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General Forums => Aces High General Discussion => Topic started by: ColSuave on January 27, 2008, 08:44:53 PM

Title: Mama! I'm to young to have spine surgery!
Post by: ColSuave on January 27, 2008, 08:44:53 PM
Well, for some time my family and I have monitered my spine and my scoliosis is at the point where i need... spine surgery:cry (my least favorite kind of surgery). I have one more test tomorrow and if I'm healthy then I will have the surgery on 1/30. Unfortunately, that means everyones rolemodel/hero/idol/AHII's 'best pilot ever', ColSuave, will be gone for a couple of weeks.

The doctor says I'll be in the hospital for a week, and at least one week after that I should be in bed, so I'll try to get on after that second week. Now, though my attitude is go into the operating room and kick some scoliosis arnold, the thought of a knife in my back and the twisting of my spine scares the he** outta me, so I ask for the support of the AH community. And thanks to you, AH community, for showing me so much kindness.:aok

Colonel Suave (Mark)
Title: Mama! I'm to young to have spine surgery!
Post by: SgtPappy on January 27, 2008, 08:46:11 PM
Get better soon! :aok
Title: Mama! I'm to young to have spine surgery!
Post by: E25280 on January 27, 2008, 08:52:36 PM
Prayers sent, buddy.  

Remember the discomfort is temporary, but the health it will bring you will last.
Title: Mama! I'm to young to have spine surgery!
Post by: FrodeMk3 on January 27, 2008, 08:53:32 PM
ZOMG!!!

Just the thought of that kind of surgery makes me cringe. Well, look at it this way...at least, they don't want to amputate your manhood...:O

GL, and get well soon.
Title: Mama! I'm to young to have spine surgery!
Post by: yanksfan on January 27, 2008, 09:03:12 PM
Good luck bud, we'll be pullin for ya!
Title: Mama! I'm to young to have spine surgery!
Post by: xbrit on January 27, 2008, 09:32:09 PM
wishing you good luck and best wishes for your future.
Title: Mama! I'm to young to have spine surgery!
Post by: The Fugitive on January 27, 2008, 09:36:52 PM
we're pullin for ya bud !  Good Luck !
Title: Mama! I'm to young to have spine surgery!
Post by: pipz on January 27, 2008, 09:42:23 PM
Try getting your chest cut in half,your heart stoped for a bit and some Doctor stikin his fingers in there and messin with stuff.......that was 10 years ago.....dont seem so bad now does it? The upside is hopefuly some good lookin nurses will be makin a fuss of ya and as a side youll prolly get some feel good drugs.The time off from work is kind of a plus too..............

Hang in there you'll be fine.

Pipz
Title: Mama! I'm to young to have spine surgery!
Post by: Xasthur on January 27, 2008, 09:54:24 PM
Quote
Originally posted by pipz
youll prolly get some feel good drugs.The time off from work is kind of a plus too..............

Hang in there you'll be fine.

Pipz


Indeed, the drugs you will recieve are great. Whilst recovering from surgery is never fun the drugs are a good trade-off.
Title: Re: Mama! I'm to young to have spine surgery!
Post by: CAP1 on January 27, 2008, 10:52:20 PM
Quote
Originally posted by ColSuave
Well, for some time my family and I have monitered my spine and my scoliosis is at the point where i need... spine surgery:cry (my least favorite kind of surgery). I have one more test tomorrow and if I'm healthy then I will have the surgery on 1/30. Unfortunately, that means everyones rolemodel/hero/idol/AHII's 'best pilot ever', ColSuave, will be gone for a couple of weeks.

The doctor says I'll be in the hospital for a week, and at least one week after that I should be in bed, so I'll try to get on after that second week. Now, though my attitude is go into the operating room and kick some scoliosis arnold, the thought of a knife in my back and the twisting of my spine scares the he** outta me, so I ask for the support of the AH community. And thanks to you, AH community, for showing me so much kindness.:aok

Colonel Suave (Mark)


good luck......and listne to the docs!:aok

<>
Title: ALL THE BEST MATE
Post by: jamesdeanoo7 on January 27, 2008, 11:01:49 PM
My prayers and good wishes are as always with you. JDJNR
Title: Mama! I'm to young to have spine surgery!
Post by: Wolfala on January 28, 2008, 02:25:44 AM
oddly enough, I know exactly what you will be going through. I paid for my sister inlaws surgery a few years back where they put a titani lattice structure from the base of the spine up to her neck. She jokes about it. Now sounding  like the terminator, but she had 6 months to live st the time with 3rd degree severe curvature which displaced her organs. She got the surgery done, grew 3 inches and is a normal 22 yearold with a cute 4 yearold daughter.

