Q & A

I received the following comment on my post, Reflections on Laura's Back Surgery, and thought I'd take a moment to answer.

Question that is none of my business that you don't have to answer: Is this a genetic defect or what surgeries have you all had to have?

My mom and sister (and brother, but he hasn't had any surgeries... yet) have what's called Degenerative Back Disease (actually upon googling, I've discovered it's actually called Degenerative Disc Disease). This is genetic, which causes the discs in your back to become weaker and break down. They get smaller and smaller- compressing, causing herniated discs which press on the nerves. It's very painful. ---and that whole paragraph was contributed from my mom. Thanks mom!


My mom had back surgery 23 years ago in which they went in and reamed out the space where the nerves goes down to the hips on both sides. She also had a herniated disc, which they took care of (how we're not sure).  


Laura has actually had 2 back surgeries now. The first back surgery, which was about 5 years ago, she had a herniated disc and they went in and shaved off that disc so it wouldn't be pushing on the nerves. However, 6 months later after that surgery, she re-herniated the disc as she was trying to pick up one of her kids at Lake Powell. This second and most recent (and hopefully last!) surgery they went in took out the herniated disc and replaced it with a rod. The bone above and below that rod now need to fuse together with the rod.


Now for me. I'm not sure whether or not I actually have Degenerative Disc Disease, and honestly it probably really doesn't matter if I do or not. See, I have two rods that go the entire length of my back. So my back can't move/change a whole lot even if it wanted/tried. My first back surgery was when I was about 5-6 years old. My spine was curving so they went in and put a rod in the top half of my back. The second surgery was when I was 13 years old. My spine was still continuing to curve, and eventually would've gotten to the point of crushing internal organs. So... back in they went and this time they put in another rod, from the very top to the very bottom. I have a nice scar to show for it. (Actually have quite a few scars...) 


Hmmm... talking about this has made me decide to do a post about what disorder I actually do have.