Yesterday, I found out that ... and I'm scared.

[GoodnessKnows]

I will be brief as I feel like I've entered a time warp where my brain has frozen, incapable of long sentences:
Had hip pain and have been waking at 3am most nights with back pain (not terrible) for about 1-2 years.
Thought I needed a firmer mattress.
Finally went to consultant.
Two MRIs and an X-ray later, I was ushered into a private room having just been told that a large tumor is at the base of my spine.
They called me back in within one working day of the second MRI.
I'm now waiting for a biopsy which will be on Wednesday or Saturday of next week - to determine its 'nature'.
Scared
Shocked
There was talk of chronic bone erosion in the lower back as a result of this thing. Also discussion of nerve paths and tumors, rare cases and cups of tea.
Now, lying awake as usual in mild discomfort, I'm in utter shock and disbelief.

Yes, down here in sunny Oz.. It's 33 degrees today, freakishly hot for me anytime (been here just over 18 months) but for January?? It does reduce the post Xmas mood dip somewhat, but odd all the same.

Hope you enjoy Breaking Bad, keep your ipad charged!

Yes. Must do that
Where in oz?

Perth, the wild west.

Oh what a lovely morning
My lines have been flushed again
Oh what a lovely morning
Tram and morphine for the pain

Sounds like good stuff you're on!

Op, glad to read the morphine felled verse, hope the need for it disappears soon.

Lovely to hear from you & pleased you are well enough to compose verse

Morning Goodness, Sorry to have missed you overnight but being in the UK I was fast asleep!!

Hope you have another pain free dayxx

Good morning from me too! So glad the surgery is over. I'm glad, too, that those drugs are working, and amazed that you sound so clear headed. Haven't got into Breaking Bad myself but my brother got hooked on it and watched the lot. Can't look at that guy without thinking that he's Malcolm in the Middle's dad. That was my boy's programme to watch at tea time!
Anyway, I hope they treat you well!

Goodness ,keep reminding yourself that it's the drugs causing flashbacks etc .
I had weird visual disturbances - like my focus was shifting dramatically so that something I was looking at across the ward seemed as if it were suddenly zooming towards me .

and I had panic attacks on waking ,so would stay awake . The lack of sleep didn't seem to be a problem .

And start telling them you're worried about the morphine etc causing constipation and ask how you can minimise effect . Get on it early would be my advice ,tho I imagine they'll tell you not to worry about that/cross that bridge etc . But it was one of the worst things for me .

Oh and see if a kind nurse will press your clicky button for you if you do sleep !

Glad you're doing well . I bet your little boy will be ok when you come home ,you'll be glad the op's behind you ( tho probably bit scary to think of home yet ? ) and he'll be relieved to have you back .

I'm extremely scared of doing a poo. They wanted to give me laxative but I was too scared.

Feeling zonked
Can't focus to see keyboard
Stood up for Physio
Am still dizzy n weak an hour afterwards

I have watched your thread from the beginning, wow you have been up already, and that is really good news considering the op you have just had.
Take the laxative, Lactulose is quite gentle and you dont want to be worrying about constipation. Once you are upto eating get some prunes etc and try and drink lots. I am 8 days post op hysterectomy so i know!, that worried me more than anything and have had no problems at all.
You will feel a bit better once your analgesia is reduced and your brain is a bit sharper. Sleep lots XX

Great news you are up already.I always find sweetcorn helpful but go for the laxative!!!

Goodness no wonder you're feeling zonked - I'm in awe that you're reading and posting . Well done you !

Honestly go for the laxative ,it'll be very gentle and make pooing easy and soft ( sorry if a bit TMI ) . You'll have to go - though golly of course you're scared - sometime . Better sooner and soft than later and not .

Keep going , you'll get there .

Fit flop, how r u feeling?
I'm not up at all yet. Strapped down on my side and rotated when pain gets intolerable (half-hourly). MN saving me from losing my mind/ crying.
Thank gd internet working. - even if intermittently.

Did brave thing n took senna. Now waiting. Just had Turkey slices.

Ok, I'll admit this is one time I am not offering a comforting hand to hold...

goodness oh sorry to hear you can't freely move. That sucks, but remember it won't be forever. You have come so far already, and soon this pain will pass. You are doing brilliantly, keep your strength, we are here to help you through.

Turkey slices to help relieve constipation? Now that's something I wouldn't have thought, but maybe if they are slightly undercooked...

Think my op was a walk in the park in comparison, am doing ok.
Try and stay relaxed, will help with pain, (guess you have no choice at mo).
Will keep checking in as i'm home bound for now.

Congratulations on standing up! Also for being brave enough to take the senna!
I cannot imagine what it's like. I had a tooth out two weeks ago and my body spent all last week going "WTF?"
Woozy does it!
You're not missing much in the outside world. Weather is still rubbish.
I'm off to see son#2 tomorrow night, in panto. Oh, yes he is!
Should be a riot.
May the healing continue. Get lots of rest!

You too, Fitflop, no scrubbing the kitchen floor, ya hear?

Mind yourself. xx

I've been silently following from the start, quietly rooting for you. Slowly, slowly yes? Keeping taking baby steps, just like you already are.

and for when you're up for eating it!