HAVING TRIPLE LOWER LUMBAR BACK FUSION

[kittywoman]

hi guys i am brand new here, i have been putting off back surgery, for close to 9yrs,now the pain is so bad i cannot hardly walk anymore. my doctor said i have a real chance of ending up paralyzed if i keep letting this go, do you guys believe this is true? i mean i know i am getting really alot worse than, say a year and my last mri ago. so i have buckled down and decided to do it, but i am scared to death, i am a real control freak and my biggest fear is of being KNOCKED OUT! i know that is juvenille but that is what scares me the most, not the recovery or the horrible pain i will be in, i reallyneed some input, has anyone had this kind of surgery? what kind of pain (or should i say more back pain) will i have after surgery, and getting around, any suggestions would be helpful, also your insights into even haveing this.  oh and i am a kitty lover i have 16 furry babies, they are indoors,spoiled, and adored. so i will always talk kitty talk, or any kitty health probs. i am good a diagnosing after so many yrs .exp. oh my home email is ***@****  so feelfree to email me also. i live on the coast of oregon, i am a christian, 53 yrs old disabled and also i have lupus sle. god bless all

[kittywoman]

thanks i amso glad another christian soul, posted to me, i am really praying alot and i know the lord wants me to do this, and i will i just need to get braver, thanks and god bless you!

[hags4christ]

Dear Kittywoman,
I had a bilateral fusion of my L4-S1 8 years ago.
I had the exact same fear as you even to the point of having to be put on anti anxiety meds.
I will be honest with you, the day I woke up from surgery I was overwhelmed at how bad the pain was, but the docs were great and got my pain under control immediately.
I had pretty good pain for about 2 weeks or so, but honestly after the third day it really started to get better.
Let me put it this way. I was out caroling, in a wheel chair at Christmans (3 weeks after surgery) with my church.  It was uncomfortable but do able.
I hope this helps.  I cannot in anyway give you any advice as to whether you should have this surgery.  This has to be between you and the Lord, (as I am a born again Christian Too).  If you are worried, get a second opinion.
Being knocked out is scarey, but they can, if you ask, give you a sedative the day of surgery so you are not freaking out, just be honest with your doctor about your fears I promise you it is nothing they haven't heard before.
I hope this helps to some degree if you have any other questions please post me I am always here.
God bless,
Trish