I am recuperating well at my mum's place after a spinal surgery. It was a key-hole surgery to remove my prolasped vertebrae disc which was largely pinching on my nerve root. To be exact L5 S1 that was where exactly the slipped disc was.
The surgery took place on 7 May 2010. It was supposed to be scheduled on the 5th but the hospital called a day earlier to inform me that they were having a bed crunch situation. I thought to myself...ha!
Why is this the first time I have ever heard of such a situation? Well yes, it did. So I agreed to the later date rescheduled by the hospital.
And so I was, there at the hospital...day surgery centre at 9.30am as told. The nurses drew blood for further tests, measured my blood pressure and made sure I had no fever. I waited. Only to realise that there was no bed at my desired ward. I waited patiently...painstakingly. You know how it is like when you know you are about to go under the knife but it isn't ur turn yet....
It was almost 1pm. By then, I was feeling weak and hungry from the fasting. I heard a faint call....my name being called. yes! My turn is up next. And I was being brought to the 2nd floor where the operating theatres are.
Dressed in the surgery suit, lying on the bed, shivering too because it was freezingly cold, the anesthetic doctor (he is cute!) came to introduced himself. He asked me a few questions just to make sure this isn't my first time going for GA. He wanted to make sure that I do not have side effects after my GA surgery. He reassured me saying that surgery will be a success because I think my words slurred when I replied his questions...he could sense that I was a little panicky!
A nurse also made sure that I am who I am... Then she suddenly popped a question and asked if I am from CHC. I told her yes and immediately she told me she recognise me after looking through my records. She even logged on to my facebook profile just to make sure she has got the right person! And yes, confirmed the right one after she read my status.
Next moment, I was wheeled in and being transfered onto the operating table. I couldn't remember anything after I saw the anesthetic doctor put the gas mask on me and injected something into me.
When I woke up, I was in the recovery ward. I didn't feel any pain because I was still feeling sedated with the anesthetic. I think I must have been in that recovery ward for more than an hour or so.
After having moved back into the ward, my mum was there already waiting. Mil came next, followed by Maria. She bought chee cheong fun for me. She also came with grapes and a bag of famous Amos cookies n said that was for mother's day. Thanks girl! You are indeed thoughtful. Next came, Eileen then mark...then Conz with Gilbert, and mastuty n her hubby. Thank you friends for being there to visit me.
I will update this post later with pictures...so drop by again!
With adult having some 80% chance of getting back pain at some point in their lives, who hasn't complained of an aching back? How many people have experienced the sudden pain of "throwing one's back out?"
In most instances, back pain is simply the result of unusual exertion, fatigue or a twist or sharp movement, but occasionally, there has been an injury to the spine and medical attention is required. A slipped disc is one such common injury to the spine. It can be extremely painful, and may damage surrounding muscle and nerve systems. If pain is very severe, if it persists or worsens when you lie down, if it travels down your leg or if numbness sets in, then a doctor should be consulted.
Occasionally, a single excessive strain may cause a slipped disc. However, disc material degenerates naturally as we age, and the ligaments that hold it in place begin to weaken. As this degeneration progresses, a relatively minor strain or twisting movement can cause a disc to pop out of place.
Extreme, sudden pain is usually the first symptom. Since most herniations involve the bottom two discs in the spinal column, the pain usually begins in the lower back. The bulging disc in this location exerts pressure on the sciatic nerve, and sharp pain may follow that nerve all the way down the leg and into the foot. Pressure on this nerve may eventually cause numbness or a "pins and needles" sensation. Over time, the surrounding muscles can weaken and shrink in size.