I'm going in for another round of back surgery in the near future to address an issue growing between my L4 and L5 discs. I had a similar matter almost exactly two years ago which was successfully managed, and now a new intruder has decided to set up camp in that same rather cramped space along my spine (who knew it was such a desirable neighborhood?!). But as your Canswer Man, this is not about my pending hemilaminectomy discectomy, this is about how yet another aspect of my life is affected by the cancer within me. Not adversely, but just another thing I need to be aware of.
As part of the pre-op prep, for two weeks prior to the big slice (it's actually a tiny incision), I need to stop ingesting any supplements or aspirin-based products which could affect blood flow and control. I was raised by my pharmacist father as a vitamin-taker, so my daily routine includes a Men's 55+ mulit-vitamin and I chase that down with a 1000mg Vitamin C (yes, I know, it just gives me expensive pee and nothing else; but it works for me so there you have it). As part of my cocktail regimen, I also take a daily 81mg ("baby aspirin") to prevent DVTs from the Pomalyst (cancer pill) that I take. So all of that has to stop, when my monthly Pomalyst regimen (21 days on / 7 days off) is complete for the cycle on Tuesday. The timing of all of this chemical choreography is actually working out pretty well, in aligning with the surgical procedure on August 5.
There is no animosity between the two disciplines (Oncology and Orthopaedic Surgeon), but the onus is on me to understand the surgical needs, confer with my Onc (can I indeed stop for about a month) and make sure I am doing the right thing to prepare for an uneventful surgery. I have made the connections, gotten the guidance, and have a plan laid out in place for the next few weeks. Then two weeks more after the surgery before I start up again. Seems simple enough - but it helped that I had this procedure once before, and am aware of the various drugs (aspirin and supplements) that are verboten. I'm not an Onc or a Surgeon, but I am feeling confident and ready to rock. Stay tuned.
