by Tess ~Do they offer Full Body Transplants??~
Member since:
October 19, 2007

Oh Me, Oh My! Update on my status!

May 29, 2008 11:37 AM EDT
views: 194 | rating: 9.9/10 (87 votes) | comments: 97

For those of you wonderful Gather friends who have shown their concern about the issues I have been having with my back...I wanted to send this update.

I have not been on Gather much, unfortunately, and I am very sorry for my absence.  Even with my laptop...when it works...I do not feel up to spending much time online these days.

I have decided to go ahead with the surgery for my back.  Spinal Fusion at L5/S1.  I will be having the surgery towards the end of July.  I am not looking forward to it AT ALL, but I can not continue living with the pain that I have each and every day.

I fell, again, this past weekend, so this has been a horrible week.  I went fishing with some of my family, to a wonderful little park in Ranger, Georgia.  It has a 125 acre stocked lake, and it was so clean.  They rent johnboats, and we had such a wonderful time.  I will try to post a photo essay about the trip a little later, but I fell while on this trip.  I had stepped out of the johnboat onto the bank and slipped on the rocks and landed hard...on the rocks.  It was a good thing that I had taken my pain meds with me.  I took the meds and I guess the fish gods took pity on me as I stayed right where I fell on the bank and cast my line...because I started catching fish.  Needless to say, I am certainly paying for the fall.

I am going to try and get caught up on as much Gather as I can.  I hope you can all bear with me as I slowly try to make my way through the backlog.  Please do not hold it against me if I end up using "copy & paste comments".  I want to make sure that I get to everyone.

Have a wonderful day!  I hope this article finds you all well!

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Comments: 97

Ashley B. May 29, 2008, 11:42am EDT
Hope you feel better soon! We'll be here waiting patiently for your full return. We're always here. :)
donna h. May 29, 2008, 11:46am EDT
I wish you luck with your surgery
JoAnne D. May 29, 2008, 11:47am EDT
I guess you haven't found a place for full body transplants yet, I keep checking too. Be careful, you could get hurt slipping around like that.
Marianne R. May 29, 2008, 11:50am EDT
I'm sorry you're in so much pain. I hope the surgery is beneficial for you. Sounds like a terrible thing to have to live with.
Thanks so much for the kind words.

Ashley, thank you, that is one of the wonderful things about Gather...it is always here for me.

Donna, thank you. I am not happy about having to have the surgery, but do not see any other option.

JoAnne, NO, UNFORTUNATELY I have not found any resources for a full body transplant...yet. I am still hoping though! :-)

Marianne, thank you. It has been a rough 15 months for me, and I sure hope that the surgery provides relief from this torture.
*LORA* M. May 29, 2008, 12:04pm EDT
get well
juley g. May 29, 2008, 12:05pm EDT
Good luck with your surgery! I hope it goes ok.
Vana R. May 29, 2008, 12:21pm EDT
Hi Tess, it's good to hear from you, thanks for the update! I hope the back surgery works in getting rid of your pain. I look forward to your pictures of the fishing trip, it could take me a while to find them but I'll definitely look. Take care!
necee t. May 29, 2008, 12:43pm EDT
oh dear... so sorry to hear these troubles... i'll be praying for you through all this ... please don't stress about responding... you have enough on your plate right now... God bless you... peace and love and healing to you Tess...

BabiTag Comments - Sassy Trendy Sexy
Robyn F. May 29, 2008, 12:54pm EDT
my friend in florida is having this after years of pain.....good luck!!!
Jean, just the teensiest bit odd, F. May 29, 2008, 1:13pm EDT
I'm so sorry, Tess... I am grateful for my years of ballet, modern and jazz dance training which I believe have saved me from back pain because I was taught very early how to carry my weight and keep my balance... I am one of the very, very few people whom I know that DOESN'T have back problems...
John S. (arizona) May 29, 2008, 1:59pm EDT
Nice to hear from you. I know how you don't want the surgery, but I get strong vibes it is all going to work out good for you... ;-) I sure hope so anyway. You take it easy now with that back and catching monster fish, ha ha.
Thanks for the update.
Janet H. May 29, 2008, 2:45pm EDT
I am so sorry that you fell and hurt your back more. I hope your surgery will go well and that it will leave you pain free and with a good range of motion. I know its no fun to have to go through surgery and the recovery period.
debra g. May 29, 2008, 3:14pm EDT
Tess you know that they have come up with a new surgery for the back,Instead of bone they use a ballon type thing to cushion and they have a small cut.They sat that this is better than the bone that they used.I think that you have time to find out more about this.
Thank you Lora and Juley!

