Michael's Back Surgery

 I don't have a single photo for this post but as I attempt to recapture the time I realize I haven't mentioned Michael's back surgery.

Michael has arthritis in his spine. He developed two cysts in the same spaces as the arthritis. This has led to constant nerve pain of varying degrees for the past 6 months or so. He has had pain for YEARS and the VA sent him to a chiropractor - which he has done weekly for at least 4 years. They said they don't want to do back surgeries on men his age...wanted him to be at least 70. You can see where I'm going. The back pain has been constant for 4 years. He was getting aligned weekly. I slowly realized that where he used to have bad days after he was active now,  he wasn't moving around much at all. He basically has been in his recliner and was in pain if he did ANYTHING. 

He went back to the VA. There is a new primary doc. She sent him for an x-ray. They also sent him to PT.  Then he was referred for an MRI and to the civilian orthopedic in the valley. They quickly noted the problem. They said no amount of chiropractic alignments or PT would help. The cysts and arthritis had created a situation where his nerves were compressed...all the time. He was told not to twist, walk, lift and to wait for the VA to approve surgery.  

It took several weeks to get the initial VA approval, then he needed to be cleared by the cardiologist, then someone else...he attended two pre-op appointments and then the day before surgery we were notified the VA wouldn't let the surgeon give him a brace so we had to drive to Anchorage to get the brace from the company they would pay. 

Finally, on the 2nd of July, Michael had back surgery. It was to be two incisions. They would cut the top off a bone to allow more space for nerves, and they would remove both cysts. There was nothing they can do about the arthritis. 

I waited past the time they said he would be in surgery. 

The surgeon called to let me know that they were having trouble with Michael excessively bleeding. They had "thrown everything we have at it" and got it to stop. They had sewn him back up. They were 1/2 done. They were not comfortable making the 2nd incision to do the same thing in the other spot.   

We will have to see how much relief he gets from 1/2 the surgery and determine if he will do another surgery when he recovers from this. 

We came home with meds and ZOFRAN. We were sure we'd avoid the horrendous vomiting that usually accompanies Michael's surgery. We didn't.  He was pretty miserable with back pain, throwing up and dizziness...and we had a "control slide" which ended up with him face down on the floor. We were a mess. He didn't want me to call the kids (out at a movie night at BreZac's) or any of the guys to help me lift him. He was sure we could do it...and we did. 

He can't drive for 6 weeks, maybe 3. 

He is still in pain. . . new pain. 

I'm writing this on the 11th and he has new pain yesterday and today...his LEGS are bothering him. He says this is to be expected. I'm not sure. BUT he's doing better than he was on the 2nd. 

The kids have been great help. We have hunkered down and focused on Michael recovering.