Sunday, July 21, 2013

My Bionic Man

Thanks to the advancements in modern medicine, my husband now has the spine of a 26 year old.  In other words, he no longer has vertebrae that are rubbing bone on bone and cutting off the nerves that go to his legs.  Thanks to two gifted neurosurgeons, he is no longer feeling any pain in his lower back or his legs, and he is just three days post surgery.  Tonight, as the two of us walked around the halls of the hospital, I was amazed at how well he was walking.  He did not complain of pain, and he was standing more upright than I have seen him stand in a very long time.

Surgery day began very early.  I had to have him at the hospital at 5:30 a.m.  He kept insisting he would just drive himself and I could come by later after my appointment with my doctor in Denver.  Of course, I did not allow this to happen, but I must admit I was tempted when the alarm went off at 4:00 a.m.

At 7:30, he was all prepped and ready to go into surgery, but surgery did not really begin until 8:30.  Since I had to go to Denver for a 10:00 appointment, I left as soon as he was wheeled back to go pick up a dear friend who accompanied me to Denver.  The nurse in the OR called me every hour to update me on what was happening.  I arrived back to the hospital around 12:30.  Jim was still in surgery.  In the end, the surgery lasted between five and five and a half hours.  That is a very long time to be under anesthesia, but he seemed to handle it all very well.

The first night after surgery was spent on a surgical floor in a small room because the hospital was so full, they did not have a room for him in the area where they send back patients.  It was here where he received the visitor that really brought a smile to his face: Daniel the therapy dog.  Daniel actually lives across the street from us with our neighbor Janice.  Daniel is a very special golden retriever that was rescued by his owner, and now, he spends his time serving as a therapy dog.  I nearly cried when I saw Jim stroking Daniel's ears, patting his head, and talking to him.  I know how much he must miss his dear Boston.  Therapy dogs are wonderful.  Janice, thanks for sharing Daniel with us.


Thankfully, on Friday afternoon, Jim was sent down to the floor where the nurses are very familiar with caring for back patients.  He has been doing great as far as the surgery goes.  There have been a few little wrinkles that sometimes happen post surgery as the body adjusts to shock it has gone through.  I am confident all of these wrinkles will be be smoothed out soon.  

This is the fourth major surgery I have gone though with Jim.  He has had both knees replaced, a hip replacement, and now, he had to have a spinal fusion and decompression.  He sets off all kinds of alarms when he goes through airport security.  Having gone through these past surgeries with him, I am amazed at how quickly he has gotten up and around this time.  I think the knees were the worst.  I think he would agree with me, but I'm not sure.  

This man amazes me.  Truly, when his dear friend Woe nicknamed him "Nails," he knew what he was talking about.  "Nails" he is.  He is tough as nails that is for sure.  (Click on the link to read about how he dodged the bullet when he was 95% blocked in his LAD.)

Tonight, I have Boston our dear golden retriever home with me.  He has been kenneled since Wednesday.  He is sleeping at my feet as I write.  I am comforted and feel more settled with him by my side.  I hated coming home to this house from the hospital when I knew that neither of my special guys would be here.  Boston is missing his master.  I am missing him too.  I hope he is able to come home to join us in the next day or two.  

32 comments:

  1. So happy to read this wonderful report regarding Jim. He is amazing, and I am so thankful that all went well during the surgery and that he is recovering so nicely.
    I look forward to reading the updates on him, but until then, know that my thoughts are with you as you wait for his return. Prayers for continued blessings for Jim.
    Love you, friend....
    Jackie

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  2. Hi Thank you for sharing. Aren't we fortunate to be living at a time with the advanced surgery enabling your husband to be able to have things replaced and repaired and made painful again. Wonderful that he is recovering and will be home soon. Margaret

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  3. So happy the surgery went well. He is a very cute bionic man! Hope he comes home soon.
    Blessings, Joanne

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  4. What a guy! You both are so blessed thanks to modern medicine!...:)JP

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  5. I am so glad to hear that the surgery went well. I am definitely feeling a kinship with you at this time.
    Although...I do have to say that I wish it was a therapy dog rather than a nutritionist that my husband was so fondly gazing upon!

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  6. Your husband has been through so much with his back problems. I hope ths surgery is the final one and the cure! Glad Boston is back home with you. He'll be glad to welcome his master home, for sure.

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  7. It is so good to read that Jim's surgery was successful and that he is recovering. I will look forward to hearing that he is home with you and Boston with things going well.

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  8. So happy all went well with the surgery! I know you are eager to have ALL your pack home. Hope it happens soon!