Vana, I will send a private message with links to my updates and with the fishing photos...how is that? Thank you so much for your concern!

Necee, you are a sweetheart! Thanks so much!

Thank you Robyn! I hope all goes well with your friend.
Jean, you are very lucky to not have to suffer the horrible times associated with back pain.

John, you are right...I do not want to go through it, but I am going to. I hope your vibe is right, and that everything goes well. I am gonna send a private message when I get around to posting the photos from my fishing trip. I am sure you will find it quite humorous...not a lot of monster fish catching going on. haha

Janet. Thank you so much. I am quite sorry that I fell too. I hope the surgery is a success too.

Debra, I will check into it, thanks for the info.
Sharon B. May 29, 2008, 3:50pm EDT
I sure hope your surgery goes well and you get some relief from the pain.
Sharon P. May 29, 2008, 3:54pm EDT
I wish you the very best of luck, and all the blessings that our Lord can give.

My mother fell in 1964. she had 5 back surgeries. One was a spinal fusion.
I hope your works much better then hers did.
They have improved a thousand percent since then.
Carol P. May 29, 2008, 3:56pm EDT
I wish you wellness and hope the surgery helps you.
Marilyn M. May 29, 2008, 4:00pm EDT
Bless your heart. I hope the surgery takes away the pain.
Chris B. May 29, 2008, 4:02pm EDT
I wish you the "best"... I am jealous of the fishing...lol!
Erica F. May 29, 2008, 4:04pm EDT
I am so thankful that I have not had to live with constant pain. I really cannot imagine what that would be like. The few times I've had pain for several days was almost more than I could take, and I could barely think about anything else. All the best as you heal. Erica
Susan S. May 29, 2008, 4:16pm EDT
keep your head up!
(Jasper,(Disciple for Christ. w. May 29, 2008, 4:19pm EDT
Hi Tess I'm not familiar with you problem, but we here on Gather hope you the best and I will personally pray for you that God's hand will be up on you through it all. May God bless you.
John Philipp May 29, 2008, 4:38pm EDT
Best of luck with your surgery.

There is humor in the hospital. Here are two examples to help you smile:

Have Hernia, Will Travel ...(Part I) and I missed the fat lady singing ... (Hernia Part II)
ELLEN B. May 29, 2008, 4:40pm EDT
Wishing you the best Tess. I had a by-pass some years back and am not a candidate for surgery still. I cannot have fusion for spinal stenosis. It is painful every day 24/7. I can only do my best to stay flexible, and stay on a rigid pain med schedule. I can identify. Prayers for you from me. God bless. Ellen B
Danielle P. May 29, 2008, 4:42pm EDT
I'm so sorry the pain has not eased up. My So had the fusion and he is glad he did. He has minimal pain only every now and then. God bless and good luck.
blaine d. May 29, 2008, 4:53pm EDT
my thoughts & prayers are with you!
Sherrie H. May 29, 2008, 5:12pm EDT
So sorry to hear you're continuing to deal with back problems. I can realte and wish you the best as you progress towards surgery! Don't feel any pressure to reciprocate. You are appreciated with or without a return of comments.

You will be in our prayers. Take care!
CyberGwen ! May 29, 2008, 5:24pm EDT
Here's to your surgery and a lot less pain! I know you are nervous, but you can't go on with the pain that you have been having.

