Documenting My Back Surgeries

Easy Sweet & Sour Chicken

2012-03-07T07:03:00.001-08:00

I cooked this for dinner last night it was easy, cheap, delicious, quick and healthy too! Found it on the back of Minute Rice -Brown rice I bought at Walmart for $0.50 with a coupon!

ARGH! THE DOGS PULLED ME DOWN AGAIN!

2011-11-18T09:02:00.000-08:00

What can I say, I am not good at updating this page.

As if you didn't know that already, right?

What has happened since I last wrote well, my dogs pulled me down. AGAIN!

Yeah I know, I said, I wasn't going to walk them together again, but it's hard.

It's hard, because I have to walk twice as much. While walking twice as much is good for me, I am not always feeling well enough to do it.

It's more then just walking, because one weighs 70lbs and the other 55lbs. No matter how much I train them, they still pull. And they HATE cats, we have a cat and they get along with her, but any other cat, for get about it. That's what happened this last time. I was walking and I was less then 1/2 a block from my house I could see my drive-way and all of a sudden they just jerked off to the right, yanking me down on the ground. I skinned up my arm, hand, and just hurt pretty much everywhere. I was so upset, at them.

I came in and sat in the chair and cried for a few minutes, not about the pain although it did hurt, but it was more outta frustration. I just don't know how to get them to stop, this. I have been caring a small water bottle and every time I think they are about to pull/run or something like that I give them a quick squirt. It has been working, but that cat came outta no where I didn't even see it, the cat was under a car. These dogs can spot or smell a cat a mile a way I tell ya.

After I stopped crying I started looking over my injuries and I got scared, because I had a huge bump coming up on my outer arm between my elbow and wrist. Then I notice the left side of my rib cage was really hurting. I put ice on my arm took a shower and went to bed. When I woke up my chest was killing me. It hurt so bad that I couldn't raise my arm, cough. It was so sore that I couldn't use my arm without it hurting worse. It took a whole week for it to feel better.

Now I am back to walking them one at a time, again.

Them dogs sure are lucky I LOVE them so much! They are like my kids, since my kids are out the house now. My dogs are good and good to me, shoot they are super protective. That's my main reason for having a big dog, protections.

The funniest thing, which wasn't funny being pulled down but funny over all.

Another time they pulled me down was when I was walking pass the big church down the street.

The church has a huge field where they play ball of all kinds. And at this time there was a bunch of young adult guys playing. Well they were kicking the ball and I noticed my younger dog was kind of getting excited. I thought it was, because she wanted the ball. It still maybe why she was I don't know for sure. Well I walked them around the big block and was now in front of the church, but behind the goal. Well the timing worked out to where the guys were all running towards us kicking the ball. My dogs went nuts, especially the youngest one and they took off towards the ball to the right, pulling me down.

I was yelling for them to stop while laughing, because I couldn't believe they had just pulled me down over a ball. Well a couple guys run over to the fence saying oh, mam are you okay? One guy just jumps over the fence to come help me and my dog tried to eat him, so I was like no, go back... thanks I am okay. It was so embarrassing, to say the least. These cute guys watching me get knocked down and then pulled, then my dog trying to eat them. All the poor guy did was put his hand out for me to grab and my dog almost took it off. I laugh because she is so loving, a big baby. It's just so weird how protective they can be. I have to learn some more training tips for them. This is my first time owning Pit Bulls, which they are mixed Pit Bulls. They are great dogs, I just need to teach them some manners and we'll be good.
I am doing better and I am back to walking my dogs, (1) at a time right now. I have good days and bad days. I still can't do much of anything with bending over. I do have a spinal fusion, rods, pins, and now this Spinal Chord Stimulator so I shouldn't be surprised I can't bend over very easy.
Cleaning the bathroom KILLS me. It's mostly the tolit and tub the bending over, and I can't 1/2 @$$ anything like that so that kind of makes it even worse.
I have a few tips for y'all though.
If you suffer from heart burn which a lot of people that have taken medication do. Start taking Probiotic, it has helped me like nothing either and it only took about a few times taking it too! Really I am serious, I LOVE this stuff! I have been suffering so bad I was like that commerical on TV not knowing to take it before, or after to prevent or to fix it was a nigh mare, but it's so much better now that I am taking this daily.
And I can tell you how to get it MUCH CHEAPER then the name brand which can be Outrageous for sure. It's Member's Mark 4X Probiotic compared to Align. I bought this at Sam, it's 3 times cheaper and 4X stronger!

I got it at Sams for somewhere in between $11 and $13 I can't remember for sure.

I Am Back And I am Going to Try and Update At Least Once a Week.

