Joanne has been in intense pain for months both in her leg and lower back. So, after much debate, she's scheduled to have her back fusion extended. The debate was not so much about if it should be done, but, about the extent of the fusion, i.e., should it be extended both up and down. She talked to a family friend, an orthopaedic surgeon, attending a spine symposium in Chicago. He asked leading experts and the advice was unanimous. They said to extend the fusion both higher and lower if there was pain both in the back and the leg.
Therefore, she will have surgery at 7:30am tomorrow (Monday) at Abbot Hospital in Minneapolis. The fusion will be extended both ways. She will likely be in the hospital for five to seven days. She will have to wear a back brace any time she is out of bed for the next twelve weeks.
Obviously this is a very difficult time for her but she is taking it like a trooper buoyed by the love, concern and prayers of so many. She has established a CaringBridge link which I will use to give regular up dates on her progress. That link is www.caringbridge.org/visit/jnegstad
Many thanks for all the out pouring of love, concern and support. God bless you all!
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