CTmom
01-30-2004, 09:35 AM
Hi!
I am so happy to have found this board. My Dr. had led me to believe this surgery was no big deal and after two weeks I'd be back to normal. So glad to hear reality from those who have gone through it so I will know more realistically what to expect.
My symptoms started about a month ago - pain in left arm to about elbow and across shoulders and neck. No numbness or tingling, but definitely some arm and hand weakness. I have a herniated disc and bone spur at C5-C6. My symptoms go away almost completely when lying down but are terrible when sitting up or standing. So, for the past month I haven't been able to drive, work, take care of my kids, etc... Chiro didn't help except for muscle spasms and it was impossible to ride 20 minutes in a car each way to PT three times a week (first time I tried I vomited from pain by the time I got there), so I have come to the surgical option pretty quickly. Mom had a bone spur and same level and Dad had herniated disc at same level so I guess I inherited the best from both of them. Their surgeries were years ago and both posterior approaches, so they weren't much help in letting me know what to expect (good news is they both had no long-term complications from their procedures and have needed no more cervical surgeries).
I know this is the best thing for me if I want any quality of life and my kids really need me, but I am still scared to death. I am most nervous about the initial postop period because I had a bad experience last year with an emergency laparatomy for a hemorrhagic ovarian cyst (I'm usually healthy, really!!!). I was awake the whole first night after the surgery and they had a catheter in my bladder which drove me crazy. They said I was having bladder spasms and it wasn't just uncomfortable - it really hurt! I never felt any incisional pain at all - just the bladder pain, and they couldn't take it out until Dr. gave orders the next morning. I am hoping that I can talk to the anesthetist about having it taken out as soon as possible after the surgery. I'm not scheduled till late afternoon so I'm terrified of another night like that. I also didn't like being alone all night - nurses were never around unless called and then very slow to come. I wish DH could stay the night. Just knowing he was there would relieve so much anxiety. I know, I'm a big baby!
Anyway, sorry to ramble. It's the nerves. I see others are scheduled soon as well. I hope to hear from you afterwards to find out how you're doing. I think I've forgotten what it's like to go about your daily activities pain-free, but hope it will happen someday.
Best wishes!
CTmom
ACDF C5-C6 scheduled for 2/2/04
I am so happy to have found this board. My Dr. had led me to believe this surgery was no big deal and after two weeks I'd be back to normal. So glad to hear reality from those who have gone through it so I will know more realistically what to expect.
My symptoms started about a month ago - pain in left arm to about elbow and across shoulders and neck. No numbness or tingling, but definitely some arm and hand weakness. I have a herniated disc and bone spur at C5-C6. My symptoms go away almost completely when lying down but are terrible when sitting up or standing. So, for the past month I haven't been able to drive, work, take care of my kids, etc... Chiro didn't help except for muscle spasms and it was impossible to ride 20 minutes in a car each way to PT three times a week (first time I tried I vomited from pain by the time I got there), so I have come to the surgical option pretty quickly. Mom had a bone spur and same level and Dad had herniated disc at same level so I guess I inherited the best from both of them. Their surgeries were years ago and both posterior approaches, so they weren't much help in letting me know what to expect (good news is they both had no long-term complications from their procedures and have needed no more cervical surgeries).
I know this is the best thing for me if I want any quality of life and my kids really need me, but I am still scared to death. I am most nervous about the initial postop period because I had a bad experience last year with an emergency laparatomy for a hemorrhagic ovarian cyst (I'm usually healthy, really!!!). I was awake the whole first night after the surgery and they had a catheter in my bladder which drove me crazy. They said I was having bladder spasms and it wasn't just uncomfortable - it really hurt! I never felt any incisional pain at all - just the bladder pain, and they couldn't take it out until Dr. gave orders the next morning. I am hoping that I can talk to the anesthetist about having it taken out as soon as possible after the surgery. I'm not scheduled till late afternoon so I'm terrified of another night like that. I also didn't like being alone all night - nurses were never around unless called and then very slow to come. I wish DH could stay the night. Just knowing he was there would relieve so much anxiety. I know, I'm a big baby!
