Round Four: And, Next..... a New Wrinkle, and It's not Good

It's unanimous.  I'm not having the normal reaction to this back surgery.  Here's a quick recap:  8+ pain sends me to the ER; and two days later emergency back surgery on Saturday, September 30th to repair two problems.  Three days post-surgery, I'm suddenly dealing with 7+ nerve pain!  What the F**K!  When we FINALLY get the post-op team to return our calls, they prescribe a steroid pack to work on the nerve inflammation which is still flaring. 

The pain problems stem from the surgeon having to move aside an entire nerve bundle and then move it back.  Those are the nerves giving me fits.  Back to the recap:  7+ pain returns as soon as I finish the 'steroid pack'.  Then, at the appointment to take out the stitches, (which the office 'lost', and I had to be worked in), instead of being doing high fives all around, I'm still experiencing excruciating nerve pain and trying to talk to the PA about my concerns.  He literally says, "We need to move this along.  I'm an hour behind." He then takes out the stitches,  writes scripts for mega narcotics - morphine plus oxycodone taken together.  (No instructions about how to handle narcotic constipation.)  During that appointment, the PA says, 'that incision might be infected' as he's taking out the stitches, but does nothing.  He say nothing and does nothing about the contact rash in the shape of the post surgery bandage.

Five days later, I'm calling the post operative 'team' again, and again; they won't return my calls.  My incision is hurting and I'm getting worried about the 7+ pain reoccurring when the mega narcotics are finished - which, of course, will happen over the weekend.  On my own, (everything has been on my own in this deal), I reduce the narcotics dosage, and I'm pleased the 7+ pain isn't occurring on the massively reduced dosage. 

Six days after the stitches were taken out, I go to the physical therapist for evaluation to start my six pt sessions.  As she's assessing my pain level, I mention that I'm having pain in my hip and leg and also in the incision.  She says, "Can I look at the incision?  I can put new steri strips on it. " I'm thinking, "What's happening here?  Someone is being proactive.  Gosh, I hope I don't faint."  Next thing I know, she's saying, "No wonder you're hurting, this incision is infected.  I'm calling your surgeon's office."  I said, "Good luck.  Maybe they'll take your call."  She also informs me that I have a contact rash reaction to the adhesive in the original bandage, and she tells me how to treat this.

Sure enough, wow, I suddenly have not one but two prescribed antibiotic prescriptions to be started immediately, and even more astonishing, I have an appointment the very next day with the PA who dropped the ball when the incision was only mildly infected.

The upshot is everyone involved in my post-op care KNOWS AND HAS SAID OUT LOUD I'm not having a normal reaction to the surgery.  I think I'm the only one who is not surprised.  No matter how loudly I say:  I DON'T HEAL FAST, AND I HAVE TROUBLE AFTER SURGERY, no one seems to hear me.  Here's an example:  Last February after my breast surgery, the breast surgeon's PA said, "Oh, you'll be completely healed in 30 days."  When I said, "No, that's not what is going to happen.".  I got the patronizing smirk, and smug comment of, "Oh, I think you will."  90 days later my breast finally stopped hurting.

The difference with this surgery is the shocking amount and severity of the post operative pain.  I've been given no help or guidance by the post surgery team  with the super pain  as well as other niggling problems that I've haven't screamed repeatedly for.  Shall we say, I have a bad attitude whenever I see any person who is on the 'post operative' team?  Thank heaven, I got a competent physical therapist, or I'd really be in deep trouble with an untreated infected incision. 

In my last blog entry, I said, "Let's hope there's no Round 4 blog entry."  Well......, do I dare wish I don't have to write a Round 5 entry?  I'm getting worn down by fighting to get post operative care.  Drake is also getting worn down, frustrated, and almost as angry as I am as he also advocates.  And, anger is SOOOO conducive to healing.  The upshot is don't take me off your prayer list, and I could really use some cards, letters, emails, or calls.