You will get through it fine . Keep positive
Title: Mama! I'm to young to have spine surgery!
Post by: Bear76 on January 28, 2008, 03:01:23 AM
Ah, suck it up. I've had four of them:D . Seriouly though, good luck:aok
Title: Mama! I'm to young to have spine surgery!
Post by: OOZ662 on January 28, 2008, 03:06:24 AM
I think you ought to be glad you didn't have this (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Testicular_torsion). I would've rather had Scoliosis, myself. Luckily the doc saved them and did...something...to make them not do it again. I couldn't sit for two weeks and had to have gauze in my pants for three. Hurt like appendicitis.

:o
Title: Mama! I'm to young to have spine surgery!
Post by: Wolfala on January 28, 2008, 03:14:09 AM
almost forgot the most important stuff

1.  You cannot fall or be pushed by anyone. This can and will break the
lattice structure inside.

2.  Pick a job where u will be standing rather then sitting. The reason is for the back
muscles, and the metal structure will be stressed if you sit for a prolonged period, think metal fatigue.

3.  Start swimming. It builds the most important muscles within you back to support yr spine.

4.  You cannot lift anything heavier then 10 pounds because of damaging the metal within yr back. Any part of the structure within you can shift if you overstress it, so basically your as strong as the weakest link within the structure.

Lastly.....

No skydiving, or jumping of any kind. Baficslly anything that puts a vertical load on the metal structure. You bust a fitting, yr back in surgery. My sisterinlaw didn't listen, broke something and got knifed to fix it again 6 months after the first surgery. So believe me, its no ****
Title: Mama! I'm to young to have spine surgery!
Post by: OOZ662 on January 28, 2008, 03:17:12 AM
Well jeeze, in that case (^^^^^^^^^^), nevermind. :D

Best of luck.
Title: Mama! I'm to young to have spine surgery!
Post by: kilz on January 28, 2008, 03:30:03 AM
best of luck to you col
Title: Mama! I'm to young to have spine surgery!
Post by: ColKLink on January 28, 2008, 04:36:09 AM
Good luck man, waiting for a friggin spinal surgery is worse than waiting on the gate to drop.(motocross) At least you can join the ranks of us folks that have titanium parts scattered thoughout your body. Good luck .:aok
Title: Mama! I'm to young to have spine surgery!
Post by: Ghosth on January 28, 2008, 05:16:29 AM
Chin up, stiff upper lip & all that rot.

Hang in there, surgery isn't so bad compared to the alternatives.

Will be sending you good stuff, & prayers, we got your 6 covered.

Colonel Suave

Ghosth & the dogs from the 332nd Flying Mongrels.
Title: Mama! I'm to young to have spine surgery!
Post by: 68ROX on January 28, 2008, 06:18:59 AM
The worst part is the first 24 hours.

They have a thing called pain pills...take them.

I've had spinal surgery for past sports injuries.  Not exactly fun, but you can get through if you follow the neurosurgeon's instructions.

Good luck!



68ROX
Title: Mama! I'm to young to have spine surgery!
Post by: Max on January 28, 2008, 07:16:41 AM
Best of luck to you, Mark. :aok
Title: Mama! I'm to young to have spine surgery!
Post by: Fencer51 on January 28, 2008, 07:28:43 AM
Good luck.

They can do wonders these days.  They knocked the arches off my vertibre in my neck and replaced them with 2 rods and 10 screws to correct a defect that I had had since birth (congenital spinal stenosis) which had finally worn on the nerves enough that it was paralyzing me from the extermeties in.  I cannot turn my head much or look up and the damage done keeps me from walking distances but it is better than not walking at all.