Anyway, sorry to ramble. It's the nerves. I see others are scheduled soon as well. I hope to hear from you afterwards to find out how you're doing. I think I've forgotten what it's like to go about your daily activities pain-free, but hope it will happen someday.
Best wishes!
CTmom
ACDF C5-C6 scheduled for 2/2/04
Sponsor
Ramsfan
01-30-2004, 11:28 AM
As far as being no big deal, It is much more of a common surgery than I realized until going through it myself. It's no big deal for the surgeon because they do this so often, but it's a big deal to us because of the stress and worry we go through before surgery. The recovery period is less than desired but in the long run usually gives a desireable result. Good luck with your surgery and write to us when you are able.
Frank ;)
Frank ;)
nero
01-30-2004, 09:11 PM
Hi there :wave:
You are not a big baby... especially if you are walking around with all that pain. Believe me, a lot of people scream or just lie there. You have done well to advocate for yourself and the life you deserve with your little ones.
The preexisting condition of your bladder to the catheter is wise of you to point out. I had mine in for four days and really just because, if you can believe it, no bathroom in ICU where I was. I would have had to go down into a public washroom. I was too sore and ill and was glad of the catheter but having had it for c-sections I felt quite a bit of after discomfort for it having been in so long. Speak up, as many whined in ICU, and I lay there, because I was generally okay, but surprised at the level of verbosity many exhibit, SO DON"T BE AFRAID TO SPEAK UP.
You are lucky to have such a quick response to getting the surgery. Up here in Canada, near TORONTO, it took me two years , was postponed due to lessened pain and then ACDF with own bone and plate done on Nov 10/03. Overall my injury was April 2000 and my surgery Nov. 2003 so it has eaten up a lot of my life, four to five years or so when I may be out of the woods through another lower back disc surgery yet to schedule this Spring.
The first three weeks are difficult so take your meds, or use your relaxation tapes, whatever your ethos, and rest as sleep is impossible. Drink as much as possible to hydrate yourself and use Vit E oil on your incision when comfort permits.
You have done especially well to seek out resources and information for yourself. You are a brave soldier and we on the this board are standing along side you to help you make it through. We have all warred with this condition, some more than others, but all of us have had, I believe, an ability to relay useful information from each of our own experiences.
God bless, rest and await the opportunity to again be you in a better form than you are now.
Sincerely, "nearly new again," Nero :) :wave: :bouncing:
You are not a big baby... especially if you are walking around with all that pain. Believe me, a lot of people scream or just lie there. You have done well to advocate for yourself and the life you deserve with your little ones.
The preexisting condition of your bladder to the catheter is wise of you to point out. I had mine in for four days and really just because, if you can believe it, no bathroom in ICU where I was. I would have had to go down into a public washroom. I was too sore and ill and was glad of the catheter but having had it for c-sections I felt quite a bit of after discomfort for it having been in so long. Speak up, as many whined in ICU, and I lay there, because I was generally okay, but surprised at the level of verbosity many exhibit, SO DON"T BE AFRAID TO SPEAK UP.
You are lucky to have such a quick response to getting the surgery. Up here in Canada, near TORONTO, it took me two years , was postponed due to lessened pain and then ACDF with own bone and plate done on Nov 10/03. Overall my injury was April 2000 and my surgery Nov. 2003 so it has eaten up a lot of my life, four to five years or so when I may be out of the woods through another lower back disc surgery yet to schedule this Spring.
The first three weeks are difficult so take your meds, or use your relaxation tapes, whatever your ethos, and rest as sleep is impossible. Drink as much as possible to hydrate yourself and use Vit E oil on your incision when comfort permits.
