Wife has surgery date set now

She had a very good visit with the neurosurgeon today. Excellent facility, from the reception desk, the doctor, the nurses, and even the business manager. Very well ran and efficient office, was impressed.

Based on the severity of bone damage shown on the MRI, the doctor ruled out less invasive methods such as spinal injections, etc. He said he could buy her a few weeks of less pain, but she was too damaged to heal naturally.

He spent a lot of time examining her and doing range of motion tests. Like her PCP, he was deeply concerned about how she has no reflex motion in her left leg at all. He felt there was already serious nerve damage going on their, and this extends down the entire length of her leg and her left groin area.

He will be doing a one hour day surgery next Tuesday. Already been setup and approved. With good luck, she should be healed pretty well in 4 to 6 weeks post surgery. I was amazed that it wouldn't have taken a major surgery with several days of hopsital stay.

He did not hesitate to up her pain meds on the spot without question, he fully realized she was in a lot of pain and wasn't being medicated properly.

Now that we have a plan in place, she is much happier, though still in the same amount of pain, but at least there is light at the end of the tunnel.

As far as me, I meet my oncologist in mid-December, at that time, and based on my wife's surgery and on-going recovery, I will make arrangements to meet and consult with the Urological expert in Charleston. I should be able to see him perhaps as early as the first part of January. By then, she should be on the mend, and we will have the holidays behind us.

All in all, a very impressive and caring doctor, with great bed side manner to boot. You could tell he knew his stuff, and he has very impressive credentials and has written over 45 peer to peer professional papers.

So that's the plan, just got to get her through another week till surgery

david in sc

Sounds like she's got a great doc and a good shot at getting some real relief. Pain sucks. Hope everything goes fabulously...

Jonathan

David,

That's good news.

Now I'd like to suggest that you talk to the kids, get a consensus on minimal holiday fuss (to give her time to rest and recuperate), and to get you to the new uro much sooner than later. Putting your own care off to do things around the house (that could be done by others, children included) may seem to be important, but if she heals only to find you in a burned out heap by the door, well, I don't need to tell you how much a heap can get kicked in a fit.

You may have to go by yourself. I kinow you have little love for the ACS, but they do help arrange transportation for those who can't do it for themselves, if it were to come to that.

I've read comments about them and their lives and families, but they will be around long after we are all gone, so it is their time to step up.

Do not put yourself last on the list. Prioritize.

 

Purg,
That's great. What surgery is she having? Seems like you're running a course similar to what my wife went through, although you're doing better than I did as far as getting her treatment sooner rather than later. Hopefully it's a straightforward operation and she gets immediate relief. Knock wood, my wife has been 100% for 15 years.

Good for you moving forward on your situations too.

This is the most positive news I've heard from you in a while and that's a good thing and about time.

Purg,

Thoughts and prayers for a full and fast recovery.

Swim

That is wonderful to hear. Wishing her a speedy recovery after surgery and that she will pain free. Wishing you all the best in your coming appointments too and that you also get some relief.

David:

Sorry to hear your wife is having health issues, too. I hope you two are able to enjoy your Thanksgiving meal brought by family. My thoughts and prayers are with you both.

thanks all to have posted, she still in the same pain as before, but knowing the end is just a few days away from the surgery, she is very hopeful.
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sephie, i thought the same thing about this being a day surgery. there is always a chance with complications that things could turn south, the surgeon even said so, however, he has done over 2,500 of these very surgeries before. his biggest specialty believe it or not, is brain surgery.

if she didnt have so much obvious bone damage in the spine, he would have gone for a non-surgical approach. however, he said the longer it was put off, the more risk of it become perm. nerve damage, he wanted to cut the risk down.

david

sounds like a plan for her...and she's in good hands.

don't understand that either. Why even prescribe the pain meds if they're going to under-utilize it to the point that it doesn't do anything.