Day 10 a little better

I was able to sit through breakfast and dinner without the excruciating pain. The past few days I really went downhill right after breakfast and it didnt happen so much today. This of course is all relative to the past few days. Im still bringing 3 pillows to the table - one to sit on and two behind me, it hurts but its not agony so I am headed in the right direction.

It was still more of the same Eat, Walk, Rest, Repeat. Tomorrow will be a repeat of today.

I packed a couple of things today so that I dont wear myself out doing it all on Saturday.

Yes David, Jean and I have been laughing because now my husband is quoting ya'll with "slow and steady wins the race" in his emails - too funny.

Day nine Post Op visit

We went to the Pro Spine Offices in Bogen today for my final check up. Dr. Fenk-Mayer examined me and said all was normal and as to be expected. She removed the bottom stitch and says the others will dissolve. The incision is healing nicely. She felt that the low back pain was normal inflammation from the surgery not discogenic. To me it feels exactly the same as the pain prior to surgery so I cannot help but worry that this did not work. Rationally, logically I know its early on but I worry anyway.

The rest of the day has been about the same eat, walk, rest,repeat.

We leave here on Sunday. The next few days will be more of the above in hopes that I can feel comfortable on the flight.

Day eight satus quo

Today has been about the same as yesterday. Short Walk, Eat, Rest, Repeat two times. I am hoping for a small improvement soon. Any little bit would help.

After dinner last night Jean and I went around the block and I did get a stabbing pain in my left groin which had me holding on to the fence next to me, not sure if I could take another step and brought me to tears. It left as quickly as it came on though so we got through it.

Tomorrow we go to Bogen for the final check at ProSpine.

Day seven a little bit better than yesterday

After dinner last night I was feeling better by the hour. When I finally went to bed after watching an entire season of Sex and the City on DVD I couldnt believe how much better my back felt. I woke up feeling really great. Then after breakfast it went downhill. I was able to walked a little but I cannot sit at all. I type this from the computer in the lobby that is condusive to standing. Its continues to be just the low back pain. No leg issues. The incision is healing nicely, it hurts but as expected I believe. All of the doctors were in awe at how straight it is. Jean and I laugh constantly as we remember each of their faces as the bandage was removed and they admired the work. I could care less what that looks like at this point.

There is a mental side to this no doubt. Did I drink some adr kool-aid? Am I going to be able to take care of my kids? Its brutal but Jean is here to help me through it all with humor.

We really are taking it so slowly.

Day six post op not good

Well, did I say the pain was tolerable yesterday? No true today. Jean and I walked a short distance to dinner last night and I could not sit. I had to circle the restaurant several times. while I understand this is normal I need to get this chronicled for future patients. It is a rollercoaster. Today has been m0re of the same. Walking a little and resting in bed. I am having a stronger med filled tomorrow. The post op medication situation is interesting here because they assume you are still taking any meds that you took at home prior to surgery. They will also prescribe you whatever necessary but the brand names are different. I never found much that worked real well on this level of pain at home without throwing up so I am relying on their prescriptions here. The opiod they gave me in the hospital worked well and I will take it tomorrow if needed. For reference pharmacies are closed on Saturday by noon and after that everything must be ordered on an emergency basis to the onlý on call pharmacy in town and at extra cost. Eckhard will help with this process but its just that a process you do not want to go through when in pain. Controlled substances are even more difficult to order so plan accordingly when leaving the hospital. They hand you the prescriptions in plenty of time so have them filled or have your meds from home.

I read through David and Chucks post op links last night with Jean and we both felt so much better because so much of it sounded so familiar - the late night waking, the coughing in pain etc.

Thanks for all the kind words.

I'm out of the hospital!!!!

It's Saturday afternoon and we are back at the hotel. Obviously I am in pain but it is tolerable right now. I get tired easily, move extremely slowly and cannnot bend at all. I am to wear a back brace (much like you see a weightlifter wear) for 8 weeks. The disks will not be fully set for 3 months. In speaking with Dr. B 3 days post op, he believes I should feel like myself in 4-6 months given the length of time I suffered from this and level of degeneration of the disks. He felt the surgery was difficult due to the limited space left between my disks yet nothing he did not expect or has not seen before. He felt I was a relatively uncomplicated case. They describe my recovery as uneventful. Good news but certainly not what my body says.

My aunt Jean has been amazing and because of her we have been able to laugh so much I have to worry about my stitches. She befriended the hospital staff to the point they would get in trouble for lingering with us. This has been a great time for the two of us to spend together. Many of you probably did not realize she is only 4 years older so shes much like a sister. She did it all for me here. she was there to take care of me without battng an eye. There is no way to thank her enough.


Obviously there is an important 6 days missing here that needs to be chronicled for any future patient - too much for me to handle now but if you are reading this and thinking of doing this please feel free to contact me. Past patients made a huge impact on me and I am here for the next. Mark and Chuck thank you for keeping in touch with my family. It is so inspiring to read about Marks progress as he had the same two levels done as I did. I hope to reach that level long term as well.

I spoke with my mom and Dave and heard all of your well wishes. Thank you all so much for the support. I will need more to come, this is just the beginning.

