I had back surgery yesterday. Can anyone make a suggestion on how to wrap, while being in a recliner? I had the disks shaved on L4&L5 to relieve the pressure on the nerve. Really, I know I'm not going to wrap for a week or so, but the pain pills started working and I thought I would ramble for a few mnutes. If y'all would keep me in your prayers, that would be great.

Mark Syck

Mark Syck

SYCKO Custom Rods
There Are No Limits To The Imagination

Will Do! You should be able to come up with some wild wrap patterns with the pills!! LOL

Mike (Southgate, MI)
If I don't want to, I don't have to and nobody can make me (except my wife) cuz I'm RETIRED!!

Here's what I'd do - get some sort of lap table, a board will work. Fasten or clamp some rod supports on it. Affix a simple tension device for your thread and off you go. You may even find that it's a comfortable way to wrap. But it might take some trial and error and in your condition that may be hard to do.

You know, they also make recliner tables that roll up to and under the recliner, putting the table right in your lap. Office Depot sells a pretty decent one and they're not at all expensive. Under $100. In fact, it may be quite a bit less than that if I recall correctly.

..........

Mark,
I just had the same surgery 3 1/2 weeks ago. Had 3 discs shaved and some "crabmeat" picked out. They also opened up the nerve canal to eliminate nerve pinches (about a 9" incision). Forget about wrapping rods for about 10 days or so, take it as easy as you can (wear out the catalogs and RMM mags) heal a little bit, and then tear into it! Since my surgery and about a 10 day wait I have been able to stand at my lathe and wrap my butt off with absolutely no problem whatsoever.
Before my surgery I could'nt stand for more than 5 minutes without needing to sit. Now I stand at the lathe and half the morning or afternoon is gone before I know it. In fact I'm enjoying getting around to some of my long stalled rodbuilding projects during my 8-10 week rehab!
I hope you have the same results with your surgery that I have had. It hurts like heck for a week, and then the pain slowly fades away. This surgery IS a big deal, so please don't rush the start of the healing process. Give it a week or 10 days to simmer down, then attack those blanks.
Good luck, and if I can answer any questions about what to expect please email me and ask away.

Rog

Mark,
I also had the same surgery about 4 years ago. Do like Roger said and just take it easy. You'll be up and around in no time. The rodbuilding can wait. Randy.

Thanks everyone.
Tom......I thought abouy that, but it hurts just to try and get the TV tray pullled to me

Mike....They sure would be SYCKO, or I would be cutting thhem out and redoing it after I feel better....lol

Rog........I think I'll take your advice and just read RMM and help on this board if I can.

Mark Syck

SYCKO Custom Rods
There Are No Limits To The Imagination

You will be in my prayers Mark. I have had several spinal surgeries and they aint no fun. Beware the pain meds. I became addicted the last time and it took two years to really resolve it.

Mark, Take care of yourself. Rodbuilding ain't going away and you can start as soon as you are better. That is easy for me to say. I had a tiny blood clot somewhere in my brain years ago. While in the hospital I had my kids bring my lathe, blanks, thread, and finish to my room. I wrapped two rods while lying in bed.

Hi Mark,

I know what you're going through - In 1989 L4, L5 & S1

We'll pray for a speedy recovery. Just take it easy - you don't want to go through that again - Do Ya!!

Think Positive - keep your spirits up and you'll heal quicker.



Hank
On The Rocks Fishing
Wells, ME.

Mark, been there too 10 years ago,pushed myself too early and prolonged the healing process.It was most likely because I felt so much better I thought I was done healing and figured I could use the 3 months off to have some fun.Boy was I wrong.Take the 1st 2 weeks and do nothing.See where you are at and go from there.We all had different injuries and our procedures differ so advice from one may not be good for the other.Dont jump in a 23ft boat and go fishing in 4 ft seas like I did,I know the pounding did it.Take the time to get well!!!

