Having spinal fusion surgery - really need some advice

[JDinVirginia]

Guys and gals, I really need your advice.

In May I am scheduled to have spinal surgery to fuse L3/L4/and L5.

I am bowel incontinent and more recently bladder incontinent.

I am mostly worried about the bowel aspect. Has anyone had experience cleaning themselves and changing their own messy diaper after a lumber spinal fusion?

I will be in the hospital for several days. After I go home, I am supposed to have a visiting nurse for an undetermined number of days to administer my daily enema. She will not be around to change my diapers, etc. This is not yet a done-deal and may fall through.

After I lose the services of the visiting nurse I am on my own. I am worried about whether I can handle cleaning myself after an bowel movement and changing my diaper. My concerns are the pain and difficulty in reaching the necessary places.

For anyone who has had spinal surgery, how did you handle it and what tips and tricks can you offer?

How long did it take before you could care for yourself normally?

I am thinking of ordering a butt wiper and a sponge-like device on a wand to help reach my back and bottom. Also, a grabber/reach extender to help pick up diapers off the floor, etc. What works and what is a waste of money?

I can call upon my wife for emergencies. She has been very supportive of my bowel, bladder, and spinal problems, but I prefer not to involve her in the most unpleasant aspects of my medical condition, if at all possible.

Blessings upon you if you answer this message!

Thanks,
--John

[4wheeldave]

John I hope your ok. I have had all the discs you mentioned your going to have fused done myself but over six years and three operations. My first one in 2000 then one 2004 and the last in 2006. I was not in diapers until after these operations and am now only bladder incontinent not bowel although I do have a bowel program that involves suppositories.
After each operation they had me up the next day with use of a Zimmer frame walker. I had a Foley catheter in for the first three days after the op on all three occasions. I think the bowel incontinence will be your greatest challenge you will need help I am sure.

Just to try and encourage you about the surgery itself I have as I have said had three major back operations and I have been to the dentist and had canal root treatment on a tooth. I would much rather have back surgery again than go to the dentist for canal root treatment and that's the honest truth.

You will need to explain everything to the hospital in advance and just take one day at a time. The more help you can get organised the better and your wife will be very important in all this.

I wish you the best and please keep us updated. I am of course over in the UK and know that things in the US are done different with healthcare and stuff.
All the best 4wheeldave.

[johnstone]

John, don't worry about the surgery, or how you will handle things thereafter. Depending on your insurance, etc, you may be transffered to a rehab facility soon after the surgery until you can take care of your self. While your in the hospital, and/or rehab facility the nursing staff will take care of things (diaper changes). You may have to swallow some pride, but they are very professional about this sort of thing. It's NOT uncommon for the nursing staff to change diapers on patients with spinal cord issues. Just ask them when your there.....I did.

I hope your surgery goes well. I had L5/S1 surgery and I mobile, but I am bowel, and bladder incon. All I can tell you is stay positive, and hope for the best.

Good luck.

[SeattleDoug]

JD,

I had surgery last year and was left with only 1 functional arm for 6 weeks. Since I have mobility issues and I need my arms to help get around they transferred me to a rehab/nursing center 3 days after surgery. The nurses helped get me cleaned up anytime I needed it. In rehab I was started on a bowel program that mostly kept the bowels in check. The nurses were nothing less than professional in helping me. I was not allowed to go home until I could demonstrate that I could care for myself.

Good luck and I wish you the best.

[JDinVirginia]

SeattleDoug,

Your posting struck particularly close to home as I now also am having rotator cuff issues with my left shoulder!! Very bad timing. I am going to have my shoulder doc talk to my spine doc about either some time in a nursing center or extending the period during which I will have the visiting nurse and his/her duties.

--John