Comfort Food that Never Fails Me Even in My Lumbar Stenosis Surgery

As I was eating adobo during the wee hours yesterday morning, it just dawned on me I am once more leaning on this iconic Filipino food for comfort. I recalled the time I cooked it when I learned I had cancer of the sweat glands in December 2011 and surprisingly ate it with gusto despite the frightening news.

Once again, adobo has been my go to refuge.  It has been quite a challenging few weeks lately. I just went through a minimally invasive surgery to relieve me of my lumbar stenosis at Allegheny General Hospital under the expert hands of Dr. Hae-Dong Jho this past Friday. I went home the same day, drove that Sunday and taught a Faith Formation class to my third graders followed by attending Mass after with the children. I then celebrated my son in law's birthday at Hoffstotts at Oakmont that wonderful evening.

I could stand, walk, sit and move but getting up from the sitting position is painful. But compared to what others go through in the traditional type of procedure this was exceptional.  I only had less than an inch cut versus about six inches in the traditional one.

I learned about Dr.Jho's highly innovative approach to treating stenosis in the lumbar region through a friend in December 2017. I was just turned down by my insurance to have the conventional spinal fusion the day before the scheduled surgery and was waiting for the appeal to be approved when from across the hall at Webb's Gym my friend Jennifer screamed down the hall that she heard that I did not have my surgery.  Beside her was Deb, another member of my Zumba class, asking what surgery were we referring to.  That was when divine providence showed me the amazing alternative, a minimally invasive yet effective surgery.  She told me to talk to Bud, her husband, who just successfully went through the procedure and was very happy with it. I remember him saying he would not mind doing it again since to him it was just as simple as having a tooth pulled as compared to the conventional one that is.  After talking to him I knew what I had to do.  When the appeal was approved for the conventional approach, I informed the other doctor's office, with sincere regrets since they worked hard to get it, that I decided to take a different route.

In March 2018, my first lumbar surgery with Dr. Jho was done on the L4-L5 level first so loss of blood is minimal and thus could be done on an outpatient basis. The other one, L3-L4 had to wait with even the possibility that tackling the first level might be enough.

After March 2018 surgery.  Me, Bob and Dr. Jho.

The surgery was a success. I was able to walk, sit and even drive after 24 hours. I had pain though which I did not expect that I complained incessantly to the patient and kind physician assistant,  Morgan. But voila, on the eighth week it was all gone.  During my after op visit, the MRI showed the decompressed L4-L5 canal had opened beautifully. Lurking above it in contrast was the untouched still compressed L3-L4. It was decided that we will work on it if any pain comes back. But so far, sooo good.

In about August this year, more than a year after my first surgery, pain on the side of my left knee was bothering me as I turned on my side. I knew it was time to have the "proverbial other tooth removed". So I put into motion the process of doing the decompression of the L3-L4 level this time.

Leading to the surgery, I had an X-Ray and an MRI before my visit with Dr. Jho who looked at them and suggested it was time to have the surgery. The usual EKG and lab work were ordered and done. Everything was moving along until I had a urinary tract infection a week before the day of the surgery.  To make sure it was gone, a urinary test was done but the lab personnel said the results would take time due to the need to incubate the sample. The result could come late Thursday or early morning Friday.  What? Fortunately I read on my portal early Thursday morning the good news, it was clear. No growth. The wait though was nerve wracking.

Friday, December 6 came and the surgery went well. That night I could not sleep and just wept out of relief.  I just realized it had been a long week of anxiety and anticipation.

The next few nights I was on this weepy state.  Part of it is not just relief but more the feeling of gratefulness for receiving excellent professional care and kindness from the staff at Allegheny General Hospital.  The receptionists, the nurses, anaesthecists, Dr. Jho's three physician assistants, Morgan, Phil and Pat and Dr. Jho were amazing. I also would like to thank Robin at the office for working on my insurance approval and Denise the scheduling nurse.

As I went through what transpired during the day of the surgery I noted little and big gestures of thoughtfulness and kindness. For example I could still  feel the warmth of the extra blanket a nurse in the recovery room placed over my shoulder as I groggily waited for my blood pressure to go down. On Monday, I was pleasantly surprised the usually stoic Dr. Jho personally emailed me the answer to a question I asked Morgan. One thing worth noting is every phone call I made in the past and the one lately always ended with the encouragement from Morgan and the other physician assistant Pat to call whenever I had any questions. They never hesitate to do their best to assure you that you are not alone in your sometimes painful journey to recovery.

I think the tears that are being shed from time to time these past few days is partly due to being overwhelmed about how lucky I have been to have discovered this procedure courtesy of Deb and Bud, and learning to be grateful rather than complaining of the pain this time and just patiently wait for it to end. I am completely in awe when I see the face of God through it all.

There are so many other people to thank for. One of them is my daughter Wendy, a wonderful, thorough MD, who thought through the best way to combat my urinary tract infection. The other is my husband, Bob, who patiently waited the whole time in the waiting room and was with me in both preop and recovery. Thanks also to the nurses at my PCP Dr. Stasko's office for faxing results to Dr. Jho's office. Of course thanks to Dr. Stasko and her physician assistant, Farrah Holmes, the UPMC imaging MRI and lab personnel. It indeed took a village. Two great medical institutions working together.

For inspiration to be brave, I drew from my very own three plus year old grandson, Luca who went through his ear canal surgery.  He unexpectedly butted in a conversation during a senior luncheon as he heard the word surgery spoken. He proudly proclaimed to all he had one and that he wore a special gown and shoes. As I was putting on my surgical gown and socks this past Friday that image of Luca popped in my head.  Surely if he did it, I could too.

My favorite comfort food adobo is helping me through these days. It has been my go to dish to relish every day as I recuperate. And with my new attitude, it has never failed to give me solace. The blessing for the sick officiated two Sundays ago at Mass surely helped.  The Lord knew for my body to heal my mind/ attitude had to change too.

Pork Adobo