I need opinions & experiences with intercostal surgery

[diargasm]

Well, I don't want to "count the chickens before the eggs have hatched", but I'd have to say the signs for my bicep look good. The sensitivity has gotten stronger the past couple of months.

I've had the oberlin's procedure to get my bicep to work. And I just recently had a cross neck c7 operation on my axillary nerve which will allow me to lift my arm.

I'm happy now because I was scared that something else would get damaged by having the operations. But so far the only thing negative that has happened is the weakness in my left arm and the numbness on the side of my feet. I've been told that those will get smaller overtime, so I'm not worried about it.

[diargasm]

Just the other day I noticed that my biceps visibly activate whenever I bend my fingers. I think this muscle will eventually work.

[EllenB]

That is fabulous! Congratulations - and keep up the good work. Thanks for keeping us posted!

Ellen

[diargasm]

one bad thing happened though. I somehow infected the scar on my leg. A small part of the upper portion of the scar was very red. I put peroxide & antiobiotics on it. Now it has sort of got smaller but it looks like there is a little crater there. Should I be worried?

[EllenB]

It's good you're already treating it w/antibiotic cream & peroxide. If your doctor doesn't have any other suggestions, maybe you could ask a plastic surgeon for some advice. There is also a product for scar reduction that's supposed to be excellent: Cica-care. I think you get it thru Walgreen's or something like that - but it can't be used on open wounds so you'd need to wait. Here's the web site to learn more about it:
http://wound.smith-nephew.com/us/Standa ... odeId=3023

Good luck -

Ellen

[diargasm]

The infection is gone now but the hole is still there.

For those that had the intercostal surgery, do you think I'll be good enough to go back to school in 5 days? My principal wont let me take the summer classes if I'm absent for 4 days. Surgery or no surgery, she doesn't really care. I'm sure I can somehow convince her to let me stay, I just don't want to be absent too long. I hate having to worry about both the operation & my classes.

[admin]

How active are you now? How many hours a day will the class be? Are you on addt'l pain meds from the surgery that might make you fuzzy? If so, how soon would you be off them?

Given your circumstances, is there any way the principal would let you try it for a few days just to see - and give a refund if it's obviously too much right now for you? And if she's not willing to work with you, you may need to plead your case to her superior.

Good luck! (Kind of like you don't already have enough stress in your life, huh??)

Ellen

[lizzyb]

Hi Andre..I had the intercostal nerve graft 11 years ago and was up and doing everything as normal 2 days after surgery...oh, apart from the awkwardness of having my arm immobilised by a sling that was tied to my waist that is.

As far as I know, the arm is usually immobilised for a few weeks as the grafts are under a bit of a strain, and some movements, like trying to lift the arm over your head, or pulling the arm out to the side could pull damage the grafts. The immobilisation time gives the grafts the best chance to 'take,' but I expect your surgeon would have told you this. If in doubt, check with your surgeon.

As far as going back to school goes, as long as you feel okay, and your Dr. hasn't specifically told you not to, I don't see why you shouldn't, personally. Just look after the arm...as I know you will anyway! Have a good summer! ;0)

Lizzy B

[Karl w/ a K]

Andre,
Can you send me some info on your doctor. I'd like to discuss surgery to re-innervate my deltoids. You can send it to ablekarl@yahoo.com. Thanks...Karl...

[EllenB]

Andre,

How are you doing now? Are you taking summer school? If so, how's it going? "Inquiring minds want to know!"

Ellen