Clint's Back Surgery

UPDATE ON CLINT'S BACK SURGERY

History:
Clint has what is called "Degenerative Disc Disease" and has been part of the unlucky 25% of people who have to have more than one Laminectomy to help with back pain. Unfortunately, after 3 laminectomy surgeries he was still in pain and ended up needing to have his 4th and most complicated and painful surgery on Tuesday, July 1st.

What was done:
Clint ended up having a fusion of his spine between the Lumbar Vertebrae 4 and Lumbar Vertebrae 5 (known as L4 - L5) and a fusion between Lumbar Vertebrae 5 and the Sacral 1 Vertebrae (Known as L5 - S1). What this means (in my own description) is that a metal rod was placed on each side of his spine and was screwed in. The weird part is that they hollowed out some of his vertebrae and crushed his bone with cadaver bone and then reinserted it to create more solid and healthy bone.

Length of Surgery:
His surgery, at the least, should have taken 2 hours. Because of his three previous surgeries, the Doctor had an enormous amount of scar tissue to remove off of his nerves that radiated from his spine to his legs ~ Needless to say....over 4 1/2 hours later he was finally in the recovery room. The recovery room stay also took over an hour so he did not get into his hospital room until almost 9pm.

How is he now:
I must say that during the evening last night Clint endured many hours of non stop pain. I was very concerned about him and felt so helpless not being able to do anything to help relieve his pain. Unfortunately, his pain was not under control until early this afternoon. Thankfully, the nurses started "piggy backing" his pain medications and were able to finally get ahead of the pain. Thankfully my prayers were answered and he is now able to relax and start his real healing process.
One last note....he also was able to get up and walk this evening! I am so thankful that he is now on the mend.

Hospital Stay:
Originally they thought that he would come home tomorrow. Because he was unable to get out of the bed and try to walk until this evening; I believe that his stay may be extended one more day at the hospital. The reason he was not able to walk was not at all because he didn't want to, the doctor nicked the myelin sheath (covering on one of his nerves) during surgery and I guess when this happens the patient must remain in bed and not walk for almost 24 hours post surgery. But this evening after he hit the 24 hours mark, he was brave and decided to give it a try.

Clint always seems to amaze me with his strength and love of life ~ this was just another moment in our lives together that I see what a strong man he truly is and am thankful to have him in my life.

Thanks again for you prayers and healing thoughts that you have sent our way.

Here are some pictures of Clint prior to surgery at the hospital ~ again they were taken with
my phone so they are not the most clear but you can share these moments with us.
Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers ~ the healing is just beginning.

Photo 1 - Getting his instructions prior to surgery from the nurse
Photo 2 - Clint "fashioning" his new wardrobe with Joe
Photo 3 - Clint and Mel
Photo 4 - The Silver Cap!