm so glad you've found a great doc you can trust. And it sounds like the problem is serious enough that surgery is a definite option. I guess I'm a ittle more tentative, though, since I was told so many great things, too.

I definitely don't want to put a damper on your attitude, because that's important, but please learn and think about the potential downside for yourself, and at least you'll be prepared. One thing - forget about the recovery time they tell you! From my experience (and I've read a lot of others here who have said the same) the recovery time they give you usually needs to be at least doubled. Yes, you may be up and about in a week or two, but knowing how you push yourself at work I can't imagine you'll be going back at full speed in a couple of weeks. Make yourself a promise you'll do what's best for you, and not your employer, ok, Pete??!!!

Hey - I can't telll you what to do, and I hope it all works out just like the doctor said, but I wish I would have planned for a longer recover time, and then if I was ready sooner, that would be great.

I want you to take care of yourself, Pete!!! And I hope this is the path for you to do that!

PaLady
Posted 3/5/2009 1:58 AM (GMT 0)

Hey Pete,

So glad you found your answer!  So sorry you have to have surgery but feel pretty sure a lot of your symptoms will get better!! 

Which discs need to be fused?  MAKE SURE YOU FOLLOW YOUR DR.'S orders to the T!!  Is it a J collar you have to get?  Sounds like me 9 yrs. ago!!

Take Care and keep us posted!

XXOO

Patti

Posted 3/5/2009 4:09 AM (GMT 0)
Oh wow Pete, so glad you finally found a good doctor, (I'd do a back flip for ya, but I'm not that young anymore, hehehe..)
So glad this doctor really seems to know what he's going to do and has an action plan for you...Now the hard part
is your going into work with the neck brace, but you know you need to follow this doctor's advice and take it extra easy
at work from now on, those are my orders......
Make sure you get plenty of recovery time off from this job as you'll need it, hun...
Also, make sure you don't rush getting back to work as well you need to get better first ..
Make sure your wife knows about us so she can keep us posted as how'll you'll be doing and how the surgery goes,
you'll be missed, but hopefully this surgery will make you better...
{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{HUGZ))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

XXOO

Your friend,
Chart........
Posted 3/5/2009 5:39 AM (GMT 0)
Pete,

I'm so happy for you that your doc's appointment went so well & that you found such an excellent doc! You are such a kind, caring guy & you deserve nothing less than the best!!! Like Palady & Char said, take it easy after the surgery, don't rush back to work too quickly. Docs often underestimate the recovery time (it's much easier for them to say oh, six months, when they aren't the ones going under the knife & dealing with the repercussions!). I actually just watched part of a spinal fusion in a kid last week (I was only in the OR during the disk removal), and as I'm sure you are well aware, it is a huge deal, so please please take it easy! Your work is very physical & we don't want to see anything bad happen to you! I'm praying for you that from now until the end of this ordeal, everything will go smoothly & as painlessly as possible. And I'm praying very hard that this surgery will greatly reduce your pain!! I'm so glad that things are finally starting to work out for you! It's great that you had your wife there for support as well! I'm sure all this is, even though things went well, is quite nerve racking to say the least. ((((((((((Pete)))))))))))). Keep us posted!

Your friend,
Skeye
Posted 3/5/2009 12:53 PM (GMT 0)
WOW! Frances, Brent, Shannon, Lindaloo(luv your name), Sandi, PA, Patti, Chart & Skeye I wish I had time to thank all of you individually but here I am at work again. I'm so dog tired, I rarely get on my comp. at night. I can't beleive how many good friends I have here on HWCP!!! It's a wonderful thing having so much support!
I don't know how but some of you must know me really pretty good already, it amazes me! You are telling me to make sure to take off enought time if & when I have this surgery something I'm famous for not doing! I went back to work one week after my prostatectomy w/ staples still in my gut and a cath still in w/ bag around my leg! Even worse was after thyroid surgery, I had staples in my neck and talked like a frog and went back 3 days after surgery. I promiss you and myself, I'm not going to do it again! You are right, this place & my boss aren't worth it. My only problem is his girlfriend had a similar surgery and said it's no big deal, back to work in 3 days! I almost crapped myself! Just my luck, now my boss thinks it's like having a tooth pulled! Oh well, we'll wait and see! Thanks again!!!
Pete
Posted 3/5/2009 1:01 PM (GMT 0)

Pete,

EVERYONE'S STORY, RECUPERATION and OUTCOME is different!  Take it from me, follow your Dr.'s orders to the T!  My Neurosurgeon told me, depending on the situation, recoveries vary.  It took me 5 mos to be able to return to work Part Time....8 mos to full time!  Listen to YOUR body!  Your Dr. sounds great he will probably guide you along the way. 