2011-10-05T05:55:00.000-07:00

So Much Has Happened Since I've Wrote Last

I've gotten some what better and then worse again. It's off and on over and over, it's just so annoying.

Over all I am still in daily pain, but it is better then it was before I got the Spinal Chord Stimulator.

I leave it on 24/7 the only time I turn it off is when I lay down in bed or when I go to the dentist.

I sleep sitting up mostly in a recliner that way I don't have to turn it off.

When I do turn my back off, and sleep I wake up hurting like I was just ran over by a truck.

It's so hard to move and every breath I take kills me. I hurry and get my stimulator turned back on, eat and take medicine. Within an hour or so it feels better.

I use to lay down in the middle of the day and take a nap, "since I don't sleep normal" and I would sleep with my big dog, Rosie. Rosie is a 70lb Pit/Boxer Mix and she is so comfortable to sleep with, but every since I got this stimulator in my back she will not sleep with me. It's so weird! I am guessing

it puts off some type of sound that we can't hear. My other dog will sleep with me and it don't seem to bother her at all, but she isn't scared of anything really this dog thinks she is, James Bond of dogs. lol

So, at least she don't dis me, and make me feel like a, Red-headed step-child. "Whoever made that saying up, I wonder?"

Speaking of I found this on the subject since I was curious, now.

The origin of the phrase "red haired step child" dates to the 1830's & 40's when Irish emigrants began arriving in America.

"I don't know if it's true or not, but it sounds good?"

I started back walking since it's cooling off a little it's a little easier. My Dog Rosie can't walk as far as we use to though. I use to walk her about 4 miles a day, but I found out her hips are messed up. I noticed she kind of was walking around like she had arthritis or was in pain, so I took her to the vet. The vet did test and took X-Rays. The X-Rays shows either she was born with her hips messed up or either someone injured her when she was a puppy. "Strange thing, my hips were displaced when I was born, too. And it was due to the nuns using forceps on my mom. I ended up having cast from my waist down and then this steel bar in the middle. My poor mom, she had to carry me around like that and I was in diapers!"

Well back to my dog, Rosie. I believe somebody stumped her while she was going through their garbage can. I came up with this idea, because I adopted her from the SPCA when she was only 4 months old. They said, she was a stray and was found on the street. Every since we got her she has always been deathly scared of garbage cans. She is still kind of scared of garbage cans. It breaks my heart to think that someone could of stumped a hungry puppy, but I have an idea that's what happened. The only thing the vet said, we could do is give her pain medicine, glucose pills, and walk her a little less. I could get the surgery done on her, but it's a risky surgery and they can't guaranteed they could fix it right. I am trying to take care of her without doing surgery or giving her pain medicine. She hasn't been limping to much lately.

Any how I am back to walking and I am hoping to lose 25lbs. I had lost 10 lbs at the beginning of the year, but unfortunately it found it's way back! :(~ I know if I could get these 25lbs off I 'd be hurting less too.

My main thing is to exercise that is my main reason for gaining weight. I need more exercise more movement will help my back overall too. It hurts to move, but the more I do the better it ends up being.

So I have to talk myself into going to walk for the first few weeks until it becomes habit forming.

So, wish me luck, in this long, hard road.

Oh, and if any one happens to read this that is also trying to lose weight maybe you and I can push each other. I am just saying I need all the help I can get. :)

Don't Ever Use Your Daughter's Hair Products!

2010-04-05T11:22:00.000-07:00

Don't Ever Use Your Daughter's Hair Products, At Least Without Reading First!
I won a Pro Rodeo Package from Cox Cable. This was a great gift, I got one of the Special Pro Rodeo t-shirts, hats, stuffed bulls, 4 tickets and Meet & Greet back stage with one of the Greatest Pro Rodeo riders.

I wasn't sure how much i was going to like a Rodeo, because I am so against crualty to animals and I wasn't sure if they hurt the bulls or not. I always wanted to see it closer though, because my grandpa who I was super close to use to be a bull rider. He was super nice and very good to animals so I had a hard time understanding how he was a not only a bull rider but one that won a lot of awards for it too. I felt if I went to this type of thing I could see first hand how the animals were treated.

