Surgery Details

Thank you to everyone that has commented and e-mailed me to wish me well for my upcoming surgery.  I know many of you are curious about the surgery I'm going to have so I figured I would take a moment to tell you about it.  I would've explained sooner, but I didn't know if it would be "TMI" (too much information).

First I need to give you some background information...

The medical conditions that have caused me to become disabled, cause me a lot of pain.  For quite some time I was on extremely high doses of oral pain medications which turned me into a zombie.  It was no way to live for me or for my caretakers.

Finally, after moving here to Maryland, my Pain Management Doctor suggested that I get an Intrathecal Medication Delivery Pump (aka a pain pump).  Basically, it's a device implanted inside one's abdomen that would deliver pain medication directly to their spinal cord and then throughout the bloodstream.  After researching the pump and all that it entailed, my hubby and I agreed that it was something I should get.

I've had my pump for almost 4 years now and it has done wonders for my quality of life.  I'm still very much disabled and depend on my hubby for most of my care, but my pain levels are much lower.

Somehow the pump has "come loose" and is no longer stitched in place inside my abdomen.  It's uncomfortable at times and painful at others.  The other day I went to the doctor to have it refilled and he had a hard time accessing it because it had moved so much.  It was then that we realized I needed surgery asap to have it stitched back in place.

That brings me to the upcoming surgery...

The surgery will require a neurosurgeon to cut a 5-inch incision into my abdomen where they'll be able go in and suture the pump to some nearby cartilage and back where it belongs.  Then I'll be sewn up and off to recovery!!

This is actually the 2nd time they've had to go in and stitch the pump back in place since I've had it.  This is most likely because one of my medical conditions, EDS, causes my connective tissues to be very stretchy and sometimes frail.  So since I've had this done before I'm not too worried.  However, it is a VERY painful recovery.

I can't even begin to express how much I appreciate all of the thoughts, prayers, and well wishes!!  I guess I'll just have to leave it at... THANK YOU!!!

Thanks for reading!!  Until next time...