I don’t remember being scared when I chose to undergo two neck surgeries almost 20 years ago. Maybe I was more desperate, maybe the surgeries didn’t seem as risky, maybe I felt more secure about the outcome but, nevertheless, I have been more concerned and emotional gearing up for my upcoming elective surgery. It is called a multi-level TLIF (transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion) with laminectomy and instrumentation; a name that is scary enough before you even start reading about the complex procedure. Plus, it’s common knowledge that back surgeries have mixed outcomes due to the complex workings of the lumbar spine. However, after several decades of on-again/off-again pain, four years of 24-7 pain, endless massage, acupuncture, physical therapy, steroid injections and a nerve block along with medications galore and MRI notes that clearly report my problems are “progressing,” I have decided to undergo elective surgery to address the problem.
I was a little surprised my spine surgeon brought out the big guns on my first visit but from what he saw on my MRI, the noninvasive interventions I have already tried along with self-reported symptoms and functionality he deemed surgery a viable option. From what I have read and heard since, I think I let it go on longer than necessary before seeking surgical intervention. Maybe it’s my long-suffering German Catholic upbringing that led to waiting so long but, I am here now. The research shows 85- 90% of patients feel better one to two years out which I am satisfied with so I am hoping for the best.
Surgery was recommended back in November/December but the surgeon’s schedule was backed up so I ended up on a move up list that got me in this month instead of waiting until May. Thus, preparations commenced several weeks ago; first with an EKG, labs tests, a nasal swab for staph infection and a Covid test yet to come. Next, I had my pre-op appointment with the surgeon’s Physician’s Assistant to go over requisite matters such as another description of the procedure, potential risks/complications, medical history, medications, lab results, questions/concerns. Several days later, I had a phone visit with a pre-surgery hospital nurse to discuss surgeon/hospital protocols and further preparation requirements on my end including medication holds, nutritional supplementation, bowel prep and steps for lowering bodily staph to reduce chances of infection (think sticky shower soap, nasal swabs, and clean towels/clothes/sheets). There is a whole list of what to bring and what not to bring to the hospital and did you know you have to take off all nail polish/acrylics so oxygen levels in your nail bed can be monitored during surgery?
I have two additional calls this week; one from a hospital nurse to discuss post op protocols and at home assistance gadgets to use while healing and yet another call to confirm the arrival/surgery time. I have been informed it is a 5 hour surgery because of all the separate procedural steps involved and I guess you want a detail-oriented precision-centered surgeon but spending this much time under anesthesia is unsettling. I will be in the hospital 24-48 hours and they will have me up and walking the day of surgery. Yikes! I have been told by my caretakers that anesthesia makes me a wonky belligerent patient so at home pain management is always a challenge; I resist taking medications and end up chasing the pain instead of staying ahead of it. Fortunately, Paul and my good friend Sue have a plan to head off this challenge. All of this has helped me understand why many people choose to put off and/or forgo elective surgeries and just live with their symptoms/pain but, I want less pain and more mobility as I continue to move through my life phases and stages. We baby boomers aren’t going down without a fight so I am marching forward to “heal with steel.” Stay tuned for my elective surgery story sometime in the coming month.