Anonymous
Post 02/12/2024 13:26     Subject: Re:Wwyd if this was your mother?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Are you the poster with the mom overseas with a compression fracture? I’m the poster with a mom in a similar boat (not quite as immobilized but not much better) with a compression fracture.

My question would be how confident they are that the fusion will address the issue that is causing her pain if it goes well? Even if it isn’t a perfect fix, your mom sounds like she has zero quality of life now. Id want multiple opinions and to feel I’d exhausted all more conservative options.


Yes!
They gave her a 60-80% chance of a successful outcome.
Sigh.
I don’t know that I think she has done as much pt as she could have. But to be fair to her the nerve is so compressed that any walking or moving is pretty excruciating.


Those are excellent odds OP and give hope to the situation. I would 100% go forth with it.
Anonymous
Post 02/12/2024 13:26     Subject: Wwyd if this was your mother?
I would absolutely do the surgery without a doubt. It might not help but it sounds like there's not much possibility it will cause more issues than she is currently experiencing since her quality of life is so low now.
Anonymous
Post 02/12/2024 13:25     Subject: Wwyd if this was your mother?
Anonymous wrote:My mom is 76 and has developed a crippling back issue. She can barely walk (a few steps with a walker); needs a hospital bed at home, round the clock carers and is in pain and on hardcore pain meds at all times. Prior to this which happened in the last 6 mos, she was a very active person. Now it’s like she is 95. Multiple surgeons consulted say fusion is the only answer but it’s a big surgery with a recovery that would be challenging for a 30 yo man; and I read so many horror stories of people who seem to be even worse off after them. I’m being supportive of her decision but is that the right thing? I’m concerned it will be a terrible result and kind of end up being the end of her. Wwyd?


Imho its worth risk as quality of life matters more than length of life. It it was just a moderate pain, wouldn't be risk it but hers is disabling.
Anonymous
Post 02/12/2024 13:21     Subject: Wwyd if this was your mother?
Anonymous wrote: I’d get her the surgery. A long recovery is minimal compared to being bed ridden the rest of her life.


Same! Not to mention everything else that will happen to her once she's committed to be bedridden.
Anonymous
Post 02/12/2024 13:10     Subject: Wwyd if this was your mother?
My father had back surgery five years ago and it did not improve things. He had to have a second surgery two years later and now can barely walk while showing signs of dementia. He's 75 now. Of course he was in pain prior to surgery so its impossible to know if he made the right choice. Maybe there were no good choices.

I'm really sorry OP that you have to deal with this.
Anonymous
Post 01/27/2024 23:23     Subject: Wwyd if this was your mother?
I’m sorry!! This sounds awful. She’s young enough still that I’d do it. Good luck.
Anonymous
Post 01/27/2024 21:26     Subject: Wwyd if this was your mother?
A family member just had it done in this exact situation. Same age. She's doing remarkable. I'd seriously consider it just research and find the best doctor you can. She has to be a good patient too. Follow all rehab, pt and ot.
Anonymous
Post 01/27/2024 16:31     Subject: Wwyd if this was your mother?
Anonymous wrote:Get a second opinion from Dr. Fred Mo. I know two people who had major surgeries by him and couldn’t be happier.


op - ty! she is abroad, but maybe he will consult with me on her behalf.
Anonymous
Post 01/27/2024 15:04     Subject: Wwyd if this was your mother?
Get a second opinion from Dr. Fred Mo. I know two people who had major surgeries by him and couldn’t be happier.
Anonymous
Post 01/27/2024 15:00     Subject: Wwyd if this was your mother?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote: I’d get her the surgery. A long recovery is minimal compared to being bed ridden the rest of her life.


How is anything but this the answer.


+1. A friend had the back surgery at a similar age, older even, I think, and though she hesitated and the recovery was not swift, she is now independent again in her mid-80s. Definitely worth it on balance.


op - i dont think we have much choice.
currently she's completely immobile and a combination of fentanyl, oxynorm and pregabalin are still not keeping her pain in check. She just calls me and moans and weeps.
Life can really suck sometimes.
Anonymous
Post 01/23/2024 15:05     Subject: Wwyd if this was your mother?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote: I’d get her the surgery. A long recovery is minimal compared to being bed ridden the rest of her life.


How is anything but this the answer.


+1. A friend had the back surgery at a similar age, older even, I think, and though she hesitated and the recovery was not swift, she is now independent again in her mid-80s. Definitely worth it on balance.
Anonymous
Post 01/23/2024 14:18     Subject: Wwyd if this was your mother?
Anonymous wrote:10:34 poster

Agree with try PT and acupuncture first.

Then surgery if she wants it and is motivated to do PT afterwards.

Current state sounds horrible and she is still young enough for surgery.





+ 1
Anonymous
Post 01/21/2024 21:23     Subject: Wwyd if this was your mother?
Anonymous wrote:My mom had surgery in her 70s, and it gave her 15 more years of mobility. It was worth it but a hard recovery.


What kind of surgery pp?
Anonymous
Post 01/21/2024 20:22     Subject: Wwyd if this was your mother?
My mom had surgery in her 70s, and it gave her 15 more years of mobility. It was worth it but a hard recovery.
Anonymous
Post 01/21/2024 20:12     Subject: Wwyd if this was your mother?
Watch out for postsurgery DVTs and Pulmonary Embolism. Fusion surgeries are long.
My athletic, runner husband, age 66, had neck fusion gorgeous DVT no one noticed, saddle block PE on day 3. 3 days in ICU.
He had varicose veins, perhaps a risk factor.
Ask about DVT prevention and even anticoagulants post surgery. Wish we had, nearly lost him.