Doreen

Hi, my name is Doreen and just over 7 years ago I had a spinal ‘fusion’ on my lower back performed by Mr Krishna. You can contact me on Jane228@ . I am always happy to chat.

How it all began

My symptoms came on very quickly, probably about a year prior to the operation. It started with very bad back pain, and a constant ache in my lower back. It progressed to severe pains down the front of my legs, and lower back. At times I was unable to move at all. I could not walk, stand or sit for long. There were times I could not put one foot in front of the other and the doctor, had to come out more than once with pethadine injections. I was constantly taking painkillers and anti inflammatory to try and get me through the day. I was also becoming very depressed with the situation.

I was very lucky in that the ‘spinal assessment clinic’ had only recently been set up and I had a quick referral by my doctor. The girls in the clinic were all excellent; they certainly made me feel comfortable.

Following an initial assessment I had an appointment with Mr Krishna.

By this time my family life had completely deteriorated, being a single parent, I would have been totally lost without my daughter, at 14 she took on many of the household chores, I could not bend or lift. Lindsey also had to help me dress on a morning, the only way I could get out of bed was to roll out on to the floor, get onto all fours and then push my self back wards and up onto my feet! Even brushing my teeth was done whilst I knelt on the floor, as I could not bend over the sink. I could no longer garden, cycle, or do any activities. I was lucky in having an automatic car I could still get to work, my employer was very good in that I was allowed a private car park space and I could re arrange my work to accommodate my back problems, alternating between sitting and standing and walking and even sitting on the floor! (Good job I had my own room) I was becoming more and more depressed by my situation and inability to function.

The Diagnosis

When Mr Krishna informed me that my bottom disc had just about disintegrated and that the only option was an operation I was totally shocked. I remember driving home and pulling into a lay-by and just crying. I had never had an operation before and my first thoughts were, what if I don’t pull through? What will happen to Lindsey, what if it isn’t successful? These thoughts did not last long, I knew I had no quality of life and that I was getting worse and although I had been able to continue working there were times I had to be brought home and I knew this could not continue. There was no option but to go ahead, I did not hesitate when Mr Krishna said he would put me on the waiting list.

The Operation

I was booked into North Tees Hospital the evening before my operation and Mr Krishna performed the operation first thing the next morning. I was given a pre-op to help me relax and taken down to theatre, I recall saying’ I am not asleep yet’ and being told I soon would be. I was told to count down from ten, I think, and only getting to about 6. The next thing I knew was coming round sometime early evening and was taken back to the ward, and although feeling a little uncomfortable I was not in any real pain.

I remember waking up that first morning and thinking the pain has gone, that constant ache and the fear of moving wrong and causing that sharp stabbing pain was gone too, although I was obviously uncomfortable from the operation it self, I felt so much better. The same morning, very early I recall, Mr Krishna arrived on the ward and decided it was time I was up and on my feet. With a little help from Mr Krishna and 2 nurses they got me sitting up and then on my feet. Mr Krishna proceeded to walk me down the corridor. With a little bit of perseverance I then managed to keep getting up myself and walking, and by the 3rd day I was able to go home.

Post-operation

I now had 8 titanium pins in my back supporting my lower spine. I was advised to take things slowly and to build up gradually, my back was stiff and bone had been removed from my hip to use in the operation and this area was also sore, but not unbearable, not like prior to the operation. I returned to work after 8 weeks, and continued to improve daily. My colleagues all told me I looked so much better, they told me prior to the operation I actually looked quite’ gray’ and depressed, which I was, with the constant pain, but did not realize they saw this too. It is now 7 years down the line, I have continued to work with rarely a day off, Occasionally I have done too much in the garden, or been out walking all day, and then my back aches a little, but I suppose this is the same for all middle age people! At least I can now follow a normal life, garden, dance if I want, go walking and swimming; I rarely had a need for any painkillers. I now class my self as leading a full and active life. I have no regrets and would certainly have the operation again, if the need arose.