My wife's two major surgeries in 5 weeks.

goldeneagle65 · #1 (**permalink**) 09-26-2008, 08:32 PM

On August 22, 2008, my wife was admitted to the Memorial Hermann hospital in Houston, Texas. She was suffering from a fractured vertebrae due to old age. She is now 65 years old.

They repaired it with rods and screws attached below and above the vertebrae by making an incision approximately 8 inches starting under her left arm descending down and around her chest just under her breast. This was to facilite the deflating of one lung and pushing it aside for the work that had to be done on the front side of the spine. In order to do it properely the Doctor had to literally break the spine in order to bring it into the proper alignment.

After closing this incision, they then made an 8 inch incision on her on her back to install the remaining rods and support hardware.

As a Witness, we did allow the use of a cell saver machine if needed. The doctor said that she lost very little blood and the operation was a complete success.

She was usitting up and going to the toliet the day after surgery and was released to go home 6 days after the surgery.

A follow up home visit by a PT tech the following week showed no indications that she would need any physical therapy as she was able to accomish all the tests he had her do.

Unfortunately, A couple of days later she fell in the kitchen, emergency room x-rays and the office x-rays of her beck indicated that she may have fractured another vertebrae. over the next four days, the pain increased to such a level we went to her back to her doctor, and further x-rays gave evidence that it was indeed a fractured vertebrae. The Doctor had here admitted to the same hospital on the 24th of September. On Thursday of this week , the 25th of September, her back was opened from near the neck to the bottom of her spine. The muscles along the spine were retracted and new support rods and hardware wer attached to her whole spine.
On Friday, today, the 26th of September She sat up in a chair for an hour, was able to eat setting in the chair, and with the warchful eye of the therapist, was able to walk about 20-25 feet with the use of a walker.

Due to her small loss of blood at the first operation, and a small loss from the current operation, showed a dip in heer red blood cells right after the operation, but with IV fluids, they were already showing a higher count today.

At my request the Doctor did order her an EPO injection to give her body a boost in red cell production.

She endured and came through the operations in a manner that has amazed the support doctors and others by her quick recovery.

A nurse told us today that the other patients who had the same or similiar procedures that day were not responding as well, and the PT Doctor also commented that she expected to see my wife in the same stage as the others when she came to visit my wife. Again, the PT tech at the hospital does not see any indication of harm to her systems.

A great God, Jehovah, Extra ordinary doctors, and no blood are to be given the credit. (The positive attitude of my wife in wanting to get back to normal quickly is a credit onto herself.)

goldeneagle65 · #2 (**permalink**) 10-01-2008, 10:32 AM

10-01-08 Update

Three days after my wife's latest operation, her HG dropped to a 4 count, and the doctor was really worried about the possibility of her dying if the count went any lower. But to his credit, he remained optimistic but did read the brochure on "The Blood that saves lives" paragraphs concerning acceptable alternative treatments. After starting the iron and EPO treatment as I mentioned before, 24 hours later her HG count went to 5.9, and then the next day to 6.3. She continues to improve without any problems. Her vitals remain strong and and her surgery is excellent and excep0t for the fact that the doctors would like to keep her a couple of more days for Rehab testing, to insure everything is truly okay, she will be home in just a matter of days. Thanks to a Great God's protection, the skills of excellent doctors, and a positive attitude, we see no problems for the future.
When seeing the straightness of my wife's back and her overall appearance, my daughter exclaimed: "Mom! You have a new back!"

I hope this report may be of encouragement to any who may face similiar problems in their lives.

BBS

goldeneagle65 · #3 (**permalink**) 10-04-2008, 01:08 AM

10-03-08
My wife ws transported to a skilled nursing/rehabilitive facility to be evaluated to see if she will need any PT or OT due to her spinal operatiion.
This morning the Doctor came in smiling saying that all of my wife's vital signs were stabilized and with obvious satisfaction that my wife's operation ranked as one of the largest that could be done at one time and "it was done without blood!"

