tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18738974188955347772024-09-08T08:02:51.999-07:00I am many things to many people but today I am only here to be a source for those searching for spinal fusion stories. I have spent many hours I don't have searching for info on spinal fusion surgery and have not found what I a was looking for. So today I am starting this blog in hopes it is what you are looking for. And I want it for personal record of this journey I am about to embark on.Rebahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05928617047582110016noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873897418895534777.post-20220632123361983742010-11-19T19:58:00.000-08:002010-11-20T06:00:01.564-08:00

So it has been a long time since I checked in here. I know I wrote in here somewhere that often people start things like this and never finish them because they get better and go back to living. I wish I could say that was my truth and in some ways it is. Honestly my lack of updating the blog is because I was better enough for my help to leave and I needed to go back to my full time job, being

Rebahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05928617047582110016noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873897418895534777.post-88431957383355167102010-07-18T22:08:00.000-07:002010-07-18T22:08:58.761-07:00

I REALLY wanted to make this blog for the person out there searching for a recovery story from spinal fusion.  I apologize that I let such a big gap go between updates, to you, out there in the Internet land looking as I was night after night for someones record of their journey after their spine had been fused. All is not lost because this is A LONG recovery.  So I am still in the

Rebahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05928617047582110016noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873897418895534777.post-13299582802285892312010-06-20T21:28:00.000-07:002010-06-20T21:28:05.785-07:00

I know I have not updated in awhile and I apologize!  And this will be quick as I am wrapping up the day and SO ready for bed.  Things are going good. I am basically free of all walking aids.  I am up to mile walks, usually twice a day.  I no longer need as many naps and as much down time.  Although I still need them just not as much.  There have been some bad days

Rebahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05928617047582110016noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873897418895534777.post-54641529717324616782010-06-04T10:44:00.000-07:002010-06-04T10:54:10.608-07:00

Healing from back surgery is a very long and tiring process.  And I am only 3 weeks into it.  It is also almost (I say almost because my house is always jumping with something!) boring.  I get a lot (a lot by my standards) of “just me“ time laying in bed, reading and day dreaming or actually dreaming when I doze off.  Since my children were born “just me” time had seized to

Rebahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05928617047582110016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873897418895534777.post-19269635489609353182010-06-02T19:40:00.000-07:002010-06-02T19:40:43.456-07:00

Healing from back surgery is a very long and tiring process.  And I am only 3 weeks into it.  It is also almost (I say almost because my house is always jumping with something!) boring.  I get a lot (a lot by my standards) of “just me“ time laying in bed, reading and day dreaming or actually dreaming when I doze off.  Since my children were born “just me” time had seized to

Rebahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05928617047582110016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873897418895534777.post-55873435693600159582010-05-27T08:16:00.000-07:002010-05-27T10:41:16.130-07:00

To be completely honest with myself I am not resting enough.  In order for my body to heal I need to get the right amounts of sleep and rest so new healthy cells can form and my body can begin to mend itself and new bone can form.There are a few reasons I am not getting enough z’s.  One: my pain meds have a side effect of keeping me awake.  Two: I am not laying down when I know I

Rebahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05928617047582110016noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873897418895534777.post-22897345484537252682010-05-24T19:46:00.000-07:002010-05-26T11:35:34.179-07:00

Today I had my first official post op appointment with my doctor.  He said and I quote “You look human!”.  He was very happy with my progress so far and apologized that I had to suffer so much in the beginning.  He wants me to continue my walks and he wants me to continue to take care of myself and let others care for me.My mother and husband were concerned that I was doing

Rebahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05928617047582110016noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873897418895534777.post-14481427570195190982010-05-22T12:09:00.000-07:002010-05-22T12:09:28.756-07:00

The morning we left I was calmer than I thought I would be.  We finished packing I took my shower with my special soap and headed out the door after a million and one kisses between my daughter and myself!  Kissed my mom and headed out.When we arrived the nerves set in.  There was nurses and doctors coming in and out of the room testing this and that.  Then I was put in my

Rebahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05928617047582110016noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873897418895534777.post-42511842899000691232010-05-21T06:37:00.000-07:002010-05-21T06:37:11.071-07:00

Well I just wanted to stop in and say I wasn't released from my mom's as planned yesterday.  Hoping for today!  I did spend some wonderful time with my children for the bigger part of my day so all was not a loss. Later today I will be posting some great gory pictures! And my recollection of the hospital stay and surgery! Be sure to tune in! Also made it through another day without a

Rebahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05928617047582110016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873897418895534777.post-51862141486227663542010-05-20T04:53:00.000-07:002010-05-20T04:53:52.157-07:00

It is me! First I want to say thank you to my beautiful mom for keeping up with this blog for me, but mostly for all that she has done for me and my family in the last two weeks.  She has been quite amazing!  This has been far from easy for anyone involved and she has done above and beyond what a person is capable of doing.  My mom is there for me every step of the way caring for

Rebahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05928617047582110016noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873897418895534777.post-55315341712165996762010-05-19T05:44:00.000-07:002010-05-19T05:59:09.616-07:00

Got the much needed answers to Bec's headaches. And as she said "headache" is way too mild of a term for them. Apparently they are caused by spine nerve inflamation. Or as the surgeon put it the nerves are "pissed off" at Becky for some reason. He prescribed steroids for them. It could take several days to taper off. How wonderful to have an answer! I think once they're gone Becky can

momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00801030488328686216noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873897418895534777.post-51864060331080987142010-05-18T08:53:00.001-07:002010-05-18T08:57:00.296-07:00

Called the surgeon first thing Monday morning since the headaches are unbearable. They were concerned and scheduled an apptmt back at the hospital to see the surgeon on Tuesday. Becky had a good Monday afternoon, talking to a good friend always helps! Thanks EC for your afternoon visit. (I am using initials now since Bec didn't think it was a good idea to name names on a blog)

momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00801030488328686216noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873897418895534777.post-16136015532862274692010-05-16T20:37:00.000-07:002010-05-16T20:44:50.908-07:00

Day started out terrible. Bec was in so much pain with the headache and of course backache. but it's more than just the back. It's the hips, the but, the legs etc. We called the surgeon. He explained about the tylenol that was or wasn't in each of the meds. And how it could be affecting the headache. He limited her intake of tylenol because anything over 3000 mgs can cause liver damage.

momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00801030488328686216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873897418895534777.post-42353528004342077842010-05-16T04:56:00.000-07:002010-05-16T20:36:58.352-07:00

Becky has been fighting severe headaches. So much so that she isn't able to open her eyes and cries in pain. We've still been trying the coffee, sometimes working sometimes not. We've been trying Tylenol again working some of the time but not as effective as the coffee. Then she had an idea for me to rush home and get her Vicadin. She recalls getting headaches pre surgery when she would take

momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00801030488328686216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873897418895534777.post-1164878132493813642010-05-16T04:40:00.000-07:002010-05-16T05:03:50.468-07:00

Saturday morning had me and Shawn hoppin'. We had now become the sole caregivers, no more nurses. I must admit it is a challenge at times. The medication messes with Becky's brain and her need for care is constant. Grandma Kaebisch arrived around 11 and bless her soul she was such a big help. From doing laundry to reading to Becky it was great to have her here. I just felt bad that she had

momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00801030488328686216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873897418895534777.post-88135953014861407112010-05-14T21:23:00.000-07:002010-05-16T04:40:45.332-07:00

We're home. But it wasn't an easy day. Everything was scheduled for release but then the Surgeon assistant Kristen found out Bec was having some internal problems and extreme headaches and ordered a catscan. She seemed very concerned and talked about spinal fluid leaks. The catscan was torture for Becky. I was allowed in but had to leave it was difficult to watch and nothing I could do to

momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00801030488328686216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873897418895534777.post-4181607539343618352010-05-14T06:07:00.000-07:002010-05-14T06:14:09.692-07:00

