That's what the surgery is called.
You're only eligible for this type of surgery if your disc is laterally herniated and your pain presents as leg/butt pain caused by a shooting nerve. Enter... me. Yep, I am a pretty awesome candidate for the surgery according to the spinal specialist.
If I even say the words, "Spinal Surgeon" to people, they kind of freak. My dear friend Melissa and I went out for drinks last night and after I explained to her what might happen in a month or so, she says, "Phew - I was prepared to walk in here tonight and demand that you NOT have surgery. But, you've put me at ease and now I think you should do it."
I understand the freak out. Trust me. I do. More than you know. After all, it's MY spine they're talking about messing around with!
Here's the skinny on my options at this point.
Option #1 - deal with the pain for the rest of my life. (Unlikely)
Option #2 - continue with PT in the hopes that it becomes (and STAYS) manageable for the rest of my life. Great option, but a bit scary considering how long I've been doing PT so far without relief.
Option #3 - a surgical procedure.
Now, before you jump on the "surgery is evil" bandwagon, let me explain what they will be doing to me - IF I decide to go through with it.
A 1.5-2 cm incision will lead them toward my spine. They will cut away a small piece of bone (laminectomy) in order to gain access to my disc and nerves. They will pull the nerves aside and then cut away a portion of the disc - the smallest portion possible - that is pushing on the nerves and causing me so much pain. Then, they close me up and we're done. 45 minutes to an hour and I'm in recovery.
The post-op recovery ranges depending on your health, but some folks are up and walking and feeling good in 3-5 days. I'm expecting a couple of weeks of recovery before I push anything. Then a couple more before starting PT again. Then, according to the surgeon, if all goes well, I should be back to my old self within 8-10 weeks. In other words, 8 weeks after surgery (fingers crossed), I will be back to working out as I always have, back on the bike, back feeling good.
The success rate with this surgery is 85-90%. 10% of patients experience some re-herniation of the disc throughout the rest of their life. 6-7% experience little relief from the pain after surgery.
The surgery involves no fusing and no removal of discs in their entirety.
So, here's what's up. I have been going to the gym and trying to stay active (Doctor's orders). I'm continuing to do PT (of various kinds) to see if I can get relief through a conservative method. If the semester ends and I'm still in the amount of pain I was in today, for example, I'm going to have one of the best surgeons in the region perform a lateral micro-discectomy on my back.
I'm happy with this. Well, as happy as one can be with a scalpel aimed at your spine.
I feel as though I've done everything right so far. I've followed all of the steps toward conservative therapy. I've done everything I'm supposed to do. At this point, I just want my life back. I want to go through a day without constant pain. I want to be able to sit, stand, ride my bike, swim, and hell, maybe even run again one day. So, if I'm still feeling like this as of December 12th, you can send flowers and boxes of chocolates to the house, c/o Dr. Porkchop.
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
Saturday, October 19, 2013
Light At the End of the Tunnel
So, for anyone who actually reads this blog (Hi, Mom!), you know that I've been dealing with my back issue for going on nearly a year now. Technically, at least.
I first started feeling pain during cyclocross season last year. It appeared as a burning sensation down the back of my right hamstring. Like any good athlete with goals in mind, I completely ignored it.
After the season ended, it slowly dissipated and again, I forgot about it.
As I bega to gear up for the Spring race season, it reappeared - with a vengeance. Apparently, it did not appreciate being ignored and decided that it would make itself readily known. So, the pain came back and spread - to my butt and to the lower part of my leg. And then the fun really started.
By May, I could barely walk. I developed an intense lateral pelvic shift, had an MRI done to discover the herniated disc, and began a very painful series of Physical Therapy visits. Once the shift was corrected (which took about 6 weeks), the pain lessened, but didn't go away.
The cortisone shot was supposed to help with that. It didn't. The pain "shifted," but didn't disappear. I could no longer sit without searing pain down my leg and standing, while better at first, still leads into pain within an hour or two.
Back to another type of PT, which seemed to help a bit at first. However, I've plateaued. We can't get the pain to go away and it's beginning (haha) to get on my nerves (hahaha).
Back to the Ortho again resulting in the appointment with a spinal surgeon.
Now, for all you folks that are anti-surgery - trust me, I understand and I appreciate your dedication to PT and conservative forms of therapy. I'm going to continue to try those until I've exhausted my options. But, I've also got to know that there's a solution down the road. If the PT works, GREAT! I'll be happy and pain free and back on my bike.
But, if it doesn't - the surgery is the way to go. I don't WANT surgery, mind you. Anyone who would want someone slicing them open and cutting out a piece of them (just for the hell of it) has got to be a little bit loopy. But, equally loopy would be the person who says, "Well, I know that there's something that can be done surgically with an 85-95% success rate. But, I'd rather wallow in pain and misery for the rest of my life."
I am not loopy. Well, not about this at least.
I first started feeling pain during cyclocross season last year. It appeared as a burning sensation down the back of my right hamstring. Like any good athlete with goals in mind, I completely ignored it.