Just don't ask what the "Pam" spray is for. :eek:
Title: Mama! I'm to young to have spine surgery!
Post by: SlapShot on January 28, 2008, 08:06:42 AM
Good luck and all the best Mark.
Title: Mama! I'm to young to have spine surgery!
Post by: Charge on January 28, 2008, 08:14:14 AM
My wife has 30cm (1foot) of her spine braced from down her neck with both bone taken from her hip bone and two metal bracing rods.

She had quite a severe scoliosis developing in her teens and the surgery definitely was good for her in the long run. The "bad" thing is that she needs quite frequent exercise to prevent pains in her lower back but she don't mind (and I don't either). She used to be nearly a pro slalom skier and she still keeps up such speed that I can't hope to compete with her. Experienced even a few bad tumbles without any damage.

The surgery won't keep you away from AH but probably force you to do something else too to keep your back fit for virtual flying. And some exercising is always good for us.

Good luck ColS! :aok

-C+

PS. Hospitals are interesting places, last time I was in one a young nurse wanted to shave my b***s...
Title: Mama! I'm to young to have spine surgery!
Post by: trax1 on January 28, 2008, 02:42:15 PM
I've had 2 spinal surgery's, once for an emergency spinal fusion, and again 2 years later to have the metal rods removed.  Gotta tell ya it hurts like all hell, not alot of fun, although you do get a morphine pump afterwards. :D
Title: Re: Mama! I'm to young to have spine surgery!
Post by: Balsy on January 28, 2008, 03:54:30 PM
Quote
Originally posted by ColSuave
Well, for some time my family and I have monitered my spine and my scoliosis is at the point where i need... spine surgery:cry (my least favorite kind of surgery). I have one more test tomorrow and if I'm healthy then I will have the surgery on 1/30. Unfortunately, that means everyones rolemodel/hero/idol/AHII's 'best pilot ever', ColSuave, will be gone for a couple of weeks.

The doctor says I'll be in the hospital for a week, and at least one week after that I should be in bed, so I'll try to get on after that second week. Now, though my attitude is go into the operating room and kick some scoliosis arnold, the thought of a knife in my back and the twisting of my spine scares the he** outta me, so I ask for the support of the AH community. And thanks to you, AH community, for showing me so much kindness.:aok

Colonel Suave (Mark)


#1  Get a second opinion.

#2 Go see a chiropractor and give that a shot first...


Just my two cents.

Good luck,

Balsy
Title: Mama! I'm to young to have spine surgery!
Post by: crockett on January 28, 2008, 04:13:38 PM
Good Luck and keep your head up.. My dad has had 2 disks removed from his back and he runs a construction company today.

I also had my share of surgeries when I was young and I made in through.. Sucks at the time but it will pass.
Title: Mama! I'm to young to have spine surgery!
Post by: 007Rusty on January 28, 2008, 05:54:07 PM
good luck sir
Title: Mama! I'm to young to have spine surgery!
Post by: ColSuave on January 28, 2008, 06:39:52 PM
Quote
Originally posted by trax1
I've had 2 spinal surgery's, once for an emergency spinal fusion, and again 2 years later to have the metal rods removed.  Gotta tell ya it hurts like all hell, not alot of fun, although you do get a morphine pump afterwards. :D


Yea I went in for my final tests today, and it's for sure now. They explained to me the... 'responsibility' of the morphine pump.
They expect me to be responsible with drugs:rofl, again:rofl
Title: Mama! I'm to young to have spine surgery!
Post by: trax1 on January 28, 2008, 06:56:53 PM
So what exactly are they gonna do?  Are you having any hardware put in?  

