Hi Dr. Yeung,
It has been a year since the surgery, so I thought I would give you an update. Over the course of the 12 months, I have had 4 epidurals, the last one about 4 months ago which helped with the pain in my legs. Since the operation I have had lots of discomfort but never had my back “go” and never had to spend days in bed as previously.
Bit by bit I have improved. About 2 months ago things had improved to the point where I stopped taking pregabalin. At present, I take maybe 2 tramadol once every few days and that is usually at night. During the day it is rare that I feel enough pain to need any painkillers. When I lie down at the end of the day, I can always feel my legs burning a little, but it is not always that I will need anything to help me sleep.
In summary, the decision I made to come to Phoenix was a great one! I am able to work every day and it is very rare that I find myself in any significant discomfort. I cycle and swim, and once again I am leading a normal life. No one is happier about that than my children who lost their Dad for about a year and a half, as I was almost always lying down and unable to do much with them.
A couple of months ago, we went on holiday to San Francisco and subsequently drove to Yosemite, Mammoth, Death Valley and Vegas. I simply couldn’t have done that before the operation.
I really can’t thank you enough for the work that you did on my back. I have known for a while that I am unlikely to ever be completely pain free, but the fact that I can really enjoy life again is truly fantastic.
Thank you very much.
- Mark Bates
Phoenix, AZ
