[basil_hayden]

You'll be good as new in no time POer, this is just a test to see if you "deserve" to reach SS age!

Use western medicine to fix what's broke now, and eastern medicine to prevent other stuff from breaking in the future.

[Timo]

PO, all i can offer is the old cliche, sometimes, when it rains, it pours. Remember the words of Rosanna Rosanna Danna from SNL? It's just like my grandmother always use to tell me - If it's not one thing, it's another. If it's not your back, it's your heart. If it's not your heart, it's your gal bladder. If it's not...... you get the point. But, all that said, sometimes there's a silver lining, even in the worst of news. ANY spinal surgery is not to be taken lightly, and in your case, i'd be damned thankful that your doctors discovered your heart problem BEFORE they administered that general anesthetic. To use another tired, old cliche, be careful what you wish for. First things first. You can live with an uncomfortable back. (Morphine is goooooood!) The same can't be said for your heart. That's kinda requisite if you want to keep on living. Count your blessings. I know it's easy for me to preach, not being in your shoes, and all, but still, patience is a virtue. Don't do anything you'll end up to regret. As for your question to me on any pain, well, that depends on how you define pain. I don't need morphine (unfortunately) or any other pain killers, but there are lots of times that extend for days and weeks on end when i suffer from constant motion sickness and naseau. Dramamine does nothing. It's that stupid Alar ligament that's the root of the problem, and i have to constantly, consciously force myself to hold my head in such a way that it maintains the proper tension on that sucker, lest i feel like puking up my lunch. But, as long as i can maintain that tension in the proper manner, seriously, all is good. No pain at all. No naseau. I'm sure you're familiar with the MO of getting through one day at a time. Do it! That's all you can do. Best of luck!

[PeakOiler]

Thanks Pops.

I'm fortunate I have a good health insurance plan and that I can even afford such procedures at this time.

It also makes me very aware of how bad things will get in an increasingly energy-restrained world without all the current technology.

[PeakOiler]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('basil_hayden', 'Y')ou'll be good as new in no time POer, this is just a test to see if you "deserve" to reach SS age!

Use western medicine to fix what's broke now, and eastern medicine to prevent other stuff from breaking in the future.

[PeakOiler]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Timo', 'P')O, all i can offer is the old cliche, sometimes, when it rains, it pours. Remember the words of Rosanna Rosanna Danna from SNL? ... Best of luck!

[PeakOiler]

Well, I'm back. As it turns out, I had to have a quadruple bypass. Sorry, I'm not going to post any pictures of my "zipper". Splitting the sternum is pretty serious surgery, right up there next to heart and lung transplant!
The surgery went OK, and the only complication was a bladder infection, so that added another week to getting out of the hospital. I'll be staying at my father's house for awhile after I leave the hospital.
Meanwhile, some friends and family have be taking care of the plants and garden.

[Ibon]

you'll need that garden after the hospital food.... get well soon.

[Pops]

Glad you made it!

[PeakOiler]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Ibon', 'y')ou'll need that garden after the hospital food.... get well soon.

[PeakOiler]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Pops', 'G')lad you made it!

[basil_hayden]

That's great POer, needed some good news this morning. Hang in there and mend well.

[Timo]

Welcome back, and well done! Splitting the sternum??? OMG!!! Ouch!

But, good for you for making it through. Better days are definitely ahead.

[ritter]

Glad you made it through. On the bright side, after a sternum split bypass, recovery from spinal surgery should feel like a cake walk!

[yeahbut]

Glad you're ok POer, that's a mighty big op and a very full-on thing to go thru. It really is an amazing operation tho. I looked after my Mum for a couple of months after she had the same op years ago, and it changed her life once she had recovered. She used to say that she never realised how her heart condition was holding her back til she had the bypass- she has so much more energy and vigour now, she's never looked back. I'm sure it'll be the same for you. Once you've got the vertebrae fused you'll be good for another few decades for sure!