talk with Nance about fusion

I had talked some with Steve's stepmother Nance about her back surgery when she was here in December. Got her number from Steve so I could talk to her more at length.

She had a one-level fusion some 3+ years ago in October 2005, and is doing great today. She cannot feel the cage(s) at all, and has no back issues. She said there is some loss of mobility -- she is just a bit restricted, can't bend over quite as much -- but no pain. I asked about her pain before surgery. Hers was 100% in her legs, so bad that she couldn't sleep for 5 months beforehand. Mine is very different, probably 95% localized to my low back. Side note: supposedly fusion works best at relieving leg pain (sciatic) symptoms, which is not really my problem at all. Or perhaps the gabapentin which I've taken from very early on has relieved my leg nerve issues? Realistically, what else can I do anyway?

We talked about her recovery. She was in the hospital for 5 days because she was so addicted to the pain meds (oxycontin). It was rough for her when she needed pain relief and couldn't get it. Up and showering after 2-3 days. But she spent the first week pretty much in bed. She could walk around more after that week. She could get back on the computer after 10 days. She was driving short distances after 4-6 weeks. She wore a back brace for 6 weeks but did not do PT. She said expect to be off work at least a month, and it would be best to start back at half-days or every other day.

She knew immediately after the surgery that it had worked. Interesting she felt like she was leaning back afterwards since she had been hunched forward for so long and didn't even know it. She had lost 3/4" of height and actually got it back, post surgery.

She was very optimistic and encouraging. She thought I would do better than the average patient since I was healthy and in decent shape. I'm really glad that we talked as it helps me to deal with the fear of surgery.