11/02/2024
Even if you know my story, there probably are details in this message you may not be aware of .. I tried to make this an easy read from top to bottom (TL;DR ???) .. this is likely my last message about this until after surgery.
In 2 days, my life will almost certainly change .. possibly very substantially and even dramatically .. it could go multiple ways .. the countdown is about to begin as I have to start prep tomorrow (Sunday) for the surgery on Monday .. the procedures being performed on me are not uncommon at all .. however, for most people these are done for age related degenerative disease or accident related .. in my case, age is a factor with me being 65 years old .. the bigger factor in my case is that the rare bacterial infection that caused the acute vertebral osteomyelitis with discitis in 2020-2021 damaged the spinal bones in ways that age degeneration doesn't .. the bacteria damaged the bones effectively eating away at them .. this causes voids in the bones .. the healing process results in bones that are calcified and brittle .. I had MRI's at the end of 2023 and when seeing the spine surgeon early this year, the prognosis was that the damaged bones would not be able to hold screws and anchors or other forms of reinforcement .. surgery not possible .. with the changes that happened between then and April when my legs got very weak and then another appointment with the spine surgeon and more MRI's (on my spine) for his purposes, the intrusion of even more stenosis (narrowing) of the channels and the constant pain, surgery was planned .. I have significant heart problems and these are a risk. I had to get clearance from cardiology to have the surgery. It was initially denied, but when a cardiologist was to do a heart cath procedure on me, he saw me struggle to try to walk 15 feet to a restroom. We had a discussion about the risks involved in a number of treatment paths and that procedure was canceled. He gave clearance which was received by the surgeon's office on October 21st .. I came to Atrium Health Pineville that day because the pain was unbearable, I couldn't get around the house, and I couldn't take care of myself.
The nightmare of barely being able to walk is hopefully about over. This may or may not happen. The spinal nerves may be too damaged. Having to wait years to have the surgery may have affected the nerves too much. Or the nerves may need to heal over time. Or I might even be able to walk better by Tuesday.
The non-stop pain is hopefully about over. Dr. Ziewacz said he's pretty sure he can reduce the pain with the TLIF and Lumbar Laminectomy.
Two of the vertebrae have started fusing themselves and a thing called a bridging anterior osteophyte has formed at the front of those vertebrae .. a significant amount of work will be done on this area.
I posted these MRI images back in July just after the MRI .. when I saw Dr. Z to discuss surgery, he pulled up 4 images to show me where the problems were and 3 of those were these. The other was from top down, and I can't really interpret those.
There are significant risks. Risks for the procedures on the spine. The aortic aneurysm, the failing and regurgitating aortic valve in my heart is the biggest risk. This is a multi-hour surgery. If my heart doesn't get me through the surgery and anesthesia recovery, obviously the party's over.
The potential rewards make the risks worthwhile. I might be able to do simple things like getting up and down the stairs in my house. I might be able to get in the workshop and do actual physical work on model airplanes. Getting out and flying some R/C. Working on guitars. My dream is flying a plane around the pylons again even though flying 3 pole will probably be a long-term effort.
Sounds like I'll be mostly out of commission for weeks or even a couple of months or more. If the pain is reduced and controllable I'll be doing software work. I have a little collection of scale plastic model airplane kits and a good supply of airbrushing equipment and supplies as well as a hobbyist portable paint booth still in the box. I can't use that stuff in a rehab facility, but it's available if I get to a point and place I can use it.
I'm very excited about what should be going on this week and what the future may hold for me.
I've been fighting to survive and thrive again. As long as I'm still here, I'm going to keep up the fight to continue to have a productive life.
If you believe in prayer, please keep me in your prayers. Please keep me in your positive thoughts regardless.
Info about the procedures ...
https://www.hss.edu/conditions_tlif-transforaminal-lumbar-interbody-fusion-spine-surgery.asp
https://www.hss.edu/conditions_spine-surgery-lumbar-laminectomy.asp