While getting ready for the Rodeo I noticed I was out of hair mouse and instead of going and looking in my locker where I keep all tons of new stuff I made a HUGE MISTAKE! I asked my 17 year old daughter, if she had any mouse. To me I thought I was running late so it's just mouse I can grab a handful rub it in my hair, blow dry and go, right? HELL NOW! Oh, my God I put this mouse in my hair while putting it on it felt just like normal mouse. As I start blow drying my hair my hands started litterly getting stuck in my hair! I was like, Kayla! What the hell, is this crap I just put in my hair? I made a huge mistake by not reading the can, by using my daughter's mouse and not just taking 3 minutes longer and going to get mouse out the locker. As I dried my hair it was horrible my hair looked like I had the greazys it was BAD! The worse thing was I was already running late and wanted to go to the Meet and Greet. I kept drying and drying and drying, but it wouldn't dry. I think as long as I took I could of rewashed my hair and dried it again. I would of done that, except I already had my makeup on and I looked good. Well everything except the hair. If I would of had a cowboy hat I would of just threw that on my head and been done with it, but I only had a Summer cowboy hat, which wouldn't of worked.

So, we ended up missing the greet due to my hair problem. My back was hurting more then normal today too, since lately it has been so much better. beside getting stressed it right before that time of month God cursed women with. I had a lot of back pain each month so bad that I normally end up in bed for 1 or 2 days the pain is so bad. I am hoping this month is different, we'll see.

I ended up taking an extra pain pill since my back was hurting a lot and I didn't want to had a bad time. We ended up having a GREAT time, greasy hair and all. ha ha I did get to learn that they treat the animal GREAT! These bulls are so well taken care of I really think the bulls are treated better then the guys were. They looked so clean, beautiful and strong. You can tell they must eat the best food available, because their coats were shinny and smooth. Before the show started we were lead in prayer for the riders and the animals. I really liked that, and behind the stage was pictures of the Bulls a long with their names and information. It made me feel really good knowing that none of the animals were being miss treated it made me feel a lot more relaxed and I was able to enjoy the show which was amazing. We were right there in the middle of everything.

My back was still hurting a little more then it had been so I turned up my stimulator and that helped a lot. It's so nice to be able to have more opption then just popping a pill. I am happier with having this done more and more everyday. I've been walking for at least 30 minutes a day, but more like 60 minutes a day.
It's so worth it to have this done, because I can do a lot more then I was able to do before.
Until next time, remember don't use your daughter's moose. ;)

Newest Doctor Visit and The Out Come

2010-03-27T04:53:00.000-07:00

Hello there,
I had my third doctors visit with Dr. Richter on 3/24/10 this was my third time seeing him since I had the Spinal Chord Stimulator put in on 02/01/10. I was pretty excited to see Dr. Richter and his staff to let them know how happy I am with it. My back hasn't felt this good in years! To give you an idea of how good my back is feeling I'll rate my pain from 1-10 if you have a back problem your being seen for, then you are very familiar with this scale. If not, think of it like this: "1 represents good and 10 represents bad." My pain before having the SCS was put in I would rate my pain mostly a 10, but if I ever had a good day it would be about a 7. That day didn't happen very often, I am sure I could count it with two fingers being used only once. You understand I didn't have good days. Now to rate my pain, the worse would be a 7 maybe even a 6 and the best being 4 or 5. The only pain I felt I still I couldn't reach was in my hips, but I am happy to say that during my office visit they fixed that problem with a few adjustments.

This surgery has been amazingly helpful so far, I can't believe how much I've been able to do that I wasn't able to do before. I know for the average person my list will sound pretty lame, but to me it's anything but. I can sit at my main computer without the heating pad for at least 30 minutes and my back doesn't start killing me. Before I couldn't sit there any longer then 5 minutes, before getting pissed off and agitated. I had stopped using that computer altogether for that reason. I use my lap top in my recliner with my good friend, heating pad. I wish I could say I don't use my heating pad anymore, but that would be a lie. I believe I could go without it but I am scared to give it up. I think I am addicted to it. Very strange I know, but it's been my best friend for years. Look at my pictures, and you'll see how bad my back is discolored from it. I wonder if they have a 12 step program for heating pad use? Hell everybody and there grandma are going to rehab for something these days, you never know.

If I had to say if I would recommend having this surgery, I would say YES! I didn't want to say yes, until I really felt a difference and I do now so I highly recommend it, if your in pain give it a try. I am not sure if you can try the Stimulator before having other back surgeries or not, but I would recommend you have it before doing any other major back surgeries. I let my doctor know yesterday that I was writing about my experience with the Spinal Chord Stimulator and he was happy to hear it and wanted the web-address. I of course was a little embarrassed to give it to him since I had talked so badly about him. ha ha .... just kidding... I didn't! I was embarrassed that I hadn't updated as much as I should of. I really want to keep updating this site and I promise it's on my mind to do so, it's just kind of hard to get it done.