You have done especially well to seek out resources and information for yourself. You are a brave soldier and we on the this board are standing along side you to help you make it through. We have all warred with this condition, some more than others, but all of us have had, I believe, an ability to relay useful information from each of our own experiences.
God bless, rest and await the opportunity to again be you in a better form than you are now.
Sincerely, "nearly new again," Nero :) :wave: :bouncing:
irish34
01-31-2004, 12:10 AM
CTmom--
You are surely in the right place for information, comfort and words of wisdom.
We will be thinking of you on Monday. Be strong and as the very knowledgeable Nero said, Speak Up! That's what the nurses are there for.
Take care.
Irish
You are surely in the right place for information, comfort and words of wisdom.
We will be thinking of you on Monday. Be strong and as the very knowledgeable Nero said, Speak Up! That's what the nurses are there for.
Take care.
Irish
Rolex
02-05-2004, 02:53 AM
CTMom, today is Wednesday and I am wondering how you were doing. Please let us know as soon as you feel up to it...
Hope all is well..
Hope all is well..
CTmom
02-05-2004, 06:56 PM
Hi!
Just got on the computer today. My surgery was Monday afternoon and lasted about 1 1/2 hours. Other than feeling like I had been run over by a truck when I woke up, it went pretty good. I had a tough time with postsurgical nausea despite the fact that they gave me many different medications to deal with it. I guess it just took time for the anesthesia to get totally out of my body. It was a long first night with the dry heaves (I sure hope they screwed that hardware in well!) Fortunately, my husband was able to spend the night in my room. I had to pay 25 dollars extra for a private room but it was worth every penny. Not only did he help with my physical needs (the man is a saint) but just having him there did wonders for me psychologically - I've been alone after surgery before and it was horrible.
I was discharged by 9:00 the next morning and had a pretty good first day at home with the normal aches and pains. My left arm and hand pain has completely resolved to be replaced by a much less severe right arm and shoulder blade pain which I hope will resolve with time. The only other problem I had was the first night home again having problems with nausea and dry heaves every half hour. I had taken a Percocet for pain so it might have been that, but I've been living on them so long it's hard to believe. I notice I must be swallowing funny because I'm constantly belching and wonder if that was part of the problem. My Dr. prescribed Pepcid and that has helped. Other than a tight sensation in my throat I've really had no pain and no trouble swallowing any type of food.
My doctor is not a fan of collars, even the soft one, so he has me wearing it only when in a car or in a crowd. I was able to sleep lying down last night for the first time in months and slept through the whole night!! Today I took a short walk outside. I am hoping to continue taking these baby steps towards regaining my life. Thanks so much to everyone who has posted on this board - it was by far the most useful source of information about this surgery and really appreciate everyone's concern and encouragement. To those of you facing surgery soon, I hope everything goes smoothly for you and you have pain-free days in your future.
CTmom
ACDF 2/2/04 C5-6
Just got on the computer today. My surgery was Monday afternoon and lasted about 1 1/2 hours. Other than feeling like I had been run over by a truck when I woke up, it went pretty good. I had a tough time with postsurgical nausea despite the fact that they gave me many different medications to deal with it. I guess it just took time for the anesthesia to get totally out of my body. It was a long first night with the dry heaves (I sure hope they screwed that hardware in well!) Fortunately, my husband was able to spend the night in my room. I had to pay 25 dollars extra for a private room but it was worth every penny. Not only did he help with my physical needs (the man is a saint) but just having him there did wonders for me psychologically - I've been alone after surgery before and it was horrible.
I was discharged by 9:00 the next morning and had a pretty good first day at home with the normal aches and pains. My left arm and hand pain has completely resolved to be replaced by a much less severe right arm and shoulder blade pain which I hope will resolve with time. The only other problem I had was the first night home again having problems with nausea and dry heaves every half hour. I had taken a Percocet for pain so it might have been that, but I've been living on them so long it's hard to believe. I notice I must be swallowing funny because I'm constantly belching and wonder if that was part of the problem. My Dr. prescribed Pepcid and that has helped. Other than a tight sensation in my throat I've really had no pain and no trouble swallowing any type of food.