After the season ended, it slowly dissipated and again, I forgot about it.
As I bega to gear up for the Spring race season, it reappeared - with a vengeance. Apparently, it did not appreciate being ignored and decided that it would make itself readily known. So, the pain came back and spread - to my butt and to the lower part of my leg. And then the fun really started.
By May, I could barely walk. I developed an intense lateral pelvic shift, had an MRI done to discover the herniated disc, and began a very painful series of Physical Therapy visits. Once the shift was corrected (which took about 6 weeks), the pain lessened, but didn't go away.
The cortisone shot was supposed to help with that. It didn't. The pain "shifted," but didn't disappear. I could no longer sit without searing pain down my leg and standing, while better at first, still leads into pain within an hour or two.
Back to another type of PT, which seemed to help a bit at first. However, I've plateaued. We can't get the pain to go away and it's beginning (haha) to get on my nerves (hahaha).
Back to the Ortho again resulting in the appointment with a spinal surgeon.
Now, for all you folks that are anti-surgery - trust me, I understand and I appreciate your dedication to PT and conservative forms of therapy. I'm going to continue to try those until I've exhausted my options. But, I've also got to know that there's a solution down the road. If the PT works, GREAT! I'll be happy and pain free and back on my bike.
But, if it doesn't - the surgery is the way to go. I don't WANT surgery, mind you. Anyone who would want someone slicing them open and cutting out a piece of them (just for the hell of it) has got to be a little bit loopy. But, equally loopy would be the person who says, "Well, I know that there's something that can be done surgically with an 85-95% success rate. But, I'd rather wallow in pain and misery for the rest of my life."
I am not loopy. Well, not about this at least.
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Consult
The word consult on it's own is just fine.
The word consult attached to "with the Spinal Surgery Specialist" is a bit more freaky.
The word consult attached to "with the Spinal Surgery Specialist" is a bit more freaky.
Friday, October 11, 2013
Mon the Biff
Three of the most important words of the evening last night. Mon. The. Biff.
I can't really explain that, except to say that if you're a fan of Biffy Clyro, you should already know what I'm talking about.
I was first introduced to Biffy a few years ago by my dear friend, Simon. I became hooked pretty quickly and was particularly bummed when I missed a few shows at local spots like the North Star and a free show in Northern Liberties. But all of that was forgotten after last night's front row viewing of the band at the Trocadero! Best $11.00 I ever spent.
They were pretty awesome. These guys play hard - and I do mean HARD! They are a true rock band and the show was 100% proof of that.
They played quite a few of my favorite songs - a nice mixture of the new album and the older stuff. And, I had a pretty good view of the show - from the front row! It's been a VERY long time since I've been front row for something. We were pretty close to the stage at the Killers a couple of months ago (maybe 4 people back or so), but the last time I was actually FRONT row was the Depeche Mode Devotional tour in 1993!
So, I came away from last night with some great photos, a nice video of Machines, and Simon's set list! Pretty cool night.
The opening act was Morning Parade, an English band from Essex. They were pretty great, too... I'll be picking up some of their stuff soon enough.
I can't really explain that, except to say that if you're a fan of Biffy Clyro, you should already know what I'm talking about.
I was first introduced to Biffy a few years ago by my dear friend, Simon. I became hooked pretty quickly and was particularly bummed when I missed a few shows at local spots like the North Star and a free show in Northern Liberties. But all of that was forgotten after last night's front row viewing of the band at the Trocadero! Best $11.00 I ever spent.
They were pretty awesome. These guys play hard - and I do mean HARD! They are a true rock band and the show was 100% proof of that.
They played quite a few of my favorite songs - a nice mixture of the new album and the older stuff. And, I had a pretty good view of the show - from the front row! It's been a VERY long time since I've been front row for something. We were pretty close to the stage at the Killers a couple of months ago (maybe 4 people back or so), but the last time I was actually FRONT row was the Depeche Mode Devotional tour in 1993!
So, I came away from last night with some great photos, a nice video of Machines, and Simon's set list! Pretty cool night.
This will get stored away in a safe place with my Killers Konfetti from the Atlantic City show!
The opening act was Morning Parade, an English band from Essex. They were pretty great, too... I'll be picking up some of their stuff soon enough.
Thursday, October 03, 2013
BACK for an update...
So, here's what's new in the world of my herniated disk... sigh...
The one cortisone shot that I received did something. The number one thing that it did was shift my pain. I'm not sure how that happened, but before the shot I could sit all day, but had trouble standing for longer than 20-30 minutes without agonizing pain. Post shot, I can stand (after over an hour it gets a little sore), but can't sit for very long at all. Shooting firey pain is an all too familiar feeling right now.
Before the shot, riding my bike was easy. Now, it hurts. Not. Good.
Before the shot, my leg felt ok in terms of weakness... a little weak, but not so bad. After the shot, my leg feels like it's going to give out underneath me at least once a day. It's very weak.
