Surgeon Appointment

[Tuckamore]

Hello My Friends,

At last I received a call from the large teaching hospital/clinic regarding a surgical consult. As you know I was recently hospitalized. The conclusion was the mesh that holds me together is failing or has failed. I am only one of three hundred ppl that have a lumbar hernia. It is a very rare condition and my herniation was extremely large.

Luckily they were finally able to locate a surgeon that would even consider seeing me. My appointment is not till the 15th of July. I am feeling scared, excited, happy, relieved, anxious and a whole host of other emotions that I cannot begin to explain.

I've done my research on the horrors of mesh failures. This mesh could be crumbling, balled, folded, ripped or any number of similar calamities could have happened to occurred. The surgeon that implanted this mesh told me that there was no repair that could ever be done. The extreme trauma that the seat belt did to my internal organs made the tissues and organ "unrecognizable" from one another.  

Of course my chronic pain from my SI Joint Dysfunction continues. So my plate is a bit full. But I very blessed as I have my faith, a wonderful husband and of course I have all of you. I am blessed.  

If any of you have information on mesh failures or problems please share them with me. The more I know going into the appointment the better questions I will be able to ask and the better I will understand the information that he presents to me.  

My Best to All of You,
~Tuck

[Sarajmt]

It's wonderful that you've found a surgeon.   And it sounds like a wonderful facility.  Certainly with your optimistic attitude and the the skill of this surgeon, you will have a  great outcome.  You have my best wishes and prayers.

Sara

[Tuckamore]

Thank you all for your concern and kind words and prayers.

Yes Jamie my pain is as well controlled as can be expected. Thank you for asking.

Mummy I don't know what type of mesh was inserted into my body. I am ashamed to tell you that because I am always certain to know just what they are doing and what is happening. I beleive I was told at the time but that was in late 1989 or 1990.

In addition to the passage of time it was just shortly after a MVA that had me hospitalized for the better part of six months. By all accounts I survived an non-survivable MVA.  I had muliple procedures done during that time and I beleive that was like my 28th surgery.  

I have read lots but not knowing the type of mesh that was implanted does not help on my research. It was very large and one of the few used during that time.

Again thank you all,
~Tuck

[mummy3too]

What brand mesh did they use? I will spend some time looking for solutions for you - although I bet you have read just about everything there is out there...

Any info you can share to help me search would be great. I feel so badly for you.

((hugs))

[jamlws]

How is your pain? Is it controled? I am hoping and praying that it is. If not can you call your PCP and see if anything else can be done about the pain? I am so glad you have a PCP that you can count on.
I hope the time goes fast til July 15th I will keep you in my thoughts. I have no info on the mesh you are talking about so sorry I can't help you there.
You have been thru so much and I am hoping you get a break soon. I am hoping this surgeon is able to help you and able to do the surgery.
Thinking of you,
Jamie

[geminigirl1963]

Dear Tuck -

I'm so glad to hear that you've been able to find a surgeon that will at least see you to see if there is something that can be done to repair, remove or replace your mesh.  Hopefully they will be able to help you.  You are such a great asset to this forum and we miss you terribly when you're not feeling well enough to be on here.

I wish you the best of luck and will be saying extra prayers that you get great news from this new doctor.

I hope they have gotten your pain under better control?