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Reader's story - Winter 2000/2001
I experienced a degree of back pain throughout my nursing career. Working mainly on surgical wards, in theatre and as a district nurse, I had do quite a lot of heavy lifting so that's probably how it all started. Following night duty in January 1992 the pain became so severe that, when I tried to get out of bed, I found I couldn't. This was to be the end of 23 years of nursing - a career that I loved and I was only 42. From that day, it took seven years to get the help I so desperately needed. At my husband's suggestion, I had joined the National Back Pain Association (as BackCare was known at the time) before the pain got really bad. As my situation worsened, I tried everything from a pain management clinic to spinal injections and drew increasingly on the support of BackCare's Glasgow branch. The members there were wonderful and I would particularly like to thank Jossy Harrison who, although in great pain herself, offered me continuous encouragement during my long struggle to have my condition taken seriously. In 1996 1 read an article in Talkback about the Global Graf Stabilisation procedure and I felt that, somehow, this might be the answer to my prayers. I asked my GP for an MRI but was told this was unnecessary and that I was just depressed and should try to accept my disability. At this point I could not stand, sit or lie comfortably and carried a stick/chair around when able. Life had become an existence and, after being fitted with a plaster jacket, I wanted to die. I had to do something. By now my husband and I decided we would have a private consultation and pay for the scan. The result showed th ree severely degenerated discs at L5, Sl, 3-4 and 4-5. 1 was filled with hope that help was on the way. However, this was only the start of many consultations and disappointments. In the meantime, I wrote to Alan Gardner (spinal surgeon and BackCare Trustee) and sent a copy of my scan report. Mr Gardner told me about his colleague, Mr Douglas Wardlaw who performed the Global Graf Stabilisation operation at the Woodend Hospital in Aberdeen. At this point, my GP asked me if I was just "clutching at straws" but I knew I could not give up and accept life as it was. Fortunately, I was referred to Aberdeen. Following tests, I was told that I would be suitable for the spinal stabilisation. I was overjoyed, though my husband was unsure, as there were no guarantees the surgery would work. Because I could only think positively into the future, I was willing to have the operation which took place in 1998. This involved fusion at L5/Sl with titanium plates and stabilisation at 3/4 and 4/5. Almost two years on, and after a long and sometimes very difficult recovery, I have a completely new life and enjoy every day. I continue to swim, do my exercises and live a normal life with help from my family. It is wonderful to be free of the misery of severe pain and I very much appreciate having the chance to have this operation. I feel very fortunate that the outcome has been so good. I have limitations, of course, though I have learned to pace myself, relax and even meditate to help my body get the full benefit of the surgery. I take medication when needed and wear my corset if I become very tired. I try to forget the years I have missed out of my life and continue to look forward with a positive attitude. My family has been wonderful throughout and I could not have come through the struggle without them, especially my husband who took me to six different hospitals and patiently fought the long fight with me. My thanks go also to the team at BackCare national office for their ongoing support, and to Alan Gardner and Mr Douglas Wardlaw and staff for all their help.
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