Going under the knife...

[troy2000]

My doctor referred me to a surgeon Monday, and after the guy looked me over he told me I need to have my double hernia taken care of. He said he'd schedule it as soon as he could fit it into his schedule, and I figured I was safe for a while.

Nope; got a call from his receptionist this afternoon, telling me to show up at a local hospital Wednesday morning for repairs.

It's no big deal, but I'm looking at probably several weeks of down time; they told me I shouldn't even drive for three weeks. I may go slightly stir-crazy, and you guys may see me on here even more than usual. I'll try to make nice so I don't get banned before I'm up and around again...

[Dallas]

We'll all pray for a fast recover and no complications.

[Troy]

oh man, nurse hotties all around you, and in no condition to go chase. my heart goes out to you. get well soon.

[Father Time]

Good luck Troy.

I am getting some subtle reminders that I may be joining you soon. No more kevlar. This time I'm asking for titanium.

[7mmag6]

you aint gonna get banned-----good luck god speed

[Mooseman684]

Even though we agree to Disagree, I wish you well and have a speedy recovery, surgery is never fun but without your health you have nothing!
Get well Soon !
Rich

[WetKnife]

Take it easy and good luck with the surgery. Gotta love the Morphine if your surgery warrants it. Takes the pain up and makes the whole thing a whole lot easier to handle.

[Rufus Rhastus J]

We sure hope you do well and recover in record time. as to being here alot more...that's good news, yes?

[Troy]

morphines good, dilaudin(sp?) is much better.:cheer:

[DANA]

Don't sneeze and the best of luck

DANA

[jerry]

Good luck with that, sure you will do fine.

[dhermesc]

My 6 year old son just went through VNS surgery, was only on pain meds the day of and the day after the surgery. We took the bandages off on Saturday and after he carefully looked at the incision he exclaimed "The doctor tried to cut my head off!" Good thing he didn't check out his arm pit, it makes me cringe when I see the size of that hole.

http://www.nycneurosurgery.com/pract...y_surgery.html

Hope yours goes as well.

[iflylow74]

Good luck Troy! You're in our prayers!

[Oxford]

Best to you Troy during your recouperation.:right:
Dhermesc...This sounds like good news:nod: :
"Another surgical option for epilepsy patients is Vagal Nerve Stimulation (VNS). VNS is a minimally-invasive procedure in which a small electrode is placed on the patient's vagal nerve. Repeated electrical stimulation of the vagal nerve will reduce seizure frequency in selected patients with partial epilepsy. In fact, some patients will have no postoperative seizures. During the VNS surgery an electrode is placed around the vagus nerve in the left side of the neck. The electrode is then connected to a small implanted generator. There is minimal post-operative pain and patients are discharged home the next day."

[dhermesc]

We just buying time. We are headed to St Louis Childrens Hospital or the Cleveland Clinic in the next couple of months. The VNS was the least invasive procedure that can be done and would be the first surgical move of any hospital attempting treatment. We could have it done by his current doctor or we could travel across a couple states and have it done with numerous followups that require the same amount of travel. Our doctor gives it a 1% chance of stopping his seizures and a 15% chance of "helping" to some degree. The kid has tried and failed 17 medications in the past three years and doesn't have many options left.

His next surgery - if they'll do it will look something like this:
http://www.clevelandclinic.org/neuro...ratemporal.htm

or this

http://www.clevelandclinic.org/neuro...s/temporal.htm

[Shaun]

Originally Posted by dhermesc

We just buying time. We are headed to St Louis Childrens Hospital or the Cleveland Clinic in the next couple of months. The VNS was the least invasive procedure that can be done and would be the first surgical move of any hospital attempting treatment. We could have it done by his current doctor or we could travel across a couple states and have it done with numerous followups that require the same amount of travel. Our doctor gives it a 1% chance of stopping his seizures and a 15% chance of "helping" to some degree. The kid has tried and failed 17 medications in the past three years and doesn't have many options left.
His next surgery - if they'll do it will look something like this:
http://www.clevelandclinic.org/neuro...ratemporal.htm
or this
http://www.clevelandclinic.org/neuro...s/temporal.htm

dhermesc -- you might want to check into AngelFlight for the travel its a free service provided by qualified Private Pilots who will handle air transport free of charge usually they handle the travel of 1 parent and the child based on weight limitations of the aircraft.

[dhermesc]

Originally Posted by Shaun

dhermesc -- you might want to check into AngelFlight for the travel its a free service provided by qualified Private Pilots who will handle air transport free of charge usually they handle the travel of 1 parent and the child based on weight limitations of the aircraft.

Thanks for the info - if things get tight or we end up traveling a lot (Johns Hopkins?) we'll look into it. Till now we've been taking care of our own expenses, believe it or not our insurance has been great about covering everything and we don't want to tap into resources that are meant for the truly needy. Children's Miracle Network has even sent a person to see us and has volunteered several times to help out; so far we've refused. We've seen several parents in true dire need of help and don't want to use up resources that could go to them.

[Dale]

Take care, Troy and will wish you the best.

Perhaps after the operation you won't be so contrary, LOL.

[Shaun]

Originally Posted by dhermesc

Thanks for the info - if things get tight or we end up traveling a lot (Johns Hopkins?) we'll look into it. Till now we've been taking care of our own expenses, believe it or not our insurance has been great about covering everything and we don't want to tap into resources that are meant for the truly needy. Children's Miracle Network has even sent a person to see us and has volunteered several times to help out; so far we've refused. We've seen several parents in true dire need of help and don't want to use up resources that could go to them.

The nice thing about AngelFlight is that the Pilots look forward to doing the trips we like flying and its an excuse to get in the air.

[7mmag6]

Originally Posted by dhermesc

My 6 year old son just went through VNS surgery, was only on pain meds the day of and the day after the surgery. We took the bandages off on Saturday and after he carefully looked at the incision he exclaimed "The doctor tried to cut my head off!" Good thing he didn't check out his arm pit, it makes me cringe when I see the size of that hole.
http://www.nycneurosurgery.com/pract...y_surgery.html
Hope yours goes as well.

Im so sorry to hear this I did not know it, I hope your son is ok. We all talk in here but seldom do we realize the the people here are actuall people, my prayers for your son, god bless