Back Surgery

Maybe one of us, someone closer than me, ought to go over and exercise them for you.  :>)

Dave  im glad it all went well for you.They have come along way with that surgery.I have 5 disc in my lower back that are gone and a bone spur at the base of my back that is hitting a nerve.And in the middle of my back where I broke it, there is a calsium build up that is hitting the nerve .Doctors told me they could do surgery but 30% chance it would be better 30%chance it would be worst 30% chance it would not change anything and 10% was up in the air.I was thrilled with those odds.They said unless I  had to crawl in they would not recomend it. So they said if I can live with it I would I would be better off.It takes me forever to get anything done any more and I can t remember what its like not to have the pain going down  the back of my leg .But sooner or later im going to have to have something done.So when I hear of success stories like yours it give me hope.The worst part is that I judge my injuries that I get now on how it compares to my back and most things don t hurt as bad as the back pain I deal with on a daily bases  so i don t bother going to the dr when I probably should.It gets me yelled at alot .One good thing to come of it all is that I have become a pretty good wheather forcaster ,I can tell about two days ahead of a storm lol.The pain I can deal with its people that never had back pain that really bother me,If you set around and do nothing then you just a lazy bum, if you try to keep yourself busy and keep doing what you can then you a fake .One guy did appoligize to me though, he hurt his back and felt real bad about giving me a hard time and told me I don t know how you live with it .So keep up the good work my friend and please keep me posted   

Whew, Gary - you are in much tougher shape than I was. You have my understanding - this is the 2nd time around for me, and I know something of what you are experiencing. The odds from my doc were much better, but even so they gave me pause. Charlie has it exactly right: the best news I could hear after the surgery was that my doc was happy with how it went. I hope the techniques advance to the point where you can hear much better odds, Gary.

In 1999 I had a disc fracture, three floating pieces that had to be removed and rough edges smothed.  I knew I was in a lot of pain but didn't really understand how much until I woke up from surgery, first time waking up with no pain for over a year.  Went back for a follow-up a week later, Doc asked how I was doing, I told him great and his reply was, "Well, I guess we did the right thing."  I felt good enough to kick his butt but was grateful enough to give him a pass.  I have messed up since but never bad enough to have surgery again.  Good luck with the recovery.  My Dr told me my back will take forward, backward or side to side movement but if it twists I'll be back on the table and to stay away from golf for a while.  I told him that there was absolutely no danger of me golfing but if he didn't care I would apply his advice to a scoop shovel!

Thanks, everyone. I walked a mile twice today - will lengthen that as days go by.

Dave(inMA) wrote: Thanks, everyone. I walked a mile twice today - will lengthen that as days go by.

2 miles a day, about 332 miles per mapquest. I guess I'll see you in about 5 months!! LOL!! Hope you a speedy recovery!!

Dave, Prayers for a speedy recovery. I had mine in June 06. Doc told me to walk,walk, walk. That's exactly what I did.He did tell me not to exceed 4 miles a day or he would be replacing my knees next. It was 100% successful and didn't have to go through any physical therapy either. Took six months to get released back to full work capacity. God Bless.