PS...Where do you live? I'm in Sedona, Arizona in the US.
Donna
Donna,
Thank you again , and I hope you have a Wonderful birthday on Leap Day !!
I live in a lovely little market town called Whitchurch , in the County of Shropshire , England !!
Gary
Hello Gary, I will be thinking and praying for you as you have your operation tomorrow. I truly hope that it will be the answer to your condition. It may be a while after surgery before you feel the benefits but hope it's all worth it for you in the end. Best of luck and when you feel well enough to let us all know on the forum how you are we will be pleased to hear from you.
A big hug
Elizabeth.
Hello Elizabeth , thank you for your kind message . I hope you are in less pain now , and the injections have given you some relief !!
I'm a bit nervous about tomorrow , as I have never had a General Anaesthetic in my life . I will keep everyone here updated !!
Gary
Well, I had my op , I was in theater for 6 and half hours, I was up and walking without crutches the following day. I was discharged on the 3 rd day .
The procedure was fusion of L3, L4 and L5 , and a TLIF of L3 and L4 = 6 pedicle screws and rods with a titanium spacer between L3 and L4 .
Obviously I am sore from the surgery, but I have NO leg pain
Plenty of rest ahead but I am very happy so far !!
Hello Gary, I am so pleased that your operation as gone well. It must feel great to not have any leg pain. I hope your recovery is not too long for you. You sound very positive and i hope it will be all worth it for you. So happy for you.Keep in touch while you recover.
All the best.
Elizabeth.
Gary,
i am so pleased to hear that the surgery went well and you're already out of hospital! And no leg pain...yes!! I remember that part! Rest, relax and catch up on your reading.
Take care and let us know how you progress!
Donna
Thank you Elizabeth and Donna for your kind messages
The x rays looked well cool , and the nurse changed my dressing yesterday and the scar is nice and dry and healing !!
I am taking just small walks around the house ( without crutches !! 
it feels so good to not have the gnawing leg pain, I know it's early days but it's looking good.
I hope you are both doing ok .
Gary
You're doing great… So happy for you! Pretty good here. Each month closer to normal - new normal without leg pain! You are 13 years younger so your recovery will go faster. Spring will be there soon. Fresh and new just like you will be!
Donna
Garry,
I hope you continue to progress, i can almost picture you walking without pain and hope your sleeping well too. Take it slowly get plenty of rest and enjoy being pampered by your wife and family.
I had my steriod injection for my right knee about four weeks ago, wow it was painful!! Unfortunately it asn't made any difference. I am waiting for an appointment to see the consultant again, i had the injection done at the same hospital thou a different consultant did it as my consultant doesn't do the injections. I don't know yet what will happen. I have heard that sometimes they will do a second one and if that doesn't work then they won't do anymore.
Take care.
Eizabeth.
Hi Elizabeth , Yhank you for your kind message ! My wife won't let me do hardly anything !! She is a total star !! My daughters are doing my Grocery shopping !! I have never been so pampered and am lapping it up
I am so sorry to hear that the steroid injection has not given you any relief !! I have everything crossed for you that your next Consultant appointment happens quickly, and that they can give you the relief you desperately need !!
Take care.
Gary
Thank You Donna , I took your advice about the cushion !! My dining chair has never felt so comfortable !! I am the cushion King !!!
I am moving around a little more freely now, but mindful not to over do it.
My joy is looking out of my kitchen window watching the birds on my feeder station We are in a cool snap at the moment, but spring is just around the corner !!
I feel very positive about things , and look forward to taking strolls in the park and along the canal here in a few months !!
Take care.
Gary
Thanks Gary. I will let you know how i get on at next appointment with the consultant. It could be a few weeks yet
Keep lapping the attention and pampering you deserve it. Like you said to Donna you are enjoying looking at the birds through your kitchen window. Look forward to some gentle walks soon, observe your surroundings, nature and the spring flowers blooming. Your sounding so positive after such a big operation. Your doing well and hope you heal soon.
Best wishes.
Elizabeth.
Hello Elizabethh and Donna , here is my latest update. I had my dressing removed 2 days ago, the wound is really neat and healing nicely, Yesterday I had a consultation with My GP , she made me look over both of my shoulders, which I did with no pain, she knows that I have not taken any Opioid painkiller since Day 5 post op, she then informed me that I was ok to drive my car !! So, 1 hour later I drove my wife to the shops no pain whatsoever !!!
I am still getting plenty of rest but I feel really good , I am due to return to work on 2 nd June so I will concerntrate on building up my strength slowly ,, so it's all good !!
I hope you are both doing ok.
Kind Regards.
Gary
Hi Garry, this is wonderful news, what a sucess and your life will gradually improve. Don't overdo things as you still need rest, you had a major operation and it takes a few months to fully recover. I am very happy for you, you have a new lease of life. I wish you contined good health.
I have a appointment on the 6th April to see the consultant again. I have decided not to have another injection. The nerve pain in my other knee that was replaced twice as been absent for a couple of days which is good.
Elizabeth.
Dear King,
This is wonderful to hear! I'm so glad you're being wise and taking it slow and easy. A good idea is to get another cushion for driving. I also keep a second one in the car in a plain totebag in case I need it in restaurants or anywhere I sit with hard flat chairs or benches. Men don't typically carry tote bags so maybe your wife would carry it for you! 😉
Good luck Elizabeth with your next appointment. Injections are painful and wear off so quickly. I hope you get answers. I seem to have turned another corner and have less healing pain than earlier this year. I had a bone density test recently and results were better than 5 years ago, thanks to Vit D-3, more veggies, calcium and walking. I also still take estrogen at a low dose.
You our both take care!
Donna
Hello Donna, Thanks for your best wishes. It's good to share our experiences here, thou we all have different health problems. I hope your not suffering too much. I can identify with needeing cushions when out as i often have to take a cuhion with me into restuarants etc.
Anytime you need to tal, i can liste,that goes for Garry too as we can all identify with pain.
Elizabeth. xx
Hi Elizabeth , Thank you for your very kind message and I really hope that your Consultant can give you what you need . I was offered root nerve injections a few months ago , but when I asked how long they would be effective for I was told that at best 3 months, so I declined and so happy that I did. I have had no leg pain whatsoever since the operation wishing you all the very best !!!
Gary
Just a quick update, I am doing great , still taking it easy !! I am only on weak painkillers now - no opioids at all I am doing lots of small walks , but still found I felt a little tight at the base of my back, so , I found my old TENS belt, popped in some new batteries and popped it on for 25 minutes WOW !!! I feel fantastic now, the tightness has gone I'm so glad I never threw the belt out !!
Gary
Sounds like you're doing so well, Gary! I never had a TENS unit, but maybe it would be good for the remaining twinges and light pain if I sit too long. Have to look into that.Thanks!Donna