Appt with Surgeon

My wife and I went to my PCD today, and again requested that we get this show on the road, as to surgery for my lower back. I guess his secretary must have forgotten to make the appointment 3 weeks ago. We discussed a second opinion, and suggested a surgeon that we wanted to visit with, as we have heard several good things about him. He told us that he does not use the group of surgeons that we suggested for the second opinion. I he really insisted that the surgeon that he sent me to the first time was a very good surgeon, and had a very high success rate. I did visit with him about 8 months ago, felt quite comfortable with him. After much discussion with my PCD today, my wife and I feel comfortable with his choice. The surgeon is a neurosurgeon as well, so this is a step in the right direction as far as I'm concerned. Again, I trust my PCD, and has been treating for me 20 plus years, also the surgeon is in the same group of surgeons that work together that did my PDC's back surgery. They will be calling me sometime this next week, and we will set a hard date at that time. I want this to happen within the next 30 to 40 days if possible. Let's hope that happens! I'm ready! Lets all hope I can get it done somewhere around the 1st of Feb. I also asked him about the pain meds again, and if he wanted me off of them prior to the surgery. What he said was that, he would like to see me reduce them as much as I can, but that he did not want to see me in pain. I guess what he was saying was that he wanted me to only take what I needed, nothing more. He said we would worry about getting off of them after the surgery was over with. So, all I'm waiting on is the call from the surgeon right now. I got my refill of meds, and I have quite a few left over from last month, from trying to wean back off of them. I;m not going to try to do that anymore, as I just hurt too bad, and can't stand to live in pain all the time. He also read the report that the PM sent over from the Epidural I just got a week or two ago. He said the PM suggested a trigger point injection, but right now, I want to get the surgery over with first, and worry about that later, as I'm not really hurting that bad in the neck area. I have a muscle just below my neck that is in spasms all the time. I guess that is where they want to try the injections. My elbows have been getting much better since I have changed sleeping patterns lately, so I hope we don't have to go there with surgery either. Maybe this will all work out for me in the long run. I'm really looking forward to the lower back surgery, as I'm so tired of it. I will post everything I know as soon as I find out more. Take care my friends and have a Happy New Year too!

Michael

Stray! I hope you didn't take me wrong on the other post, I'm with you on it! I thought it was terrible to lead the members to believe that their lives may be in danger, and then drop it like a hot potato! I hope the member will come forward and clear things up a bit for us all. I'm a guessing there is more to the story than we all know at the moment.

Post Edited (Screaming Eagle) : 12/31/2009 9:17:11 PM (GMT-7)

Chart, we deal only in high/end professional cameras, and I wouldn't know a thing about Point and Shoots. Sorry if that surprises you or disappoints you. My wife did say that we are partial to Canon though! :) I don't even own a point and shoot at this time, but would like to have one in the near future.

Michael

also the Kitty is doing just fine, and we love him dearly! We just gave him his first bath, and we are getting close to having him trained to use the toilet. He also, plays fetch now, and will return a ball to you. My wife says she has never ever seen a cat like him.

Post Edited (Screaming Eagle) : 12/31/2009 11:07:36 PM (GMT-7)

Thanks Michael,
good luck with your appointments once again...
lots of soft hugz...
((((((((((((((((((((((((((Michael)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

SE glad you got into the PCP and now both of you are on the same page concerning your medication. But, I think that it was terribly wrong of him not to respect your wishes in obtaining a 2nd opinion. So, that being said I would obtain my own 2nd opinion if that is possible, I don't know how your insurance works. I just think he did you a great injustice. Whenever anyone is in need of any kind of surgery getting a 2nd opinion is as common as brushing your teeth. I do hope you will consider what Mrs has written above.

Take care.

Michael, I would highly recommend the trigger point injection into that muscle that is causing you so much trouble.  I've had them before in a muscle in my lower back before that tends to freak out every now and then.  My PCP did them right in her office and they don't hurt much at all.  The injection, if placed properly can make a world of difference.  I'd feel around and find the spot where it really hurt the worst when touched and place an X on it before leaving home so she would know the right spot.

Glad to see things are moving along with a surgery date.  Well wishes to you!!

Michael,
I'm so glad I finally got to read this thread (hopefully I can post before crashing!). I'm with others on this - I think a second opinion is very important before going through such a major surgery. I had two opinions, and went with the doctor from the major medical center who gave me great odds. Well, things didn't work out for me (which doesn't mean they won't for you), but the first opinion I had was from an older, more experienced neurosurgeon who advised against the surgery because he didn't think it would help much - turned out he was right.

I'm not trying to discourage you in any way, but I'm just surprised that your PCP didn't support you in this. I mean, what's the harm? Think about it this way - if you and your wife did that much research, how are you going to feel later if your surgery doesn't turn out well? Will you be second guessing you didn't get the second opinion? I agree with stray - just go get it. You can probably take all your test results and MRI's and such with you, and it will probably be just one office visit. I especially wonder if your PCP has a relationship with this surgeon, and maybe that compromised his objectivity a bit. You want to go into this knowing everything you can.

I wish you nothing but the best! And again if you don't see me post much it's computer stuff!

PaLady

Michael,
Glad you have the consult at least. Sorry you have to wait so long and he may just surprise you and be ready to do surgery than have an office visit. I know that here the surgeons are cutting more than doing office follow up so let's hope for the best.

