Hubby and I got home a few hours ago. His back surgery was longer than expected. The Dr. Got in there and said he was expecting on piece of herniated disk but it was shattered so he made sure he got all the pieces out. He went in for surgery at 10 til 2 and I didn't get to see him until 15 til 6. That was the longest wait in my life by myself. He is doing pretty good he is real sore and tired. Whats so funny about hospitals is they give you a pill to help you sleep but come in every hour after that I don't think dh got to sleep real good until around 4. But we are home and all is good. so far.

By Truestori on Saturday, May 27, 2006 - 07:07 pm:

Glad to hear it went well. Hope his recovery is speedy.

By Karen~moderator on Saturday, May 27, 2006 - 09:03 pm:

Great to hear all is well. He will be sore for a while. I'm sure they gave him pain meds, etc. for home. Tell him not to wait until he is in severe pain to take them, you end up in a viscious cycle - the more pain you're in, the more pain you're IN! If he keeps ahead of it, he will be more relaxed. If he allows it to get too bad, he will tense up, and that will cause him more pain.

Also, I know I sound like I'm preaching, but it's only because I have BTDT twice. LISTEN to whatever the doctor told him TO do or NOT to do. It will make a huge difference in his recovery. Feel free to email me privately if you want to.

By Sandysmom on Saturday, May 27, 2006 - 09:07 pm:

I'm glad everything has went well so far. It sounds like you had a good Dr. I hope he is feeling better soon.

By Bea on Saturday, May 27, 2006 - 11:12 pm:

I'm so glad his operation is over and that he's on the road to recovery. I hope this will stop all his pain. Tell him I'm sending lots of GET WELL prayers.

By Dawnk777 on Sunday, May 28, 2006 - 05:55 pm:

I'm glad he's all comfy at home now. Ditto, what Karen said, about the pain meds.

By Wandilu on Monday, May 29, 2006 - 12:27 pm:

Hope he has a safe recovery.Try to find the time to rest.You both really need it.

By Ginny~moderator on Monday, May 29, 2006 - 09:19 pm:

Ditto what Karen said - and then some. If dh wants a logical explanation for taking the pain meds instead of toughing it out, here's what my orthopedic doctor told me: Pain causes inflammation (the body rushes white cells and other stuff to the pain site - an automatic reaction by the body, which is what causes the inflammation), which presses on the nerves, which causes more pain, which causes more inflammation, which presses on the nerves, ..... And the meds are to break this cycle of pain, inflammation, pain, more inflammation.

By Shann on Monday, May 29, 2006 - 10:05 pm:

Thank you all for your words and how too's hubby is suprisingly listening to me pretty good. I keep on his meds and make sure he don't not elapse time between. He says he feels alot better walking he cant sit for very long but the dr said to only sit for 20 min at a time. SO he usually sits up when he eats dinner. but all in all its going good.

Karen or who maybe can answer this for me. Is it normal for the sight to be bleeding. Not to much the first night he was home it was quite alot it filled up the gauze and got onto our bed. So I called the on call dr and he said it was normal because he don't have stitches or staples. They only used that strip tape. Should I be worried and if so how much blood should I see. Its not to bad now but its just kinda scary. He does go to see his Dr. here I think tomorrow.
Thanks

By Luvdodo on Monday, May 29, 2006 - 10:27 pm:

My hubby had one in 2003. Touchwood he's fine now.


Make sure he gets enough rests and walks to get back his back muscles in shape.My hubby would either lie down or walk around the house or trail for 3 weeks.

Sitting is the worst position during recovery - but check with the doc.

Wish him a speedy recovery.

By Karen~moderator on Tuesday, May 30, 2006 - 07:50 am:

Shann, I had staples both times and mine bled/oozed. If he has neither staples nor stitches, bleeding would be completely normal.

Sitting is the worst! My first rupture was so bad, and the surgery was more complicated, there was irritation to the nerve both before and during surgery, and I could not sit for nearly 6 weeks. Walking is good. Slow and steady. Turning/bending is a huge NO NO. I remember standing to eat dinner as well. LOL

Shann, if he has the steri-strips, how long is his incision?? He must have had one of the *newer* type surgeries.

By Karen~moderator on Tuesday, May 30, 2006 - 07:50 am:

BTW, hope he recovers quickly!!!!

By Shann on Tuesday, May 30, 2006 - 10:34 am:

His incision is from your pinky finger to your pointer finger is how he described it and its pretty much that long but I really can't tell the strips cover it pretty good. He said he doing better this morning when I woke up at 3 to give him his pain meds. He is hoping he feels alot better by Saturday. They are having the kids fishing derby and he was hoping he could go watch them for a little while. because he said standing is no problem its just the sitting.
thanks all

By Tripletmom on Tuesday, May 30, 2006 - 10:55 am:

I'm happy that he's feeling better today.It took awhile for my DH to sit comfortably,actually he still prefers to stand when he can

By Shann on Wednesday, June 7, 2006 - 12:31 am:

Updating alittle. He is doing pretty good. Had an emotional day yesterday. I was trying to set up the kids swimming pool and put up a canopy by myself and he felt really bad and cried alittle because he felt so helpless. He said that he was tired of hurting and not being able to help. I tried to comfort him the best I could and told him that in the end it would be worth it. He's better today. Moving alot better still sore. He walks and walks he went with me to town and we all walked around Wal-mart for a little while. he is going to be okay just a long road for him right now.

By Luvdodo on Wednesday, June 7, 2006 - 06:38 am:

Excellent Shann! Keep him walking as much.

And, cheer him up by letting him know that every minute he does not strain him self now will pay off in the long run equally well.

My DH had his problem for 7 years and walked around in an aluminium belt around his waste. When he finally had his surgery we just had our DS.

He was so upset that he was not allowed to even lift DS but just watch him

By Karen~admin on Wednesday, June 7, 2006 - 09:06 am:

Shann.........I can relate to how he is feeling. Probably one reason he is still hurting so much is due to inflammation, and irritation around the nerve. It WILL get better!!!!!!!!!!!! I know it is hard, but he needs to be patient. And I understand that when you reach your limit, you break down. It's OK to have a meltdown and cry - actually it's better than trying to keep those feelings inside. Keep encouraging him. If he follows the doctor's orders, it will gradually improve. This does not get better overnight. Tell him to hang in there!!!

By Tripletmom on Wednesday, June 7, 2006 - 09:43 am:

My DH was the same way.Our DD was 2 when he had his second surgery.It bothered my DH soooo much when I had to shovel the snow that winter,I actually enjoyed it,but he seems to think that it was his job.It does get better.The smart thing for him to do is just take his time and heal properly so he can move on with no additional problems.((HUGS))