NYFUSED
01-27-2004, 11:18 PM
Hi,
I am scheduled for a revision surgery on 2/25/2004. Acdf c5-6-7 revision and a new acdf c4-5 with possbible c3-4 involved. The Doctors office called today with my pre admission testing date etc. for th 19th. I will also be fitted for a "hard" collar" and I have to attend a mandatory cervical spine class at the hosp. After I hung up the phone I started crying thinking I cannot do this!!!! I have had several surgeries in the past and I am not afriad of hospitals. This particular surgery is just scaring the hell out of me. If there is anyone that has had a revision surgery (taking out the old plate and hardwear, and installing new longer one) please repsond. I need to talk to someone to try and calm me down. I know if I cancel the surgery it will only get worse and possible permanent nerve damage can occur but...... I just dont want to go through this!!!
Thanks
Lori
------------------
LAMINECTOMY L4-5 2/2001
ACDF C5-6-7 WITH OWN BONE 10/2002
POST. LAMI-FORAMINOTOMY-CORPECTOMY C6-7 6/2003
STAPH INFECT. 7/4-7/9/2003
10/2003 NEUROGENIC BLADDER FLOMAX 4MG
11/2003 NODULES ON VOCALS CORDS FROM BEING INTUBATED. ALWAYS HAVE A HOARSE VOICE, FORMER SINGER, ARD FROM STRESS-NEXIUM 40MG, CERVICAL RADICULOPATHY C5-6-7- ARM PAIN
UPCOMING SURGERIES:
2/25/2004 REVISION ACDF C5-6-7 WITH INTERBODY CAGES, NEW ACDF C4-5
DEVELOPMENTAL STENOSIS C3-4, SEVERE STENOSIS C4-5, NON-FUSION AT C7.
L3-S1 ADR ???? 2004-2005
DDD, BLACK DISCS, SCIATICA, RADICULOPATHY L3-4-5 S1
DIAGIONSED WITH 2 LEAKY HEART VALVES. HIGH CHOLESTROL- PRAVACHOL 40MG
I am scheduled for a revision surgery on 2/25/2004. Acdf c5-6-7 revision and a new acdf c4-5 with possbible c3-4 involved. The Doctors office called today with my pre admission testing date etc. for th 19th. I will also be fitted for a "hard" collar" and I have to attend a mandatory cervical spine class at the hosp. After I hung up the phone I started crying thinking I cannot do this!!!! I have had several surgeries in the past and I am not afriad of hospitals. This particular surgery is just scaring the hell out of me. If there is anyone that has had a revision surgery (taking out the old plate and hardwear, and installing new longer one) please repsond. I need to talk to someone to try and calm me down. I know if I cancel the surgery it will only get worse and possible permanent nerve damage can occur but...... I just dont want to go through this!!!
Thanks
Lori
------------------
LAMINECTOMY L4-5 2/2001
ACDF C5-6-7 WITH OWN BONE 10/2002
POST. LAMI-FORAMINOTOMY-CORPECTOMY C6-7 6/2003
STAPH INFECT. 7/4-7/9/2003
10/2003 NEUROGENIC BLADDER FLOMAX 4MG
11/2003 NODULES ON VOCALS CORDS FROM BEING INTUBATED. ALWAYS HAVE A HOARSE VOICE, FORMER SINGER, ARD FROM STRESS-NEXIUM 40MG, CERVICAL RADICULOPATHY C5-6-7- ARM PAIN
UPCOMING SURGERIES:
2/25/2004 REVISION ACDF C5-6-7 WITH INTERBODY CAGES, NEW ACDF C4-5
DEVELOPMENTAL STENOSIS C3-4, SEVERE STENOSIS C4-5, NON-FUSION AT C7.
L3-S1 ADR ???? 2004-2005
DDD, BLACK DISCS, SCIATICA, RADICULOPATHY L3-4-5 S1
DIAGIONSED WITH 2 LEAKY HEART VALVES. HIGH CHOLESTROL- PRAVACHOL 40MG
Sponsor
irish34
01-27-2004, 11:20 PM
Lori--
Just a little uplifting words for you--you have so many true friends out here who are rooting for you! Our thoughts and prayers are always with you. My surgery is this Monday ACDF C5-6.
Be strong!
Irish
Just a little uplifting words for you--you have so many true friends out here who are rooting for you! Our thoughts and prayers are always with you. My surgery is this Monday ACDF C5-6.
Be strong!
Irish
NYFUSED
01-27-2004, 11:28 PM
Thanks Irish for your kind words. I wish you luck on your surgery and hope you have a speedy recovery.