I went back to follow up with the pain doctor. I was feeling ok when I went in to see him, so he told me just to come back if/when needed. I see my Ortho in a couple of weeks, so I will see what happens there.
I started working with a new PT. He does more mechanical manual manipulation intended to open up, stretch, and otherwise clear the path for the nerve to run without causing pain. It certainly has helped some, but not as much as I'd hoped.
I've started swimming again - thank goodness our gym switched to salt water, so no allergic reaction to the chlorine! - and I continue to do the core work and stretches that the PT suggested.
Unfortunately, things are not good. I'm still in a lot of pain... I'm still only sometimes able to stretch the way I need to for the PT's exercises to work. I'm still pretty annoying to Mr. Porkchop who has to hear me wince and say ouch numerous times each day. I'm still hopeful that something will work to make me feel better. Unfortunately, I'm not as hopeful that this something is going to be non-invasive and "conservative."
I don't know what lies ahead for me in terms of this issue. But, whatever is before me, I know that I have Mr. Porkchop by my side to make sure that I'm ok! :)
The one cortisone shot that I received did something. The number one thing that it did was shift my pain. I'm not sure how that happened, but before the shot I could sit all day, but had trouble standing for longer than 20-30 minutes without agonizing pain. Post shot, I can stand (after over an hour it gets a little sore), but can't sit for very long at all. Shooting firey pain is an all too familiar feeling right now.
Before the shot, riding my bike was easy. Now, it hurts. Not. Good.
Before the shot, my leg felt ok in terms of weakness... a little weak, but not so bad. After the shot, my leg feels like it's going to give out underneath me at least once a day. It's very weak.
I went back to follow up with the pain doctor. I was feeling ok when I went in to see him, so he told me just to come back if/when needed. I see my Ortho in a couple of weeks, so I will see what happens there.
I started working with a new PT. He does more mechanical manual manipulation intended to open up, stretch, and otherwise clear the path for the nerve to run without causing pain. It certainly has helped some, but not as much as I'd hoped.
I've started swimming again - thank goodness our gym switched to salt water, so no allergic reaction to the chlorine! - and I continue to do the core work and stretches that the PT suggested.
Unfortunately, things are not good. I'm still in a lot of pain... I'm still only sometimes able to stretch the way I need to for the PT's exercises to work. I'm still pretty annoying to Mr. Porkchop who has to hear me wince and say ouch numerous times each day. I'm still hopeful that something will work to make me feel better. Unfortunately, I'm not as hopeful that this something is going to be non-invasive and "conservative."
I don't know what lies ahead for me in terms of this issue. But, whatever is before me, I know that I have Mr. Porkchop by my side to make sure that I'm ok! :)
Tuesday, October 01, 2013
The Post That's NOT About the Government Shut Down
Yeah, I'm no political blogger. I have a few friends who can chat your ear off all day about politics and its evils. I prefer to let them have it and move on to more important issues... like cookies and fluffy unicorns and piglets at the zoo...
These things, after all, are far more important, right? Speaking of the important things in life... allow me to mention just a few that I think are significant before turning to someone far funnier than I to do the same...
1. Don't forget to veg out... by this I don't mean literally wallowing in a slothful existence, but taking time for yourself once in a while. And, yes...sometimes that means sitting in front of the television watching reruns of Three's Company. Or, spending an hour swimming or riding a bike or knitting or reading or whatever. We are too caught up in our work. We've forgotten how good it can feel to veg out.
2. Appreciate your own hypocrisy. Yep... we are all hypocrites. Some far worse than others, but we're all guilty. I can speed down the freeway but will yell at the guy who speeds faster. I've often heard the phrase "Universe of One" uttered by those who live in a "universe of one." Acknowledge it and you're more likely to overcome it.
3. Breathe Deeply... so that you can yell more loudly. Sometimes you just have to yell, complain, bitch, moan, scream, sigh, plead, etc. Take a deep breath before you do so... it will help you clear your mind so that your ensuing rant is more coherent and logical!
And now, for this guy...enjoy
These things, after all, are far more important, right? Speaking of the important things in life... allow me to mention just a few that I think are significant before turning to someone far funnier than I to do the same...
1. Don't forget to veg out... by this I don't mean literally wallowing in a slothful existence, but taking time for yourself once in a while. And, yes...sometimes that means sitting in front of the television watching reruns of Three's Company. Or, spending an hour swimming or riding a bike or knitting or reading or whatever. We are too caught up in our work. We've forgotten how good it can feel to veg out.
2. Appreciate your own hypocrisy. Yep... we are all hypocrites. Some far worse than others, but we're all guilty. I can speed down the freeway but will yell at the guy who speeds faster. I've often heard the phrase "Universe of One" uttered by those who live in a "universe of one." Acknowledge it and you're more likely to overcome it.
3. Breathe Deeply... so that you can yell more loudly. Sometimes you just have to yell, complain, bitch, moan, scream, sigh, plead, etc. Take a deep breath before you do so... it will help you clear your mind so that your ensuing rant is more coherent and logical!
And now, for this guy...enjoy
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