Getting Ready for Surgery

[chimley]

I have appreciated hearing everyone's stories and experiences on this board. This has been a heckuva year for us - this injury has changed our lives forever.

Rick will be having surgery on January 13th at University of Michigan. We know the waiting process will be long to see if the results are deemed a success. Rick's main question at this point is if people have experienced less pain after surgery. The pain is constant and excruciating. He says he can deal with not having a return of movement if the pain would just go away.

It's so hard for me. There's no way I can possibly understand and I feel like I can't do anything to help, try as I might! I am hopeful, the docs talk about reduction of pain after surgery. I want to remain hopeful, but I believe that also has to be tempered with realism as well.

Merry Christmas to all! Kim

[schmoe90]

I don't know what operation Rick's having, but I had a intercostal nerve transfer to my bicep some 23 years ago. My parents say it helped a lot with my pain levels - I don't really remember how much pain I was in back then, thankfully. I still have shooting pains in my hand / arm, but that's usually manageable by distraction (do something that you have to concentrate on, rather than sit and focus on how much it hurts), or just staying warm and rested.

[herff94]

I have had several surgeries. muscle transfers and nerve transfers. I'm on 21 years of this injury. The pain is still there but not as intense. But the cold is painful. Why I live in Northern Illinois puzzles me. Family......................that's why. I think over time you either get use to the annoying pain and build a tolerance or it does get better. I can't tell. Sorry for the bad news. but you never know, everyone is different. Good luck.

[Shep]

where in norther il you from?

i moved to madison in 2005 i lived in the chicago/bartlett/schaumberg for over 11 years

[Shep]

Herff

where in norther il you from?

i moved to madison in 2005 i lived in the chicago/bartlett/schaumberg for over 11 years

[herff94]

I live in Woodstock, Il. Right on the boarder of Wi. We drive right through Madison every time we head up to Mayo. In fact we will be driving right around you next Wed. the 15th!
Damn cold now, huh? And the snow is crazy. Hurts terribly!

[Shep]

thats funny!
ill be there next wed also the 14th
i have a mylogram
then consultation on the 20th
and first surgery the 27th 6 months post injury

i use to never mind the cold weather. but now its horrible

i sometimes feel my injured arm is going to ske right off my body!

[herff94]

The 14th, you are right. What doctors do you see? When was your injury? Good luck; lets hope and pray for good weather. I just posted a question and I stated "I feel like my arm is going to fall off on some days".
Good luck!

[swhite1]

msg deleted

I'm sorry. I feel like I just intruded on a party line.
Good luck with that.
Message was edited by: swhite1


Message was edited by: swhite1

[Shep]

i am not sure exactly who is doing the mylogram, if its bishop/chin/spinner. they will be doing my surgery on the 27th, i do know that