I have a website http://www.SmartMomsSavingMoney.com which takes A LOT OF TIME, believe me I update it daily and I try to put tons of information on there to save everybody the most money I can, one of the problems is as soon as I put the information up it's already about to expire in a couple days so it's an everyday super time consuming task. I also have this site and another money saving blog on Blogger. I am new to doing this on my own. I use to write for Today, but there was a big following for the site so, I didn't have to really go push the site, I just had to put good articles out. Now I have to do it all, advertising, writing, hunting, plus family life. I don't know a lot about advertising for FREE, but I do know how to save money on almost everything else. Anyway as I learn I'll pass that information on to help others. If you know a lot about this subject, PLEASE pass it on to me, I really need the help and I am up for learning. PLEASE you can e-mail me HERE the last few years that I'd be as pain free as I am right now. Honest I used to dream and fantasize about how it would be just to not want to cry when I lean over the bathroom sink to brush my teeth, but I gave up on that dream a few years ago. This is as close to pain free I've been in years honest. I now have been dreaming once again, about what it maybe like a year from now. Dr. Richter said, it would keep getting better for a while so I can only image I'll be able to do something fun with my family.

I do have a few more things to add to my list or that would be a lame list for sure. :(~ I've been able to walk everyday now I even walked all over the last few days, because my mother was here for about 4 days visiting and her car was in the paint shop. I've been letting my daughter drive to school since it's such a pain in the butt, having to drive her to two different schools everyday and then having to pass 3 hours waiting for her. So, I talked up how fun it would be to walk everywhere and about how the exercise would be so good for us. Mom fell for it and we walked all over the place, we even walked to lunch a new little place called Flaming Burgers "great place with good real food and super nice people" we went and did some deals at CVS, Winn Dixie and even got movies at Blockbusters. Most days we walked about 1 1/2 miles and the farthest would of been about 2 1/2 miles, which was pushing it a little for my mom, she was wore her out.
I am happy to say I felt great! No pain what so ever, except in my hips, I have been able to clean my bathroom without wanting to cry, "I didn't attempt to clean the tub by bending over I used a long scrubber on a handle' I've also been able to sweep and mop, change the sheets, brushing my teeth without wanting to cry.

I am not sure if you can try the Stimulator before having other back surgeries or not, but I would recommend you have it before doing any other major back surgeries if possible. The other day, I let Dr. Richter know that I was writing about my experience with the Spinal Chord Stimulator and he was happy to hear it and wanted the web-address. I of course was a little embarrassed to give it to him since I had talked so badly about him. ha ha .... just kidding... I didn't! I was embarrassed that I hadn't updated as much as I should of. I really want to keep updating this site and I promise it's on my mind to do so, it's just kind of hard to get it done.

Dr. Ritcher said, if I had any questions come in he would be more then happy to help and answer them. He's a great guy, who really wants to help as many people as he can, so I trust that he will do as he said. Especially since I didn't ask him and and he volunteered on his own. So make sure if you have ANY QUESTIONS on the SPINAL CHORD STIMULATOR, or any type of question about the surgery ask me and I'll pass it on to Dr.Erich Richter e-mail me HERE
**If you find anything wrong with this blog please let me know. I will be rechecking it after I get some sleep, I wrote this during Saturday morning from Midnight - 6:45 AM I kept finding myself asleep. What the hell, who needs sleep? I'll recheck it soon, I have to get over to my other website and update the sales and ads. Make sure you check out the deals and freebies at Smart Moms Saving Money.**

I was able to walk today!

2010-03-16T01:54:00.000-07:00

I am happy to say that I was able to walk my dog today. :) Rosie was super excited that's for sure. I felt a little better today and I found some old energy pills and took one it sure did the trick, because I had a lot more energy and I had no problem walking. I only walked about a mile I think. I had a video to return to the New $1 Blockbuster machine, so I thought I'll just walk my dog and go on down there.

Walking her, went well she is kind of out of practice and kept smelling everything, but when I would tell her she'd start walking again, I didn't really have to pull on her and she didn't pull me. I was a little worried she might be pulling again, since it's been a while and with her being so dang strong I didn't want her to hurt my back. Rosie is a 66lb Pit bull, who is almost pure muscle. She's such a beautiful dog, I love walking her.

When I got to the Blockbuster machine it wouldn't take my movie back, and since it was my first time I kept thinking I was doing something wrong and the dang sun was shinning right on the screen so it was hard to read. I called the # off the machine, and they asked me a few questions then told me to return the movie inside the store, because if it doesn't grab it then it's not working right. I thought okay that's easy enough and hung up.

