surgery April 2, 2013

[Big George]

Hi Everyone,

   I just wanted to let the group know I've found a new neurosurgeon in the same Mayfield Group. His name is Dr. Bohinski, and he was able to do laminectomies at T 10 and T 11. When he  got into it, he found the OPLL had grown into the dural sac around the spinal cord leaving a big hole in the sac. He's been very thorough and was able to close and keep the CSF from leaking. I am recovering and moving well with a walker, and see Dr. Bohinski on Monday. The neuro resident informed me about the amount of back muscles they had to cut through- about twice what they normally experience, but that's just me. Every physician who'd done surgery on me would come out and tell my wife, " he's a really big guy." I'm looking forward to walking longer distances, but it all takes time. At least my breathing issues on the right side of my chest have been resolved. The decompression at theses levels have helped immensely already. I hope everyone else is doing well and finding help with their own problems. Sometimes it takes patience and persistance to get what you need. My prayers go out to all of you! I haven't been on this group for a while because I was jumping through the hoops trying to get someone to help me and take care of the pain and symptoms of cord compression. 

All my best,

Big George

[D McCandless]

CONGRATULATIONS!!!  I know you waited a long time for some relief.  Keep us posted on your recovery.

Deb Mc

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[Sunny]

So glad to hear the good news, George! God Bless You. :-)

 

Sunny

[Nancy McInally]

Remember to take good care of yourself during your recovery. I will keep you in my prayers!

Nancy Mc

[Kiwi]

So pleased to hear your news Big George and very best wishes for the speediest of recoveries.  You've been an amazing strength and supporter for the rest of us and I have appreciated being part of this group.   It makes me realise how much some of you have to put up with and makes me grateful for how minor my problems are by comparison.   Kia kaha (stay strong - I know you will.)

Jane

[JAN MCKIM]

Hey Big George,

I'm so happy to hear that your terrible symptoms were resolved by your surgery.  Dr. Bohinsky sounds like a smart guy.  I've not read that OPLL occurs in the thoracic spine very often.  Has anyone read or heard that OPLL occurs in the lumbar spine? 

I have an appt. with a hip surgeon this week to determine if I need surgery.  I've had intermittent pain in my groin, and my dr. tells me that's hip pain.  I've changed my exercise routine and have stopped certain exercises that seemed to aggravate this pain, and I no longer have pain in my groin.  However, I still have some pain, and I fear it's just a matter of time before the degenerative process in my hip will require surgery.

Well, Big George, you are an inspiration to all of us for being persistent in finding a dr. who knew how to relieve your symptoms.  Recovery from surgery is always a long process.  I wish you many more days of pain-free recovery.

Cheers,
Jan
San Carlos, CA

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From: Big George <emer...@fuse.net>
To: opll_di...@googlegroups.com
Sent: Sat, April 13, 2013 11:37:58 AM
Subject: surgery April 2, 2013

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[Brian Sherrod]

Hi George -

Man, it sounds like you've been through a hard spell. I'm glad the recent surgery helped you out - it sounds like extremely delicate surgery. I'm curious what your symptoms with the thoracic OPLL were? I assume they did a full spine MRI and CAT scan to diagnose or did they zero in on just the thorax? I've saw a compressed area of my spinal cord on one of my MRIs but it was just at the very end of the scan so I could not tell how extensive it was.

I'm glad t hear you are doing well now.  Keep up the exercises and get back to walking long distances soon!

Cheers.....

Brian