It sounds like the buyer of your business has much to learn and must think there is no hurry in learning. Pulling the plug might be what they need to open the eyes and move forward...sometimes a jolt does that to a person. Take care I care. cw

Hey Michael, just wanted to let you know I am thinking about you and only wishing you the best. I respect whatever decision you make and am on your side buddy. I know you are not taking this surgery lightly. Hang in there, take one day at a time, and some resting time for you too as you are important.

Sorry things aren't going as well as you had hoped about the selling of your business. I hope it all works out for the best.

Hugs my friend,

Suzane

Michael,
Sorry the business sale isn't going smoothly. I know it was tough enough for you on many levels, but to have to possibly backtrack sounds so stressful. Still, I think you'll manage. Try to take a few breaths and believe the right outcome will happen in time.

As far as the surgery, like Susie said I'd still encourage a second opinion, but I've also called offices before just to ask the staff (usually there's a person who schedules surgeries) about how long it usually takes to get scheduled after the consult. You could say you were trying to look at your work schedule (not a lie) and see what times you might be able to take time off and wondered what the doctor and hospital's schedule tended to run. Usually they can tell you it's about a week, it's about a month, whatever, even though they can't give you a specific date until you know what the plan is.

Take care,

PaLady

    Stray, you were right about the stress jacking with your pain level. My back hurt like the dickens last night. I was madder than a Hornet, after I recieved the last contract update from the buyer. She still, did not get in the details that I had asked for, and added something that we had not discussed at all. I took the advice of two Business Mentors that I have had for the last 15yrs, and pulled the plug hard! Of course, I composed myself to write up a professional responce to her, and then politley told her that the deal was off the table, and that I would look for other options as how to we would Disperse the Business and its operations. I then went outside to smoke away my anger, and I swear the snow melted in a 30ft radius around me, as I paced back and forth in anger. My wife summoned me back in the house, and said the Buyer was on the phone, and scared to death that she had ruined her chance to purchace it. For a sec, I thought that it was best, that I did not talk to her, as my whole body was still shaking from anger over the deal. However I did, and we now close on the 12th of this month. I think she got the message that this is not the time to play games, and especially with a wonded soul, such as mine. Pain and games do not mix with me, especially during Business discussions. Sorry for the steam venting here, but I needed it. Also Thank You to all the replies about my struggle with getting the surgery thing figured out. My appointment with the surgeon is the 2nd of Feb, and we will see what date he has open for me on that day. I am so ready to get this done! We are in the planning stage here at home, and trying to figure what will be affected by it. I did get a grabber tool from the kids for Christmas, and Deborah has a retired Aunt that has several Walkers, so that won't be a problem finding one now. At this point all I want is to get it done! My boss told me today, that even if I have restrictions when I come back to work, he will find me an office job. My company does not have to let you come back to work if you are under restrictions. Normally, they will only let you come back, if you have a clean unrestricted bill of health. That was very welcome news for the wife and I. Now, lets hope the surgery goes well!

 

SE it did you good to blow some steam off for sure. No point in bottling it up will do you no good doing that. Now that another agreement has been made lets hope the buyer sticks with it. Maybe there will be no more surprises in that dept.

So in addition to your photography business you also are holding down a fulltime job? If your surgeon does a fusion sitting is going to be one thing you will really need to avoid for awhile. Sitting puts a lot of stress on a new fusion.  Laying down and standing are going to pretty much be it in the beginning, other than getting up and going to the bathroom. Walking will be the best form of exercise and help get your strength back, your dr will tell you this. It will help wake up the bowels after surgery too.  

Try to think of some things that you enjoy and think about them to help keep some of the stress level down. Keep us posted on how things come along.

                                                                       

Michael,
Just remember that you don't jump out of bed in a few days and start doing a lot of ANYTHING! LOL I know you're anxious to have the surgery over with, and hopefully the pain gone or at least significantly diminished, but it is a major operation. We've had discussions here before about how surgeons tell you short amounts of healing time but it really ends up taking 2 or 3 times what they tell you!

I had a minimally invasive double lumbar fusion done and my surgeon told me it would take about 6 weeks to be back to activities. HA! His nurse said more like 3 months and she was right. So plan on a lot more time than the doc gives you - you don't want to push this, as you want it to heal properly. It took me six weeks to even open my car door and drive - slowly- around the block. And that was all I could manage.

Speaking of healing, it doesn't sound like quitting smoking has gone so well (I know it's hard; I used to smoke 3 packs a day but quit in 1990, thank goodness). It DOES affect the fusion and the body's ability to heal. So think about that and have it motivate you.

Good luck with everything!

PaLady

Hi Michael, how are you doing my friend? I hope you have let go of some of that stress and are able to relax a bit. I bet you can't wait for Jan 12 to let that headache go away, as difficult as it is to let go of a business, and an excellent one by the sounds of it. And then you can focus on Feb 2 for your dr. appt and pray that you get a surgery date very soon. Do you like to read books or magazines, will you be on the main floor and close to the washroom. have your laptop in working condition, you and I will be able to talk lots then eh, lol. And a tv handy will help. What level is the fusion being done? There are disc herniations as well? are they removing any discs or just shaving them off? Sorry, there I go with all my questions again!! LOL!!

Anyways, I am wishing you a good day with low pain.
Hubby is coming home early today to take me to my appt. at 4pm.
hey are we chatting tonight, it's thurs.
Big hugs buddy
Suzane