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Chuck and Tara at the Grand Canyon in June 2021

2021 Jul 17

Here we are, approaching the two week mark, and things are very good. The pain continues, but is still related to surgical recovery vs back issues. More and more, we're gaining mobility and strength. At this point, there's a follow up with Dr. Wadhwa on Monday and then the commencement of everyone's favorite recovery past time... PT! Woo hoo! More on Monday. Thanks!

Yesterday was a rough one. After coming home, the pain had been slowly decreasing to a 6 and then a 5. Yesterday was back to a 7. Soreness at the incision points as healing continues!

Good to be home. Hard to find a comfortable sleeping position, but sleep does come. Tara remarks that the pain is different than before. The pain she is experiencing now is definitely surgical, not like before. And since there are three major incisions from surgery, that is to be expected. It is also wonderful news, becuase the alternative would mean that there was still spinal pain. So, we rest, we recuperate, and we recover!

11:30 Happy to be home and out for a quick walk to pick up the mail.
10:00 After an exit X-ray, we were in the car and headed home! Now, the recovery begins.
09:20 Dr Wadhwa just visited. Wrapping things up! Pain is definitely down today. Mobility is up. Ready for the next phase of home recovery.
08:40 PT was back to lead the first lap of the day.
Back in bed now to catch up on a rough night of sleep. Lots of disruptive visitors!
08:00 Got to the hospital after spending a night home.
Breakfast was served and cleared already and PA Simolke was in to visit.
Looking forward to discharge today! It's time to go home, we hope.

17:20 A farily uneventful day. Just finished dinner and took two laps around the floor.
Moving a bit better now. With the day, we've also gotten our potassium meds. No IV since about 9am.
Spending one more night with a blood draw over night to prepare for a hopeful departure tomorrow.
11:45 Lunch is served! Chicken fajita kit with salad and chocolate chip cookies.
11:00 Received steroids via IV to help with swelling. Internalist decided to not treat potassium today.
09:00 After her second "hot lap," Tara is headed to CT (rolling, not walking).
What is a "hot lap?" I'm so glad you asked... LOL. Hot Lap from Wikipedia.
07:00 Waking up to breakfast in the room. Scrambled eggs with pancakes, bacon, and sausage patty, OJ, and 2% milk.
Both PA Simolke and Dr Wadhwa visited before 9am.
Overnight blood results indicate low potassium.
Scheduling a CT scan for the morning to check on the implant.
Discharge may or may not be today.

21:00 Getting as comfy as possible. The overnight onslaught will include a number of vitals checks and a blood draw.
17:10 Just cleared dinner - mac n cheese with chicken, side salad, handheld apple pie, and sweet tea.
16:04 After a walk and an hour sitting upright in a chair, back in bed.
- Plus a quick visit by the PA from the morning's surgery, Eric Simolke, PA-C.
14:50 Just took our first hot lap around the floor with a walker!
13:40 Comfy and cozy (still a bit cool though) in a private room.
13:18 Headed up to the third floor, room 306.
12:40 Still on the OR floor but available to visit. Drunk on pain meds still, quite groggy.
11:26 She's done! Dr called and said all went well. She'll move to recovery shortly.
10:37 Call from the OR. Part 1 is done.
09:22 Tara headed in for surgery
07:40 Tara called back
06:40 Arrive at Specialists Hospital of Shreveport

Second surgery scheduled for July 5.
Spinal fusion surgery that will install an interbody cage Spine Health Interbody Cage Article

First follow up with Dr after the procedure.
Significant pain persists but working through it. Start PT and twisting and bending exercises.

Met with Dr. Wadhwa, MD.
Received initial diagnosis: Herniated disc in lumbar spine - (L5-S1) lumbar/sacral disc.
Will attempt to lessen the pain through injections and PT.

For more information or to reach out,
please send Chuck an email.

Last updated: 5 JUL 2021