Aa
That Priceless Second Opinion
As I still wait for my spinal surgery (Leminectomy), I had two scenarios of second opinions. The first spinal surgeon wanted to do a fusion of three vertabraes. The second spinal doctor said it would not do much good, and in the long run could make matters worse. Instead, he is going to perform a Leminectomy at L 3-4 and L 4-5. This is a procedure where they cut away some bone surrounding the nerves that protrude from your spinal column and give the nerve room to expand as opposed to being severely constricted, as mine are. Therefore the torturous pain
Then, one of the tests pre-surgery showed some liquid at the bottom of my right lung, and a few non-cancerous spots on both lungs. The first Pulmonologist wanted to do a Bronchoscopy (numbing your nose, mouth and throat), then putting a tube down your nose into your trachea to see if there are any abnormalities.
The second Pulmonologist (an assistant professor at UCI in California), instead wanted to do a Swallow test. They will have me eat something, then watch on the scope as to where the food goes. He has seen in other patients that sometimes food particles will end up in your lungs. That means not all the food goes down you esophagus, but some goes down your trachea.
So now I wait until the primary doctor gets the approval from the second Pulmonologist, so I can have my surgery rescheduled with the spinal specialist. On a positive note, my second blood test after starting Harvoni still shows me undetectable. I have 2 1/2 months of the six months to go on treatment, then hopefully a celebration... By the way, I had the strangest dream last night. Justin Beiber was attacked by a pack of wolves. I was going to call 911, but wanted to save my cell phone battery power.
Then, one of the tests pre-surgery showed some liquid at the bottom of my right lung, and a few non-cancerous spots on both lungs. The first Pulmonologist wanted to do a Bronchoscopy (numbing your nose, mouth and throat), then putting a tube down your nose into your trachea to see if there are any abnormalities.
The second Pulmonologist (an assistant professor at UCI in California), instead wanted to do a Swallow test. They will have me eat something, then watch on the scope as to where the food goes. He has seen in other patients that sometimes food particles will end up in your lungs. That means not all the food goes down you esophagus, but some goes down your trachea.
So now I wait until the primary doctor gets the approval from the second Pulmonologist, so I can have my surgery rescheduled with the spinal specialist. On a positive note, my second blood test after starting Harvoni still shows me undetectable. I have 2 1/2 months of the six months to go on treatment, then hopefully a celebration... By the way, I had the strangest dream last night. Justin Beiber was attacked by a pack of wolves. I was going to call 911, but wanted to save my cell phone battery power.
Hey, welcome back! We missed your posts. Praying for great success on your tests and surgery!
Praying for you!
Pat
Praying for you!
Pat
Hey there, thinking about it, after surgery try to be very careful for first 6 weeks. My doctor told me to walk as much as I was able so that scar tissue would not build up at the surgery site but at the same time be careful, don't lift anything. I am really sorry you have to have surgery while you are on tx.
Take Care
Dee
Take Care
Dee
What you are doing sounds great! I am happy that you have been able to do the minimally invasive procedure. I wish I could have done that last year but my leg was paralyzed so no choice had to have emergency surgery
Good for you!
Dee
Good for you!
Dee
Glad to hear (got your PM, too), that your 2nd opinions are better news than the 1st. I had a much less invasive minor back surgery about 10 yrs ago on a herniate disk L5-S1 that was torturing me. It was done outpatient with only a 1 inch scar. This was a microdiskectomy. Then, about 18 mon. ago, I was having alot of back pain again and this MRI showed the next disk up had a bulging disk at L4-L5 spot. This time, I jumped right on it and did the PT, muscle relaxer, oral steroid medrol taper dose pack and it seemed to do the trick. I've had a couple of flareups after that and always get a dose pack and do the muscle relaxer thing immediately and then, continue on with my PT. So far, this regimen has worked to get things back on track. Oh yea and I forgot, I get a deep tissue massage when I have a big flare up, too. I know your situation is alot more complicated and far worse than mine. I just wanted to let you know that I can empathize with a back that is agonizing you. You are strong, I know you can get through this, too. Susan400
Very funny Bieber bash.
I am sorry you have to have surgery but I think the laminectomy is a wise choice.
I had one last year, it worked, actually I have had two, one 16 years ago, one a year ago.
You are really going through the mill here.
My best to you
Dee
I am sorry you have to have surgery but I think the laminectomy is a wise choice.
I had one last year, it worked, actually I have had two, one 16 years ago, one a year ago.
You are really going through the mill here.
My best to you
Dee
Love the Beiber bash!! Lol
Wow you have a few things going on, right!
Your Tx wii be over before u know it and the long awaited SVR!
I have had the surgery u r speaking about and on a high note it's really not as bad as I thought it was going to be, same L 4-5. Sporting a nice long scar but it's ok. Just my experience...
Wishing you cont'd luck on your Tx
Peace
Deb
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