Your boss has a lot to lose by you being gone...you have to promise us you WILL NOT rush back to work!

XXOO
Patti

Posted 3/5/2009 3:41 PM (GMT 0)
Now Pete, I'll come on over to Florida and hog tie ya to that bed, after your surgery if you don't
follow your doctor's advice this time... Don't get lil ol me mad, hun, "YOU Won't LIKe Me when I'm Mad"
We care about you more that that job, so listen to us.....
Prayers and soft Hugz.................
{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{Pete}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}
Posted 3/5/2009 4:08 PM (GMT 0)
Patti, I'm game for 8 months but I don't think I'll have a job after that long>>>which may be a good thing! I wouldn't mind having some time off but not in bed!! I can't stay in bed more than 4 hours or my back goes loco! It would fealy go crazy if Chart came and tied me down and sat on me! With all the spazms it would be like riding a bucking bronco! Then I'd have to go right back to Jackson Memorial and have my back fixed! The good news is my doc looked at my back MRI's and said that even w/ the ruptured disks in my lumbar section, he didn't think it was bad enough for surgery! Maybe a couple years down the road but not yet. Also, if I could lose some weight, my back wouldn't be near as painful! I'm thinking about tapering off the fattening methadone I take. I only take 30mg a day so maybe I could get off it in a month or two depending on post opp pain or if Chart sits on me???
Huggies!!
Pete
Posted 3/5/2009 4:27 PM (GMT 0)
Pete,
I didn't have a cervical fusion, but did have a lumbar one and I can tell you, that you need to listen to your surgeon and take an appropriate amount of time off work. A month might be a better time frame than a few days or even a week. I have heard that the cervical is easier on the body, but that is for one level, not multiple levels. Ask to talk to other patients and ask the surgeon for a realistic time frame before returning to work. He has done enough of them to have a good idea of what is realistic and what is not.
When you decide to go off the methadone, make sure that you follow the doctor's orders in tapering down. It's one of the harder meds to come off of, since it has such a long half life, so the taper is different than it is for the rest of the meds. I was on it, long ago and can't remember how I did it, but it was entirely too fast and I wound up giving myself a seizure. You don't want that to happen to you.
Excercise in moderation, you don't want to set off your lumbar area and create new problems for yourself and not right now, since you are facing that cervical surgery.
Take care and do things slow and easy my friend.
Sandi
Posted 3/5/2009 5:10 PM (GMT 0)

Pete

I am extremely happy for you, and count your blessings on how lucky you are that you didn't do the physical therapy first! I have been there and done that. (Physical Therapy and spinal manipulation first)I honestly thought I was going to die! Some body must of been watching over me, because even the neurosurgeon, said he did not know why I wasn't a Quad! Your story has made me cringe, and gave me shivers all the way down to my toenails! You are indeed a very fortunate man! Do you know if they are going to fuse, with donor or from yourself? They took my graft room my pelvis. Please do not try to hurry your recovery, in the end it might only make it longer and more complicated if you do! Remember this is a really realy big deal! So be good to yourself! Do not over do it, no matter how good you might feel after the surgery! Remember the saying "pay back is a b----?" If you over do it there will be "Pay Back!" that I can guarantee!

I wish you all the Best

Good Luck to You!

White Beard

Posted 3/5/2009 7:42 PM (GMT 0)
Pete, have you told your boys, I'm sure they'd be given shore leave if you need them..but you
should let them know, especially if you choose to do the surgery.........
Take Care, and keep us posted....
(((((((((((((((((((HUGZ)))))))))))))))))))))))
Posted 3/6/2009 2:18 AM (GMT 0)
I am sorry I did not see this earlier. I am so glad you found this doctor. Best of luck and wishes!


Skrape
Posted 3/6/2009 3:07 AM (GMT 0)
Pete,

 

I think its awesome you found this dr and saw him. He may look like Doogie Howser, but you know what, I like those kind. The reason I like the younger ones is they are more uptodate on all the newer procedures, the whole nine yards. Alot of the old farts get stuck in a rut with their surgeries and never venture out of the box to something new and innovative. I can only assume due to your excitement that he answered all your questions, dotted his i's and crossed his t's the way he should have.

