STORM2K

I'm going to use this topic to cover everything up through my surgery on 2/7/08. So, all the information pertinent to it will go here.

For those who perhaps are not aware, I am facing surgery next week. This surgery consists of a cystoscopy, combined with a revision of the illial chimney constructed in 2005, along with another passage called a mitroffanoff which was constructed 10-12 years ago. This was originally scheduled for Sept. 2007 but due to the pressure ulcer it had to be pushed back until I had that taken care of which finally happened in December. Today I am in the hospital for numerous appointments. Already today I had a pre-operative physical, an ultrasound and some blood work. Next is a plastic surgery consult re: the ulcer, and then a Spina Bifida clinic. I'll fill everybody in when I get home around 6pm.

Best of luck to you Jeremy. Not a fun way to start off a new calendar year but it sounds as if you're resigned to the fact that you need more surgery. I hope all goes well.

Mary

I got word just after 5pm that the surgery is being pushed back to May 1. I will leave this thread up, but will do more general observations about things leading up to it as opposed to a day-by-day thing like I was going to do.

April 1, 2008

I am still on track to actually have this done. As it stands right now, however, I may well face still another health setback. Late Sunday night, I twisted my head to look at something and the result was that I have at least strained/sprained my neck. I already have multiple things wrong with my spine, and now I can barely look at the computer, never mind trying to look over to my right side...If it is not better by Thursday, I am seeing an ortho doctor, and he'll probably take x rays and maybe an mri...at which point we'll then find out what is going to go down with that.

Jeremy,
I will pray that you will feel better soon. So sorry that you are having to put off the surgery . Hopefully this surgery will correct things that have been giving you trouble.

April 3

I went to the doctor today for my neck. It turns out, I did more than just sprain it. My C-1 vertabrae is broke, and my C-2 had broke at one time or another. Two weeks with a soft collar and if it ain't any better...*sigh*...more surgery is likely.

So sorry to hear that the C-1 is broken. Hopefully that two weeks in the soft collar will let it heal. Are you taking any calcium supplements? If you aren't may be it would be a good idea to take one. But ask your doctor first before taking it.

My son had a kidney transplant in 2000 but before he got the transplant he had a broken hip due to loss of calcium from his bones caused by dialysis. I think you may have a bone loss due to something like that.
Let us know if you have to have surgery for your neck, and we, Storm2k prayer warriors will cover you with prayer.

Jeremy I'm coming at you with healing prayers so that no other surgery is required for your neck.

Thanks all. It's a definite setback...if I need neck surgery, I'll try to postpone that until the week or so after the bladder stuff is taken care of. I've put the bladder stuff on hold for almost a year...and neck surgery would force another postponement because for neck surgery, which in my case would likely mean a spinal fusion, they have you sleep sitting up for 4-6 weeks. Which of course would mean I couldn't go do the bladder surgery because they need me to lay down for THAT.

April 8, 2008

I can now confirm that there is now talk of postponing the bladder surgery once more...or possibly doing both surgeries simultaneously. It is not known how that would occur if they did so. If the neck is still broken 5/1, the anesthesiologist would very likely decide he/she couldn't go through with an intubation, because of the potential consequences which is why the postponement would likely happen.

April 22, 2008

They have decided that it is OK to go forward with next week's surgery. Soooo here we go!

I will keep you covered with my prayers that the surgery will be successful.

This is a somewhat quick update...

I had the bladder surgery this past Thursday (5/1). Spent 8 days all told in the hospital, 2 for bowel prep, one was surgery day and the other 5 were recovery days. I am recovering at home now, I do not anticipate needing to be re-hospitalized as of right now. I do not need neck surgery, still will be in the neckbrace another couple weeks, until it heals.

I am glad to hear that the surgery was successful. Just keep resting until the Dr.s tell you are good to go for whateveryou want to do. Giving your neck time to heal goes along with getting the rest needed to heal the body after the surgery.