Healing

We're back with a Spencer update!  He had a follow up appointment with Dr. Berry yesterday and all went well!  When we got in there, the surgeon said we could take off the big bandage in a couple of days.  When the Dr came in, he just ripped it right off and said that everything looks normal and great!  Spencer was concerned about some of the leg pain he was still feeling.  Dr said that was normal, because there is still swelling and the nerve takes time to heal.  It will take about 6-8 weeks before he shouldn't be feeling any back or leg pain.  I think Spencer isn't so worried now about if this was the right thing to do.  The Dr was very hopeful and assured him he could be playing basketball again :)

Herniated Lumbar Intervertabral Disc

Laminectomy. Bet you haven't heard that one before.  I hadn't either until yesterday.  That's the name of the surgery Spencer had done yesterday.  His diagnosis?  Herniated Lumbar Intervertebral Disc. Yikes. After a year and a half of trying all sorts of treatment options, we felt that this surgery would be the right (and preferably the last) thing for him to try.

Here is the information they gave us about a Laminectomy:

"Your surgeon has decided that a laminectomy (entire lamina removal) or laminotomy (partial lamina removal) is the best treatment for your back problem.  These procedures involve removal of the bone to relieve pressure on the nerve roots.  It allows the surgeon access to parts of the spine where other problems are located.  This could be an injured disc. *Spencer's was a ruptured disc* In this surgery your surgeon removes a part of the boney arch that surrounds your spinal canal.  This may be compressing nerve roots.  In some cases, the surgeon will remove the disc and fuse vertebral bodies to make the spine more stable." *Luckily, Spencer did not need fusion.*

We were a bit early but they got us right in and ready for prep work. Spencer's biggest concern was his diabetes (understandable).  The night before, we were working hard to get his blood sugar levels just right.  He had to test quite a few times before going in to surgery. Naturally he would go high during the surgery just because of stress, so everything needed to be good before going in.

At 10 a.m. I gave him a hug and they took me to the waiting room.  I was surprised to see the surgeon less than an hour later who came to tell me that the surgery went great.  I felt reassured also because he told me Spencer definitely did the right thing.  I was so relieved and grateful.  He told me I could go get something to eat because they would keep Spencer for about another hour in the recovery room.  When I first saw Spence, he was still pretty groggy, but definitely himself.  The nurse gave him a blue popsicle, just like he ordered, for his very sore throat.  He was also excited to hear that they had graham crackers on-site and ate two packages of those.  Yep. Definitely the boy I know and love. :)

After a couple more hours of checking vitals and trying to wake up, it was time to go home.  Getting him to sit up and get dressed was the tricky part.  As soon as he stood he immediately turned pale and felt sick (just very dehydrated I guess).  The nurse came just in time to catch him with a wheel chair (no not really........but almost).  She gave me discharge instructions and I was taking very careful notes.  I knew Spencer would not know what to do and would still be groggy, so I had to take charge!  Driving home was rough.  I went as fast as I could while still being safe and trying not to drive over bumps!  We finally got home and settled, then I took off again to get his medicine at the pharmacy.  The day went by fast, I was go go going allll day.  Spence is not supposed to lift anything more than 10 lb. and he still needs some help getting up and sitting down.  He is adjusting to how he can move/what feels good and what doesn't.  He told me last night that walking feels better than anything.  My guess is that's a good thing? 

His recovery will be a process, and it won't be as quick as he wants it to be.  But he seems to be getting better every day.  We are grateful for all the people who have helped him through this back pain and surgery.  More updates to come!