 

Now for the recuperation after surgery. Here's how it goes. A dr can only do his part. The rest is up to patient and that will define how well you do afterwards as long as you had a good outcome.

A fusion is a very serious surgery and cannot be taken lightly, as you tend to do. Follow the drs instructions to the letter. As far as work goes, usually most drs I know on necks keep people off 6 weeks. Why, for one thing they want things to be healing up good and not be  out riding  around in a car and get involved in a car accident with a newly operated neck-not good. If you think you hurt now, tear that new fusion up and you don't know what pain is. Stay out of the car except to go to the dr and yes you need someone to drive you. If you are not feeling up to par when the dr talks about going back to work ask for more time off. Make sure he understands that you do not have a typical desk job that your job requires over head work and lifting and he will change his tune real quick.

 

As for the girlfriend that had a similar surgery. Well, no two surgeries are alike so don't compare apples to oranges. If she was back at work in 3 days she was a fool. Her surgery may not be as in depth as yours so don't go there and don't let them make you feel bad into coming back to soon. Remember, this is your health on the line here, not your jobs and your health is more important than your job. Hey, one thing I always said when working, we are all replaceable.

 

Take care....Susie

 

Posted 3/6/2009 6:03 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Pete,

I agree with Susie, Sandi, & Patti -- just because this woman supposedly returned to work in three days, does not mean that you should. Don't even think about it! Like Susie said, that sounds like an incredibly stupid thing to do, even for a desk job (and we all know that your job is FAR from a desk job). If your boss tries to pull that sort of crap with you, let us know! We'll all pack up our things, head to Florida, and give him a piece of our minds! The LAST thing you need to do, is injure yourself after surgery!! We want you with us for a long time (no, I'm not wishing pain on you, rather a long life), and preferably no worse for the ware (hopefully, although perhaps not at first, MUCH better)

Skeye
Posted 3/6/2009 6:16 AM (GMT 0)
Pete, listen to the advise. I am one of those workaholics and think that the school I administrate could not operate without me. A friend walked into my office one day and looked me in the eye and said "if you kill yourself here there will just be someone else who will walk over your body to get to the desk." Made me think. I dream of retiring but everyone says that I would go crazy not having enough to do. It might be worth a try. Now that you feel you have found a good doctor, listen to the doctor. Maybe a flyrod building project would be in order.

Posted 3/6/2009 2:44 PM (GMT 0)
Holy Smokes, look at all Y'all posting lil ole for me! It's such an honor to see all your names when I open up in the AM! I had to write to some others first though. I've been in the "all about me" mode lately and not doing enough replies to others! Very Bad Pete! But I'm trying now! So anyway, Sandi, thanks for the advice on taking care of myself, I promiss! Also, I will be very careful if I descide to get off methadone. I've heard lots of nightmares about the stuff. Had I beeen smart back when I started taking them, I would have done more research on them. It was back before they got so much publicity w/ Anna Nicole dying right down the street from us here! I didn't know how strong and longlasting they where or how hard to get off! You are also right about taking care of my back which has me worried! If I lie in bed more than 4 hours at a time my lumbar back gets mad at me and starts letting me know he's not happy! I'm hoping they don't make me stay in bed after this surgery!
White B. Thanks for your wisdom also! My Doc didn't mention any grafts yet. We were in the very beginning of talking surgery. I think once he gets back my tests (new MRI, CT scan & X-rays) he will have a better idea of what he's looking at and then will formulate a plan of attack! He told me that he was 90% sure of what to do but didn't want to tell me something and then have to change it. That's crazy about the physical therapy! It makes you wonder how many poor saps get messed uyp by P.T's & Chiro's messing where they shouldn't be!!!
Chart, Thanks for the HUGZ they always help! As for my boys, Joe my oldest was in Japan last I heard from him and going to S. Korea next. I wouldn't want for him to come back and miss something just for this! He is having the time of his life! as for Pete Jr. he will be coming home in early April for a week right before going on deployment to the Mid East. So hopefully I will have had my surgery done by then. I was really hoping to be able to take him out fishing in my boat, we'll just have to wait and see!
Scrape, thanks so much for the well wishes, you make me so happy! I'm tearing up seeing so many of you care about me!
Susie, I think your right about having a young Doc. All the best athletes are young right? Hand eye coordination is important whyen your talking about your nerves, Geeze! Also, he isn't so far out of residency where he was doing these surgeries one after another for years and still is! He also is teaching the procedure down there at the UM Med School! You are so right, we're not talking about recovering from a foot injury here, Hell, this is my neck!!! I promiss I'll listen to the Doc!! Scouts honnor!!!
Skeye, Knowing you, you probably would pack up the gang in red corvetes and come down here and kick some butt! Thanks for carring so much, you're the best!!!
FartherJohn,
No wiser words have ever been said! They (my work) would replace me in a heartbeat! But I know in my heart that you are just like me when it comes to work ethics. It's a tough nut to crack! But I will this time, I have too> Speaking of rod building, I have so many rod blanks just waiting to be wrapped! One is a Spey fly rod like they use out in your neck of the woods! I saw those guys out in the rivers fishing those long rods when I was out there and said, I just gotto get one of those! I built a #6/7/8 weight - 12'6" and love it! I use it for redfish, snook, seatrout, small tarpon, & small blacktip sharks (they jump like tarpon!) What a hoot!!! The other which isn't built yet is a 14' 8/9/10 weight I want to use for bigger tarpon & cobia & bull, tigers & hammerheads maybe!! There are tons of sharks down here, even on the flats! Just chum and they will come!!!
Wee Everyone Thanks for everything, Y'all are great!!!!
Pete
Posted 3/6/2009 3:18 PM (GMT 0)
Petey Pete,
I bet your boss' wife took time off to have her surgery early in the game. She probably didn't have a slave driver of a boss forcing her to come in every day when she was in bad shape. Usually they don't even let you drive for a couple weeks post op so you wouldn't even have a way to get to work -- and definitely don't let your crazy boss arrange any rides for you. :P Beyond that, the surgeons tend to always give you the absolute shortest time it would take you to recover. If your doc is saying you need more time, I would listen to him & multiply it by two without a doubt.

