United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

I have a nerve graph op scheduled for Oct. 28 with Dr. Belzberg and I'm scared sh@tless. I've never really had major surgery before and don't even know what to expect. I don't even know what he's going to do because the first few hours is going to be exploratory.I know each case is different but I would like to know about some of your first operation. Dr. B's main plan is to get my bicep going because in his opinion, without elbow flexion, the arm will probably be amputated down the road. my neurologist thinks I have some C5 working, but Dr. B's going into it as thou I blew the whole plexus. If you could give me some honest post-op info, or any relative info., I would really appreciate it.

THANX LOVE SUSAN

Hey Susan!!

SO glad to hear you are getting in for your op so quickly!! I am sure you are terrrified-I would be too--hope all goes well with you-keep us posted--I just know you are in good hands at Hopkins and with Dr. B--keep good positive thoughts, ok??
~~~Suzie~~~~~

Susan,
Good for you! Great to hear that you're getting in there and heading on the road to progress, and taking care of business! I don't know if my advice or support will be worth a damn for you, cause I've been in and out of hospitals since I was knee high, getting banged up and getting put back together by good folks, doctors.

You mentioned your backround in biology, and thats a great plus. Remaining curious and learning as much as possible about the procedures keeps things in the perspective of an adventure for me. The amazing and beautiful things that we humans, doctors and such, haved learned to do. And alot of fear and anxiety is usually based on loss of control or lack of understanding, and the more you are involved in the process, the more control and understanding you have (ie; less fear/more fun and learning). But that may not be your style, maybe realizing, that you are getting helped by one of the finest medical institutions in the world, and the cream of the cream are there to help you. Just trust and lay back knowing you've done all you can do, and let the good doctors do there work.
There are so many ways to go at it, but maybe this isn't answering your question the way you wanted. One thing I can certainly promise, is that the surgery is NOT in any way like the incedent that caused your injury.
If you were my sister, and I couldn't be there to be with you, this is what I tell you to do to prepare.
1) Write any and all questions down that you have to ask the doctors before the opperation. There is usually a consultation the day or two before surgery to get in a good Q and A. 2) If you are having a lot of procedures done, you usually can ask for a plastic surgeon to close all of the areas up that get opperated on (just to cleanly stitch everything up for the best possible scarring). But this may not be necessary. 3) Call up your friends, and let them know what and when and where things are happening, and ask them to keep you in thier thoughts and to put some good mo-jo out there for you (a call from a good buddy when your healing up can make your day a bit brighter). 4) Get a few good books on tape/cd for yourself in recovery (something different and entertaining, maybe a stand up comic act or a biography, maybe different than you're used to, and that can make time and pain disappear). 5) pack some treats for yourself (Pop-Tarts, Oreos, Cookies/Anything fun and tasty, hospital food isn't anything special) 6) Don't be a Hero, if you're in pain that's making you too uncomfortable, there is no need for it, ask or demand if necessary for pain killers, that is what they are there for so utilize them. One word of note, I used the morphine drip for three days, then went cold turkey and thought all was well. Well, I was kindly told by a close friend that I was being an irritable S.O.B., I guess it was withdrawals, which was taken care of with a mild sedative. 7) As soon as you feel stable, try and get out, with IV units attached or not, and walk around the floor you are on. This has always been my best way to feel good and strong again, and has never failed. 8) Remember that this is your time to take care of yourself, if you want to be alone for a little while or you need privacy to call an old friend, this is the only time I could ever guiltlessly ask my wonderful, but over caring mother, to please leave me be for a little. 9) Keep a grateful mindset, realize that we live in a time and place like no other in history. On this planet we call home, no where else has the level of exellence and advancement like that which we have here in the U.S., Presidents and Kings alike fly from every corner and continent to get the medical attention that you are getting, we are all very fortunate.
I hope this helps a little, I'm not sure if it answers exactly what you want. I may have gone a bit overboard, but all for a good cause, YOU!

Just for purely technical info:
If they are doing grafts, most likely they will be taking one or both Sural Nerves from the backside of your calves. Your legs will be in circulation wraps, to keep blood flowing properly afterwards. You may be put in a heated and humidified room for the first few days post opperation. This is to keep all of your blood vesseles and nerves dialated to promote good healing. This may be only for muscle transfers though. Anyway, the hot room sucks, it's just uncomfortable and warm, use the morphine.
I don't even notice the missing Sural Nerves from my calves, only once in a while I notice that around my ankle bone is numb but not uncomfortable.

Best of Luck Susan! I'll be sending out good Mo-Jo for Ya! Hey, tell the doctor that you expect to be treated like family, and make sure it's the part he loves! Take care of yourself.

Cheers,
Christopher

Susan -much luck to you. We'll keep you in our thoughts and prayers,
francine

Susan,

You've gotten some great advice above.
It's always a fright going into surgery but you will be in good hands with Dr. Belzberg. He is a respected surgeon with a great publication and research record.

I'm joining the others with well wishes for a great recovery and hope for what this surgery may bring to you.

Nancy

HI SUSAN, I WANTED TO WISH YOU ALL THE BEST. I LIVE IN ONTARIO. WHERE ABOUTS IS THIS DOCTOR? YOU MENTION NOT HAVING ELBOW FLEXION. I AM FAIRLY NEW TO THIS INJURY AND WROTE THE SUBJECT ABOUT PARALYZED AND RECOVERED, I CANNOT MOVE MY ELBOW AS WELL. IS AMPUTATION A POSSIBILITY? I THINK I SHOULD BE LOOKING FOR A BP SPECIALIST IN ONTARIO. GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR RECOVERY SUSAN.
KAREN

Hope you're staying sane Susan, I'm sure you'll be fine and it will be worth it to get some answers. Take care of yourself & keep us posted :0) Jen NZ

Karen!!

Dr. Belzberg is in Baltimore Maryland at Johns Hopkins Hospital--that is the Doc David is seeing----look on this website I think under resoruces or information--that is where I found Belzberg--they had lists of docs specializing in BPI for just about every state and area--hence my finding Belzberg in Maryland, which is where we live! Good Luck!
~~~~~Suzie~~~~~

Hey Punchy! Just a very qwik addition to that list of Christophers; don't forget to take something with you to deal with the inhevitable constipation caused by the morphine....! sorry to be so blunt, but it can really be a bluddy nuisance if you aren't prepared for it!! (Guinness is pretty good!!!) LOL

Good luck gurl....

Liz x :0)

Thanx for everybodies encouragement and good wishes

Personally, I'm a wreck, not only from being nervous but because the pain in my arm is literally killing me. I switched to Oxycotin 20 mg twice a day. Like all drugs, Ifelt pretty good the first few days then it's back to the constant buzz and burn. I'm getting so depressed, I can't sleep, i can't take a dump because of the stupid narcotics. I'm so glad that their are people out there that lived thru this. I have serious doubts daily whether I am going to make it. Screw the arm, I can live without it. It's the damn pain. Are any of you old schooler avulsed C5-T1? I know a lot of the pain comes from the lower nerve roots. Funny thing is, that I don't have Horners which I thought was accosiated with T1.
I guess I just need to here what the Doc says. CARPI DIEM!

THANX LOVE SUSAN