My Second Spinal Surgery Sucks
Donation protected
Total Recap
In college I sustained what seemed to be a hernia and over the decades it’s bomb cycloned into a major life changing issue. First, I danced through it, then I was waylaid by it. Then I settled into a pattern of holistic care which kept me steady, I was able to perform and work like a normal. As my insurance stopped covering acupuncture and massage therapy, my injury roared back to life and I had to have a spinal fusion operation or lose the ability to walk. The 6 hour surgery, scraping a grapefruit sized hernia off my spinal cord was questionable. Mistakes were made regarding painkillers post op, specifically, there were none. I am now suffering from chronic pain daily. It’s like having heavy cramps/ labor pains and nerve pain all over my body. Fellas if you’ve ever had a kidney stone, imagine that just happening in any part of your body just as a matter of daily life.
These days, I walk with a freakin' cane, slowly, if I can remember, or when my body says “Ok No. You need to slow the F down”. Sometimes I can’t get my basic needs met, laundry, food shopping, drug stores. Gurl I can’t even run for the bus. I have a home health aide to help with this because standing in line is torture, lifting is a whole bag of nope. I wish I was kidding. I wish I was better. My mental health wavers from side to tide. I am in treatment for the sads and mads. I am talking, talking, talking, taking the psych meds.
On September 30th, 2020 I had some of the hardware removed from my 2013 L4-L5 fusion. I said I would never let another surgeon near my spine, but I found one that looked at me like a person not a downpayment. Dr. Simone Betchen listened to me for 45 minutes before ordering any images. She clucked her teeth at the lapse in coverage for acupuncture. She consulted with her colleague. They agreed to work on this together having repaired fusions before. The fusion housing was out of place and a loose screw pressing on my spinal cord. Hurt like a miniseries from the 80s people. The sh** was effed. So so The Thorn Birds....The Burning Bed… ugh
The operation went well. She and Dr. Houten did a 6-9 hour procedure in 4 and a half. I have a feeling she was annoyed with my previous surgeon. I know I was.
As of April 2021 I'm doing much better, I have cut my care aides from 6 days a week to 4. Still waiting to get vaccinated before I can go back to PT and start whatever life awaits. I hope you are alll well. Face covered and smelling like rubbing alcohol.
Ok I love you bye bye!
In college I sustained what seemed to be a hernia and over the decades it’s bomb cycloned into a major life changing issue. First, I danced through it, then I was waylaid by it. Then I settled into a pattern of holistic care which kept me steady, I was able to perform and work like a normal. As my insurance stopped covering acupuncture and massage therapy, my injury roared back to life and I had to have a spinal fusion operation or lose the ability to walk. The 6 hour surgery, scraping a grapefruit sized hernia off my spinal cord was questionable. Mistakes were made regarding painkillers post op, specifically, there were none. I am now suffering from chronic pain daily. It’s like having heavy cramps/ labor pains and nerve pain all over my body. Fellas if you’ve ever had a kidney stone, imagine that just happening in any part of your body just as a matter of daily life.
These days, I walk with a freakin' cane, slowly, if I can remember, or when my body says “Ok No. You need to slow the F down”. Sometimes I can’t get my basic needs met, laundry, food shopping, drug stores. Gurl I can’t even run for the bus. I have a home health aide to help with this because standing in line is torture, lifting is a whole bag of nope. I wish I was kidding. I wish I was better. My mental health wavers from side to tide. I am in treatment for the sads and mads. I am talking, talking, talking, taking the psych meds.
On September 30th, 2020 I had some of the hardware removed from my 2013 L4-L5 fusion. I said I would never let another surgeon near my spine, but I found one that looked at me like a person not a downpayment. Dr. Simone Betchen listened to me for 45 minutes before ordering any images. She clucked her teeth at the lapse in coverage for acupuncture. She consulted with her colleague. They agreed to work on this together having repaired fusions before. The fusion housing was out of place and a loose screw pressing on my spinal cord. Hurt like a miniseries from the 80s people. The sh** was effed. So so The Thorn Birds....The Burning Bed… ugh
The operation went well. She and Dr. Houten did a 6-9 hour procedure in 4 and a half. I have a feeling she was annoyed with my previous surgeon. I know I was.
As of April 2021 I'm doing much better, I have cut my care aides from 6 days a week to 4. Still waiting to get vaccinated before I can go back to PT and start whatever life awaits. I hope you are alll well. Face covered and smelling like rubbing alcohol.
Ok I love you bye bye!
Fundraising team (2)
Chaz Adkins
Organizer
Brooklyn, NY
Madeline Jacobs
Team member
