The Trimmier Life

Family and Friends –

After 3 ½ years of being in pain every single day and after trying every alternative treatment available, Dustin and I have decided that now is the time and I have scheduled spinal fusion surgery on Tuesday, December 4^th.  I have suffered with a ruptured disc for several years and over the past 4-5 months I have lost most of the feeling in my right foot, have had persistent tingling sensations in my legs, and continually have excruciating pain in my lower back.  The pain has forced me to quit participating in the sports and activities that I love and has made my lifestyle much more sedentary than I can handle.  I know that there are risks with this surgery, but I am willing to take those risks for a chance at being my active self again.  I pray that my body will heal quickly and completely and that I will be back on my feet within the next year.  Several of you have asked about specifics of the surgery and recovery time, so I wanted to pass on some information so you can understand what I am about to go through.

The surgery:  Spinal fusion at L5-S1 – A spine fusion surgery involves using bone graft to cause two vertebral bodies to grow together into one long bone.  After cleaning out the injured disc, my doctor will place a cadaver bone between my L5 and S1 spinal bones (in my lower back, L means lumbar and S means sacrum – so right between my back and tail bone) and secure the bone in place with screws (it will be attached to my L5 and S1 spinal bones). Then, my body will act as if it has a broken bone and ‘fuse’ itself together.  This process can take 6 months to a year.  For a more in depth look at the surgery, go to this website:  http://www.spine-health.com/topics/surg/overview/lumbar/lumb05.html

The website even includes an x-ray of what the fusion will look like when complete.  I will be having Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (ALIF), meaning my incisions will be in my stomach (yes, the doc will operate on my back by going through my tummy!).  This approach eliminates the cutting of large back muscles and speeds up recovery. This link has information about the ALIF approach:  http://www.spine-health.com/topics/surg/overview/lumbar/lumb08.html .

Here is the timeline for my surgery and  recovery:

Surgery – Tuesday, December 4^th at 7am at the  Spine Hospital in San Antonio, TX
Out of hospital/Dustin take’s ½ day – Friday, December  7^th
Dustin takes off – Monday & Tuesday, December  10^th & 11^th
Mom in town – Tuesday night through Sunday, December  11^th through 16^th

Besides getting home on the 7^th, I will not be able to ride in a car the first few weeks I am out of surgery.  I should be able to start physical therapy within 3-4 weeks of my surgery.  I will be out of work between 8 and 12 weeks.

I would love to have visits and calls from all of you since I am sure I will need support and entertainment while I am at home.  Thanks for all of your love and support in dealing with my injury and pain all this time.  I know you will continue to support me throughout this time in my life and I am thankful to have friends and family and that I can count on through the good and bad times in my life.

I love you all.  Love, Jenn