Her expected stay at the skilled nursing facility will be 3-4 days and maybe longer if any problems become apparent during the pre admissive exam. However both PT and OT doctors at Memorial Hermann gave her more than three evaluations and agreed that she was healthy enough to be transferred to the nursing facility. She did not appear to have any post op problems. She continues to be in a somewhat weaken condition but it is the opinion of the doctors that she will continue healing and will not have any problems.

jgrossberg · #4 (**permalink**) 10-05-2008, 12:57 AM

Goldeneagle:

I am so glad to hear that she is doing well. Your are both to be commended for your endurance in the face of potentially dangerous health circumstances. Thank you very much for your positive posts informing our members of the good outcomes your wife experienced at the hands of conscientious and caring medical personnel, without blood. Although information about non-blood management has been widely disseminated, there are still many people who are not aware of the extent to which surgery can be performed and still not involve blood administration, either before or during the operation.

goldeneagle65 · #5 (**permalink**) 10-05-2008, 08:50 PM

In hindsight to all this, I discussed with some friends as to the idea of always asking for the EPO and Iron treatment a week or two before any operation. I think I will request it before hand. I can't think of any disadvantages to a pre op administration, and the extra blood cells would already be circulating when the patients system would suddenly need them. I would like to hear from you on this idea and see if I'm not overlooking anything in this regards. Thanks for listening.
go0ldeneagle65

Jonathan Steele · #6 (**permalink**) 10-05-2008, 10:31 PM

Hi There,

It is believed that it takes a few weeks for the blood cell wannabe's to mature into red blood cells. So, many doctors give it a week or two in advance.

There are some dietary considerations you should consider.

So long as she does not have a sulfa allergy, a spoonful of black strap molasses three times a day along with a spoon full of peanut butter. Mix if you like. This provides both the protein and Iron needed.

She will need some calcium to help her bones heal.

At the least, milk products. However, consider getting organic milk if you do.

Of all things, do not use coral calcium. It has higher content of dangerous trace minerals and will be detrimental to the healing process.

Avoid chlorinated and fluoridated water.

Finally, there is some interesting evidence on the role of glutathione (GSH) in healing and boosting red blood cells. You cannot take glutathione as it will be broken down in the gut. However you can take the building blocks. The Glutathione Disease Cure, Health Wellness, Anti-aging, Natural Cure Resource has a section on the foods that will help boost the GSH.

In addition, the co-factors will be needed. I was amazed at how many different patients groups were given 200 mcg of selenium at one of my hospital employers. Then I found that it is one of the GSH co-factors.

Instead of going out and buying it, in my patent teaching I encourage taking (eating) 2 Brazil nuts a day. Each has 100 mcg. This goes for you too. It is a common thought that if you (the husband) eat two a day you will die of something other than prostate cancer. (it is not the selenium...it is the glutathione it helps your body create that fights the cancer.)

Here is the important part of any diet for health. The food needs to be chewed till it can no longer be held in the mouth. This allows your body to get the full benefit of the food. It will also help people lose weight. Forget the counting thing. Just chew and enjoy every moment of a meal. Put the fork down in between.

Maintain a healthy body and hopefully stay out of the hospital.

By the way, some hospitals are not using EPO at all, just iron and having the same results but I have not seen the evidence yet. It is still a viable option but has some risks.

Hope this helps.

Good health to you.

jgrossberg · #7 (**permalink**) 10-06-2008, 02:16 PM

Jonathan:

I applaud your encouraging nutritional ways for folks to build blood cells, among other benefits to be had by supplying the body what it needs to do its work.

I also have done some research on the chlorine and fluoride issues, and agree that these are extremely toxic chemicals even in small doses (in our drinking water, the dose may be small, but it is repeated over and over and over every day, so the total dose we get over a period of months and years is huge...). "Natural" water, the way it was before we had huge municipal water systems incorporating chemical treatment to remove bacteria, etc., lacked these chemicals, and those of us old enough to remember will tell you it tasted, smelled, and felt different.