You've got a great attitude about if you lose your job, oh well. I say "good riddance". Find some better job closer to your wife and make sure they're willing to give you time off to work on your rod building. Those are the important things in life -- not killing yourself for some angry little manager trying to run his employees into an early grave. (lol)

Let us know when the surgery is so we can send up some extra prayers!

peace,
frances
Posted 3/6/2009 3:44 PM (GMT 0)
It's always nice to be able to connect with the right doc. What is good for one, not so good for another. It is both patient and physician outlook, expectations, etc. and they should match. If not, doc doesn't work so well. (Had doc, considered great, but mostly he dealt with geriatric pts and he himself was quite a bit older, so quality of life expectations were way out of sync.)

How much young was your bosses GF when she had the surgery? Memories also tend to forget some of the more painful aspects...so as time goes on, it didn't seem so bad...(ever why it seems to hurt so much now, but you seemed able to deal with it so much better before?...brain's just tricking you)

Hope all goes well, what ever you decide. Remember, you only live life once, and there are no dress rehearsals.
Posted 3/6/2009 4:34 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Frances! How are you? I remember one post when someone called you Wild Frances! I yea, that was me! B.U. this post is for you too!!! Anyway, it's just crazy that I just had an ambiblical hernia fixed, the same thing my boss had! Now this really blew me away when he told me to talk to his girlfriend who runs his sports bar / seafood resturant for him! She just had a rotator cuff surgery and she was saying how it was much worse than her neck surgery! I had one of those too, she's right, shoulder surgeries are very painfull! But she made this fusion surgery sound like nothing and then told my boss> don't wory, he'll be back in no time! These people have a lot of $$$$$$ so they think they are always right or at least smarter than the people who don't have $$, especially the ones how work for them!!!!! No ofence to anyone here who may have lots of $$$. I know I'm generalizing and shouldn't do that but in this case, I'm right!! She even tried to get into a pissing contest about which doc I should use. She said I should call mine and cancel and go to her's!! Geeze! I'm sure she thinks she's helping me but God forbid I might find a more qualified better doc than she did! That could never happen, Pete's just a peon, he has no $$$!!! But thats the very thing that scares me Frances, with my 401K in the toilet, I don't know if I could get along on a SSD check once a month! Right now there is no work up where my wife is or I'd be up there w/ her and my pets! My house down here was priced at around $285K before this mess and I just looked up what they are going for now and it's under 100K. I know I shouldn't complain as so many are worse off than me but I just can't help it! The powers that be who cause this big mess are getting their biz bailed out by our government! What about working Joe's like me? Sorry, Pete's of topic again!
I have to do some work now> Thanks again Frabces & B.U.> Y'all are too nice!
Pete
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