I've been a little distracted...

I apologize for not writing much lately, but we've had a wee surge of complexity around the Manse.

As some of you know, Mom has been suffering severe back pain since July, and after conferring with various physicians, a final diagnosis of Spinal Stenosis with compression of the nerve canal in the L4-L5 region was delivered by the orthopaedic surgeon consulting. Effectively, the L5 vertebrae had spent the last several years sliding forward (see: intermittent back pain) until it went critical about the time it had slid 1/2" to 3/4" out of alignment, compressing the nerve - this resulted in pain, the pain resulted in muscle spasm, the muscle spasm further compressed the area, resulting in yet more pain, etc.

Things went critical about July 23rd, we had a couple of ER episodes for pain, and a third near-ER episode a couple of weeks back as we maneuvered the diagnostic and scheduling process.

Thus, Mom was quite pleased when surgery was finally scheduled. We went in to Swedish Orthopedic at 601 Broadway ( a new facility on the Swedish Campus) yesterday morning at 0845, and Mom went into surgery at 1130. The surgeon utilized a new minimally invasive (arthroscopic) technique which promises a more rapid recovery and better long term prospects. Using this new technique, he fused the L4-L5 vertebrae, drew the L5 vertebrae back into alignment, and inserted a small wedge to ensure proper spacing between the vertebrae. The surgery wound down at 3:30 p.m. and Mom was out of recovery (though still a bit woozy) at approximately 5:30 p.m. - while she is still experiencing some post-recovery pain, she is expected to be released in 2-4 days.

The surgeon (and what I could tell of the results) felt the surgery was very successful, and the standard neuro tests ("can you feel feet, hands, toes? Flex/squeeze your feet/hands/toes") all seemed to be well within the normal range. Mom is having some difficulty resisting the urge to "do for herself", trying to re-arrange herself on the bed rather'n calling for a nurse immediately post-surgery (nurse scolded her very mildly ).

After visiting her today (post-surg, Day 1) she's having a lot of pain cutting thru the pain-killers, but that's apparently par for the course with this surgery - that Day 1 is nasty, Day 2+ are a steady upward curve.

The adventure continues, but things seem to be turning the corner.