Trish Hackemack Trish's back surgery info

Hello friends and family,

Ashley and I will use this site to keep those interested up to date with my surgery and long recovery.  My double lumbar 4&5/sacral fusion was originally scheduled for September 28. However, I woke up to a sore and swollen elbow on Sept 26 - thought it was bursitis at first.  With a lot of icing and elevating it, my arm seemed to stabilize.  To be sure, I called the Kaiser advice nurse Sunday morning and got an urgent care video chat. The doc gave it one look and said it was cellulitis.  After a blood test and starting on antibiotics, my surgeon called and recommended canceling due to the risk of spinal infection.  (Yikes!! Ok!) That was at 9:30pm on Sept 27. Sigh, I had made so many preparations. 

At that point, I decided to take a week off and enjoy my independence. Finally got a professional haircut from my friend Susan -- love it!  My week is winding down now, heading back to my Truckee home tomorrow. It has been very enjoyable living at my Kensington house as a guest. Ashley and Jake are taking such good care of me. Many good meals and help setting up my disability stuff.   

My surgeon said to allow 2 weeks for the cellulitis to heal and 2 weeks to ensure it does not return before scheduling me again.  The pain is really bad anytime I walk very far. Even walking to the store up the street is almost impossible.  Even still, the recovery sounds daunting. Two of three people who have had lumbar surgery, said they had to learn to walk again after their surgery. That sounds very scary. I have a specific question into my physical therapist to understand more. 

There you have it. Take care all and be well 😊