Keep us updated when you can:)
Rae M. May 29, 2008, 5:31pm EDT
I know that back pain can be the most horrible pain to have. I wish you luck with your surgery and hope that your back pain subside after the surgery.
Kerrell g. May 29, 2008, 5:31pm EDT
Get well. That's the most important of things!
sheila ~the hapless housewife~ j. May 29, 2008, 5:40pm EDT
I hope the pain eases up!
Charles Temm JR May 29, 2008, 5:45pm EDT
I feel for you, the older I get, the more all the old injuries and abuse I put my body through over the years gets worse...Good luck but you'll probably have to face a life with more pain in it then you'd like from now on.
pamela r. May 29, 2008, 5:52pm EDT
Tess I hope your surgery goes well. I've avoided it so far because or other complications but i know that daily pain you go thru. I truly hope this surgery helps. Be careful--no more falls okie dokey and good luck with the catching up.
Chas Andrews May 29, 2008, 5:53pm EDT
hope everything works out for ya.
Donna Hammett-Tooker May 29, 2008, 5:56pm EDT
And NO FISHING until you are fully healed, don't make the fish gods regret their decision. lol
Mary M. May 29, 2008, 6:03pm EDT
I hope your surgery is successful in relieving your pain. I'll keep you in my prayers.
Rhetta A. May 29, 2008, 6:14pm EDT
I do hope you feel better soon!
Ashley P. May 29, 2008, 6:42pm EDT
May you recover quickly and with little discomfort. Hope that you feel better soon.
Leigh 3. May 29, 2008, 6:56pm EDT
Sorry to hear that you're in so much pain. I hope the surgery solves your back problems.
Jan S. May 29, 2008, 7:05pm EDT
I'll pray for you, Tess. I hope the surgery is successful and you'll have no more pain.
Angela A. May 29, 2008, 7:08pm EDT
Get well and take as much time as you need. Your health is what's most important.
Beverly P. May 29, 2008, 7:55pm EDT
Unfortunately I feel your pain all too well. I suffer from 7, now we think 9, herniated discs from my neck to my tailbone. They came after my bout with cancer weakened my bones and my back basically started to collapse. They know they can't do anything about it at this point, especially after I had an auto accident that truly brought me to the point of severe and constant chronic pain 24/7 now. I hope the operation works for you. Keep us posted! You're in my prayers.
(The Other) Dale C. May 29, 2008, 8:23pm EDT
Like many others here and everywhere, I too have chronic pain. Have for nearly 30 years ( If not longer! ). After numerous back injuries, I've developed what they call Degenerative Disc Disease. My last MRI shows that my whole lower back is severely messed up. The discs have little moisture, if any. And the discs above are greying, meaning they are drying out also. I live on pain meds, having finaly graduating to the very addictive Oxycontin. I'm at the max dose of three times a day. Between each dose, I have to wait long enough to make the meds stretch for 24 hours. In between doses, I start going through withdrawals. If I were to have discs fused, there would be no guarantee I'd be out of pain and I'd have less mobility than I have now. A minimum of 6 discs would have to be fused.... just to get a good start.

With all that said... and as much as I dislke the term, I'll use it anyway. "I feel your pain!"

I hope your surgery is succesful and will add you to my prayer list, which grows larger each day. Bless you, girl. And hang in.
Carl "Prime Time" Lee May 29, 2008, 9:51pm EDT
Thank you for using Gather Broadcast where there is an open line of communication for all and you're more than just a connection.

My prayers are with you.
Debby O. May 29, 2008, 11:52pm EDT
Good luck with your surgery
Tony P. May 30, 2008, 8:54am EDT
I hope the surgery goes ok.
There is nothing worse than back pain - if you have never had it you just can't imagine.
I had a slipped disc and often get back ache, but I imagine yours must be far worse.
Fingers crossed for you.
I hope you are feeling somewhat better. I'm sure the surgery will be fine. Just take is as easy as you can. Keep us posted on how you are. Glad the fish gods were looking out for you :)
Erin P. May 30, 2008, 8:49pm EDT
Oh, geez, Tess ... I bet you are really hurting. I'm so sorry. I've been dealing with an intense allergic reaction as well as a problem with nerves in my left wrist and thumb so I have been absent as well. Just keep on those meds and do what you can to stay comfortable when you do get comfortable. Here's to better days ahead!
Wanda H. May 31, 2008, 5:26am EDT
I think you are doing the right thing and I really hope you come through feeling so much better. Of course the best I felt after my surgery was when they gave me demerol in a shot. It made me realize how wonderful it was to be pain free.

