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I had my first back surgery in 1996. Two weeks after my son was born I started having bad back and leg pain. It got to the point where I could barely walk. I was nursing, so didn't want to take any meds. I went to my GP, who sent me to a chiropractor, since I couldn't do any meds. They thought it was a disk out of place, and started therapy. The first day that the chiroproctor tried to adjust my lower back, I nearly shot through the roof. I had never experienced such pain. He sent me for a MRI to see "how many discs were out of place", and instead we found out that I had a Giant Cell Tumor that had taken over my L1 vertebrea. I was admitted to the hospital that day...leaving my 5,2 and 3week old behind (only to see them twice in the next month in the hospital). To top it off....my husband and I were to settle on a new house the next day. I am in the ER signing power of attorney papers, on a back board! I was transported to Georgetown University, by my Spinal Surgeon who I had met only three days before, and met my Orthopedic Oncologist who along with my Spinal Surgeon would be taking the fellfare of my life in their hands. THEY ARE WONDERFUL, AND I AM LUCKY!!! They went in from the front removing as much of the tumor as they could, and replacing the L1 with a donor bone with three of my own rib grafts inside. They attached a metal plate from T12 to L2, and took a scraping from my hip to graft to the area. Nine days later they went in from the back, removed the remaining tumor, and inserted rods on either side of my spine. I had been in bed for three weeks before I first had to get up and learn how to walk again. It was really hard!!!! But, my motivation was to get home to my kids. I went through my post partum while in the hospital. I couldn't talk about my kids without crying. My baby learned the comfort of his grandmother versus his mother. It was hard not being able to comfort him when he cried when I got home. The brace I had to wear was as hard as a brick, and I couldn't carry him....I could barely walk! It took about 1 1/2 years to totaly recover from those surgeries. Then I found out that this nasty tumor had resurfaced. It only takes a microscopic cell....evidently one was left behind. Last summer I went through 5 weeks of radiation to try and shrink it, however, we didn't kill all of it. In Feb. 99', I had my third surgery (through the front on the other side), to remove the tumor AGAIN! This time we did an inneroperative radiation procedure. They radiated while I was still open. Recovery was relatively easy this time around. I am back on a 3 month CT Scan schedule to monitor the recurrance. We are hoping the innneroperative radiation killed any microscopic cells left behind this time!! If it comes back...we will have to do another round of reconstruction/fusion. You've lived through that too.....I don't want to have to do it twice in my life. I'm only 32, and have three active kids. I really need this to be the end of this tumor. I loved your site. Will put it on my favorite places list. I will definately pass it on!!! You can share my story if you think it may help someone...I'm always checking the boards sharing what knowledge I have. Thanks for a great site! Susan has been kind enough to offer anyone interested to e-mail her.. Return to 'Other People's Stories'
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The Surgery:The Week Before * The Day Before * The Day Of * In The Hospital * Going Home * Let's Talk Pain * Home Again! Other Areas:Created and Maintained by Leslie Davidson.
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