Big Decision

[TX-Dennis]

Prayers offered for a best possible outcome for you. I have no personal experience with surgery, but I do know some folks it has helped tremendously.

I was told my congenital vertebra defect is not correctable by surgery about 40 years ago, and it hasn't gotten worse, so I never sought another opinion.

Since yours is correctable, you should probably get it done as long as the surgeon has a good reputation and you trust him to do the best job. It sounds like you may be looking at 6 months of not being able to do what you want v. the rest of your life. That's a pretty straightforward (not to say easy) choice to make.

 

[Kanewpadle]

Would highly suggest getting a second opinion. I’ve known too many people that have had one of more back surgeries that were unsuccessful.

Check into “Mind Body Connection”. Google it.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[oink]

You have my prayers.

 

[LVSteve]

I see the short, and very frank, version of the situation as loss of control and independence for the duration of the surgery and your recovery, or a continued slow decline that seems sure to render you a cripple in a year or maybe less. Barring a very different answer from a different doctor, surgery looks like the only way to go. I wish you the best of luck.

 

[Cdog]

Wow!

You all have came through with great advice, prayers, your own experiences, and more.

The second opinion has been on the table from the get go. Been there before. Doctors are just like the rest of us, another set of eyes may have a different perception of the same images and information. Maybe perceive the info the same but have a different approach to treatment. My doctor said there's an 80% success rate with this procedure. He's a good communicator that shoots straight with me.

After lunch I spent my Saturday working in the yard. I can't believe just how weak I've become. I'm working so much harder and achieving less.

I think my need to do things myself is like an animals instinct. I had a dog that when given something like a biscuit or even a toy would immediately start looking for a place to bury it. He couldn't help himself, it was what his programming told him to do.

During and after yesterday's outing I was convinced that I have to do something. A choice will have to be made soon. Even if it wasn't worsening at the rate it is I can't choose to continue walking like the "Oldest Man" Tim Conway portrayed on the Carol Burnett Show. Stumbling both up and down stairways, being drained from the energy it takes to walk to the mailbox and back.

These are the times in life when it truly feels like being stuck between a rock and a hard place. My instinct tells me to keep going, my body telling me "NO! I can't keep going. Get something done now!"

I'm not here seeking pity, not in the least. I am here only to tell my story and learn what I can from those of you that are more experienced than I am. There's a lot of experience available here and I'd be a fool not to make use of it.

I Thank You All!

 

[RobertK3026]

Prayers and good thoughts for a quick recovery..
I kinda know what you speak of, my wife has had chronic nerve pain for years with no relief.
It makes a lousy quality of life issue.

 

[Truckman]

Sir. If it betters your life. Do it. God Bless.

Those are the words I was looking for......Ben

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

Best of luck amigo. We're with you in thoughts and prayers.

 

[WR Moore]

I understand some of what you're facing. Back in the last century I had a compression fracture of the T5 vertebrae. I also had some medical issues in '22 and left the hospital with the stamina and strength of a wet noodle. It's taken time, but I'm almost back to where I was in 20/21.

If you do the surgery, take the mandatory time out and then get on the rehab ASAP. Also look into what exercises you'll be able to do to strengthen your core muscles. That'll take some of the load off your spine.

 

[gjgalligan]

I am in my early 70s and last fall I was told the disc in the lumbar region or pretty much wore out. Doctor recommended exercises and to keep active as long as I could live with it.
So now days my wife mother hens me to take it easy. I am still active but am slowly giving up the heavy work around here.
Jobs that involve bending over cause me the most discomfort.

 

[walkin jack]

The OP was hard for me to read in it's entirety. The outlook for my future is much the same as yours. My symptoms are not as pronounced (yet) but very similar none the less.

Miss Pam is not physically capable of house work of any kind. I am the proverbial chief cook and bottle washer. That means that along with all the time, effort, and responsibility for 5 acres of property I also have all the cleaning, cooking, maintenance issues inside as well.

I am most certainly not complaining. This woman saved me in so many ways... I will be there for her until my last breath. We find deep pleasure in just being together.

As of now I have the time to giver all that she needs as well as the ability to do it. Her comfort and happiness are all important to me. Everything I do for her I do with love.

My concern and uncertainty for the future troubles me but I mean to go as long as I can and have faith that things will somehow work out okay.

Cdog, I completely Empathize with you and you have my prayers for the best possible outcome. Try to stay positive and have faith. Those two things are helping me get from day to day.

And remember that you have the support of your friends in here. We're here for you if needed. God bless

 

[pawncop]

Well sir, count me in the column suggesting a second opinion might be advised. Now if you really trust your surgeon and don’t want to delay then I wish you the very best and will lift you in prayer asking that God may rest His hand upon those operating and caring for you.

 

[JohnRippert]

Prayers offered up for a successful conclusion.

 

[SweetMK]

I, like the others, wish you the best of luck,,

but, I must share my leg pain story (I am now 73 years old)

3 years before COVID I developed pain in my right leg,,
I had pain in my left leg for decades.
My GP sent me to a "specialist", he diagnosed me with avascular necrosis in my right leg.

avascular necrosis means no blood was flowing to my hip bone,,
the bone would degrade, the ball would snap off,, I would be S - O - L !!
The specialist wanted to do hip replacement RIGHT THEN.

Well, I decided to wait, and also, I started the KETO diet.
About 6 months later, I decided the time was right for replacement.
I made an appointment to go back to the specialist,, to my surprise, he had moved to South Dakota.

His practice partner saw me, looked at my x-rays, etc,, and said no hip replacement was needed.

So, here I am, 6 years after the initial diagnosis,, the original hip still there.

What I learned between 2017 and 2020 (for me) was that carbs inflame my spinal issues.
(The spinal inflammation causes the leg pain. )
If I eat more carbs, I have more pain.

If I consume almost zero carbs, my leg pain almost goes away.

So, that has been my life for the last 4-5 years,
No pizza
No donuts,
ETC,,,

If you have time, you might want to try no carbs,,
I have to warn you, stopping carbs is harder than quitting smoking.

 

[lrrifleman]

Cdog, I can relate to your situation, especially for your need to maintain your independence ... at least you have a choice! Just a week over 16 years ago, I was in a motor vehicle accident which left me disabled. I'm walking, but that was not in the doctors' prognosis! The hardest thing for me to do was learning to ask for help. There are still some things that I am capable of doing on my own, but that list is growing shorter.

Go and get your second opinion ... then make your move to have the procedure done. Since my accident, I've had 38 surgeries, all but 5 related to the accident. You will figuratively kick yourself if you don't have the procedure done. It is definitely better to reduce the pain at the loss of some independence as opposed to losing your independence completely by not taking action!