I will be sending you healing thoughts and energy.

namaste
John B. May 31, 2008, 11:53am EDT
sorry to hear you are not doing very well if I can help please feel free to call on me I am just over in Rockdale. take care and I hope everything comes out good for you.
Glome . . . Jun 1, 2008, 12:24am EDT
I don't really know you Tess, but I have prayed for you. Every incident in every life is so very different. Only God knows what is best. I know giving yourself to Him will bring about His will. Anymore ... I usually just say Here I am God. Do what's best for me. :) I trust Him more than myself.
I know everyone will be happy to have you feeling well again and back in the swing of things.
You are all so very wonderful. I appreciate all the wonderful words here. I will try to keep everyone as updated as possible. I have been trying to get caught up a little at a time, but it is pretty slow go for me these days. Thank you all for caring!
Heidianna "Coriander" T. Jun 4, 2008, 5:38am EDT
Oh dear, surgery! My thoughts are with you! I hope you find some relief soon!
Thank you Cori...I am not looking forward to it...but I am praying that I will eventually be in a lot less pain.

Thank you all so much, again, for stopping in.

I am so sorry for all of you out there who are living in pain everyday like myself. I pray that all of us can catch a break where the pain is concerned.
Sophiya S. Jun 6, 2008, 10:24pm EDT
hope you get better soon
♠~Dnbuster~♠ ~. Jun 7, 2008, 2:36pm EDT
i hope all goes well and u get the outcome you need:)
Thank you so much Sigriet and DN! It is getting closer to time, and I am soooo worried. BUT the pain keeps progressing so in a way I am looking forward to it. So many mixed feelings. ARGH ~ >^..^< ~

Carrie C. Jun 10, 2008, 11:36am EDT
I understand that many advancements have been made since I had my back surgery in 1979. The healing took a long time, but it was successful. I hope yours is too.
Melinda ~choosing happiness~ S. Jun 10, 2008, 11:40am EDT
Oh! I do feel your pain. I had back surgery when I was 35 on L4 and L5 and lived pain free for15 years. I am having some difficulties now, but I am not sure how much of it to attribute to my previous back problems.
I do understand the mixed feelings, but I KNEW that I could not continue on as I was. I couldn't carry a laundry basket, or tie my own shoes. Many days I needed help rolling over in bed, and I had 3 small chlidren at home to take care of.
Trust that all will go well! I had a lamenectomy- but the day after surgery the pain was gone and I was walking a 1/2 mile in the hospital corridors.
Best wishes!!!
Janet Somewhere Up On The Mount Jun 10, 2008, 12:29pm EDT
Nothing worse that a sore back. Good luck with surgery. Your in my thoughts and prayers.
Keep us posted plez.
**AngelEyez** a. Jun 10, 2008, 1:33pm EDT
good luck with the surgery hun.and god bless you
Sarah (I want points) Jun 10, 2008, 1:33pm EDT
Wow! I'm sorry. I really hope that the surgery goes well and helps you to feel better.
(The Other) Dale C. Jun 10, 2008, 4:40pm EDT
Sorry to hear about your back. I've been dealing with my back for better than 30 years, so I can definitely relate. Good luck and just do what ya gotta do.
René Allen Jun 11, 2008, 8:35am EDT
Hope your back is much much better Tess . . .

Back pain is no fun.

Blessings ~
René
Sherrie H. Jun 11, 2008, 8:54am EDT
I hopre you are feeling better and making progress every day!
Sherrie H. Jun 11, 2008, 8:54am EDT
Sending you a healing touch / hug.
Laura C. Jun 11, 2008, 9:06am EDT
we aren't connected, but your nickname on here caught my attention...I hope you feel better after your surgery!!
Thanks so much to all of you,

I have set the date for July 28th and I am scared to death, but I have to do it.
Andrea (Ms. Conservative) L. Jun 11, 2008, 12:06pm EDT
Get better soon. Back surgery not fun at all.
Denise E. Jun 11, 2008, 1:27pm EDT
Sorry to hear you are going through this. Hope you get better soon.

