By Eric Wolf Schoen
I trust you and your family had a wonderful holiday season filled with comfort and joy. As for me the closest I got to Christmas were some delicious chocolate dipped moon sliver cookies, fruitcake cookies, and other scrumptious goodies that went down smoothly that dear friend Leanna Costantini Pristash brought to the hospital for my enjoyment.
Jeanne, Leanna’s sister brought me a Challah bread. My dear friend; Maury, Sally Jesse Raphael, Entertainment show at 11:00 p.m. on E and independent producer John PASCARELLA brought me a slice of the bakery chef from Secaucus’ multicolor cake. Note to self: tastes better at room temperature and does not need the be kept in the fridge so perfect gift to get!
Yes, what was going to be a 2-3 day stay at the hospital ended up being over 2 weeks. Another note to self: though you may have the best surgeon on the galaxy you want to be at a hospital close to the ones you love. And the new ‘for profit’ model hospital? All they want to do is get you in, do the procedure, get you out and get paid by the insurance company. You have to be a lawyer to go to the hospital nowadays,
Granted I knew my procedure was complex. I have had scoliosis for the 64 years and 10 months I have been on the planet. No surgery before which has been a blessing. They have made a lot of progress with surgery but back and neck surgery because of the spine has not been perfected.
Make sure before any doctor touches your back you get 3-4 opinions from the best doctors you can find. Most people go for back surgery and keep going back for more. Don’t quote me here but something like 80% of back surgery is not effective and of the 80 % over 70% go.back for more. And more. Folks skinny as a whistle and those with some weight on their tummy in the same ballgame.
The doctors warned me of the complications of the surgery I would be having so I knew what I was walking into. But if I didn’t have the surgery right away I may not be walking today. I might be slow, in a lot of pain but thank the 15 people in the operating room (I only saw 10 before i was knocked out) who are responsible for my walking today.
My neurologist , the man who discovered my Parkinson’s by observing me walking in his office felt 100% that I needed surgery right away. He encouraged the orthopedic surgeon to perform the surgery right away. In his many years of practicing the orthopedist said he never had a neurologist who wanted the surgery done so quickly, because sadly if had not taken place who knows where I would be today
I tell you this not to scare you but if you ever find yourself no pun intended in my shoes you have some idea as to what to do.
Recovery. Who knows how long it wil take? But those with back pain or other severe pain know it has be be treated. Make sure you follow all the directions staff and doctors give you, take all your medications and you will come through. Btw the doctors and nurses at the hospital I was at are exceptional and deserve every dollar they earn putting up with a patient like me!
Surgery and the meds you take make you tired which is happening to me now. I will talk more about my experience in future weeks.
It was 2:00 am Christmas Day and I was talking to one of the nurses’ daughters afraid she could not afford college. I gave her some ideas as to what she could do to finance her college experience.
The hospital had a big reception for Chanukah. No one knew a Chanukah song to sing. So in pain, a few days out of surgery, in my hospital gown I got out of my wheel chair, voice not as strong as it should be due to the tube removed a day before and lead everyone in the dreidel song.
The kid is back, Happy Healthy New Year in a world of Shalom, Peace! Pray for my continued improvement, and I hope this year is the best year of your life! -Eric
Reach ERIC WOLF Schoen at thistooisyonkers@aol.com. Friend him on Facebook in the picture with Joan River’s!
