David's Recovery from IBT Surgery

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On June 23, 2006, I underwent a surgical procedure called Intrathecal Baclofen Therapy (click here) to relieve the muscle spasticity in my legs and arms due to cerebral palsy. At the bottom are QuickTime movie clips of various stages of my recovery.

Please be patient as it may take some time for these clips to load. I have converted them to web format so the files are as small as possible. They are in Apple QuickTime format. If you're on a Windows PC, (click here) for the QuickTime player.

Spring 2008:
If you're seeing this page because of the link at the IBT message board and are considering the procedure, consider a little longer!

It's approaching two years since the surgery and I still am questioning if this was a good decision. My theory is that all the years of running around - extensive walking during college, in airports, shopping malls, trade shows, stores and the like - plus dancing at clubs in my rebellious early 20s - are catching up with me. At age 40, I'm finding that CP compounds the aging process. If I weren't in such good health otherwise, I wouldn't be so frustrated. For example, if CP was known to shorten a person's lifespan (like muscular dystrophy), I wouldn't worry about my muscles stiffening so much because death would soon deliver me from these problems. But there are many examples of longevity genes in my family, so I'm probably here for a long time. My faith in God keeps me going. He has blessed me in so many ways, so I try to keep that in perspective with the increasing pains and stiffness. If it wasn't for the patience and support of my wife, I probably wouldn't be here today.


TIMELINE OF EVENTS:
03.10.2008		Pump refilled and then increased to 165 mcgs.
01.21.2008		Pump flow increased to 155 mcgs. My doctor noted my increased strength and beneficial weight gain in the last year and a half, but no change in my gait. I need more exercise and stretching, but this is difficult with working, creating art and freelance projects. Additionally, there are circumstances at home right now that make life very stressful (also mentioned below in May of 2007), thus affecting my mood and physical well being. The main source of this stress will be a non-issue by this time next year, so I look forward to that day and expect significant improvement as that time draws nearer.
11.19.2007		Pump flow increased to 145 mcgs. Weight is staying around 160 pounds.
09.10.2007		Pump flow increased to 137 mcgs. Found out that during the last refill, the doctor cancelled the 10 percent reduction between midnight and 5:00 am. That explains the brief extreme weakness I experienced then.
07.25.2007		Pump refilled and then increased. The doctor noticed I had tightened up a great deal, so it was time. 36 hours later it hit me with extreme weakness, but as the day continued my strength returned. Pump flow is 130 mcgs, weight hovering around 158 to 160 pounds.
06.11.2007		Pump reduced another 20 percent. Pump flow is 122 mcgs.
05.23.2007		Visited regular doctor for physical exam. All is well except that I've unexectedly lost an additional 8 pounds since January. I believe it's mainly due to stress in our home with some family issues, because my eating habits are normal and I've regained some strength. Weight at 153 pounds. My clothes are hanging off of me and the pump is very pronounced. Would like to gain 10 pounds, but doesn't seem possible.
03.12.2007		Pump refilled and flow reduced again by 10 percent. Pump flow is 140 mcgs.
02.14.2007		Pump adjusted to reduce flow by 10 percent overall, with the proportional reduction continuing between midnight and 5:00 am. Noticed increased strength within a few hours. Jennifer said she thought the increase in November was too aggressive because she noticed that I had not fully "recovered" and didn't move around as well as prior to the increase. Pump flow is 153 mcgs.
01.10.2007		Pump adjusted to reduce flow by 10 percent between midnight and 5:00 am. The reason is to give me a little more strength to move while sleeping and also getting up in the morning. I should have had the doctor extend the time a couple of hours for sleeping longer on the weekends.
11.20.2006		First pump refill (remained at 500 concentration), and the needle through the skin was painful! Fortunately it was just a few seconds. Doc noticed a slight improvement in the tightness/looseness of my legs versus previous visits. Pump increased to 175 mcgs.
11.06.2006		Adductor muscles have seen no relaxation from the botox injections. Jennifer thinks my legs actually got tighter from the botox. Pump increased to 158 mcgs. Weight at 160 pounds.
10.18.2006		Adductor muscles injected with botox in an attempt to further reduce spasticity (results should manifest in 7-10 days). Pump increased to 143 mcgs.
10.02.2006		Therapy table delivered. Makes stretching much easier than getting on and off the floor! Due for pump increase in two weeks because legs are tightening again.
09.13.2006		Attended spasticity clinic conducted by doctor who treated me at Swedish. Accessed by two doctors and two PTs. Pump increaded to 130 mcgs. Still very stiff in legs and arms, which was quite discouraging. Cut ties with original neurologist because of lack of responsiveness from her and her staff. Weight at 162 pounds.
08.21.2006		Returned to work full time and continued outpatient PT. Remained very weak, especially the first hour or so after waking up. Ordered 4 x 7 foot therapy stretching table.
08.07.2006		Returned to work part time and resumed outpatient PT. Jennifer and I aggressively stretched my legs and arms 5-6 days a week.
08.01.2006		Admitted to Swedish Hospital in Littleton, Colorado for four days. Physical and occupational therapy conducted. Received some great stretching but was very disappointed in small amount of actual time spent in therapy. Was not worth the $1,500 copay!
07.24.2006		Returned to my job as graphic designer for a magnet company, part time. Worked mornings and rested/napped in the afternoons. Continued with outpatient PT. Slowly regained strength while pump was increased slightly.
07.18.2006		Began outpatient physical therapy. Neurologist attempted to get me admitted to Spalding Rehab for full time PT, but request was rejected due to bureaucracy and red tape. Pump increased to 115 mcgs.
07.03.2006		Staples from incisions removed. Wounds healed very well, but slight infection on lower back incision. Surgeon joked that I was so skinny that there was little skin to cover pump!
06.23.2006		Surgical prodcedure of Baclofen Pump. Spent two nights at Medical Center of Aurora, Colorado due to not being able to keep food down. Pump set at 100 micrograms per 24 hour period. Weight at 173 pounds.
04.06.2006		Screening test conducted. Baclofen injected in lower back and then observed all day at Medical Center of Aurora, Colorado. Couldn't walk until 10:00 pm, slight fever, extreme lower back pain, stayed home from work next day. Was back to normal three days after test.
Early 2006		Learned about Baclofen pump from a patient my wife had worked with who has MS and benefited greatly from the surgery. Met with neurologist, watched promo videos, did lots of research on the internet and chatted with others who had this done. Weight at 175 pounds - heaviest I've ever been.

	Physical Therapy October 27, 2006 Shown here are the stretching exercises Jennifer and I do about 4 days a week.

The Torture Device June 30, 2006 This stretches the adductor muscles in my legs.		Walking Slowly July 1, 2006 Eight days after surgery. The Baclofen pump is between the skin and muscle on my lower left abdomen. Fortunately it won't show underneath most clothing.


One Month Post-Surgery July 23, 2006 Supposedly starting full-time physical therapy this week. In a lot of pain from a fall - landed on my hand with my left side ribs two nights ago.			7 Weeks Post Surgery August 13, 2006 Reverting back to former walking pattern.