It is six days since my operation, and the first time I've got on the internet since. May I just say this. How great a difference it makes to have a surgeon who shows concern, who is up with the latest techniques, and in a hospital that looks after its patients well!

I was dreading going into hospital, to the point of showing visible signs of ageing as well as sleeplessness. The operation was postponed by about an hour due to someone (the anaesthetist?) being stuck in traffic, which did nothing to calm my nerves. But after the 2 hour, 15 minute operation, I was happy to see that I was relatively pain free and the sun was shining outside. In fact the most discomfort I felt was in my old bone graft site (left iliac crest)! The thought of going under the knife must have rekindled the burnbing sensation in those nerve endings.

Thankfully the catheter to enable me to empty my bladder was inserted before and removed after the operation before I came to. I was anaesthetised lying on my back ("because we need to give you oxygen"), and then they flipped me over for the procedure. Three incisions were made: 2 vertical ones either side of my large back muscles to get the crews and rods in, and one smaller one somewhere near the top of my left buttock to harvest some bone from my illiac crest. There was no pain at at from the bone harvest site! In fact as I lay there with the anaesthetic wearing off, the only spasm I almost felt was in my old harvest site from Dec 2004! I did also jolt awake as I was falling into a deep sleep but this didn't cause any extra pain.

I am really amazed at the difference between this operation and the last one. Here are the main points:

(1) No harvest site pain. The first time it was excruciating and I cried for 30 minutes when I came to. This time I almost felt as though they'd done nothing to me.

(2) Much easier time getting on my feet. Last time I wasn't allowed to eat for 3 days because I couldn't make it to the toilet. This time they asked me to eat of drink whatever I wanted. I was walking on the day after the op. There were three tubes draining my three wounds linked to vaccuum bottles. To move around, they disconnected two of them and I'd attach the largest one to my walking frame to shuffle down the corridor. That was removed two days later too. I was walking up and down stairs atfer three days.

(3) Last time I lost 10 kilos in one week. This time I may actually have put on weight so good was the hospital food.

(4) Last time the nurses were pretty rough and frequently bumped the bed which set off wound spams. Only one nurse bumped her trolley into the bed this time.

(5) Not until my last day did a nurse not respond promptly to a call for assistance. Last time it used to be pretty predicatable.

(6) Last time the surgeon visited me and seemed oblivious to my pain, wiggling my big toe to see "how I felt". This time they asked me how I felt, made me wear stockings to prevent DVT (deep vein thrombosis), and gave me plenty of pain killers without asking.

(7) The antibiotics and painkillers were administered through a catheter in my left hand. Last time, they took that out after a few days and had to keep jabbing me with needles in my stomach every time I needed a shot.

(8) The ward I was in had two beds per room, compared to four last time. I had earplugs, a laptop and headphones this time, but it was great not having noisy neighbours.

(9) The whole thing cost twice as much this time, HK$ 220,000.

(10) I have two large bruises on my right side which are now turning purple and green. I didn't understand why they were there. The surgeon said there was some blood seeping to the suface, whatever that means. Not painful anyway.

Day by day, here's how I felt, to the best of my recollection:

Tue Day 1 - operation ~ 9am. I came to around 1pm and felt pretty fine. Happy to be alive and pain free. Had a lot of trouble making full sentences and was overly chatty with the nurses. Drowsy but too excited to sleep much. No food or drink - my own choice.

Wed Day 2 - still felling dizzy from the general anaesthetic, played some computer games and drank some home made soup. As last time, it is incredibly difficult to pee (into a bottle) lying down, especially when people keep coming to check on you every hour. Walked to the toilet and back with a walking frame. Could really feel the two metal rods on either side of my spine. Not painful just "yucky". Refused painkillers.

Thu Day 3 - felt very sore and tight on my middle back. Accepted painkillers and had a visit from the physio who gave me some bed exercises to do. She said I should take the painkillers otherwsie I wouldn't be able to do the exercises. Fair enough. Had some food since I could make it to the toilet and back by myself. Not that hungry. Changed into hospital issue pyjamas, which meant I wasn't wondering the corridors showing off my bum any more. I had a rough shave, but couldn't lean over to get close enough to the mirror to deal with all the stray hairs under my chin. I had knee pain.

Fri Day 4 - my appetite came back and I was ravenous. The big tube came out and I could walk with a walking stick. My sense of balance was off. Took off the stockings which were too warm and tight for my liking. My hip flexors and ITB were very tight. I still have knee pain. They took the catheter out of the back of my left hand. It used to be quit uncomfortable every time I'd tighten that hand or try and put it through a sleeve.

Sat Day 5 - the main pain comes from the sore wounds which I had to lie on every time I got back into bed. I feel I could go home today but the hospital bed is more adjustable, which should help me sleep and relieve my knee pain. I finally get 6 hours' sleep in a row - something I haven't been able to do since Day 1.

Sun Day 6 - a nurse changed the dressing so I can have a shower for the first time and wash my oily hair. I seem to have hurt / strained (?) my left SI joint climbing up the stairs this morning. Hmm >:

I'm now home for a few weeks while my wounds heal, my bruises fade, and my muscles regain enough strength. While I felt quite secure in the hospital in the last few days, the ride in the taxi back home reminded me how fragile I still am. The bumps on the road and the action of getting in and out of the vehicle were painful. I was worn out my the time we got home and slept deeply for six hours in the afternoon.

I am now on Tramadol (50mg, 3 times a day), Diazepam (5mg, 2 times a day), and Cosalgesic / Distalgesic / Paracetamol (4 times a day, if required). These don't need to be taken with food.

So my advice to you is find a great modern surgeon and a great hospital. Don't be sick going into the operation - the first time I had a cold. And have it in good weather. Don't end up too sticky or too cold because you won't be able to have a shower for 5 days.

Here's a checklist for "next time" you need to have spinal fusion:

(1) Take a good laptop with a couple of good games, and some DVDs to watch. Remember the power cable and ask about (wireless) broadband, if you're into that sort of thing. I intentionally stayed away from the horrors of world news and the stresses of e-mail and work. Headphones.

(2) You'll feel hungry at strange times, so take some low-fuss fruit (bananas, apples, plums) your favourite cookies, and maybe your favourite tea bags.

(3) Take a relaxing book. I'd not recommend anything related to medicine, but that's just me. I was reading "The Last Oil Shock", which turned out to be too serious for the occasion.

(4) Earplugs, shaver (recharged?), toothbrush and toothpaste. Face wash, because you won't be able to have a shower and you'll end up with an oily face after a few days in bed.

(5) Two sets of clothes, because you may be sharing a ward with airconditioning controlled by consensus. I was a little feverish around day 3 and benefitted from a choice of blankets and clothes.

(6) Mobile phone set to vibrate and caller ID, so you can ignore all calls. A recharger for the phone.

That's enough for now, and I've been sitting upright too long. Let me know if you have your stories to share.