teatheredcord

I’m on day two of my teathered spinal cord surgery recovery, and it’s completely different from what I expected. I’ve never had surgery before this, and I assumed that the medication given in the hospital was supposed to completely eliminate the pain. I’m finding out now that it doesn’t. I also believed that it would only take two weeks for the incision to heal, and then I would be back at work. Again, wrong. The neurosurgeon said that with any spinal surgery, all your usual symptoms (my EDS, Mast cells, POTS, etc) flare up and nerve pain travels through your body to create new pathways. I am my own worst enemy here, I want to push myself, make my own meals, but I know future me will appreciate me taking it slow. A combination of strong pain killers, kombucha and ice packs is what’s keeping me going now, as I’m still waiting for those stool softeners to work. Who knew that you needed your back muscles to toilet yourself effectively? Or that walking would make you nauseous? I didn’t sign up for any of this…. My fellow zebras are being so kind with recovery advice, distractions, and support, and I couldn’t thank you guys enough. ❤️🙏 #EhlersDanlosSyndrome #SpinalSurgery #teatheredcord #Recovery #Surgery

I finally had my occult teathered spinal cord removed yesterday! After years of waiting for a diagnosis, and seemingly endless hoops to jump through before the operation, it’s finally over. They said it went really well, and said the cord was very tight, so it’s a good thing they removed it. Dr. Pang did an amazing job and really explained the whole process very well. No medical gaslighting here! When I got to the PACU I had to stay there for five hours because there was no bed for me, and that was my only complaint since it’s like pergatory down there. Spent one night in the hospital laying completely flat, not allowed to lift my head. This morning they rose the bed fifteen inches at a time every hour until I was upright, and then I practiced walking. On my way home now. Thank you all for your well wishes before surgery! Love my new Mighty community. #teatheredcord #SpinalSurgery #Surgery #Recovery