Yet more real steel. And definitely some titanium too.

[DCBassman]

L1/T12 level - lots of organs to shift

At L5-S1, they are to go in between the femoral arteries. There is obvious risk to things like continence and sexual function, on top of bleeds, etc.
By the time all this is done, I will look like a badly-patched rag doll, and about as fit as one!

 

[Hebe]

Have you been offered pelvic floor physio as a follow-up? Might be worth requesting, or seeking out privately if that's an option. I know there are some who specialise in men's pelvic health.

 

[DCBassman]

Have you been offered pelvic floor physio as a follow-up? Might be worth requesting, or seeking out privately if that's an option. I know there are some who specialise in men's pelvic health.

No, not heard of that, but will follow up on it, thanks.

 

[Hebe]

No, not heard of that, but will follow up on it, thanks.

I think men's pelvic floor physio/rehab is even less talked about than women's, which in many ways is a crying shame. Definitely worth a couple of conversations, and if if a physio looks relevant to your needs seek out a good one. I've only seen this from a female point of view having been referred for physio after a hysterectomy then "topped up" a couple of times since. The physio that I've seen recently specialises in men and women's pelvic health, nothing else. I wish I'd found her earlier. Anyway, good luck and keep building that reading list and planning recovery walks and rides for when you're on the mend.

 

[DCBassman]

Final MRI before pre-op. Just a quick 250 mile round trip for an hour's scan. Pretty painful, as I have a lump the size and solidity of a large marble where L1-L2 is supposed to be. Extra scanning to find out what that's all about. Pre-op 27/9.

 

[DCBassman]

Today was pre-op/consent day. Pre-op just the usual form-filling, bloods, ECG, etc. Over to the surgeon's den, and a bit of Q&A.
How much will be fused in total at end of all this? S1 to T10. Gulp.
Which op first, and details? ALIF. 4 hours, on a Friday. The riskier, by far, of the two ops. Out in 48 hours. The second: a full 8 hours, with much reshaping of vetebrae.
Out in...no idea.
I've signed for it, just have to not bottle it now...

 

[DCBassman]

but I assume you'll be in hospital being cared for in that time.

Nope, home between ops!

 

[Hebe]

Today was pre-op/consent day. Pre-op just the usual form-filling, bloods, ECG, etc. Over to the surgeon's den, and a bit of Q&A.
How much will be fused in total at end of all this? S1 to T10. Gulp.
Which op first, and details? ALIF. 4 hours, on a Friday. The riskier, by far, of the two ops. Out in 48 hours. The second: a full 8 hours, with much reshaping of vetebrae.
Out in...no idea.
I've signed for it, just have to not bottle it now...

I've only ever had one op and it all started feeling very real after the pre op. How's that reading list coming on? Will you need audio books too?

 

[DCBassman]

I've only ever had one op and it all started feeling very real after the pre op. How's that reading list coming on? Will you need audio books too?

Kindle full of various books, enough that I'll never read them all. Have not yet really gelled with audio books, although I have some favourites to try.

 

[DCBassman]

I've only ever had one op

I've lost count...eyes, shoulders, back. But at least I know the drill pretty well!

 

[vickster]

I've lost count...eyes, shoulders, back. But at least I know the drill pretty well!

Sounds like me although nothing as major as you’re having!
Hope all goes well

 

[DCBassman]

Oh, and that lump: it's L1 sticking out. Doesn't seem like a good thing...

 

[Hebe]

Kindle full of various books, enough that I'll never read them all. Have not yet really gelled with audio books, although I have some favourites to try.

I've lost count...eyes, shoulders, back. But at least I know the drill pretty well!

Audiobooks live or die on the quality of the voice and recording and some are much better than others. Podcasts are pretty good distraction too, as well as needing less focus. It does sound like you’re a bit of an old hand at recovering!

 

[DCBassman]

Dates already. Eek. And a slight change of plan, although not written in stone yet. In for the first bit, the risky one, 4 November. Stay in the weekend, and the big job on Monday.

 

[DCBassman]

Having had a few hours to absorb this, I find myself...twitching a bit...