Jalees Battle-The Journey Continues

Here we are again, almost a year later. Many of you know about my Chiari battle and surgery, but for those who don't and wish to know more you can check out the link. https://gofund.me/f9b909dc

Tethered cord surgery was always a possibility that we prayed would never materialize. For a few months, my Chiari surgery seemed to have been a complete success; however, after many months of physical therapy and calls to my doctor, it was decided that the pains and symptoms I was still feeling should be looked into again. An MRI, a few X-rays and some consults later…I need surgery on my spine. Tethered cord surgery to be exact. So, here we are as previously stated, I want to let my family and friends know exactly what this is, what takes place in this surgery, my surgery date and my recovery.

Diagnosing tethered spinal cord is done by performing an MRI of the spine and the procedure takes approximately 30-60 minutes as the patient must be still for the entire study. Tethered cord syndrome is a neurologic disorder caused mechanically by an inelastic often-thickened filum terminale. This structure, which is composed of glial tissue (the supportive structure of nerve cells) and covered by pia mater, is a delicate strand of fibrous tissue, bridging the spinal cord tip and the sacrum (the tailbone). Due to its high viscoelasticity, the filum allows movement of the spinal cord. If abnormal fibrous tissue grows into the filum and replaces glial tissue, the filum loses its elasticity and abnormally fixes (tethers) the spinal cord, and becomes the mechanical cause of tethered cord syndrome. See picture below.

Surgery for Tethered Cord

1. Needles are inserted into the lower body to monitor nerve function even as the patient is asleep.

2. An incision is made in the skin over the lower back

3. Lifting up of the bone over the tethered area of the spinal cord ( Laminoplasty)

4. Making a small opening in the covering of the spinal cord, called the dura

5. Releasing the tethering lesion; can be simple or highly complex requiring many hours of dissection under the microscope. At times we use a laser to sharply dissect tissue from the nerves. The images below show before it is cut, after the cut, and after the release.

6. Closing the dura or available tissue over the spinal fluid.

7. Replacing and securing the bone

8. Closing the muscle and skin

9. Applying a bandage

After surgery, patients need to remain flat for 24 to 36 hours to minimize the risk of a spinal fluid leak. Physical activity is limited for the next several weeks to allow the surgical site to heal, but most surgical patients have excellent outcomes and can quickly resume normal activities.

Follow-up:

Treatment of a tethered cord syndrome does require follow-up with the treating neurosurgeon and typically with physical therapy/ occupational therapy. After some time, follow-up with the neurosurgeon may be on an as-needed basis or if symptoms return.

MY JOURNEY

Some of my symptoms have included:

• Fatty tumor or deep dimple on the lower back

• Back pain, worsened by activity and relieved with rest, heat and massage

• Leg numbness or tingling

• Spine tenderness

• Scar tissue tension due to tethered cord

• Lower abdomen numbness

• Some bladder issues

• Headaches

• Pain that radiates to my hips

My surgery date is quickly approaching (April 18, 2023). I want this to be done, I want to be pain-free so I can resume a normal life. Most everyone sees me as the Jalee who jokes and laughs and is the one they can count on. There is another side. One that is scared, sad, confused horrified and upset. This all seems so surreal and never-ending for me. So I am once again asking for financial help. A few more days in Anchorage with lodging and food for my family. I feel sort of bad for asking again but as Alaskans know, the drive, food and lodging to Anchorage from Homer is not only long and expensive but grueling when you have the whole family with the stress of surgery, hospital stay, the long trip home and recovery.

Please help me and them once again reach my goal; and please light candles, hang some prayer flags, set out some crystals and above all else say a prayer for me and the ones that love and support me the most; my family.

My mom will keep everyone up to date as things develop. Hopefully, this will close this chapter in my life, allowing me to move on to a happier one. God bless you all and thank you, every contribution helps me and my family.