Thank you for all your nice comments on my photos and articles.
Member Photog Jun 11, 2008, 7:07pm EDT
hope the surgery works for you,Tess....back pain is no picnic as you well know....don't worry so much about playing catch-up here.....triple pts. to earn GCs is cool,but not worth additional pain....

cheers,gayle
Kim J. Jun 11, 2008, 7:40pm EDT
Good luck with the surgery, hope it helps..noone should have to live with that kind of pain...
Thank you for stopping in Andrea, Denise, Gayle and Kim. I am praying for a wonderful recovery after the surgery.
Kim R. Jun 11, 2008, 8:13pm EDT
I hope the surgery goes well, you heal fast and your back problem is resolved . . .
JoAnn C. Jun 11, 2008, 9:25pm EDT
I hope you are doing well. We will be thinking of you during your surgery. Please keep us posted.
Thank you Kim and JoAnn
Delaune Michel Jun 12, 2008, 12:50am EDT
Tess,
I am putting you in my prayers. I am so sorry you are going through. Do not worry about responding!! I don't want you to feel overwhelmed. just know I'm thinking of you and will especially hold good thoughts at the end of July. keep up posted. :)
Krystal Harwell Jun 12, 2008, 2:23am EDT
Good luck with your surgery and i hope you feel better!!
My body gets to go thru its own natural trauma soon....
but it'll all be worth it once i hear the first cry :D
Thank you so much Delaune and Krystal.

Krystal, good luck, and yes...that first cry is priceless.
barb n. Jun 12, 2008, 1:49pm EDT
NOTHING LIKE BACK PAIN!! I KEEP FIGHTING THEN ON THE SURGERY TOO, BUT SOMETIMES I TAKE TOO MUCH PAIN MEDICATION, THEN I RUN OUT, IT IS A HORRIBLE CYCLE, HOPEFULLY THE SURGERY WILL HELP YOU... I WILL KEEP YOU IN MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS!!! T
M & M. Jun 12, 2008, 3:11pm EDT
I'm praying for you. God bless you.
Rebecca C. Jun 12, 2008, 7:09pm EDT
I am thinking and praying for you. I hope the surgery goes well. Take care and please keep us updated.
denise e Jun 17, 2008, 8:08pm EDT
hope you feel better, good luck.
Jennifer F. Jun 18, 2008, 1:23am EDT
Good luck, Tess! I'll be thinking of you as you go through with this.
40 days till surgery, and counting.....
Nancy 67 Jun 19, 2008, 3:12pm EDT
I am just catching up with all my Gather mail after being away for two weeks, Tess, and I just read this article of yours. I am SO sorry that you fell and injured your back more! This is exactly what I did on a previous vacation and also injured my back more. It had been improving with PT, but after I fell and re-injured it, that was IT. Nothing they did helped. I pray that your surgery goes very well, and that you start to feel much better as you heal. Hang in there, girlfriend! I'm with you!

Hot Comments
Hot Comments @ CommentHaven.com
bondoman b. Jun 28, 2008, 12:01am EDT
well I hope you feel better and I wouldn't holde it against you and quite frankly anybody who would is a complete jerk!!

GET WELL SOON
Ellie !. Jun 29, 2008, 10:05am EDT
Oh, my. Take care of yourself.
Sujata (funnily 'Suji' ) S. Jul 2, 2008, 11:41pm EDT
Yes we all want you back well friend the blessed one

spared for joyful trip fishing for more to follow !!

Nice You knew of the 'Fish God' Tess (joking ) hAHAaaaaaah !!!
Tina Coruth Jul 3, 2008, 8:47pm EDT
I hope you are better soon! Take care!
F. Jeanette c. Aug 9, 2008, 10:52pm EDT
i'm so glad to know everything turned out good for you.

10 4 u

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