Still mom writing posts. I'm thinking maybe tomorrow Becky will be able to write something. She had a good night and last trip to the bathroom she didn't even wake me up to help. Go BEC!! She has such determination. We took a picture a little bit ago. I want her to see it tho before I post it. Right now she's getting some good zzz's. Her body needs the sleeptime to repair those damaged

momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00801030488328686216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873897418895534777.post-91782627506825626752010-05-13T20:14:00.000-07:002010-05-14T06:15:37.844-07:00

Well the IV is back. Had two doses of the IV meds today, but they said the one at 7pm would be the last so she can go home tomorrow. She was pretty out of it tonight. Slept right thru Brian & Chars visit. Sleeping now. Good night.!

momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00801030488328686216noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873897418895534777.post-85752783441650403072010-05-13T09:10:00.000-07:002010-05-13T09:11:52.764-07:00

Pain medication changed. Pain level a 9. yikes, can she have the I V meds back???NO, not if she wants to go home tomorrow.

momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00801030488328686216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873897418895534777.post-79558832481237466672010-05-13T06:12:00.001-07:002010-05-13T06:18:25.047-07:00

Becky it's only the second night after surgery and even tho you don't realize it you have made some progress. Last night you slept in two hour intervals, an improvement over the 20 to 30 minute naps prior. We even took a walk in the wee hours of the night all the way to the nurses station and back. Best of all you went 4 hours without pain medication from 3am to 7am. Then at 7 you took the

momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00801030488328686216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873897418895534777.post-84138833849421864732010-05-12T20:24:00.000-07:002010-05-13T06:11:55.796-07:00

I got to hospital around 3. Becky's Grandma was here sitting by her side. Becky's dad made a short visit. Theresa arrived around 6. It took the two of us and the nurses to take care of Becky this evening. Huge accomplishments, walking (with aid of walker), very short distance. bathroom visits, and brief (5 min.) of sitting in chair. All with the aide of oxycoden, oxycotton, valium, dyazapam

momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00801030488328686216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873897418895534777.post-83450065055951413112010-05-12T16:44:00.000-07:002010-05-12T16:50:33.655-07:00

Becky's surgery went well. It took just over 2 and 1/2 hours, shorter than we thought it would but longer than the surgeon thought it would. She was in her room by 1pm. Becky had a horrible day in pain. When I arrived I was surprised that she was talking non stop. Very edgy, very much in pain, definitely drugged up. I expected to see her drugged up and dozing off, sleeping, groggy etc.

momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00801030488328686216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873897418895534777.post-70587618132121021682010-05-12T16:42:00.000-07:002010-05-12T16:56:47.989-07:00

Becky is not managing her pain. 3 reasons, one...not eating AT ALL, two.....she's been on so much pain medication prior to the surgery that she has built up a bit of a tolerance to the meds, and three....stress. Stress is the big one. She's been getting by on 3 to 4 hours of sleep for weeks prior to surgery, drinking buckets of coffee, and the anxiety of the surgery itself along with

momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00801030488328686216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873897418895534777.post-17844165236943995272010-05-11T05:58:00.000-07:002010-05-11T06:08:35.125-07:00

Good morning, this is Becky's mom. After 4 cups of coffee and the little ones sound asleep and Derek off to school I can sit down and write. It's a rainy windy day, I say a perfect day for a surgery! Becky was in a good positive mood this morning. Rosalie was up to spend some time with her already when I got here around 4:30 am. I think leaving the kiddos is harder for Becky than the thought

momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00801030488328686216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873897418895534777.post-3894708707266450792010-05-10T07:15:00.000-07:002010-05-10T07:15:31.624-07:00

 My brother-in-law painted my boring white brace a fiery mix of oranges...                                                      I  painted a phoenix on it! then I added some sparkto her fire With her wings wrapped tightly around me she will

Rebahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05928617047582110016noreply@blogger.com1