Right after hanging up I look down to remember, oops oh crap, I have a huge dog with me, that lots of people are scared of. I guess since I have sunglasses on I could just hold my arm up and act like I can't see, right? Um no that's not right. Boy am I ever for in a pickle! Well I stood there for a minute and though, I'll just make her leash short and keep her on my side. That's what I did and I walked in with her, no one said anything except a guy at the front of the line, who I jumped. No he wasn't mad at me he must of been a dog lover, cause he was like oh, wow she's beautiful. I was thinking what part of sneaking don't you notice here, dude? Be quite, about the D. O. G. HA HA The guy behind the counter, didn't say a word about her though, he just took the movie and said he would return it and we went on our way.

I think I'll try and walk to CVS tomorrow and bring her in with me there. That would be so awesome if I could take her in with me, I'd start walking to the store with her all the time.

My back seems to be getting a little better everyday now so I can't wait to see how good it's going to be in the end.

Please make sure you stop by my website Smart Moms Saving Money

How the back is doing TODAY

2010-03-13T06:14:00.000-08:00

My back is feeling a lot better today I've been doing better not great but better. The only thing I am having a problem in I am still very run down. I am not falling a sleep as easy, but I am still falling a sleep while sitting up. If I could stay a sleep it wouldn't be so bad, but I don't so it's kind of a pain. Over all though I think I am going better and I will try and start walking Monday. I'll take it slow at first and work my way back up to where I can bring my dog again. I am a little scared to walk her by myself yet since she is so strong and if something catches her eye I could be in big trouble.
Until next time, have a great weekend!
Laura

DAILY STEALS & DEALS - Smart Moms Saving Money
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What Has Happened Since Having The Spinal Chord Stimulator Put In

2010-03-05T11:01:00.001-08:00

How My Surgery Went

I went to surgery Monday Feb 1ST 2010

Before going to surgery they gave me a epidural, which I have to be honest I did not know before hand I was going to have to have. I did a lot of homework before hand and it's strange I did not know a few things. First that I would have the epidural which I was worried about because both times I had it before I got so sick and was throwing up even in the surgery room. I talked to the anesthesiologist and let him know my problem. He informed me it wasn't the type that you have when you have a c-section and that he would keep an eye on me and not let me get sick. He kept his promise because I didn't get sick, thank God!

I did have an awkward moment though, which was the Second thing I didn't know was going to happen. After I was given my epidural the anesthesiologist stayed close by and started sticking me asking are you numb here are you numb there which I was use to. Except, he started feeling and sticking around my breast and I was thinking what the hell? I am having lower back surgery, why the hell is this guy sticking my breast with a pin? He did it twice and then the third time I was like what are you doing? He said, I have to make sure your numb in your rib cage. I asked why since I was have surgery on my lower back, he was like well the doctor has to cut the muscles right under your rib cage to put the leads in so, that was a huge surprise. If you look at the picture you'll see I have the two incision.

The incision at the top hurt about 70% more then the bottom one for sure. They came and turned on the SCS "Spinal Chord Stimulator" at about 2PM She had to set it and show me how to work it. I only got 1 setting and was told to come back in to see the doctor in a week. I would be given more settings at that meeting. I was also told to bring in the huge shopping bag of crap they gave me when I left the hospital. Yeah, that's a little surprise after the surgery they give you this huge bag of crap. It's the charger, the machine to turn on the SCS and a 1lb magnet to turn it off in a hurry.

When I got released it was like 8:30PM I was getting scared that I had to stay over night. They made me take a cat scan to make sure everything was good, before I could leave. I HATE staying in the hospital so I was really starting to get worried. I had a few things I want to write about the hospital that I didn't care for, but I'll save that until later.

Riding home was very uncomfortable, I recommend you bring a thin pillow to put behind your back and also if your female bring a loose bra, light sports bra or a extension to add to your bra. The reason is right where they put the incision at the top of your back seems to be right under your bra strap.

On your first day leaving you'll have the bandage and the brace your suppose to wear for at least 1 week. Which is another problem the top of the brace seems to sit right on top of my incision at least on me it did. I don't see why they can't shorten it. I did talk to him about it and he said he would look into it to change that.

I am having a problem staying awake right now I don't know what is going on except I think I am very low on Iron again. I am always low and since I just had to surgeries I think maybe that made it worse? They took 3 things of blood before each so that's all I can think of anyway I don't know for sure. All I know is I sat here to work on this at 10pm last night ended up sitting here all night long and it is 12:30PM the next day and this is all I got done. I wake up write a sentence or two and then fall back a sleep. The doctors can only tell me I need to just rest, that from never sleeping before I am just worn down. I don't know it just seems really odd. I just hope this part gets better because it's a serious problem.
My back is feeling a lot better right now and I will try and up date this again soon. I got to get up and move around take a shower and such.
I'll be back soon.

