This is Elizabeth, Ann's youngest daughter. My mother asked me to update her blog while she was in the hospital for her second spinal surgery. I'm late doing this and I apologize for that.
My mothers surgery went well and took less time than the doctor thought it would initially. The doctor stated that with her last surgery he used the "trap door" technique where they cut the bone opened it like a door did what they needed to do then put the bone back in place and it would later fuse itself back together. In my mom's case her bones did not fuse together her bone slipped and was pressing on her spinal cord causing compression. I spoke to her doctor about this and he agreed that this could be the culprit causing the loss of feeling in mom's leg. She was in the ICU until last night and now she's on the Neuro Science floor recovery well. Yesterday when I visited with her she said her feet and legs were hurt so I was massaging them for her and she said "Hey, stop tickling my foot." I asked her, well which foot am I messing with (knowing it was her bad foot) she told me, you're tickling my bad foot. Then I took the sharp edge of my finger nail and pressed into the heel of her bad foot and she told me to stop pinching her heel. She said, Hey, I can feel my bad foot. So, she has some feeling back that she's not had in over a year. I'd consider that a huge success and hopefully it's giving her some huge feeling of accomplishment.. We're praying to get her home by this weekend if she's well enough. Thank you so much for caring enough about my sweet Mom to follow her blog.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Friday, March 18, 2011
Pre Op
Did all my stuff for pre op today. Nurse said I was the first patient she had my age that had to have a second operation for untethering. She said she did have a woman come through last week with a tethered cord but it was her first time.
I am hoping that I do as good as my grand daughter who recently had surgery for Kyphosis and was already riding her bike after just a few weeks :) She is such an amazing little girl.
I am hoping that I do as good as my grand daughter who recently had surgery for Kyphosis and was already riding her bike after just a few weeks :) She is such an amazing little girl.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Court and work
Today I had to appear in court for one of my counseling clients and I absolutely hate doing this. I am totally rethinking if I want to continue to do therapy. What is the good of confidentiality if a judge can court order you talk (either you talk or your held in contempt of court). I was so frustrated when I left the court room that I am seriously going to reassess what I want to do with my social work degree!!
Friday is my last day of work, I took a medical leave so I can try to spend some time focusing on recuperating. My surgery is on Tuesday and at that time I will turn the posting of information to my daughter until I am able to be back on the computer. I am ready for this to be over and hopefully it will be successful this time.
My grand daughter just recently had back surgery for Kyphosis and it is amazing how well she is doing. Children have such great stamina and seem to bounce back so quickly. She is an amazing little girl!
Friday is my last day of work, I took a medical leave so I can try to spend some time focusing on recuperating. My surgery is on Tuesday and at that time I will turn the posting of information to my daughter until I am able to be back on the computer. I am ready for this to be over and hopefully it will be successful this time.
My grand daughter just recently had back surgery for Kyphosis and it is amazing how well she is doing. Children have such great stamina and seem to bounce back so quickly. She is an amazing little girl!
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Tethered Cord Syndrome
I am writing on this blog in the hope that others will read and see that there are other adults that suffer with TCS. I have had a difficult time finding other adults that have been going through this.
Mine started in June of 2010 when I had my first surgery for TCS, I also have Spina Bifida Occulta. Things got better for a while but then my numbness became worse, walking has become difficult, and I have a tremendous amount of pain. I went to a neurologist who requested a EMG which showed extreme weakness in my left leg. He referred me back to my neurosurgeon who informed me my cord had retethered at L 3 due to scar tissue. I am scheduled for surgery on March 22, 2011. I am really dreading this surgery as my recovery from the other was difficult.
I would love to hear from others that have the same condition and have had to have multiple surgeries due to TCS.
Mine started in June of 2010 when I had my first surgery for TCS, I also have Spina Bifida Occulta. Things got better for a while but then my numbness became worse, walking has become difficult, and I have a tremendous amount of pain. I went to a neurologist who requested a EMG which showed extreme weakness in my left leg. He referred me back to my neurosurgeon who informed me my cord had retethered at L 3 due to scar tissue. I am scheduled for surgery on March 22, 2011. I am really dreading this surgery as my recovery from the other was difficult.