We are heading to the hospital this morning

Well, we had a great day yesterday walking around town. We spent hours trying to find the Deutche Bank machine that mom had google mapped for us but of course we forgot to bring when we left. We asked many Germmans directions but no one who spoke English knew. Althought the hotel and cab driver speak English we are finding that in the shops and restaurants there is a large language barrier. I was not expecting this. The year I spent travelling in Europe many years ago was mostly in big cities so we always found that many people spoke English.

Well, I'm off to the hospital. More news when I can.

Here's a view of Straubing

Straubing CenterHotel Romerhof

Jean and Elvis

The beer is not warm

Theres been a lot of questions about the beer. We had a Weissen Licht last night for my bday dinner and it was not warm. Tasted great. We explored the town a bit and came home to sleep early. We both woke up in the middle of the night at different times thinking it was morning. We just had european style breakfast and are heading out to explore a bit more again.

Today, the drs tell me to be careful what I eat as tomorrow I will be admitted to the hospital for the colon cleanse.

We Made it to Germany - Surgery is Monday the 18th

Our flights were uneventful. We were greeted in Munich by Peter Hoch the cab driver for all of Dr B's patients. He is fabulous and knows exactly how to treat a patient. We drove on the autobahn at 100MPH. He took us through Straubing which is an adorable European town center with cafes and shops. We are at the Hotel near the hospital now. The staff is great. The last patient left an extra shot that she had for the next patient - we are a bit concerned about needing that and of course will take it to Dr. B.

We are going to stay awake the rest of today and get to bed early. We are going to head into town now.

I head to the hospital on Sunday morning and surgery is on Monday at noon here which is six hours ahead.

We are doing great so far. I'll try to get some pics up soon.

Cake for breakfast

The girls really wanted to celebrate my birthday before I left. Since they were out to dinner with Mimi last night we just had to eat ice cream cake for breakfast this morning.

All bags are packed and I'm just waiting for Dave to come pick me up to head to the airport.

More soon......

Mom is here

Well she made it thank God. She had to stay overnight in a hotel but we are so happy she got here on time - she brought me so many perfectly useful items for the trip - a great carryon bag, matching security type wallet, a warm coat, power converters and a laptop and a small camera and some comfortable warm boots. Everything is perfect! She's off with the kids now - don't know what I'd do without her.

Thanks to everyone for all of the support. Monique showed up last night just as I was freaking out about my mom's flight with a goody bag containing stress relief items - how timely! And Christy filled me a surcy (I think that's what she called it here in the south) which is a fabulous goody bag. The church that I have only minimally participated in is so kindly sending dinners while I'm gone. I cannot believe how much support I have gotten through all of this.

I just want to thank you all for the parting gifts, kind words, beautiful written cards, phone calls, emails, positive thoughts and engery you've sent my way. Although I may not have gotten back to you at this time, it means so much to me. Keep it coming!

I've checked in online and am going to finish some packing and maybe have time for a Valentines dinner with my husband.

first bump in the road

My mom is stranded in New York. All flights to Charlotte are cancelled today. She was coming here to "hold down the fort" for me tomorrow. And I left a lot of holding down to do. She also has several items with her that I need for my trip so lets hope she can get here tomorrow.

Time for a cocktail..........

to my far away family and friends

My email has been loaded with questions mostly from my far away friends and family who only had partial knowledge of my situation:

I'll need to explain the complex decision making progress at another time but in a nutshell: the limited options here in the US due to FDA regulations, health insurance coverage and doctor expertise led me to begin extensive research and ultimately choose Artificial Disk Replacement with the world's leading doctor in this area. I believe this is my best chance at long term health. If this doesn't work then nothing will and that will be that. I won't have to second guess anything.

I will be in Straubing, Germany until March 2nd. I should be 5-7 days in the hospital and 5-7 at the hotel with my aunt Jean. I haven't been able to spend quality time with my aunt in years and really am looking forward to that. She's my dad's youngest sister so we can laugh and share our memories of him. Dave was so squeamish when I had my kids that I really didn't think he was the best person to come with me - he's wonderful in every other way but neither one of us felt compelled for him to go. My mom will be here with the kids while he keeps working. And lord knows we need that since this surgery/travel is $50K paid up front and out of pocket. We are appealing insurance but precedent is not looking good for reimbursement.

This is a serious and major surgery. Recovery time is LONG. There will be a vertical incision in my abdomen (because the artificial disks are inserted through the front). I won't be driving for at least 4 weeks. It can be a year or more before I'm feeling whatever my new normal will be. I will never run a marathon but I hope that I can wake up and get out of bed without feeling the severe pain I feel now. Some days it brings me near tears to get out of my bed. Most days its not quite that bad but the pain is always there. Today there is rain and I've been in very bad shape since yesterday because of that. It's hard to be upbeat and positive and smiling and hold a family together when you feel this way. It literally sucks the life out of you. I hope I can stop faking my smiles and truly feel good again someday.

4 days until Germany

Well, its all been done. The only thing left is to pack my bags. I'm scared to death but hopeful. I feel there are 3 stages left. Get through the surgery with no complications, get home safely and the longest stage is recovery. It's #1 thats got me a nervous wreck at this point.