I SUCK AT WRITING A DOCUMENTARY

2010-03-04T17:25:00.000-08:00

I am really sorry I haven't been here and updated this site lately. I been thinking daily I need to update my documentary, but I would come up with all these excuses:
I don't have enough info to give about it yet, I have too many things to do,
I am exhausted

I have to update my other website,
I can't stay awake
and my back and arm hurt way to much to type.

As you see I had plenty of excuses.

I just wanted to say I am truly sorry for anybody that may of been following

or been waiting to see what's the out come of the surgery.
I dropped the ball and I'll try and not let that happen again.

I want to at least update this site weekly and I'll try to aim for that.

After I cook dinner I promise I'll be here to finish updating how it's been going on my newest surgery.
I'll also be adding more deals to my website Smart Moms Saving Money

Off to cooking dinner be back soon.

I Told Them I Want The Surgery!

2010-01-31T23:04:00.000-08:00

MY SURGERY IS SET FOR FEB 1, 10 @ 5:30 AM

I am sitting here trying to catch up my blog and about to go to surgery in a few hours. It is 12:36AM I only have a little less then 5 hours to be at the hospital so I'll up date y'all soon as I can.

Wish me luck and I could use all the prayer anybody would like to send. :)

Thank you! Laura

Getting The Spinal Chord Stimulator OFF/Out

2010-01-31T23:03:00.000-08:00

MY LAST DAY WITH MY LITTLE MACHINE

I wasn't very happy at all to have to go to the doctor and get this machine out. My back is still sore, but I feel it's working on my back pain. I only wish the soreness would of been gone and I could of done more to try it out. I felt like I needed to try and be more active, but it was kind of hard because I am not suppose to sweat and you have to watch some ways you move, because it will shock you. I've been thinking long and hard do I want to do it or don't I want to do it? It's a hard decision mainly, because I don't want to make the wrong one of course. It's scary, but I truly think it was doing some good. What's so weird is I felt like at first well maybe I want it to work so bad that it's blocking my decision to know the truth. After that great night of sleep I am 99% sure it will make a difference, so I am very happy to try it.

I went to the doctor to get the trial taking off and the leads taking out of my back. While I was there a few women came up to me in the waiting room and shared their stories with me. I was very happy to have heard both of them, it was so nice to get that extra support from people that had all ready done it. They knew what I was heading for was right. "Thank You, Ladies!"

One lady I met was named, Kelly. She was very nervous to come up to me. She kept saying, I am not borthing you am I? Not at all I told her, I was so happy to have her talk to me about her experience. It really helped me feel even better about my own decision so I am so glad you did, Kelly. She told me that she had a bad experience in the beginning with the permanent Stimulator. She had it only about 6 weeks ago. She had to have an epidural to have hers put in and when you get an epidural it usually numbs you from the waist down at least. Well that's what it did to her and then after the surgery she was put in her room and soon after one of the nurses or staff of the machine I am not sure what that persons title is for sure. Anyway the person that was going to show her how to use the new Stimulator. She came in with 2 huge black bags. "I seen one of the bags she showed it to me. Wow what a lot of crap! I never dreamed it came with all kinds of hardware like that." Any how the lady started showing her everything and how to use it then she was adjusting her machine inside and I think maybe since not everybody gets a epidural that she didn't realize Kelly was numb all the way down. Because if it was like when they showed me. Your laying in the bed either on your side or on your back and they are standing by the side of your bed explaining how to adjust the speed and different modes it has. If she showed her like that, Kelly wouldn't of had to move so that lady didn't notice she was unable to move.

It has this huge big magnet for the perment one inside of you. So, when Kelly was numb she had the nurse turn the machine very high because she couldn't feel it. Well for some reason Kelly had the machine off all the way home and didn't turn it on until the next day. I am not sure why, I forgot? Anyway when she turned it on it was so strong from where she had it before, that it was seriously painful and she started screaming. Her husband was going nuts not knowing what the hell was going on and it was just a huge mess. She had read the directions but she didn't get to the part about the big magnet yet. "There is this magnet, that if you pass the magnet over the machine in your back it will cut it off quickly." Kelly told me that part should be in the front of the book. Yeah, I have to agree with her on that. Since neither her or her husband knew what to do, he found the # that hey gave her for any problems and called. They were able to get it off for her, but she was hurting and super scared by then. When I met Kelly she said, it took her two weeks to turn it back on because she was so scared, but that everything was working out great after that problem.