Lori
Lori
rayjj
01-29-2004, 11:06 AM
Dear Loriat...of course you are scared...any normal person would be...but as you said yourself, you know you have no choice or it's just going to get worse. Trust in your surgeon, his team, and what you believe in as a higher power and it will be all right. Ask for a PCA with morphine afterward for post-op pain control...drink a lot of fluids, don't let yourself get constipated from the pain meds, and get up and around as soon as you can. You will be just fine unless you choose to put it off. I just had a posterior decompression laminectomy at C3-C6 three weeks ago and I'm doing o.k.. I plan on returning to work in a few weeks...I am a nurse anesthetist. I also found that hypnosis and guided imagery CDs and/or tapes for pain control and relaxation are very helpful. Relaxing and resting those neck muscles is half the battle. Good Luck. Ray
nero
01-29-2004, 10:09 PM
You will be okay Lorirat. I know you can do this after everything you have been through. I had the shakes the night before my ACDF and the morning before I told my husband I was going to cancel out. This is a terrible spot to be in but you are strong and often I read your posts to reinforce that we, altogether, can help each other.
Eighteen years ago this Feb. 5 my first little girl died intra - uterinely leaving me carrying a dead 38 week old baby girl. I had to go for induction that never worked and was sent home with a pregnancy that was to go no where. I finally got to a world renowned irish dr. who helped me deliver her four days after finding out she had died in me. It was horrible and my husband and I were devastated. I was frightened and many drs turned me away saying i had to go into labour on my own. Yet, there was this one, compassionate soul that said, no way, you can be helped and he did. He then went on to deliver my healthy son two years later and my beautiful little girl six years later.
Thus, although this situation seems insurmountable you will be okay and be able to do this. I promise you.
Rest up and rest your mind from all this worry sweetie. I' m rooting for you.
Sincerely, Nero
Eighteen years ago this Feb. 5 my first little girl died intra - uterinely leaving me carrying a dead 38 week old baby girl. I had to go for induction that never worked and was sent home with a pregnancy that was to go no where. I finally got to a world renowned irish dr. who helped me deliver her four days after finding out she had died in me. It was horrible and my husband and I were devastated. I was frightened and many drs turned me away saying i had to go into labour on my own. Yet, there was this one, compassionate soul that said, no way, you can be helped and he did. He then went on to deliver my healthy son two years later and my beautiful little girl six years later.
Thus, although this situation seems insurmountable you will be okay and be able to do this. I promise you.
Rest up and rest your mind from all this worry sweetie. I' m rooting for you.
Sincerely, Nero
NYFUSED
01-29-2004, 10:57 PM
Thank you all for you words of encouragement. I just pray I am making the right decision.
Nero,
Your story touched my heart and I am deeply at a loss for words.
hugs
Lori
Nero,
Your story touched my heart and I am deeply at a loss for words.
hugs
Lori
CTmom
01-30-2004, 12:15 PM
Loricet-
I'm having the same surgery the same day. I too am terrified and think all the time about cancelling. Last night I had myself convinced I was healed (until I tried to get off the couch this morning). Anyway, I too know this is what I must do - I'm too young to be this disabled if there is a chance at feeling better. Sometimes, I get nervous reading about some of the complications people here on the board post, but I'd rather know than be unpleasantly surpised afterwards. I just hope all the people who had positive experiences get on with their lives and are less likely to post. Anyone with a positive experience care to boost our morale?
CTmom - ACDF 2/2
I'm having the same surgery the same day. I too am terrified and think all the time about cancelling. Last night I had myself convinced I was healed (until I tried to get off the couch this morning). Anyway, I too know this is what I must do - I'm too young to be this disabled if there is a chance at feeling better. Sometimes, I get nervous reading about some of the complications people here on the board post, but I'd rather know than be unpleasantly surpised afterwards. I just hope all the people who had positive experiences get on with their lives and are less likely to post. Anyone with a positive experience care to boost our morale?
CTmom - ACDF 2/2
CTmom
01-30-2004, 12:18 PM
Sorry Lorirat,
We are not having the same surgery. You obviously have been through a lot and I wish you the very best. My message was meant as a response to irish34. Sorry for the confusion - blame it on the Percocet.
CTmom
We are not having the same surgery. You obviously have been through a lot and I wish you the very best. My message was meant as a response to irish34. Sorry for the confusion - blame it on the Percocet.
CTmom
rayjj
01-30-2004, 03:03 PM
You will be in the prayers of all of us who have had any of this kind of surgery done. You will do just fine and we all will be pulling for you. Take care and try to keep a positive attitude. Your friend in surgery......rayjj
NYFUSED
02-04-2004, 10:56 PM
Thanks to all for the well wishes and prayers.
