It's been a week since my back surgery on May 20th.
I went through a "microdisectomy" at the L5-S1 disk level , in which the Dr. removed some disk tissue which was herniating towards the left. The surgery was a little longer then anticipated as the doctor found some more stuff which couldn't be seen in the MRI prior to the procedure, such as scar tissue, sort of cyst, and some sort of a bony tissue. I still need to talk to Steve, our head of health services at Le Reve, who attended the surgery, but in general this is the gist of it.
It was the first time I had gone through a surgery that included a general anesthesia, and I have to say that it was quite an experience... I remember being lead into an extremely cold surgery room, and the next thing I know is that I'm slowly waking up... The first thing I saw was a little wooden cross on the wall (it's the Saint Rose hospital after all) and my first words after waking up, were: "where is the star of David...?" Herelle (my wife) and Ruedi (a good friend) were there when I woke up in my delirious/ hilarious state. My mouth was very dry (since I didn't eat or drink since 8 o'clock in the morning). The nurse asked me if I wanted some apple juice, and I shot back, "only if it's organic!!!" Then she said that she will be available on the phone if I needed her, and again I answered with a very non typical me: "can I have your cel phone number...?"
I did thoroughly enjoy the (non organic) apple juice that the nurse gave me.
Another experience was peeing while laying on my back into this little plastic container. I remember that when my father had his surgery on his foot they gave him these biodegradable peeing containers, which for some reason made me think about the environment, and also about the other people which had used this container before me, but never mind... In addition to the new and unconventional peeing position, it was hard to use my abs and back muscles in order control the bladder, and more than a few times during the night I had to go through the not too comfortable experience of peeing out all that industrial apple juice which I had consumed initially.
In the morning Dr. peoples came to talk to me about the surgery, and to see whether I could go home or not. I stood on my feet, and besides the weakness and dizziness that are expected after such a procedure, I felt okay, with no numbness or other strange sensations that could some times follow such a procedure. We left the hospital around 8 in the morning and headed home. Dr. Peoples told me that I should rest at home for 2 weeks, and not do anything besides walking, which would very quickly become a 2 per day walking sessions at the Fireman Memorial Park across the street from our home.
During the first day at home I felt very weak, and also tight in the area of the lower back, which I guess is expected since the Dr. used stitches in order to connect the muscles back to their normal position. (in order to reach the disk, and area between the two vertebra, the he needed to cut through some muscles, and also break a little bone) So for the rest of the day I basically laid down in bed (flat on my back was the best position) and just walked a few times to the bathroom. In the evening I tried to walk outside to get some air and move a little, and realized it wasn't time yet...
I was surprised that I didn't need any pain killers (at least not serious ones) and in the next few days didn't take anything besides 3 or 4 Advils, which I was "consuming by the kilos" (portal) only a few months ago (well this is a bit exaggerated but good for the dramatic effect of this blog), and some supplements such as Omega's 3, and a multivitamins which I have also added into my daily diet.
On the second day I was able to take a longer walk, and essentially have been increasing the volume and intensity of my walks. Yesterday, 5 days after the surgery I found myself having to slow down after I found myself being lead by my Ipod music. I think it was a Janis Joplin song about mushrooms that made me stop and re-pace myself. Since I have been at home all day, I have been going out for walks in the morning, and in the evening, exploring the different walking routes of this nice residential park (The Firefighter Memorial Park) located literally across the street from our home.
I'm slowly and consistently improving. I'm hoping that after my meeting with the doctor next Monday, I'll be able to start the slow rehab at the theater's training room. At this point I believe that I'll be back in the show sometime in August, but until I start the real rehab I won't know for sure, as my body will also have to adjust to the new situation.
For now I'm in high spirits, even able to somewhat enjoy the "hanging out at home" thing.
I have been reading lots of books and magazines, in English, Hebrew, and French... I have been eating very well, as well as sleeping with no real problems. And of course, I'm spending considerable time on the Internet, which I have been doing since 1994, but now I have a wonderful excuse to do so...
More soon...
Jube
