In 1990, I fell on a wet floor at work. I was very bruised but thought that was the
extent of my injury. Several days later my back started hurting so my boss insisted that I
go to the company nurse, who in turn, sent me to the Industrial Clinic. The Industrial
Clinic was really a joke. They treated me for a few weeks but I was getting worse so I
made the decision to go to a "real" doctor, my own. I was then sent to an
orthopedist, neurologist, etc. You all know the drill. I had all the conservative therapy
and ended up having a percutaneous discectomy. I had a herniation at L4-5. That did
nothing so the doctor did a laminectomy, which revealed that the nerve was attached to the
disc.
About 10 days after surgery I developed a staph infection in the wound. I was put back in
the hospital with IV antibiotics and a pain pump for a week. I was not allowed to sit but
was allowed to walk the few steps to the bathroom and back to bed. The day I was supposed
to leave, the doctor said I could take a shower. I was so excited! Given my weakened
condition, I asked the nurse if I needed help in the shower. She said no. I trusted her. I
shouldn't have. I fell out of a tub shower, hit my head on the door and broke two ribs. I
couldn't have done my back any good that soon after surgery.
Things went downhill from there. I had a fusion about a year later which didn't fuse. I
had another fusion after that with screws and rods. That didn't seem to make too much
difference either. We then moved to VA for my husband's job. The new spine surgeon here
decided he wanted to do an anterior fusion. He did that and I wasn't much better. About a
year later I insisted that he take out the hardware and he thought it was a good idea. I
had the hardware removed and he redid the posterior fusion that wasn't totally fused. That
was in 1995.
Since then I have had constant pain in my lower back, left leg, buttocks and hip. It was
determined that I have a very bad SI joint and scar tissue. I was sent to the pain clinic.
They said I had the most scar tissue they had ever seen. They started me on Oxycontin and
did a few more EDI's. (like I hadn't had enough of those already)! They have been really
nice and caring and I will continue to go there. There's nothing that can be done for the
SI joint and the scar tissue can't be removed without the threat of it growing back. The
researchers are working on a laser technique to eradicate scar tissue and I'm hopeful.
Even with all that I have been through, I am mobile and I'm very grateful for that. I
drive, although it's difficult to drive long distances. I haven't worked in 10 years and
probably won't ever be able to again. I walk without assistance and work really hard at
pretending I'm okay. I always think about the fact that things could be a lot worse. I
enjoy helping other people who are in pain. It's also a great comfort to know that I am
not alone. Pain is extremely isolating. I have isolated myself but not completely. I force
myself to go out every day, even if it's just for an hour or two. Distraction is an
important mechanism and I use it as often as I can. Humor is also very important to me. We
laugh a lot in my house, even at ourselves!
I did try to sue the hospital for their negligence but didn't get anywhere. I couldn't
prove that my continued spinal problems were a result of the fall. That really angered me
and my entire family. They were clearly negligent and would not assume any responsibility.
I was paid for the broken ribs but that didn't even cover the attorney's fees. It was a
contingency case but there are still fees involved.
I have a husband and a daughter who is in her second year of college. I have other family
but we are spread out all over the country. They don't really understand all of this but
that's partly my fault because I try to be "superwoman." I'd rather have it that
way. Psychologically, it makes me feel more whole.
Thank you to all of you who have welcomed me into your "family." I really enjoy
talking to you and helping wherever I can. You are all very special people!
Lisa has been kind enough to offer anyone interested to e-mail her..
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People's Stories'