Well I had a reality check these past few days. I thougnt I was actually feelig better and cured until the big one came. Monday and Tuesday were my days from hell. I have never been in this much pain. While driving I was crying from the arm and neck pain. SO that made up my mind. I am having my surgery on the 25th. I cannot live like this anymore and I wont. I have 100% confidence in my surgeon and I will survive this. I am going in with a postive attitude and just ask you all to say that extra prayer for me on the 25th. It is like GOD is trying to tell me something.... have the surgery!!!! dont worry I will watch over you. Very strange since I have NEVER experienced pain like this before. I wanted to drive off a cliff and end the misery.
Thank you all for the support you have all given me.
Lori
Well I had a reality check these past few days. I thougnt I was actually feelig better and cured until the big one came. Monday and Tuesday were my days from hell. I have never been in this much pain. While driving I was crying from the arm and neck pain. SO that made up my mind. I am having my surgery on the 25th. I cannot live like this anymore and I wont. I have 100% confidence in my surgeon and I will survive this. I am going in with a postive attitude and just ask you all to say that extra prayer for me on the 25th. It is like GOD is trying to tell me something.... have the surgery!!!! dont worry I will watch over you. Very strange since I have NEVER experienced pain like this before. I wanted to drive off a cliff and end the misery.
Thank you all for the support you have all given me.
Lori
lexie3131
02-04-2004, 11:20 PM
Hey Lorirat-
You will be in my thoughts and prayers. I wish you good luck and full recovery. I'm still waiting on my re-sheduled surgery date. Hopefully I will know more by Friday. I've had those days where the pain didn't bother me at all and I think that maybe I don't need surgery...then it comes back full force. I don't have as bad as pain as I did when this first started. Back then I really thought of cutting my left arm off. At this point I have more numbness than before and the pain now seems to be mostly in my shoulder, neck, and between my shoulder blades. Which according to my doctor doesn't necessarily mean a good thing...I could be getting nerve damage. I wish you luck.
You're in my thoughts,
Lexie
You will be in my thoughts and prayers. I wish you good luck and full recovery. I'm still waiting on my re-sheduled surgery date. Hopefully I will know more by Friday. I've had those days where the pain didn't bother me at all and I think that maybe I don't need surgery...then it comes back full force. I don't have as bad as pain as I did when this first started. Back then I really thought of cutting my left arm off. At this point I have more numbness than before and the pain now seems to be mostly in my shoulder, neck, and between my shoulder blades. Which according to my doctor doesn't necessarily mean a good thing...I could be getting nerve damage. I wish you luck.
You're in my thoughts,
Lexie
irish34
02-04-2004, 11:30 PM
Lexie,
Well, I talked to the scheduling guru at the surgerons office and it looks like March 8th is going to be the big day. He was suppose to call me back with a definite yes and a time this afternoon but I haven't heard from him.
I hope that all is well with you!!!
Well, I talked to the scheduling guru at the surgerons office and it looks like March 8th is going to be the big day. He was suppose to call me back with a definite yes and a time this afternoon but I haven't heard from him.
I hope that all is well with you!!!
rayjj
02-05-2004, 10:01 AM
Hi Lori,
Good for you...we'll all be praying for you when you have your surgery on the 25th. I am due back at work on Monday the 23rd., so it will be interesting to see how that goes. Don't forget to ask about post-op. pain control and if you want a morphine PCA sometimes you have to ask for one as not all places will do it routinely. Since you will all ready have an I.V. in, why not? Mine helped me a lot when I had my surgery, and if you get nauseated make sure and tell them right away as they can give you something for it to head it off as you do not want to be retching right after you've had a fresh surgery. Good Luck.
Ray
:wave:
Good for you...we'll all be praying for you when you have your surgery on the 25th. I am due back at work on Monday the 23rd., so it will be interesting to see how that goes. Don't forget to ask about post-op. pain control and if you want a morphine PCA sometimes you have to ask for one as not all places will do it routinely. Since you will all ready have an I.V. in, why not? Mine helped me a lot when I had my surgery, and if you get nauseated make sure and tell them right away as they can give you something for it to head it off as you do not want to be retching right after you've had a fresh surgery. Good Luck.
Ray
:wave:
nero
02-08-2004, 05:48 AM
Hey Sweetie,
Just checking in on you and want you to hang in there. It has been a journey but you are almost there now. I am thinking of you along with the others who are yet to have their surgery too.
You will be okay.... its one day at a time... don't despair... soon you will have it behind you and we will be listening to how well you are doing.
rest easy... nothing last forever. Nero
Just checking in on you and want you to hang in there. It has been a journey but you are almost there now. I am thinking of you along with the others who are yet to have their surgery too.
You will be okay.... its one day at a time... don't despair... soon you will have it behind you and we will be listening to how well you are doing.
rest easy... nothing last forever. Nero