Andy’s Story

Site created on July 21, 2018

Hello everyone! ðŸ˜ƒ Thanks for visiting. I will be using this site to keep everyone updated throughout dad's surgeries and recovery.  

Dad will be having a 2 stage spinal fusion at Reid Hospital.  The first surgery will be July 24 at 7:30 am.  Dr. Vien will be doing a procedure called an XLIF on L2-L5.  The second surgery will be on July 26 at 6:00 am.  It will be a TLIF on L5-S1.  He will have 2 rods, 10 screws and artificial discs filled with bone graft. 

Newest Update

Journal entry by Jennifer Seiber —

Dad saw his pain management doctor last week. He ordered physical therapy and increased the dosage on a couple of his medications. So far he says he can tell the dosage increase has helped! He starts therapy tomorrow. We are hoping the therapy will help with his leg and foot pain. The doctor also gave him a gel to rub on his shoulders for his polymyalgia rheumatica. 

Today, Dr. Vien said he is very pleased with the outcome of his surgery. The x-ray showed more bone growth! Dad is having a little stinging pain in his back which Dr. Vien said is caused by scar tissue from the surgery. That should resolve by massaging the area. The pain doctor had recommended an epidural to help with his back pain. Dr. Vien didn’t agree...he said that there’s too much risk for infection. If dad were to get an infection from the epidural Dr. Vien would have to remove all the hardware from his back. He doesn’t have to go back to Dr. Vien unless he starts having problems. We are so glad surgery was successful and everything is healing well! 😊

We highly recommend Dr. Vien and Reid hospital! Everyone has been amazing!
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