It was labeled degenerative disc disease. I went in for what was supposed to be a routine clean out (in May) with some pieces of disc removed and whatnot, and worst case one level fused. Instead, I ended up being on the operating table just under seven hours, had three ( THREE!!!!) levels fused together, both discs completely removed and cages installed in their place, pedicles cut off and replaced with titanium pedicle screws, cracked ligaments repaired/replaced, then he crushed my pedicles and mixed them with mosaic bone putty to seal the cages in place. Like drywall mud.
The first 6 weeks after were wheelchair and hospital bed in my living room. The last 6 weeks I went from the chair to a walker for a couple weeks, a week or so with a cane and now I'm walking fine on my own. Just not very far. =) I also have three days a week physical therapy, three days of aqua therapy and he just sentenced me to occupational therapy yesterday to see if there is any kind of work I might be able to do in the future, but that hasn't started yet. I'll be in therapy until at least Thanksgiving and have to wear an electro magnetic orthotic brace 4 hours a day until Valentines Day. Weeeeeeeeee...eeeee...ee...e?