Freddwhy (Rapt-Ryte)

Mark,

Definetly take it easy for whatever time it takes. Re-read all the rodbuilding material you have and re-watch the videos, etc. Think up new rodbuilding approaches to try out and share with us. Don't get in too big of a hurry during the healing phase.

Best wishes for a rapid recovery!

Stan

Mark,

Don't ever take your well being for granted. Have plenty of rest cause when you are healthy the rods will still be there waiting for you. I am past 60 and am still doing daily brisk walking apart from my busy rod building schedule. Together with regular exercises, I take plenty of nutritional supplements. Have been on Usana for the last 5 years and have not seen the doc or even getting a mild flu once. There is a wonderful world out there, and we want to enjoy it to the fullest. Unfortunately, as the founder of Usana, Dr. Myron Wenck, said, we live too short and die too long. Believe me, I want to be chasing those biggies well past 80.

And yes, may God bless you now and forever.

Anthony Lee

Hi Mark,

I had L5 shaved and two pieces removed about 4 years ago. Ditto on "take it easy"! There is life after back surgery, but don't rush it and try to wrap while on pain meds.

Best wishes,
Chuck

_________________________________________
"Angling is extremely time consuming.
That's sort of the whole point." - Thomas McGuane

The table that Tom is talking about is also available at www.stacksandstacks.com. I bought one for around $50 I think and they shipped it to me out here. It is kind of small but holds a travel cradle with thread tensioner. That with a few TV trays around to hold your supplies and you should be set. But like others have said, rest up a bit and heal .

Regards

Ryan

OK......Now I am REALLY scared....Is it just me or do A LOT of rodbuilders seem to be getting back surgery? I am already screwed due to too many rough horses and my total inability to land on something OTHER than rock, concrete, and split rail fences (don't ask). Do I need to change hobbies?

Been there Doc, done that, could not agree more. I don't even take ibuprofen anymore unless I REALLY hurt.




Derek L. McMaster
Rohnert Park, CA

Born to Fish, FORCED to Work

Mark- Finally, a topic on which I can speak with authority. Been there, done that, got the t-shirt. The cleanup after Hurricane Isabel got me. I've had two back surgeries since and inumerable epidural cortisone shots. Have been going to a pain clinic for a year now and the anesthesiologist recently put needles in just the right places and applied pulsed, low frequency radio waves. Worked like a charm.

The interesting thing is that I took up rod building during recuperation from my first surgery to try and occupy myself.

The bad thing is that sitting for long periods is one of the worse things you can do.

My advice to fellow rod builders who suffer chronic pain is to seek out specialist- anesthesiologists who specialize in managing pain. These are not a bunch of quacks who want to keep you loaded up on dope- they have many techniques for managing pain and improving the quality of life. Nearly all hospitals have a pain clinic or can steer you to one and the best are generally located at large teaching hospitals.

Pete Kornegay

Hello Mark
We will pray for your total and immediate healing.
Sincerely
Joe Kassuba
HIS Rod Shop

His Rod Shop
Joe Kassuba

Hello Mark
We will pray for your total and immediate healing.
Sincerely
Joe Kassuba
HIS Rod Shop

His Rod Shop
Joe Kassuba

Mark, you know what they say when your on your back, your looking up.Pleanty of quiet time with
GOD, I will get a prayer out there for ya.

GOD BLESS
Doug Blacklock

Can`t beleive it I had the same surgery April 2003 L3/4, L4/5 and L5S1. Discectomy my doctor called it he wanted to do a spinal fusion with a big stainless plate with a hand full of self taping screws but I would not let him as the gentleman that lives nextdoor had a fusion go horribly wrong. Before my op I had lost most feeling down one leg I could not sleep I was taking handfuls of painkillers (Oxycodone and Morphine) and after a number of years of taking them they almost killed me getting off them. There is life after back surgery just take it easy and dont do anything your not suppose to do regards
Simon



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/16/2006 08:07PM by Simon Oakley.