Re: Message from Sanderson

**donnainzone5** 5/13/2021, 8:21 pm

Sanderson, can you persuade your PCP to pressure that specialist? Or at least ask to be placed on a waiting list?

Are you in an HMO? If so, that could be part of the problem.

As a last resort, call the neurosurgeon and scream in pain. I did that myself, but I wasn't acting. Rather, I was desperate. The pain meds weren't helping much, and I was up to about 6 per day.

**sanderson** 5/16/2021, 4:03 pm

The PCP offered to refer me to another neurosurgeon but I think I would be in the same position of waiting. The PCP has had good feedback from patients who really like the NS and the results from his care. I did ask the NS office to put me on the cancellation list.

I'm down to an occasional yelp which is an improvement. If I had let Ken call an ambulance at the beginning, the situation would have been corrected by now. Dumb me.

**donnainzone5** 5/16/2021, 4:51 pm

I'd already been tentatively scheduled for surgery. However, my calls and screams to the neurosurgeon and 911 resulted in my immediate hospitalization. The EMTs even fed my cats at 4:00 a.m. Fortunately, I'd already arranged for a cat-sitter. So, I spent 5 days in the hospital prior to surgery.

**sanderson** 5/16/2021, 5:32 pm

It took 5 days on an emergency admittance to get to the surgery! Ouch!

**donnainzone5** 5/16/2021, 6:28 pm

Well, the surgery had already been planned and scheduled, but my pain was so great that they wanted to hospitalize me immediately. I simply couldn't function. Believe me, I understand your situation.

has55 5/18/2021, 3:17 pm

jimmy cee wrote:Sanderson...I sure love your photo's....

me too!!!

**sanderson** 6/19/2021, 4:45 am

I saw the neurosurgeon on Tuesday. Good news, finally! Surgery in a couple of weeks pending the speed at which the insurance approves it. I'm very optimistic about the prognosis. Ken says I sound and look like Quasimodo when I walk. rofl

Today was 109*F, so the garden is struggling tonight. Two more hot days and then it will get down to 90-100*F for a couple of days. Then back up into the 100s again.

OhioGardener 6/19/2021, 8:31 am

Good to hear, Sanderson!

**donnainzone5** 6/19/2021, 12:16 pm

What type of procedure is planned? I hope it won't be as radical as mine; I was in the hospital for 10 days, including about 5 pre-op, and spent another 9 days in rehab. I'm glad that relief is in sight for you.

yolos 6/19/2021, 12:17 pm

OhioGardener wrote:Good to hear, Sanderson!

Great news to finally have something to look forward to fixing your problem. Took the docs long enough to get a cure/help.

**Scorpio Rising** 6/25/2021, 11:41 am

Keep us posted, glad there’s hope on the horizon.

**sanderson** 6/26/2021, 1:15 pm

I'm sorry I haven't replied to the question of what is entailed in the surgery scheduled for July 12. I finally got more specific details. Medial facetectomy, laminotomy, foraminotomy and removing the cyst. After doing some online research, I made an appointment with the surgeon to find out the extent of each one of the procedures. Shocked

**donnainzone5** 6/26/2021, 1:31 pm

That sounds somewhat similar to my own surgery.

I hope you won't be frightened away from the procedure. Despite the inconvenience, pain, discomfort, etc., I found it was well worth it. Four years post-procedure, I have little pain. When it does occur, it's mild to moderate and generally the result of lifting bags of compost (!) or kitty litter. No more sleepless nights, screaming, or inability to move. Message from Sanderson - Page 2 3170584802

Message from Sanderson - Page 2 3170584802

**sanderson** 6/26/2021, 2:30 pm

I'm still on board with surgery, not for the pain which is now minimal, but for the loss of function and stability. Mine will be out-patient surgery with a week of having my husband wait on me hand and foot. praise

**donnainzone5** 6/26/2021, 2:32 pm

Outpatient! Will it be done laparoscopically, then? If so, that's great news!

**sanderson** 6/26/2021, 3:29 pm

donnainzone5 wrote:Outpatient! Will it be done laparoscopically, then? If so, that's great news!

Yes!!

**donnainzone5** 6/26/2021, 4:20 pm

That's wonderful news!

I had an open procedure and lost a lot of blood, my surgeon told me. I was quite anemic and had a negative reaction to anesthesia. I had post-op delirium, and everything, including water, tasted and smelled odd. I couldn't eat or drink for quite a while and became dehydrated. The good news was that I lost 15 lbs.

I'm so glad for you!

**sanderson** 7/12/2021, 3:54 am

Surgery is tomorrow, so I will be off line for a day or two. OG and Mark will be around, though. I'm signing off now as I have to be at the hospital at 5 am. I didn't know there was such a time as 5 am! Wink

Yardslave 7/12/2021, 10:29 am

I wish you have a speedy, pain free recovery, and that you are able to return to tending to your garden. For now, the garden can wait; your health is more important.

**donnainzone5** 7/12/2021, 1:41 pm

My thoughts will be with you.

Oddly enough, my own surgery was four years ago today.

yolos 7/12/2021, 7:37 pm

Good luck. 5 AM sounds like one of the first surgeries for the day so maybe you will not have to wait if a previous persons surgery goes longer than expected. When I had my thyroid removed, it was so bad and took so long to remove that they had to cancel the two surgeries that were scheduled after mine. So hopefully you will not have to lie there and wait forever to have your surgery.

**kauairosina** 7/13/2021, 1:36 pm

My best wishes to you for a fine result.

Aloha

Kauairosina

**sanderson** 7/13/2021, 5:36 pm

kauairosina wrote: Aloha Kauairosina

Hi there! Missed you. happy hi

**sanderson** 7/13/2021, 11:30 pm

Surgery went fine. Now it's just the pain from surgery (1 1/2" scar) and healing. I can't wait until I can chase the grasshoppers attacking the garden. Pesky things.

**kauairosina** 7/14/2021, 2:11 am

May you heal well and fast enough to rout those grasshoppers.

My very warmest aloha

Kauairosina

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