Also, your advice to thoroughly chew your food, drop your fork in between, and relax through your meal is really important. (American culture seems to specialize - even revel - in stress: rush, rush, rush, stuff it in, cram it down, do a million things really fast, get as little sleep as possible, and go out and do it again.) I confess I am often guilty of this. I work a twelve hour shift and only get 1/2 hour lunch. That includes meal preparation, eating, cleanup). I know I am not getting the nutrients I need, since I virtually inhale my meals more often than I care to admit. In order for our bodies to function normally, not to mention heal from surgery, trauma, or illness, we need proper nutrition that can be absorbed maximally - so, like your mother [and Jonathan] said, put your napkin in your lap, sit straight at the table, and [slowly] chew your food!

Your blood cells (and others) will thank you.

UKMentor · #8 (**permalink**) 11-06-2008, 11:20 AM

It is a great encouragement when it all works out well. Especially when the stand taken is calm and prayerful. So many health professionals appreciate a well thought out logical presentation of the matter and it takes Jehovah's Witnesses out of that fanatical label that stuck with us for so many years in the past. Thank you for sharing your wife's experience, may Jehovah's blessing continue with you both.

sybilleruth · #9 (**permalink**) 11-14-2008, 10:48 PM

Dear Goldeneagle,

I do hope you you and your wife are both recoverying from this ordeal in a fine manner. My son-in-law was involved in a very serious accident; his leg almost required amputation but my insistent daughter said "no". His HG went down to 1.6. He was "paralyzed" by the use of drugs, though I doubt he could have gone very far. The HLC suggested an increase in EPO injection; this was done. My son-in-law was able to leave the hospital with a reading of 10.4 in three days. I learned an important lesson. Don't ever underestimate the recuperative ability your body has, even under the most trying of conditions.

May both of you continue on your road to health.

goldeneagle65 · #10 (**permalink**) 11-18-2008, 12:23 AM

In the last post I mentioned that the doctors thought my wife could benefit from rehab while she was healing.

The hospital checked on some locations near our home here in Humble, Texas, and based on reports, felt that a newer facility, Park Manor, would be a good choice. On late Friday, my wife was transferred from the hospital to the Park Manor facility. I went to visit her on Sunday morning and found her lying in a urine soaked bed with a smelly discharge coming out the lower part of her scar. The doctor was called in and lab tests determined that she was suffering from a severe staph infection. (I am omitting details of the horrible treatment she recieved there for the next week) Finally, on the following Sunday, I called her surgeon's office and spoke to his office assistant. She wanted to know if I wanted her to be taken back to the hospital. I toold her I'd rather take her home where I could take care of her. The doctors assistant gave Park Manors desk nurse the permission for me to take her home, which I did.

This was during the first part of October, after three weeks, the antibiotic she was taking did appear to be making much headway. (Granted that I have not had any proffesional medical schooling) After approximately three weeks, I took her to see her PC doctor. He added another antibiotic in addition to the one she was taking. Last week we took her in to her surgeon's office for a check up. She was still having quite a bit of pus type discharge from one small pocket at the top of her scar. Last Friday nite, her dischare was minimal. Saturday Morning there was no discharge. Sunday, no discharge, and we were really feeling good about it. Yesterday, Monday night, the same area started seeping again. Not so much to panic us. But we go back to her surgeon this Thursday for another follow up. On the previous visit, the surgeon felt that if the discharge didn't clear up by this week he would have to open the area surgically and clean it out . That's it so far, but other than that she is getting around on her own, the pain in her back is minimal unless she over extends herself. She can climb the stairs from our first floor to the second using only the stair's handrail. The wound has healed nicely and except for the one small area of discharge, actually a small hole about the size of an insulin needle, I do not to expect any other problems.

If anything changes, I'll be making another post.

Barry Snyder, Goldeneagle65

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My wife's two major surgeries in 5 weeks.

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