Postop Update

Just wanted to give a quick update. My surgery on Monday was a success. I only had to spend one night in the hospital and was able to go home yesterday around 3 PM. Since I don’t have complete feeling, I am not sure about exact feeling of pain. Although I’m able to go off on how my body reacts and the little feeling I do have.

I can tell my back is sore and have had more muscle spasms which for me can be an indication of pain. I’ve been taking Tylenol at home, but they did give me oxycodone as well. I’m not one for taking narcotics unless I really need to, so I haven’t yet. For now, I am going to lay low and just relax for the next few days or so.

Jenni

Upcoming Surgery

During my last update, I shared that I’m going to be having surgery to replace my baclofen pump on Monday, January 27. The battery lasts about 5 years and then it needs to be switched out. Although the last it was changed was in 2013, 7 years ago. This will be my 4^th baclofen pump. I’m hoping there aren’t any complications, and then I’ll only have to stay one night in the hospital.

My physical with my doctor last month all checked out to be normal. I had an appointment yesterday to do an x-ray of my baclofen pump. They want to be sure they know where everything is placed before doing surgery. It was a pain to get the x-ray done though. I went to a clinic instead of the hospital so instead of a ceiling lift they just had a hoyer lift to get me onto the x-ray table.
 

There were only two technicians helping along with my nurse. They had to call a third person in order to transfer me completely there and back. It probably took twice as long as it should have. I’m glad that my nurse was at least there to help. My tubes for my wheelchair vent are only 6 feet long and didn’t reach while I was transferring so she had to take me off my vent and bag me.
 

Hopefully I won’t have to go through that ordeal anytime soon. I’ll update everyone after my surgery to let you know how it went.

Jenni

Winter Update

I’m glad to report that I haven’t been sick since April this year. I had to minimize my activity level a little bit in order to maintain my health. It’s too bad that it came to that, but I feel staying healthy trumps all in my life right now.

It hasn’t stopped me from taking Brody outside for walks. My body can usually handle the weather if it’s 30°F or above; I’ve gone out when it’s been colder than that. I’ve realized that the feeling of temperatures is different depending on where you live. As far as Minnesota, we’re used to 4 seasons, winter being one of them and bearing the cold. Someone in a state who’s used to warmer weather may think that’s insanely frigid.

Although yesterday it was kind of drizzling rain all day and today it’s snowing with wind. My backyard does look pretty with the snow though! I think it’s been about a month since we’ve had some snow here which is unusual for winter weather; same thing with the temperatures being warmer.

Tomorrow I have a physical with my primary doctor. The reason is because I’m having surgery on January 27 to replace my baclofen pump. There’s nothing wrong with the pump itself. The battery in them only lasts about 5 years, and then it needs to be switched out when it runs low. Last time it was checked a couple weeks ago there was still about 6 months left but they like to change it out sooner just in case. It's a good thing the scanner can detect how much battery life is left, otherwise it could turn into an emergency situation.

This’ll be my 4^th baclofen pump. I had my first one inserted in 2003 and the 2^nd in 2008. They changed it last in 2013. Surgery itself won’t take very long and if all goes well, I’ll only be in the hospital one night. Hopefully nothing major goes wrong otherwise I’ll have to stay longer.

Jenni