Yvonne Smith

Yvonne Smith

Email address :yvonnesmithhome@yahoo.co.uk

RE: BACK SUMMARY

     My name is Yvonne Smith, I am 49 years old and I have had a back problem for 8 years.  I first went to my GP 8 years ago, but not with a back problem but with a dead right leg.  My doctor asked me to stand up and with his hands went down the vertebraes one at a time.  When he reached the bottom one I nearly went through the ceiling!
     My doctor confirmed that I didn’t have a problem with my leg as it was all from the back.  I was then sent to see a specialist at the Nuffield Hospital, Stockton who confirmed my bottom disc was worn out. My treatment over the last 8 years consisted of X-rays, MRI scans, Traction (2 weeks), Epidurals, steroid injections every six-eight weeks and was told I couldn’t be operated on as it was too dangerous.
     Although some of the treatment worked short term the back problem always returned.  I was limited in what I could and couldn’t do.  I could do most things but only for a short while e.g. walking, shopping, housework, sitting, and standing. Most nights I would go to bed with a hot water bottle and pain killers - I think over the years you just learn to live with it and adjust your life style.
After eight years my consultant retired and I was referred to Mr. Krishna.
     Once again I had X-Rays, MRI scan but this time was told I needed an operation to improve my quality of life. After explaining I was told it was too dangerous Mr. Krishna informed me that things had changed over the last eight years and he was confident that he could help me.  I was given information on the operation, told to visit the website and was booked in to have a discogram – This was to inflict pain in the disc and to  check the disc above incase that also had deteriorated, lucky it had not. It was then confirmed to me that I definitely needed the operation and was booked into Woodlands Hospital Darlington on the 11th February 2003.
     It was a hard decision to make – was I doing the right thing? would I end up being worse off? Would I end up in a wheelchair – all these things go round your head. What made my mind up was that I was given al list of names of people who have had the operation previously. I rang 3 of them – the last one was a nurse called Joyce. She really put me at ease and I thought if a nurse can go through it well so can I.
     Within 24 hours of having my operation I was up out of bed WALKING!  Then each day after you just do a little more. I was home 3 days later I can’t thank Mr. Krishna & all the hospital staff as they were first class and really put me at ease and the after care was great. I have had physiopathy, checkups and am now doing my own exercise regime.  It is now 4 months since my operation - I swim most days, walk, ride my bicycle and attend Pilate’s classes. Like any operation there is a recovery process and things take time but I think you have to have a positive attitude and do the things you are asked to do.
     The only down side to this for me is that I am now back at work! (No more time off!)  and I am now back to ironing after not being able to do it for eight years!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
     I attended my first meeting this week and I was very impressed.  I didn’t realise that there was so many people with the same problem and everyone was very friendly.

Kind regards

Yvonne Smith