I had two rods running about the full length of my back with multiple plates & screws to hold a bone graphed that was shaved off my left hip, they only had to stay in atleast a year, they could have stayed in forever but I'm a thin guy and the screws at the top started to poke through and would feel uncomfortable when I laid on my back, so I had it all removed.  I ended up with a scar running the full length of my back, had about 60 staples in it.  Still have some metal left in me, have a rod and pins in my right hip.
Title: Mama! I'm to young to have spine surgery!
Post by: Spikes on January 28, 2008, 06:58:43 PM
Prayers Sent.
Title: Mama! I'm to young to have spine surgery!
Post by: ColKLink on January 29, 2008, 06:48:52 AM
I gotta say this,....try not to compare your situation with what another may have, Each case is as "uneek" (i know it has a q" ) as the person presenting it. What I'm saying, is what happens with one, may be quite different than what happens to another patient with the "same" diagnosis. (I've had a few lengthy spinal, surgerys, one 9 hrs, one 8 hrs, heck they redo a heart in 4. ;) Chin up, i thought the days prior to surgery were as bad as the very real pain afterwards, but afterwards all ya gotta do is get better, no more waiting on the unknown. BTW, i put a giant hole in the wall on the way outta the house for 1) little tension build up. ;):confused:
Title: Mama! I'm to young to have spine surgery!
Post by: scottydawg on January 29, 2008, 07:20:18 AM
Good luck, ColSuave. My wife had two lumbar discs replaced with artificial ones last year and is good as new. Her previous diagnosis was a wheelchair within 5 years.

And it's 'unique'.
Title: Mama! I'm to young to have spine surgery!
Post by: Getback on January 29, 2008, 09:48:08 AM
Praying for a speedy recovery ColSuave!
Title: Mama! I'm to young to have spine surgery!
Post by: beddog on January 29, 2008, 09:56:21 AM
Good luck pal, I'm sure you'll be fine.
Title: Mama! I'm to young to have spine surgery!
Post by: Yossarian on January 29, 2008, 10:05:23 AM
Best of luck, and prayers sent

Title: Mama! I'm to young to have spine surgery!
Post by: MajIssue on January 29, 2008, 10:14:31 AM
Best of luck... I had an elbow operation a couple of years ago and the best advice I can give is to follow your rehab schedule religously! There have been wondorous advances in orthopedics in the last few years and I'm praying for your full recovery!
Title: Mama! I'm to young to have spine surgery!
Post by: 2fly on January 29, 2008, 10:40:38 AM
Good Luck man!

     It takes guts to let someone stick a knife in your back in cold blood whether he has a paper saying he knows what he is doing or not.

     Have fun pinching nurses and get back asap.
Title: Mama! I'm to young to have spine surgery!
Post by: Shuffler on January 29, 2008, 10:46:19 AM
GetRDun prayers are with you!
Title: Mama! I'm to young to have spine surgery!
Post by: texasmom on January 29, 2008, 11:03:53 AM
Best wishes to you. Get well soon. :)
Title: Mama! I'm to young to have spine surgery!
Post by: ColSuave on February 14, 2008, 07:00:15 PM
The surgery went well, and i should be flying early March. I still need time to get used to standing and sitting up though. It's really cold where i live right now, and it's not a good thing cause these rods and screws hurt like hell in the cold. Thanks to all you guys for prayers sent and thinking about me, but you could of at least sent me flowers or a card or something. geez!

Colonel Suave
Title: Mama! I'm to young to have spine surgery!
Post by: trax1 on February 14, 2008, 07:09:36 PM
Glad it went ok, how long do you have to have the rods and screws in for?  Or are you just gonna leave them in permanently?

So what exactly was it that you had done?
Title: Mama! I'm to young to have spine surgery!
Post by: E25280 on February 14, 2008, 07:35:31 PM
Glad things went well.  Hope you continue to mend . . .

My brother in law broke his back jumping out of an airplane (rangers).  They put in a couple rods and six large titanium screws.  Whenever he travels by commercial airline now, he has to take an x-ray with him since they DO set off the metal detectors.  :lol
Title: Mama! I'm to young to have spine surgery!
Post by: VansCrew1 on February 14, 2008, 07:45:21 PM
Glad to see your doing better.
Title: Mama! I'm to young to have spine surgery!
Post by: CheeseHead on February 14, 2008, 08:14:41 PM
Don't sweat it. Doctors today can do miraculous things. Hell, you'll probably be such a big fan of doctors you'll go back for rectal exams once a month just for fun.

~CheezHed
Title: Mama! I'm to young to have spine surgery!
Post by: pipz on February 14, 2008, 08:59:44 PM
Glad to here everything went ok.