I would love to hear from others that have the same condition and have had to have multiple surgeries due to TCS.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Surgery and recovery
I am going to try this blogging thing again since I have some time on my hands.
I am interested in hearing from other people that has had a surgery to untether their spinal cord. I would like to hear about others experiences and how the surgery has affected them or any side effects as a result of the surgery. On Sept 8, I had surgery for a tethered spinal cord and it was discovered that a knot I have had on my back for my entire life was actually spina bifida occulta.
My recovery has been long and difficult. I continue to have numbness in my leg and it often feels like my muscles are very tight. There are times that it feels like there are pins and needles in my foot. I have numbness in other parts of my body as well and have bladder difficulties. There are times I have to use a cane as my leg becomes weak when tired. I often have pain in my lower back that sometimes goes into my leg.
The doctors all assure me that with time this will get better and I should be pain free. They have all said that it is very unusual for a person my age (50 y/o) to have gone their entire life without the spina bifida being discovered. I use to have a tightness in my neck and shoulders but since the surgery this has went away as well as the headaches I often had. I am back to work but only part time as I tire very easily and since I work with children I have to have plenty of energy.
I am interested in hearing from other people that has had a surgery to untether their spinal cord. I would like to hear about others experiences and how the surgery has affected them or any side effects as a result of the surgery. On Sept 8, I had surgery for a tethered spinal cord and it was discovered that a knot I have had on my back for my entire life was actually spina bifida occulta.
My recovery has been long and difficult. I continue to have numbness in my leg and it often feels like my muscles are very tight. There are times that it feels like there are pins and needles in my foot. I have numbness in other parts of my body as well and have bladder difficulties. There are times I have to use a cane as my leg becomes weak when tired. I often have pain in my lower back that sometimes goes into my leg.
The doctors all assure me that with time this will get better and I should be pain free. They have all said that it is very unusual for a person my age (50 y/o) to have gone their entire life without the spina bifida being discovered. I use to have a tightness in my neck and shoulders but since the surgery this has went away as well as the headaches I often had. I am back to work but only part time as I tire very easily and since I work with children I have to have plenty of energy.
Monday, September 7, 2009
My Family
Today has been a long day. Had the grandkid's here while Annie was at work. Couldn't take care of them so grandpa had to, LOL. Austin is potty training and doing pretty good. Amber is a big help with him. Thank you, Amber.
Going to the doctor tomorrow, hopefully I will be able to do some minor things around the house. Not dealing to good with all this time on my hands.
I guess I could tell you about my family. I have been married for 33 years and have four daughters and six grandchildren, four grandsons and two granddaughters.
My oldest daughter is a school teacher, my next to the oldest works for a prescription company, my third works as a housekeeper at a hospital, and my baby daughter stays home to care for her children, no easy job since one has been extremely ill and the other is just a little over a month old.
My dad lives in front of me and is 77 years old and I have two brothers, one older and one younger. I lost my mom to COPD three years ago. I really miss her everyday and think about her everyday.
Okay that is it for now. I will post tomorrow after my doctor's appointment.
Going to the doctor tomorrow, hopefully I will be able to do some minor things around the house. Not dealing to good with all this time on my hands.
I guess I could tell you about my family. I have been married for 33 years and have four daughters and six grandchildren, four grandsons and two granddaughters.
My oldest daughter is a school teacher, my next to the oldest works for a prescription company, my third works as a housekeeper at a hospital, and my baby daughter stays home to care for her children, no easy job since one has been extremely ill and the other is just a little over a month old.
My dad lives in front of me and is 77 years old and I have two brothers, one older and one younger. I lost my mom to COPD three years ago. I really miss her everyday and think about her everyday.
Okay that is it for now. I will post tomorrow after my doctor's appointment.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Today started off kind of rough, had to take meds then felt better.I don't know how people can just sit around all day and do nothing. By the time I am allowed to go back to work I will be needing a counselor for myself, LOL.
I go to the doctor on Tuesday so maybe I will be able to do more activities, or at least make my own food. I hate having people take care of me, I usually take care of others so this is hard.
I go to the doctor on Tuesday so maybe I will be able to do more activities, or at least make my own food. I hate having people take care of me, I usually take care of others so this is hard.
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