Can Bad News conceal Good News?

Jim Smith said:
Can Bad News conceal Good News?

In my case, the bad news is that at 5:30 AM tomorrow (Monday, April 5). I have to be at the hospital for a five-hour (!) surgery to address my Spinal Stenosis. The three surgery procedures will be Laminectomy, Foraminotomy, & Spinal Fusion.

About two years ago, I started having balance problems, which have steadily increased.

Recently, I was referred to a Neurosurgeon who ran several MRIs. Turns out that the reason I was having balance issues was that the vertebrae in my neck were pinching the spinal cord (fortunately, no pain). This action was delaying the communication between my brain & the muscles that were supposed to be getting corrective messages, but too late if at all.

Wow - I had never heard of this condition (Spinal Stenosis), but apparently it isn't all that uncommon.

The medical team cautions me to not lift anything over 10 lbs. after the surgery, and to stay away from any physical activity for at least three months, if not longer. The actual complete healing time period is projected to be about a year.
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Good luck with the surgery!
My wife was diagnosed with Spinal Stenosis (via MRI). Doctors said it could have been a result of previous car accident. But unlike you, she was having excruciating pain as a result.

Fortunately (despite being told that she needed surgery), she managed to keep the pain away doing flexibility exercises (yoga), diet changes (eliminated gluten which can cause internal inflammation of the spinal cord), and change of sports (switched from running to swimming).

Of course every situation is different, and I am certain that what worked for her will not work for everyone. But I thought of mentioning it in case someone else is suffering from the same ailment and may want to consider possible treatment shy of surgery.

Again, good luck today!!!
 
Good luck Jim! BTW, everyone over 50 has some degree of spinal stenosis in their lumbar spine and most do (often to a lesser degree) in their cervical spine as well. The good news is that, as scary as it sounds, surgery for cervical spine problems like yours has a very high success and satisfaction rate (especially compared to lower back surgery)
 
From a fellow spine surgery recipient, you’ll be fine! Best of luck and having a positive attitude like you do is more than half of the battle!
 
Here’s hoping surgery went well Jim. Wishing for your speedy recovery.
 
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RDSChicago said:
From a fellow spine surgery recipient, you’ll be fine! Best of luck and having a positive attitude like you do is more than half of the battle!
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Positive Attitude is the best thing one can do with surgery. Meditation and Visualization before and after also help. I have had 5 Orthopedic Surgeries including an L5-S1 Discectomy. I blew it out from various stupid things like picking up and carrying heavy Amplifiers and Speakers. Recovery went great and no Sciatic issues since, but that first day was a doozie.

Let us know how you are doing when you can Jim.
 
Shadowfax said:
Positive Attitude is the best thing one can do with surgery. Meditation and Visualization before and after also help. I have had 5 Orthopedic Surgeries including an L5-S1 Discectomy. I blew it out from various stupid things like picking up and carrying heavy Amplifiers and Speakers. Recovery went great and no Sciatic issues since, but that first day was a doozie.

Let us know how you are doing when you can Jim.
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" Positive Attitude is the best thing one can do with surgery." So very true. OR any major medical condition. A positive mind helps. No negative Waves.


 
WOW!!!

Thanks to everyone for all of the positive & constructive comments!

Although I still have a long way to go, a good deal of the most intense pain has subsided.

RoomPlay Reference sessions can probably start again in 6-8 weeks or so, depending on how much progress has been made with the Through the Sound Barrier project.
 
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