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  9. So glad everything went well! Best wishes for a speedy recovery for Jim, and for you, a wish for a season of rest and recuperation as well. Tough times like these help us appreciate all the moments we have to be together.

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  10. I think with Boston home with you, you have your own therapy dog at hand! I know what you mean about having a dog with a patient -- my friend's dog is a certified therapy dog and people love him.

    He IS tough as nails, isn't he? Well three cheers for that -- that means onward and upward.

    Sending lots of good vibes to both of you for a very speedy and uneventful recovery!

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  11. Wonderful news for Jim and for you!

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  12. Great news, Sally.. George may have to have that surgery sometime.. He has so much back pain and in his legs... But--right now he is living with the pain...

    I know that you and Boston will be thrilled to get Dad home!!!!! Tell him HELLO --and we will continue to pray for him.
    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  13. Just wonderful news!!! Back surgery use to be so scary. They have advanced so much. That he is all ready walking around is amazing.
    I was stunned to see the dog by his bed. I didn't know therapy dogs could go into a hospital. How cool is that?
    Glad you have Boston to give you come company. Hope Jim is home soon. He is still in my prayers for a rapid recovery.

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  14. I'm so glad to hear your husband did well with this surgery, and I hope his recovery will continue to be easy and pain free! This will make such a difference in the quality of his life. We are all very fortunate medicine has advanced so much in our era!

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  15. Oh Sally dear - I am so thankful that he is okay and he can walk with no pain. I have had a knee and hip replacement. Praise God. sandie

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  16. Good news all around. I like the idea of therapy dogs. But then I miss my Baron.

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  17. Oh my goodness! You have been going through so much with your tough as nails guy. I'm so glad he's recovering well and that the surgery was a success!!! What a beautiful thing to now be pain free (for the most part). I'm keeping my fingers crossed that he'll be home right away.

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  18. Glad surgery went well and that Jim is recovering so quickly. I'm sure there will be occasional setbacks, but I hope they are only minor and easily managed. All the best to both of you. --Nancy

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  19. Sounds like a successful operation. Hope your dear sweet hubby can be home real soon. You will all feel better when that happens.

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  20. Sounds like a successful operation. Hope your dear sweet hubby can be home real soon. You will all feel better when that happens.

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  21. Your hubby's surgery sounds like a great success, and I see how he earned the nickname Nails. He can wear that name proudly.

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  22. Great news! We were all thinking of you both last Friday. Gives one a lot of confidence in the miracles of modern surgery.

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  23. Great news, Sally, and I hope, by now, that Jim is home with you and Boston. Hope you are able to rest and that Jim continues to improve so well.
    Hugs, Marcia

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  24. I am especially happy to hear reports of successful back surgery, as I know it is in my future. This is very good news for you and Jim.

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  25. Sorry I am so very late replying, I have been away from blogging for two weeks and am only just catching up.

    Best wishes to your dear husband and you. I hope you will both be fit and well soon and able to cuddle Boston and each other.

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  26. You've certainly got a lot going on! I wish your husband a full and speedy recovery.

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  27. Hi Sally, I just wanted you to know I'm thinking about the both of you.

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  28. praise God that his surgery went so well!! That sounds like it was a difficult surgery to endure. You are blessed with a husband who is tough as nails for sure! Hope he comes home really fast!

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  29. What wonderful news for your husband and you. Glad everything went well.

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  30. Hi Sally. Jim will be a new man! I was so happy to read that everything went well and that he is now out of pain. With all that he has been through, he certainly is your very own bionic man! I pray for his continued recovery.

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  31. Well, I just got caught up on your surgeries and getaways, and hope things continue to go in a positive direction. I have to say that Boston seems to have played a role in the recoveries! When I bring Gracie to my mom's nursing home, every resident wants to pet her and they smile through the whole encounter. Now for some relaxing time for you!!

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  32. Hi, Sally: My husband, Craig went through fusion surgery three years ago. Watching the pain and diminished movement is agonizing. Craig hiked the 1,000 Pacific Crest Trail way before WILD happened - imagine a robust man unable to do his favorite things. I know what you went through and certainly for Jim....did he have rods or????? Craig had what is called a COFLEX procedure - fusions on L 4 and 5. He is FINE, and I am so happy to hear that Jim is having his chance, too. It can be miraculous surgery. Love to you both. I am thrilled to hear the good news.

    I miss you both and hope that we'll have opportunity to re-unite.
    Much love, Sue Sigler (Applbaum)

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