I am so happy she told me because I am bad about reading direction after I have a problem. I usually try and put something together and then if I can't I'll go glance over it and see where I went wrong. I know just like a guy huh? Very weird I am a women. ha ha

Well the second lady I met I can't remember her name at all, and I didn't speak to her as long, but she said it's the best things she has ever done. Before she was in the bed all the time and now she was even on a softball team! I was like what? Get outta here! She said, no really it has giving me back a life I never knew I would ever have. I was like thank you so much for sharing your story with me. She said, she could feel it that I was going to do really good, so I hope she is right. I pray I have the same experience as her.

I wouldn't know what to do with myself if I could be normal again and not have to dictate our life around my pain. My kids would just die if I could do anything active with them that's for sure.

Well I am jumping way a head I know, but a girl can dream right. :)

My Third Day With My Spinal Chord Stimulator Trial

2010-01-31T23:01:00.000-08:00

I ended up sleeping much longer last night I got about 5 hours which is really good for me. I usually don't get, but maybe 3 hours of sleep a night if that. When I sleep in my bed even though I have one of the best beds I would wake up every hour in pain and only get about 3 hours sleep then when I wake up I am super sore and it's always so hard to walk when I get up. The difference this morning was that I got up very easily and walked with almost no problem what so ever. I walked so easy it was like I had forgotten for a moment.

It was really nice to sleep and wake up feeling better then I had in a long time. I turned the machine up pretty high when I went to sleep so I know that's what helped me. It was blocking my pain so I was able to not only sleep I was able to stay a sleep too. I was so happy I had that one really good night, because I was finding it very hard to say if it was making that much of a difference or not.

I really believe 3 days isn't long enough to know if this works or not. The reason why is, because your back is so sore from going thorough the surgery just to try it out. Another down side to the machine is it can be working great while your in one position, but then not at all in another position you may have to move to get it to work right. A few times it sort of shocked me, but it was easily fixed by either turning it down or just moving.

THE FIRST DAY OF MY SURGERY

2010-01-31T22:57:00.000-08:00

MY TRIAL SURGERY WAS 1-18-10

I sorry, I didn't update this blog as often as I had intended to, and I am sorry if you happen to stumble over here and you seen it was not updated. It was a little harder for me to keep up with, then I though. With my home life, being sore, going to doctors and trying to keep my other Freebie blog up I fell short. Since I am going into surgery tomorrow morning at 5:30 to have the permanent Spinal Cord Stimulator put in I thought I better finish this. Once again, sorry for my short comings.

On Monday 01-18-10 at 6:30 AM I got to the hospital. Since I had registered already I went to the Same Surgery Desk and I was quickly put into a semi private room to wait for surgery. I ended up waiting around 30 minutes, then was taken to the surgery holding room.
I met the anthologists I had two of them who would go into surgery with me. I also met another nurse and a couple of student doctors.

I only ended up waiting around 20 minutes to go to surgery. They gave me meds to make me tired, but where I could still be awake to help guide the leads in the right spots. It was hard to get it in the right spots. It would seem to get close but end up being short on getting there. I was starting to get a little fustrated, because I wasn't sure what to do to make it work. The doctor would ask me where I was feeling the tingling as he moved it down my calf or thigh and so on. There was a huge monitor in front of me where the doctor could see what he was doing. It was neat watching the wires move and then feel these weird sensations here and there.
My surgery went on a little longer then most, it took him about an hour to get it where he wanted it. The incision was only a couple of inches long and then he put a couple of stitches over it and this HUGE bandage with the most tape I've ever seen before. Oh and this brown medicine that turned my back brown, my under wear and the bed all brown. It took forever for that stuff to wear off too.
My back was pretty numb when I cam out of surgery and I only had the leads hanging out of me at that time. The doctor asked me what side I sleep on where he could put the leads on the other side. I sleep on both sides so I ended up picking my left side to sleep on. They put the leads on one side and then you have to sleep on the other side. When I came out of surgery they had the wires hanging out on my right side and the nurse from the Stiumulator company came in my room and ;kjjjtaught me how to use it. When she first started it , it was Wooo! It came on pretty strong and scared me a little big. I felt it all over my body vibrating here and there I helped her get it to vibrate in the area I needed it to work. I finally got it to the right spots and that was it she left it on that and showed me how to work it, it was pretty easy.
Oh, one more thing if you sleep on your stomach, you won't be able to do that with this machine.
My back was pretty sore but still somewhat numb and I was super sleepy.
Then they left me go home after I ate something and used the bathroom.
Riding home make sure you bring a pillow, because your incision will be very sore.

