It was an ordinary day. Nurse Paul has just made another entry into my online chart that is visible in the computer in front of me. Paul is listed as the head nurse while John is listed as the assistant nurse on the chart. Two other assistants, Ringo and George are also listed on the chart in front of me. These four gentlemen have been assisting me with my recent back surgery known this time as Posterolateral Fusion. It consists of placing a grafting bone between the transverse processes of the two vertebrae to be fused in the back of the spine. The transverse process is located on the top side of the vertebra. To perform a fusion, bone graft must be used. This may be taken from the pelvis/hip area by my surgeon, Dr. Keith Kuhlengel, with help from is assistant Sandra Moffitt from Lancaster Neuroscience & Spine Associates. I attempt to learn everything necessary for my surgery, but the professionals are the ones who carryout the procedure and are the ones I trust with my life. Additional cadaver bone may be obtained from the bone bank or bone graft substitutes (such as hydroxyapatite) may be used. The advantages and disadvantages of these different options have been discussed and I've heard them call the procedure a few other names as well, but I'm almost positive these names aren't official names for the procedure. Throughout the procedure, diet, brace structure activity, wound care and pain management are all discussed with me. Yesterday a staff of one female nurse and a few female assistants were performing the same duties as what the gentlemen are doing today. The female staff was much better looking and their hands were much more gentle than the staff today, but their names weren't as interesting as the group today. Now, I must admit that I added the "Ringo" name, but the other three names were exactly as I have typed them. When I first saw Paul, John and George, I knew exactly who was missing. It was over 60 years ago that four guys with the same names made a tour of the USA and captured many awards for their musical talents. Today these fellows in front of me are capturing my attention for the talents they are performing on me. I'm almost sure that today's Paul can't sing as well as Sir Paul McCartney, but I'm equally sure that Sir Paul can't change a catheter or an I/V drip with the skill of the handsome young man in front of me today. Whether you list either group as John, Paul, Ringo and George or Paul, John, George and Ringo, you still come up with the same names and the same talents; whether it be today or back in the 1960s. My today Paul knows what he is doing and I trust his skilled hands and knowledge with my life. Just as with my first three back surgeries, medical technology has advanced past my wildest dreams and imaginations. The pain pills are much stronger and have to be controlled well, but these guys and gals are doing a great job. Soon I will see the results of what has been done and will share it with you. Until then, I'll just sit back, allow the Oxycodone-Acetaminopheh 5-325 to take affect and listen to the music....It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.
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