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Off topic, but critical to my TI sailing!
http://www.hobie.com/au/en/forums/viewtopic.php?f=71&t=58593		 Page 1 of 2
Author:  tonystott [ Wed Jul 27, 2016 1:57 pm ]
Post subject:  Off topic, but critical to my TI sailing!
Well I believe in miracles (I hasten to add, NOTHING to do with religion!) Long story, feel free to move along :)
I have suffered from agonising sciatica for ages (original lifting injury was in 1973!), having CT-guided cortisone injections back in December 2013 and 2014 with mixed results. The diagnosis is clear, I need another spinal fusion to join L2 & 3 to the 20 year old L4, L5 and S1 fusion. Trouble is I have an open diabetic ulcer on one toe, and the orthopaedic surgeon understandably won't operate while I have an open wound.

So after several false starts (due to the sciatica, I couldn't lie flat for the expected 4 hours of the next procedure), I had a third CT-guided cortisone needle last Thursday, and drove 120kms up the highway on Sunday to admit myself to the Base Hospital, for an angiogram (look inside my leg artery) and angioplasty (inflation of a small balloon to remove any flow restrictions found).

It took the vascular surgeon over three hours, and thank goodness the cortisone worked, and I was able to lie patiently as required! She found a serious restriction, which she cleared, and she is very confident that my ulcer will now heal very quickly (letting me hit my pot of gold at the end of the rainbow - spinal fusion 300kms away in Sydney!)
But the very best part is that for now at least, I feel zero pain, so have stopped taking morphine (I was taking up to SIX tablets a day, a serious dose), and am teaching my back that I CAN stand up straight without agony, and at last I can spend more time playing in my TI with my new spinnaker!

That, my friends, is a good week!
Author:  Pottsy [ Wed Jul 27, 2016 2:21 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Off topic, but critical to my TI sailing!
[THUMBS UP SIGN]thumbs up to you.

Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk
Author:  TI_Tom [ Wed Jul 27, 2016 2:45 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Off topic, but critical to my TI sailing!
Glad to hear things are starting to work out!

Sent from my SPH-L720T using Tapatalk
Author:  frenzy [ Wed Jul 27, 2016 3:21 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Off topic, but critical to my TI sailing!
A good week indeed....cheers!
Author:  vetgam [ Wed Jul 27, 2016 3:57 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Off topic, but critical to my TI sailing!
That is great news Tony! Nothing stopping you now.
Author:  smithcorp [ Wed Jul 27, 2016 4:26 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Off topic, but critical to my TI sailing!
Good on you Tony - I hope our family can get up to Foster for a sail (it was our childhood holiday spot - my Dad's best mate from WW2 lived there) some time this year, and meet you.
Author:  cooldudecaptain [ Wed Jul 27, 2016 7:19 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Off topic, but critical to my TI sailing!
Tony, glad to hear your improving and close to being pain free. Last Oct., my wife had her second back fusion, the first being sixteen years ago and holding up well. Lot's of parts 'n pieces removed and then added for the new fusion.

I know it's a long road that few can understand if they've not travelled it, but you sound like you're well on your way.

Fair winds,
bill
Author:  stringy [ Wed Jul 27, 2016 7:19 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Off topic, but critical to my TI sailing!
Great news and I hope it all works out well for you Tony! 8)
Author:  pro10is [ Thu Jul 28, 2016 12:46 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Off topic, but critical to my TI sailing!
I've been through some tough stuff in my life but nothing like that. You are a courageous survivor. Best of luck with the fusion!
Author:  tonystott [ Thu Jul 28, 2016 5:30 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Off topic, but critical to my TI sailing!
pro10is wrote:
I've been through some tough stuff in my life but nothing like that. You are a courageous survivor. Best of luck with the fusion!

Actually, that's not the half of it (even had a hip replaced under epidural and got woken up by the surgeon hammering the device down my femur - true story!), but in reality, my stuff is chicken feed to even your average car accident victim. A friend of mine is soon to have a heart valve replaced, now THAT is serious stuff!

I actually thank my lucky stars that I will get better, unlike many poor bastards out there.
Author:  pro10is [ Thu Jul 28, 2016 6:04 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Off topic, but critical to my TI sailing!
tonystott wrote:
Actually, that's not the half of it (even had a hip replaced under epidural and got woken up by the surgeon hammering the device down my femur - true story!)...

Yikes!!!

I was wide awake during surgery for a deviated septum while a surgeon intentionally broke my nose with what I can only describe as a large stainless steel hammer and chisel. Up to then I always thought of surgery as a delicate procedure. That was brutal.
Author:  prunicki [ Thu Jul 28, 2016 7:47 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Off topic, but critical to my TI sailing!
You may want to think about getting better seats for your back. I have the Attwood seats, as mentioned on another topic. VERY comfortable, and fit almost perfectly.
Author:  tonystott [ Thu Jul 28, 2016 8:47 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Off topic, but critical to my TI sailing!
prunicki wrote:
You may want to think about getting better seats for your back. I have the Attwood seats, as mentioned on another topic. VERY comfortable, and fit almost perfectly.

I bought a very comfy padded skipper seat at the time I bought my TI. My longest time in the seat was over 11 hours, with no aches or pains.. Love it.

It is easy to forget that orthopaedic surgeons are carpenters of the human body, and their tools are basically unobtanium versions of your local tradie's tool kit. :D
Author:  BradK [ Fri Jul 29, 2016 1:07 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Off topic, but critical to my TI sailing!
Sounds great Tony.

I like the Wallas Lakes so, we had a week on the Wallamba river earlier this year, so I might meet you for a sail some time.

Cheers

Brad
Author:  NOHUHU [ Mon Aug 08, 2016 7:15 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Off topic, but critical to my TI sailing!
Hope your recovery continues, and the only pain you feel is self-inflicted! :lol:
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