Second Day Jan 19Th 2010

2010-01-20T07:04:00.000-08:00

On My Second Day Jan 19Th 2010

I slept in my recliner last night, mainly, because I was so sore and also because I am so use to it. I didn't know if I could lay still or not. I hate to get in bed, because I always toss and turn and right now that isn't a good idea with these wires hanging all out.

Anyway I slept in my chair I think I got about 4 hours total sleep which is very good for me. I had also slept very well after the surgery. I feel like maybe I kind of know, why Michael Jackson liked having that sleep medication so much. It felt like I had the best sleep in a few years. Even though I don't think I was giving the medication he had, but I don't know for sure.

I woke up super sore today and wondering if this was working or not? It was kind of hard to tell at first, because I was in a lot of pain. As I woke up more I could feel that although I was in pain it wasn't my normal type of pain, it was more of a sore, tender type of pain all around where they went into my back.

As I got up and started moving around I started to feel better. I wanted to test drive this thing Stimulator out. I had to go pick up my daughter from her high school and bring her to NOCCA as I do everyday. I was told I had to turn the Stimulator off to drive so I made sure before turning the car on I did that,where I wouldn't forget.

Getting into the car wasn't that easy since I was so sore. The worse part was sitting down when my back hit the back of the seat. Ouch! Super sore and if you know New Orleans, you know we have a lot of holes and bumps in the neighborhoods.

Once I picked my daughter up I let her drive since she has her permit at least I could turn my stimulator back on while she drove. It wasn't that bad riding as the passenger, I just was tender, but my main pain seems to feel better.

After dropping my daughter off, I had to go to the bank, because my deposit wasn't showing up. I went inside and was able to get that all fixed. I made sure I turned the Stimulator off before starting the car each time, then turned it back on when the car went off.

After leaving the bank I went to Winn Dixie to pick up a few things. Of course I bought more then I went inside for. I noticed I was able to get the things out of my basket much easier then normal. For once I was hoping for a long line. I know what a sicko, right? ha ha I should of went to Walmart there's always a line there. It always kills me to stand in line something about standing just puts me over the top with pain.

Anyway I didn't really have to stand long, but I did have to unload the basket, which is another hard thing for me to do. After that, when I was putting my groceries in the car I made sure not to pick up anything to heavy I picked up most bags with 2 hands and turned my whole body to set it down. I know I looked kind of weird, but I know they told me not to bend or pick up anything over 5lbs.

Once home I had to unload everything and I think I may of picked up a few things over 5lbs. I don't know but I kind of did it without even thinking. My back was starting to hurt, but it still seems a little better then normal. I had lunch and took pain medicine.

I have been missing my heating pad real bad. I have a heating pad on my back all the time. It is the only way I could get my back to feel some what better. I don't want to use it at all while I have this in. I don't know if I can or not I didn't even ask. I am really trying to see if it works and if I should go through with having it put inside permanently.

I noticed my back bleed a little bit. I am not sure if that is normal or not, I forgot to ask the nurse when I spoke to her earlier.

Over all I truly believe it is working. I am not sure how much yet, but so far I am pretty happy and hopeful that this will be the answer to my prayers.

I'll end this here, but I'll update the day of my surgery and the 3rd day later on today okay. Thanks for following!

Medical Information On The Spinal Cord Stimulator

2010-01-20T04:44:00.000-08:00

Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS)

Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS) is a medical therapy for people who suffer with certain types of chronic pain.

(SCS) involves the use of an inplanted device - a Spinal Cord Stimulator (sometimes called a generator or pace maker for pain.) to deliever mild electrical pluses directly to nerve fibers. This direct approach at treating pain at it's sorce can be very effective.

To Read more on this Click HERE article borrowed from, St. Jude Medical.

What To Expect Before, (SCS) Spinal Cord Stimulation

SCS before trial Click HERE

Complications and Risk

As with any surgery there are always risk involved. Click HERE

What To Expect During Test

Click HERE

What To Expect After Test

Click HERE

Frequently Asked Question and Answers

Click HERE

Related Features and Products

Click HERE

Related Websites and Resources

Click HERE

Read Patiences Success Stories

Click HERE

Going In To Surgery in About 4 1/2 Hours

2010-01-18T00:11:00.000-08:00

It's 2am and I am suppose to be in surgery for 6:30 am to have a Spinal Cord Stimulator put in. I am pretty scared, so I know I can't sleep I am starting to get sleepy now though so I think I'll try and lay may head down for a few minutes.

Look here to learn what a Spinal Cord Stimulator is. I am suppose to be an out patience so just as soon as I can get back on the computer I'll start documenting how this went and how it's going.

Wish me luck, I need it for sure. Oh, boy!