I met with the spine surgeon today.
They did an xray while I stood and it was even clearer than the MRI
Here's what I found. Two discs are shot from the infection, gone. The two vertebrae affected are where the rib cage is attached to your spine. I can only stand or sit up for 20 minutes before I have to lie down or the pain will cause me to pass out. I can only get relief when I slouch in a chair so my spine is curved forward or bend over forward as when pushing a shopping cart.
We decided to first try pain management and I asked him if there was a closer location to my home. He referred me there to see if that will improve my daily life as I just can't do the opiates.
We discussed surgery. I told him my main concern was recovery time. I told him I need to be able to cook for myself, get to the bathroom, and take care of my cat.
He explained they can robotically remove those two vertebrae and put a cage that connects the vertebrae above and below that space. He said there is only a small incision on your left side and one on each side a few inches away from the spine. He said they have you up the next day.
So that's the temporary plan and the future possibility.
I couldn't do this if I was a smoker.
I'm glad I don't do that anymore.
"The truth is that quitting smoking just four to six weeks before your surgery—and staying smoke-free afterward—can lower your risk of serious complications and help you recover more quickly. Every tobacco-free week after 4 weeks improves health outcomes by 19%, due to improved blood flow throughout the body to essential organs."
"Smoking distorts a patient's immune system and can delay healing, increasing the risk of infection at the wound site. Smoking just one cigarette decreases the body's ability to deliver necessary nutrients for healing after surgery."
