The Quotidian: Surgery plus 20

So–wasn’t I a cheerful little thing in my pre-surgery post. Such a brave girl. So positive. So Zen-like. So full of shit.

The surgery went off smoothly, according to the surgeon, except–

When I woke up I couldn’t move my arms from the shoulders to the elbows. At first no one wanted to believe me, then they assured me it was just the swelling, then they sent me for some fancy tests involved needles and shocks and…

According to the neurologist, the “damage to your spinal cord from the cord compression that existed pre-surgery was exacerbated by something (???) during the surgery. It will be two months before we know the extent of the damage and how much you’ll recover.”

Oh, joy…

Here are some things I can’t do for myself: wash the top of my head; dry my hair with a towel; comb my hair; put on a t-shirt; cook; drive; stay upright for any period of time; walk with assurance by myself; etc etc etc. I can, I’m pleased to report, put on my pants/slacks/underwear, although I cannot pull them up to my waist.

I know I said that I wanted to take this blog back to the personal…At this point, that’s about all I can do with it.

A huge thank you and I love you to Kim Tracy Prince, who came under the front porch and pulled me out.

 

Tagged as: recovery, spinal cord injury, spine surgery

  • anneflournoy

    !!!! no what terrible news. Jane I’m so sorry to read this. Thinking every positive thought for you.

  • Cindy La Ferle

    I am so sorry to hear of this. Wishing you a speedy recovery — and hoping you take very good care of yourself.

  • Ann Odle

    Oh no; I hope things improve for you!

  • Penelope J

    Hope that by now you’re better, but you have all my sympathy for what must have been/be a horrible experience.

  • Mo at Mocadeaux

    I’m hoping that since it’s been almost a week since you published this post that you are already doing much better. Sending all positive vibes for healing, health and peace.

  • Lee Vandeman

    Jane!!! Oh man. I can’t imagine. But you are such a strong mind and spirit, I know you will get through this. And yes to the patience part that Ciaran mentioned. Keep us updated. xx

  • Ciaran Blumenfeld

    Ugh, Jane! Sending loads of love and patience your way. One day at a time and each day better than the last. In the meantime I won’t judge you if you go commando and wear a dress.

  • Darryle

    A nightmare. What else can I say? Happy to help pull your pants the rest of the way up. Or comb the top of your head. Or anything else. I draw the line at cooking which I don’t do for myself. xoxo

  • Kay Newton

    Thank you for telling it as it is. Sending you love and thoughts from across the waters.

  • Laurie

    You’re in my prayers. Miracles can and do happen (even within 2 months). I’ve seen it. Keep us updated.

    • http://midlifebloggers.com janegassner

      I keep thinking about the prayer for healing that an American woman set to music a number of years ago. They sing it at every service at my temple. Wish I knew the words by heart.

  • Judy Freedman

    Jane, so sorry to hear about your travails. Good luck to you and a speedy recovery.

    • http://midlifebloggers.com janegassner

      Thanks, Judy.

  • http://spashionista.com/ Spashionista

    I can relate – only in my case I couldn’t feel my right hand or arm pre-surgery and post-surgery it hurt to do things like type and cook (still does). But my case is pretty unique given that I also have CP.
    I totally understand how difficult it is and how disheartening it can be. Just do as much as you can every day. Get creative with workarounds, get help from as many people as you’re comfortable asking, and know that you can beat this one way or the other.
    Let me know if you need to vent,

    Alicia

    • http://midlifebloggers.com janegassner

      It’s good to get advice from someone experienced, Alicia. Right now, my Spashionista problem is–how the hell do I pull my leggins up in less than ten minutes?! Is there a workaround for that?

  • Tom Sightings

    Gee whiz, that’s awful. I wish you the best. Hope some physical therapy puts you right again; and I’m thinking writing blog posts can only help with your recovery!

    • http://midlifebloggers.com janegassner

      I can see some improvement already with the little bit of PT that I’m allowed to do. I’m hoping to be discharged to the Big Girl PT dept tomorrow.

  • http://www.blog.lisaweldon.com/about lisaweldon

    Two months, hmmm. It’s been 3 weeks, leaving 5 or so more. Yuk. The only thing you can do at this point is surrender to the situation and wait, (man, that’s easy for me to say), and allow others to help you with the chores that are challenging. Give yourself the time to heal and use the downtime to be creative. Get a frizzy permanent and don’t worry about your hair. Then buy some MuMus which should be a bit simpler to get into. Hey, the doctors are allowing wine during these two months, aren’t they?

    • http://midlifebloggers.com janegassner

      Oh my gawd, Lisa. Get a frizzy permanent? Buy Mumus? Suddenly I’m seeing myself as a 300 pound woman with bad skin! As for the wine–good idea, except for the muscle relaxants and painkillers I still take occasionally. I wouldn’t want to Karen Quinlan myself!

      • http://www.blog.lisaweldon.com/about lisaweldon

        I see your wonderful sense of humor is still intact. That makes me very happy!

  • http://oldtweener.com Sherri

    Oh, that is NOT what we had hoped to hear…so sorry, and hoping that the outcome is positive, Jane.

    • http://midlifebloggers.com janegassner

      Thanks, Sherri. I’m sure the outcome will be positive–eventually.

  • Shani Ferguson

    We love you, honey bunny.

  • Chloe

    Well that just sucks!!! I’m so sorry, Jane. Hopefully this will go away.

  • http://injaynesworld.blogspot.com/ Jayne

    I know how awful and frightening that can me. When I broke my neck, I had no use of my hands and it took several weeks after surgery for the strength in my arms and use of hands to return. I’m so sorry you’re going through this and am keeping you in my thoughts, my friend.

  • http://www.barbarafeldman.com/ Barbara Feldman

    Oh.. Jane. So sorry you are going through this. Ugh!

  • http://www.thefiftyfactor.com/ Joanna Jenkins

    I was truing to think of something cleaver to say to make you laugh but all I’m coming up with is “that sucks”. I am so sorry and hope you are on the mend very, very soon. In the meantime, is there anything I can do to help? Grocery shop, errands, a run to the liquor store for large quantities of alcohol? I’m around the corner. xoxo jj

  • Lois Alter Mark

    Oh, Jane, I’m sending out lots of love and good thoughts, and hope you make a complete, speedy, miraculous recovery.

  • fifty2ninety

    That’s horrible! I hope you make a quick and complete recovery. My wife is scheduled for nerve surgery on her arm this Thursday. She’s really worried about it. I won’t share this post with her.

    Get well soon!

  • Rick Barlow

    Jane, I’m so sorry to hear all this. Spinal damage is pretty tricky. Time post surgery is a big deal, so you might have better news to report in a few months. Glad to see you back. I am sending you hopeful thoughts and wishing you all good things.

  • Walker Thornton

    Jane,
    Welll, that just sucks! I am glad to see that you can type and get around to see ‘old’ friends. My best to you during this time of healing!

  • ccassara

    Oh my God. I’m so sorry. I’ll send you healing thoughts & love, and have a friend do Reiki for you. It’s got to be such a helpless feeling.

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