You can find Part 2 of Jeff’s Story here.
Fast-forward to September 11, 2014. Due to some minor delays, my XLIF® surgery was moved to September 11. Leading up to this day, I was in contact with The Better Way Back and the Patient Ambassadors whom I’d spoken with. All of them were there to support me with any questions or concerns. I was at the hospital at 9:00 a.m., and was wheeled into the operating room at noon. Five hours later I awoke in the recovery room. After the effects of the anesthesia slowly wore off that night, I quickly realized, even though I was sore, I had no more back and leg nerve pain. I was still pretty out of it and drifted in and out of sleep.
Around 8:00 p.m. I awoke to see both my wife and sister had made the 90-minute trip to the hospital to see me. My wife leaned into the bed and she and I shared a very emotional moment; we knew the unsustainable road we were on had now detoured in a different direction–a direction filled with hope. We were just thankful to have each other after all we’d been through. The affliction of chronic debilitating back pain doesn’t just affect the person with a bad back. It affects relationships and the ones that care for and love you the most. My wife had been through absolute hell with me and shared in my darkest moments, when I didn’t think I could go on living another minute with the pain. I am so thankful and grateful she was strong for me at my weakest of moments. I wouldn’t be here without her strength, patience, understanding, and support.
The following morning I awoke anesthesia-free. I asked the nurse if I could roll back some of the pain medication that morning. She checked and said yes. Day one post-op: no more nerve pain in back or legs. That morning they had me up and walking around the nurse station using a walker. Day two: no more walker, just a cane. Day three: I was off all narcotic pain medication (only took TYLENOL®) and was discharged from the hospital–no lifting, no repetitive bending and walk as much as I’m comfortable with. Day six: with my wife, I walked two miles (eight laps) around a quarter mile track!
The second week post-op I had, what I thought was, a setback. I’d developed some serious nerve pain in my left leg, specifically on my left inner thigh. I called my doctor and he said it’s not uncommon for back and leg nerves to be upset and agitated. I’d been feeling so good I’d almost forgotten I’d just had major back surgery! At my two week post-op follow up, my surgical team was extremely pleased with the progress I had made. While I was experiencing this leg pain I hadn’t had before, it was within the realm of normal and I just tried to keep pushing through, hopeful that it would turn the corner. I hugged my surgeon when I first saw him, so thankful for the work he had done. Yes, all the pain I had lived with the last three years was gone. I hadn’t felt it since waking up from the XLIF procedure. At week four the leg pain that I’d developed during week two was entirely gone. I was pain free for the first time in years!
In closing, and for what it’s worth, my surgeon and his team gave me and my family our life back. He did this by completing a two-level L3-L4-L5 XLIF. Not only did this give my life back to me, it saved it. I write this today 69 days post-op. I remain pain-free, have started physical therapy, walk a few miles daily and am on the road to strengthening my core and re-building the endurance in my core, legs and back. I take zero pain meds (not even TYLENOL®). Throughout this process, The Better Way Back and my Patient Ambassadors have stood by, available at any time, for support. They, too, have been instrumental in my recovery–both mental and physical. Living for years in constant debilitating pain effects not only one’s body, but one’s mind and soul. I’m happy to report that XLIF has me on the road to recovery. I hope you, too, can enjoy similar success.
Oh, yes. I forgot to mention that I am an active duty U.S. Army Soldier with 22 years of active military service. Between July 2011 and September 2014–I never missed a single day of Army work. I never missed a single physical fitness test. I never failed to complete any mission I was given. I never let the majority of my fellow Soldiers know how badly I was suffering. I had three people at work who knew my condition. When they saw me doing something that would exacerbate my suffering, they would attempt to intervene where they could. Most often, I wouldn’t let them. I would endure any and all agonies in order to carry my own weight. To my own debilitation, I never allowed myself to be a burden or a liability to my fellow soldiers. I went to work every day. I toughed it out. I sucked up the pain, the lack of sleep, and I never ever gave up. My only regret was that some of that suffering was not necessary. If I had gone to my surgeon and had the XLIF procedure sooner, it’s arguable that some of that suffering could have been averted. We all have our own path we must travel, but my only advice is don’t wait too long to speak with your doctor about XLIF.
15-NUVA-0144