Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Surgery

Well, I finally have an ultimate date for my surgery: 28 Feb. I guess I would really say that I need doctors to correct damage caused by other doctors...but I take the responsibility for taking NSAIDs for so long and accelerating my kyphosis.

So, with the hunched over posture, the gravity vectors were enough to wear and tear on my L2, but I had to start feeling too good thanks to the NSD and I overstepped my limits, so fractured this vertebra (called a pseudarthrosis, or false joint--in this case another joint in my spine--without any disc for cushion).

I have been getting along great with the nerve blocks, but, due to the angulation, I am not able to heal.

I think they are going to drill out the fracture and insert a cage, then use some titanium 'instrumentation' to immobilize the whole thing, then do an osteotomy, or insert some bone chips to straighten me out and shift my COG (center of gravity), so I have a chance of healing. Estimated duration of the procedure is 10 hours, and 4 units of blood might be needed; I have given three so far, but one will expire because of the reschedule fiasco.

Rescheduled due to an admissions doctor who did not like the fact that I had been treating myself using antibiotics, so decided to complicate things. Too bad he is an instructor at the hospital--knows almost nothing at all about AS (even from the standard allopathic orientation). His focus is lungs and I do remember hospitals giving potassium chloride to persons with asthma, but I did not know it was potassium iodide. The chloride sure worked for me, when I had asthma.

So, I waited to see an 'infectious disease specialist' and he just said 'no problem' over the telephone; did not even need to see me, but gave my doctors some pointers for after-care based upon my antibiotic history. Hope I don't contract a new strain of Kp while in hospital!

Also hope that I don't like being out of my crummy body so much that I refuse to return when it is time! Annie would not like that very much...

Well, I'll be around until then, trying to tell fellow sufferers how to avoid this!

Best of Health to Each of You,
John



"Any teacher who can be replaced by a machine, should be."
Isaac Asimov, 'Project Hole-in-the Wall'

Hi John...Sorry to hear that you have to go in the hospital....and the pain you are having.....I'm hoping everything will turn out right..and hoping you will be feeling all better.........we will be praying you'll get well soon....I'm on NSAIDS and will talk with my rheuma about taking something else......Thanks

Hope "Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow."
."

Dear John,...

I am very sorry to hear you have a fractured disk, though at the same time, I'm grateful to hear you are going to allow them to practice and try their best to resolve this for you. Theoretically, trauma medicine is a western specialty, no? Well, I certainly hope it will work as best as is possible for you!

Perhaps you will have the opportunity to teach this instructor during your recovery!

I'm certain you will somehow avoid the hospital food , and really hope you manage to avoid any new strains of bacteria too!

Please know that 'refusing to return' is not an option that would go over very well with your whole KA family too!

I wish you the very best John, and please know you will be in my thoughts!
Hugs,

mig

Wishing a quick recovery to my favorite dragonslayer!
Surgery is never fun but if you are not going to heal from nerve blocks alone, then perhaps its best.

Please keep us posted my friend....you have been so helpful with so many here. I know you cant turn back the clock on the damage from the NSAID's but you are very well informed now and can avoid any further damage...and that's most important.

Take care...best wishes ...



Buggy

Hi John,

Best wishes on the surgery and a speedy recovery. You will be missed here at Kickas during your absense.

Wish my work was not so rough currently, would make my way over there to check up on you after surgery. Heal up so you can make Vegas this summer.

Say Hi to Annie for me.

Tim

Hope is only a post away with KickAS.

John,
I wish you a successful surgery and a speedy recovery. You will definitely be missed here on KICKAS while you are in hospital.

"Also hope that I don't like being out of my crummy body so much that I refuse to return when it is time!"
Yes, you should return, for Annie and your fellow KICKAS'ers. I hope the surgeons do and excellent job and you feel like you have a new body.

You may not have realized it, but you have helped many people on KICKAS, including myself. And for me, you are one of the most valued members of KICKAS.

Wishing you success and a speedy recovery.
Wayne

Hi John

I wish you all the best for the surgery and for a fast recovery.
Don't even think about not returning !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That is a very very bad thought.
Annie needs you and SO DO WE. Who else is going to nag as well as you do

Maggie

Sorry to hear you have to go the surgical route John, but best wishes to you and high hopes that it goes perfectly. We'll all be rooting for you here.

10 hours...isn't it nice you'll be sleeping through it? I've always said the actual surgical time is hardest on the family in the waiting room. They're the ones who have to watch the clock move like it is in molasses. Now once the post-op part starts, that's a different story altogether! That's when WE get to have all the fun...

Good luck John.

Brad

Hi John!

Sorry to hear about the fracture and the surgery to come. Your very strong with all you've endured so far in life, so I am hopeful you'll come through with flying colors and be back soon, slaying the dreaded AS dragon.





peace & love Kathy



"The most beautiful stones have been tossed by the wind and washed by the waters and polished to brilliance by life's strongest storms."

Good Luck John. Hope tp see you back here posting again very soon.