Doc said no tractor for six mos...

[nikdfish]

...so things are going to start looking pretty rough around the house and acreage.

I rolled the dice on another spinal surgery, this time a L1-L5 laminectomy with an uninstrumented fusion on one pair. Some long term issues had started getting more extreme with guicker onset. The surgery was the only approach that showed a decent chance to keep me mobile.

Light duty for eight to twelve weeks (no twisting, no bending w/reach below knee, no lifting more than 5 lb. No tractor at all for three months. Possibility of use on flat smooth ground after that if fusion looks Ok but definately no bushhogging, mowing nonlevel ground, etc for six months. The restrictions cover mower and gator use also.

Hopefully the outcome results in greater mobility that will permit catch up on the deferred work before year end.

Nick

 

[farmgirl19]

That's rough, but I hope that you follow the instructions. Each subsequent back surgery, has less good results.

I hope this surgery gives you the relief that you need, and that you heal well, and quickly!

 

[Gary Fowler]

...so things are going to start looking pretty rough around the house and acreage.

I rolled the dice on another spinal surgery, this time a L1-L5 laminectomy with an uninstrumented fusion on one pair. Some long term issues had started getting more extreme with guicker onset. The surgery was the only approach that showed a decent chance to keep me mobile.

Light duty for eight to twelve weeks (no twisting, no bending w/reach below knee, no lifting more than 5 lb. No tractor at all for three months. Possibility of use on flat smooth ground after that if fusion looks Ok but definately no bushhogging, mowing nonlevel ground, etc for six months. The restrictions cover mower and gator use also.

Hopefully the outcome results in greater mobility that will permit catch up on the deferred work before year end.

Nick

I hope you have trained your wife on mowing to keep down some of the grass or contracted with a mowing service. I have had 3 surgeries on my neck, have a herniated disc in my L4/L5 vertebrae and so far have managed to suffer thru the complications of it.
Good luck with your surgery and recovery and don't push yourself and jump on the tractor before getting approval from your doctor. Even then, it may be a good idea to invest in a pneumatic seat to avoid/ lessen any jarring to the lower back. That could be cheap insurance compared to further complications to your back.

 

[TripleR]

It will certainly be worth it in the long run, but a bear during those six months, know from experience. Hang in there and don't rush it as tempting as it will be.

Like most of us you probably don't like to ask for help from neighbors, but now may be the time, I sure didn't turn it down when it was offered. Someday you will be in a position to repay in kind.

Best wishes in your recovery.

 

[descanso1]

I hope you have trained your wife on mowing to keep down some of the grass or contracted with a mowing service. I have had 3 surgeries on my neck, have a herniated disc in my L4/L5 vertebrae and so far have managed to suffer thru the complications of it.
Good luck with your surgery and recovery and don't push yourself and jump on the tractor before getting approval from your doctor. Even then, it may be a good idea to invest in a pneumatic seat to avoid/ lessen any jarring to the lower back. That could be cheap insurance compared to further complications to your back.

Every thing he said.... The seat makes a big difference.... I have had three surgeries also and now am diagnosed with arachnoiditis. The seat makes a tremendous difference for me, could not drive without it.... Also recommend the Perfect Chair by Human Touch for any one with back problems, most comfortable chair I have ever sat in, could not stand it without one...

 

[Gem99ultra]

Perhaps I'm just stupid, ignorant or whatever... But I say follow the doctors for the three months. Then I'd do whatever I felt safe in doing after that. Your body knows best. Doctors in my opinion are usually way too conservative. If they had their way, you'd be sitting in a soft chair straining no muscles at all, for the rest of your life. And believe me - that would be a very short spell.

 

[Western]

Nick, that's no fun, I was offered back surgery several times, but to many "horror" stories. I know they have came along way, but.....

Wish they just had a "patch" to stick on for back pain:laughing: Best thing I have found is a tens unit

Good luck with your recovery.

 

[kenmac]

Best of luck to you. I know several people that have had back surgeries, and it was difficult for then to not be able to do much of anything until healed..

 

[nikdfish]

I appreciate the advice and kind words! I felt I had to take this shot because of positional related loss of sensation (& more recently addtional neuropathy components) that was moving on a trajectory to park me in a hover-round in a couple of years - even after dropping 90+ lb in the last 7 mos. My c5-c7 neck fusions did Ok so I have expectation this one will as well.

Nick

 

[descanso1]

Be careful after the surgery, my problem came partially from a cortisone injection, they stabbed my spinal cord with the needle. Also watch out for physical therapists, a lot of them do not know what they are doing, had one trying to force my back to arch backwards after a fusion, my back can no longer arch backwards. My best therapy is to keep busy, small projects to keep my mind off the pain, some sitting and some standing, walking some times helps, but have shed all pain medication, which the doctors pushed on me....

 

[nickc]

nick, listen to your doctor. 6 months will pass in a flash. I didn't listen & it cost me an extra 2 years. take your time its worth it. best of luck

 

[MacLawn]

Yep, take care of yeself. I had a fusion 45 years ago when they took me hip bones off and ground them up to make a paste which they used to weld me back together. Worked good. Now, my biggest problem is fibromyalgia mess, caused by trauma. Must have been Vietnam mess... Hang in man, we're rootin' for ye.

 

[kenmac]

I appreciate the advice and kind words! I felt I had to take this shot because of positional related loss of sensation (& more recently addtional neuropathy components) that was moving on a trajectory to park me in a hover-round in a couple of years

Nick

Can you get those hover rounds with an FEL , HST, etc ?? Just joking:laughing: I hope you do well during you're recovery. I had (I think) C 5 or 6 fused some yrs ago It did ok ,but I wouldn't call it as good as new. They say Getting old ain't for sissies:laughing:

 

[plowking]

Good Luck on your surgery and recovery. I just had torn meniscus surgery done on right knee last week. I'm doing limited work, activities . Have to see doc on Thursday. Rehab exercises can be a little tough. plowking

 

[dmccarty]

I was waiting for a meeting to start years ago and a bunch of older guys were talking about their various back and knee problems. One of the guys was talking about getting back surgery and they were discussing which doctor to use as well as not really wanting the surgery but going under the knife was getting more likely. The words of truth I heard was what the doctor told one of the guys. The doctor told the guy he needed the surgery but the man did not want to have the operation. The doctor said, "When you can no longer take the pain, come back and we will schedule the surgery." I think that really is the truth. You take the pain as long as you can before taking the risk of the surgery. At some point, the risk is nothing compared to the pain. Ya gotta do, what ya gotta do.

Later,
Dan