Pipz
Title: Mama! I'm to young to have spine surgery!
Post by: B@tfinkV on February 14, 2008, 10:13:04 PM
in my thoughts dude.

broke my neck twice 3 years apart from each other, the second one actualy uncompressed one of the verts between my shoulder blades from the first injury. that was nice if very painfull for a few years..so far.

good luck and dont let it stop you living.
Title: Mama! I'm to young to have spine surgery!
Post by: trax1 on February 15, 2008, 12:10:36 AM
Quote
Originally posted by B@tfinkV
in my thoughts dude.

broke my neck twice 3 years apart from each other, the second one actualy uncompressed one of the verts between my shoulder blades from the first injury. that was nice if very painfull for a few years..so far.

good luck and dont let it stop you living.
Damn twice, your lucky your not paralyzed from the neck down.
Title: Mama! I'm to young to have spine surgery!
Post by: B@tfinkV on February 15, 2008, 12:20:02 AM
yeah tell me about it. the first was a friend who fell off a balcony onto my head when we were drinking heavily aged about 17. the second was self inflicted trying to stand up on a plastic tray on a snow covered hill. every now and then the pain reminds me how lucky i am to still feel pain.

best of luck with the recovery, once again.
Title: Mama! I'm to young to have spine surgery!
Post by: ColKLink on February 15, 2008, 07:18:15 AM
good luck, best wish's,.........i think my body heats my plates n screws to about 98.7......if yours aren't, maybe talk to your doc?:confused:
Title: Mama! I'm to young to have spine surgery!
Post by: Curval on February 15, 2008, 07:48:54 AM
I was reading a book about the Battle of Traflagar last night.

It is well documented that on board one of the British ships one of the officer's arm was severely manged by splinters (I don't recall his name or which ship but I can easily find out).  Normal practice in the navy at the time was first come, first serve at the surgeon's table and when this guy was allowed to bypass others waiting in line he refused.  Once it was his turn he was heard to sing the entire song "Royal Brittania" while the surgeon sawed off his arm just below the shoulder.  He had been given a shot of rum to dull the pain.

Just to give a bit of perpective.

;)

Good luck, I'm sure it will turn out fine.
Title: Mama! I'm to young to have spine surgery!
Post by: Gowan on February 15, 2008, 08:53:31 AM
i hope ya get through it buddy, i aint gonna one up ya like others but all i have to say is....


No Pie For You!
Title: Mama! I'm to young to have spine surgery!
Post by: B@tfinkV on February 15, 2008, 09:09:19 AM
if that is in referance to me, i tend to disagree. i am not trying to 1-up anyone. i am trying to instill a feeling of shared trauma. there is nothing worse than thinking you are the only one suffering. if it seemed i was one up'ing then i appologise.
Title: Mama! I'm to young to have spine surgery!
Post by: whels on February 15, 2008, 10:52:25 AM
glad it went ok Cul, i have 2 rods in my back for curvature. mine are called
Luqué rods, rod on each side of spine with wire loops to each vertebrae to keep it straight. have had them sin mid 80s, no problems.

whels
Title: Mama! I'm to young to have spine surgery!
Post by: trax1 on February 15, 2008, 11:21:56 AM
Quote
Originally posted by B@tfinkV
if that is in referance to me, i tend to disagree. i am not trying to 1-up anyone. i am trying to instill a feeling of shared trauma. there is nothing worse than thinking you are the only one suffering. if it seemed i was one up'ing then i appologise.
I got what you meant by sharing your story, it does help when you can talk with someone who's experienced the same things you have and know what your going through.
Title: Mama! I'm to young to have spine surgery!
Post by: B@tfinkV on February 15, 2008, 11:47:50 AM
thanks trax, that was my only intention.
Title: Mama! I'm to young to have spine surgery!
Post by: ColSuave on February 21, 2008, 10:04:04 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Gowan
i hope ya get through it buddy, i aint gonna one up ya like others but all i have to say is....


No Pie For You!


D*mn it! as long as i still get cookies though. As far as i know my screws and rods are staying in unless they cause some other complications. im glad i could turn to all of you for support and thank you again.
Title: Mama! I'm to young to have spine surgery!
Post by: texasmom on February 21, 2008, 10:29:13 PM
Glad to hear that you're doing well. :)