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16 years ago 0 +0 / -0 1209

Just read your post, the chemical stress test is a piece of cake... a lot of waiting , so be sure to take a book or crossword puzzle . They called with quite a list of directions... so be prepared. The others in the waiting room were very friendly..

Hope this one comes out fine, sending warm wishes.

Bonnie

My Milage:

My Quit Date: 2/10/2008
Smoke-Free Days: 173
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 2,941
Amount Saved: $588.20
Life Gained:
Days: 24 Hrs: 20 Mins: 12 Seconds: 50

16 years ago 0 +0 / -0 649

Steve, Cyber. Patrick

I'm part of the fusion club as well. 3 level fusion on the lowest 3. That was 16 years ago so the methods and technology have improved dramatically. As it relates to smoking, I was in my thirties and the docs were on me about quitting pretty heavily. And guess what, I didn't quit and a year later they went in to remove the hardware and found that one area had not fused properly so they had to redo part of it. When I asked about why, you can guess what the answer was. But I still didn't quit. I did heal but the length was longer than normal. Am doing well since with a few limits but nothing that stops me from most activities I like.

Steve, Cyber is right. All you have to do is show up, and follow the post surgical directions seriously. the recovery time is a lot less these days. Back when I had to wear an upper body brace for nine months. And then 3 more months after the second fuse.

You've given your body the best possible odds for a quick recovery. Good Luck and if you have any more questions just holler.

Moss

My Milage:

My Quit Date: 11/19/2007
Smoke-Free Days: 256
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 3,840
Amount Saved: $864.00
Life Gained:
Days: 41 Hrs: 5 Mins: 20 Seconds: 29

16 years ago 0 +0 / -0 130

Way to go Steve - I'm here if you want to talk about it all. Hang tough.
My Milage:

My Quit Date: 7/6/2008
Smoke-Free Days: 25
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 750
Amount Saved: $172.50
Life Gained:
Days: 4 Hrs: 4 Mins: 49 Seconds: 29

16 years ago 0 +0 / -0 41

Cyberdude,

Sounds like we have basically the same issues. They are going to fix at least one herniated disc and fuse L4,5 and S1. I was told about 4 or 5 hours for the surgery and 3 or 4 days in the hospital. Should be out of the bed the day after surgery. Might be interesting when I get home, I have two flights of stairs to climb to get to my apartment.

I have the chemical stress test scheduled for Monday so I'll let you guys know how it goes.

For what it's worth, I don't smoke. I think about it when those triggers hit. Other than that no issues.

My Milage:

My Quit Date: 7/13/2008
Smoke-Free Days: 18
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 270
Amount Saved: $37.80
Life Gained:
Days: 3 Hrs: 7 Mins: 2 Seconds: 49

16 years ago 0 +0 / -0 1693

Stay strong Steve, and keep us posted on how you are doing

Breanne, Bilingual Health Educator

16 years ago 0 +0 / -0 130

Steve -

I had a six and a half hour operation on my lower back. They dealt with stenosis and fused L3-L4. I had screws and pins placed to hold me together. 16 months later I had a 2 hour operation to remove all the hardware. Then I had a neck operation to fuse C5-C6. I lived in chronic pain for close to 10 years before I had the work done that I needed.

My last operation was about 2 years ago.

Yesterday I worked a full day, then mowed the lawn, stacked some wood, took a good long ride on my Harley with my wife, and never once thought about my back or my neck. My operations worked well for me. I feel good. You will too.

I don't know what they are doing in your back, I was told my heal time would be about two years. They pegged it pretty close. About 2 months after the operation I was sure I'd made a mistake and that my back would never be right again, but then I started to get better fast. Now I just feel good. No more pain, life is great.

Take a deep breath and relax. You're going to be fine. I've been there - I speak from experience. 90% of my recovery was attitude, my doctor told me that. His own words... "I've never seen anybody get up that fast after an operation like that." I was on my feet less than 5 hours after they finished! I wanted to heal and feel good, and I do.

I wish you all the luck in the world, but I don't think you need it. The guys who are working on you know what they are doing. All you need to do is show up!

Hang tough - smoking won't help this situation, it'll just make you feel worse and slow down your healing.

My Milage:

My Quit Date: 7/6/2008
Smoke-Free Days: 24
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 720
Amount Saved: $165.60
Life Gained:
Days: 4 Hrs: 0 Mins: 40 Seconds: 4

16 years ago 0 +0 / -0 1107

Hang in there Steve..

Our Daily Llama seems to have it together on stress relief. You would be wise to try his suggestions.

You can and will quit!

My Milage:

My Quit Date: 10/28/2007
Smoke-Free Days: 276
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 11,040
Amount Saved: $1,738.80
Life Gained:
Days: 49 Hrs: 14 Mins: 14 Seconds: 58

16 years ago 0 +0 / -0 1890

I wish there was some way to convey the great need you have now for stress relief, Steve. I think that 99% of EKG has to do with stress markers because of giving up the cigs and waiting for this back operation - You just sound so freaked out! And there's no need for any worry - you'll be mobile and a non-smoker in a short time, rather than a smoker with poor mobility and chronic pain.

Take the time right now to work on stress reduction, Steve. Bunch up your muscles starting from your toes and all the way up to your hips and release that tension slowly. Now, do that with the muscle-groups around your neck and shoulders and arms and release slowly... Feel all that tension flow away from you!! Combine those muscle release exercises with measured inhalation and exhalation exercises; put your mind in a "sound-proof room" and feel the silence and the relaxation.

Patrick

My Milage:

My Quit Date: 1/18/2008
Smoke-Free Days: 194
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 4,850
Amount Saved: $2,182.50
Life Gained:
Days: 36 Hrs: 1 Mins: 8 Seconds: 42

16 years ago 0 +0 / -0 1080

Hey Steve! thanks for checking in with us- sorry to hear about the EKG, please let us all know how the CS test goes as I know you will be waiting for the result to be able to go ahead with your surgery.

Well done on the smoking though, especially at this difficult time you are doing so well to hang on in there, and also all credit to you for keeping your sense of humour too!

Good luck Steve.

My Milage:

My Quit Date: 5/10/2008
Smoke-Free Days: 81
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 2,025
Amount Saved: $1,215.00
Life Gained:
Days: 9 Hrs: 12 Mins: 33 Seconds: 34

16 years ago 0 +0 / -0 41

Still smoke free and going well so far. I am dealing with the urges a little better everyday.

Went to the hospital to get my pre-admission work done the other day and the only thing I've heard back on was the EKG. It was abnormal. Went to see a cardiologist today and am scheduled for that chemical stress test that Bonnie had. My surgery is on hold until I get clearance from the cardiologist. I'm starting to feel like when you take your car to the shop, go in for one thing and they give you a list of 20 that need work. Last time you checked your______________,_______, ________, and your ______? How's your bowel movements? Sex life? What the heck does my sex life have to do with having back surgery? My answer to that question was that the ex got my sex life in the divorce. I think they also found it strange that I've been happily divorced for 11 years.

G'nite all,

Steve

My Milage:

My Quit Date: 7/13/2008
Smoke-Free Days: 17
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 255
Amount Saved: $35.70
Life Gained:
Days: 3 Hrs: 2 Mins: 48 Seconds: 56

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