I'm having surgery on the 9th...

[dpulum]

Hi! I haven't posted in a while.  I ended up going to see Dr. Heffez in Milwaukee because I couldn't find a specialist in Indiana.  I already knew that my herniation was 20mm, he also found that I have a disc in my neck that is malformed and cutting into my spinal cord.  So I'm having surgery to fix the disc in my neck and the decompression surgery together on the 9th.  I'm really anxious about the surgery, my sister had the surgery in 2000 and had a lot of problems with it.  Did any of you have problems with the bovine pericardium patch they use?  My sister was allergic to it and then got meningitis, so I'm pretty nervous.  Dr. Heffez is planning to use the same kind of patch on me, but I'm thinking I need to ask him to use something else, although I could just be paranoid...I don't know. :)

Tina

[selmaS]

Tina..I know what u mmean...but those of us w/EDS can have rejection issues...so u will want to make sure prior to surgery.

Sounds great !!


If there is ne thing I can do, please let me know.

Prayers and good vibes r being sent out for u : )

"selma"

[dpulum]

Thanks all! Selma, I don't know about EDS, I'll have to look into it...I'm so hoping I don't have any more syndromes, I've kind of had enough lately. :)  

I'll add myself to the surgery list thread.  I've been writing back and forth with Lisa, northernstarmn, so maybe if she's feeling better by the time I go, I could have her post my update for me, I have her e-mail addy on my list for my husband to send updates to.

I think I've just been feeling nervous the last bit, seeing Lisa's complications and knowing that my sister had difficulties too is giving me the jitters. I think I will at least try to e-mail info to Dr. Heffez this week, just so that he is aware.  Thanks all!

Tina

[selmaS]

Hi...good to see u on the forum again.

I can understand ur being nervous so close to ur surgery date, I was too as I am sure all of us were.

If the bovine patch bothers u so much, did u mention it to Dr H?....is he aware that ur sister had a reaction to hers? If so, he may be willing to use something else.

Do u know if either u or ur sister have EDS? Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.

I hope u add ur name to our thread for surgery dates...and please have someone post updates on ur progress !!

My good vibes and prayers go with u.

"selma"

[LanaB2002]

Hi Tina,

Dr. Heffez did my decompression surgery in 2002 with a bovine pericardium patch and I have done great! ... no leaks, no problems with the chiari surgery at all.  In 2005 I went back to Milwaukee for cervical fusion,i have spinal stenosis also.  In fact, I will have to have one more surgery before it's all said and done (another fusion) for another cord compression at a different level. Dr. H will of course do that one too.

I think it's a good idea to tell him about your sister's experience with the patch.  Information is always a good thing for your doctor to have, then he can make the best decision for you.

I, too, will be praying for your surgery to be a great blessing to you.  Please keep us posted.

Lana

[Prism272]

Your surgery? October 9th or November 9th?

[Prism272]

Ask all the questions you need to ask to help you feel comfortable with your surgery.
I hope everything goes great and you get the kind of healing results that you need.
I'll be praying for you.

Donna