Ugly trip to the orthopedic surgeon today - going under the knife again

[klenger]

Steve:



Will you be able to hold a pencil in your mouth and type on the keyboard of a laptop when you are in recovery so that you can keep this place goin?

 

[Doc Tinker]

We'll get your truck back together somehow, Steve. You won't be out jumping dunes with it for a while anyway, so we'll see about getting a BOMB party together and cram the transmission back in there before you're ready to start gear jammin' again. Let us know when the box comes and we'll figure out a date.



Take care of yourself in the mean time. I'd like to help the doctor cut into your neck, think you can arrange it??



Doc

 

[lschultz]

Uh o Doc wants to practice again. Your in for it now Steve. Theres no telling what you will come out as if Doc's doing the cutting.

 

[mopars1]

No surgery is wanted Steve, but it looks like you should have it done right away as you are talking about doing. I had the c5-c6 and c6-c7 discs taken out and the vertebra fused with a bone dowel between in place of the discs. Piece of cake was the surgery and I have had no problems afterwards. I didn't have to wear a neck brace either. The time was short to getting to do whatever I wanted to do. The only drawback was the discs were against the spinal cord for so long, I didn't get full use of my arms for another 8 months because of nerve damage. I would do it again in a heartbeat. This was in November of 1994. Don't get worked up, just get it taken care of



David

 

[Phil Howell]

Steve, good luck! You're in our prayers!

 

[Sled Puller]

I seem to recall someone telling me rebuilding those trannys was a piece of cake... ... .....



I'm a firm believer in 2nd, 3rd opinions, but just do what your wife tells you to, it is easier that way.



Ya, know, if you sold your motorcycle, you could have us put a good clutch in while its apart.

 

[loncray]

One way to think about it, is that the spine is the body's transmission for getting power out to the muscles. Good luck Steve! Please let us all know how it goes, and we're all pulling for ya.

 

[esommer2500]

Good luck. I can make a trip up that way and help with transmission install if needed, it's not too far. I know what it's like to be without the truck! :{



Eric

 

[RustyJC]

Best of luck, Steve. You're in our thoughts and prayers.



Rusty

 

[bighammer]

Re: Same surgery my sister had.

Originally posted by johnrv4

My sister was involved in a car accident about 10yrs. ago and had problems with the same disc. I guess the disc was herniated, and there were bone fragments there also. She had the surgery done, and recovered fully with no pain or problems. Keep us updated.

If you can look beyond the bolts in her neck, John's sister is really pretty nice.



Maybe ask for some nice stainless Torx-head capscrews?



Maybe you've done too well with the last operations. Be more of a *ussy this time and God will say "OK, he's reached his limit and this is all he can handle" and lay off a bit.



Seriously, if you need help with the trans, or have some medical questions/translations give us a call.

 

[kiwi bird]

That sucks Steve, I work at a hospital and the surgery is pretty routine and success rate is good but still to go under the knife is never a thing to look forward to.



Hope it all works good and you're back to normal as soon as possible.



Do keep communicating as depression is pretty normal after surgery and we're here to keep your sanity level mobile.

 

[banzaitoyota]

Steve, I literally feel your pain. I just got done with 3 MRI's and a bunch of nerve testing. I had lost ~1/2 the strength in my right arm and elbow. Turns out I have a bulging disc and a bone spur in C6. I have to have a series of cortisone shots in December to relieve the pressure. Good luck!

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

Thanks for all the kind words (cept gene ). I've spent the last 3 days researching other options and trying to get a 2nd opinion scheduled. I'm getting a 2nd opinion on monday and most likely will be scheduling the surgery that day. I talked with my surgeon for about 20 minutes on the phone today and got a bunch of questions answered and we discussed other options. Looks like my best bet is anterior cervical discectomy & fusion. I'm 99. 9999% sure that's what will be happening from everything I've gathered. They said they could schedule the surgery about 2 weeks out so I should be going in just after thanksgiving. I'm picking up a collar tomorrow that I can wear while I'm driving to help reduce the possibility of a severe injury in a wreck.



Lots of guys have come out of the woodwork with offers to put my transmission in and I thank you all for the support. I think we have a plan to get it in the first week of December but I will keep everyone in mind.

 

[klenger]

Lots of guys have come out of the woodwork with offers to put my transmission in and I thank you all for the support. I think we have a plan to get it in the first week of December but I will keep everyone in mind.

Awsome. Wish I could be there.



Thanks guys.

 

[Hammer]

Steve...

While this is a major decision I am glad to hear that you have found the source of discomfort. Hope this will alleviate your current problems and put you on the road to recovery. One thing I'll add here and then offer some help is this,try not to over do it during the recovery and rehab. Push yourself to what your body tells you is right and don't over do it. I wish I had done that instead of overdoing it while trying to get myself back to work and life. time is the factor here during the recuperation and making good use of the recovery/rehab. After a couple of different back surgeries and my haste to return to a normal life I now wish I would have taken my time and followed the docs orders and not pushed myself.



Now for your transmission debacle. .

I will offer to help and see how many of my members we can roust up for some added help. keep us posted on how your doing and when would be a good time for a transmission-bomb party. BTW,I agree with Rob too,leave the chat freaks alone,its a good way to relieve stress ..... Andy

 

[Dane]

Steve,

Sorry to hear. I know all about the arthritis thing. Ya sure it's not related to all them motorcycles we used to fall off?



Keep the faith buddy and get a good arthritis doc and some good anti inflam meds. I tried at least 6 different ones before I found one that worked well...

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

Ya sure it's not related to all them motorcycles we used to fall off?

The surgeon isn't sure but if I were to place money on it I'd bet that's where it came from. Paying the price for the joys of youth! If I had known I was going to live past 30 I probably would've taken better care of myself - nah, wishful thinking though . The arthritis is the everyday aches and pains I feel I'm sure - those are no big deal, I'm used to pain. When you've done as much damage to your body as I have you just have to resign yourself to some level of pain each day. It's got to get real bad before it affects me.



BTW, just got the phone call that my transmission is on the way back this way - should be here monday!

 

[Fireman Dave]

Steve,



Lots of good advice on taking it easy and not rushing the rehab. With all of the good thoughts and prayers from here, feel at peace with your decision and be confident in your doctors. It's always the waiting and anticipation that are the worse. I'm sure you'll feel a lot more upbeat once you get the process going. Your positive mental state will help you physically too.



Dave

 

[Sled Puller]

Say Steve?

Lets get that chat fixed before surgery, buddy, whaddya say?:{ :{

 

[Rob Thomas]

Put a sock in it Gene. If ya want... ..... I can send you a personally autographed picture of the chat backround, for your viewing pleasure, bed up or down?



While Steve is laid up from his future surgery, I may volunteer my assistance in keeping the site running smooth, and remove the excess baggage (Gene). When the pain killers really have Steve laid-out, I'll spruce up the backround on the forum pages, I'm thinkin' somthing in green.



Hmmmmm, I wonder if Steve's custom computer really has a built-in "boot" button.



I figure with my help on the site, will help Steve to have an incredibly speedy recovery, maybe even in one day.







Rob