So it was exactly one year ago today that I had my Spinal Fusion. I had to be in the hospital at 6 AM and I went into surgery at around 8:30 or 9:00 AM. The surgery lasted for about 7 hours. It took so long because I had an anterior and a posterior fusion - or two surgeries done at the same time - also called a back-front-back which went something like this:
1. Back - went through the back first, removed all of my hardware and replaced it with new metal, then stapled me shut
2. Front - flipped me over, went through the front and put a cage (the Cadillac of hardware according to the doc) between my L5 and S1 vertebrae to ensure stability, stitched me shut
3. Back - flipped me over again, removed the staples, tightened the hardware and stitched me closed
I'm writing this around six o-clock pm, and a year ago at this time I was in the recovery room (also called the ICU) vomiting up the anaesthesia. I couldn't feel any part of my body below my chest (thank you, epidural), but, somehow, it still hurt. It was also extremely upsetting because every possible precaution had been taken to prevent my throwing up, including an all liquid diet the day before and nothing for over 12 hours before the surgery, numerous anti-nausea shots, an anti-nausea IV drip, and a seasickness patch behind my ear. The vomiting, which was as close to an Exorcist experience as I ever hope to have (green projectile barf, enough said), persisted for hours and it was a full 24 before I was discharged from the ICU and sent to my room.
So, that said, it's a year later. A year seems like a long enough time to fully recover when you're lying in a hospital bed, but it's really just the first phase (especially when you're recovering from your second surgery in one year). But in the hospital, I needed two nurses to turn me over in bed and a call button to go to the bathroom, so, no matter how tough my current situation is, it's not as hard as it could be. I wish that certain things about the future were a little less scary (like a job and the fact that all of my friends are moving away just as I'm getting better - which is a completely selfish feeling on my part, I know), but that's just the way things are at the moment. I also wish that this post were slightly more cheery and celebratory, but there you go - I felt that I had to post something because it's exactly a year and this is what came out.
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2 comments:
wow. fun read, kat.
Kat! I'm glad you got the chance to write another post- this is a good sign...perhaps it will inspire me to do another post myself!
It's really great that you realize how far you've come from a year ago! It's so exciting to hear how much better you're feeling and all the things that you are able to do now! I really wish I could be around to hang out, but I'll be back in not too long!!! Also, you should def come visit! And we should def start talking through Skype, it's super easy. I can call landlines too!
Anyway, ending the longest post ever. Look forward to reading more!!! Cooking up anything special for Thanksgiving? It's so weird, here they go straight from Halloween decorations everywhere to Christmas everywhere, so I almost forgot about Turkey Day!!
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