My doctor is not a fan of collars, even the soft one, so he has me wearing it only when in a car or in a crowd. I was able to sleep lying down last night for the first time in months and slept through the whole night!! Today I took a short walk outside. I am hoping to continue taking these baby steps towards regaining my life. Thanks so much to everyone who has posted on this board - it was by far the most useful source of information about this surgery and really appreciate everyone's concern and encouragement. To those of you facing surgery soon, I hope everything goes smoothly for you and you have pain-free days in your future.
CTmom
ACDF 2/2/04 C5-6
CTmom
02-05-2004, 07:06 PM
Oh, one more thing -
Since the surgery I haven't needed to take anything stronger than Tylenol for the pain (other than that first Percocet that first night home that came right back up). I am so thankful, because I was having a tough time taking the meds and really couldn't function with (or without) them. My nurses offered me meds postop, but with the nausea I was afraid to take anything and then realized I really didn't need them anyway. I have to admit, I'd be afraid at this point to take another Percocet again - I guess that's one way to get off pain meds. in a hurry!
CTmom
Since the surgery I haven't needed to take anything stronger than Tylenol for the pain (other than that first Percocet that first night home that came right back up). I am so thankful, because I was having a tough time taking the meds and really couldn't function with (or without) them. My nurses offered me meds postop, but with the nausea I was afraid to take anything and then realized I really didn't need them anyway. I have to admit, I'd be afraid at this point to take another Percocet again - I guess that's one way to get off pain meds. in a hurry!
CTmom
2nd timer
02-06-2004, 05:22 PM
Glad to hear you are doing well. I had my surgery on 2/4 and returned home the next day. I am doing well also. I have quite a bit of weakness in my right arm and some pain. But not too bad. Now the healing begins. Lay down and rest alot. Your head is heavier than you think. I'll be glad when the first post op month is behind me. Good luck!
ACDF C56 1996
ACDF AND PLATING 2/4/04 C67
ACDF C56 1996
ACDF AND PLATING 2/4/04 C67
nero
02-08-2004, 05:37 AM
Wow, CONGRATULATIONS CT MOM AND 2ND TIMER.
You two are amazing to be home so soon after that intrusive surgery. I was in hospital three days ICU and 4th semi private ward.
Please be good to yourselves. Nothing to do but rest and recover in the first month. I am in my third and only now still find myself tired by mid day or dinner hour. I have good x ray report and am on treadmill with no incline 45 minutes every other day. I still get pins and needles when I laugh or cough but I have been told that is spinal chord damage and may neverr go away.
I am so happy for you both and just look yourself in the mirror and remind yourself what you lived with before the operation when you go to clean or lift groceries. Each day you have with this new lease on life is a blessing and don't sabotage your own recovery and future maintenance of same by doing really what someone else can help you do.
Its really hard to change but this is a new you with a new need to not risk anything for your continued health so keep that in mind as you want all the time you can have with your families.
I am thrilled you are so fortunate and have toughed out one major assault on the body that is really not thought of that way. Take your vitamins, eat well when able and pat yourself on the back. You have done it... I knew you could.
Nero
You two are amazing to be home so soon after that intrusive surgery. I was in hospital three days ICU and 4th semi private ward.
Please be good to yourselves. Nothing to do but rest and recover in the first month. I am in my third and only now still find myself tired by mid day or dinner hour. I have good x ray report and am on treadmill with no incline 45 minutes every other day. I still get pins and needles when I laugh or cough but I have been told that is spinal chord damage and may neverr go away.
I am so happy for you both and just look yourself in the mirror and remind yourself what you lived with before the operation when you go to clean or lift groceries. Each day you have with this new lease on life is a blessing and don't sabotage your own recovery and future maintenance of same by doing really what someone else can help you do.
Its really hard to change but this is a new you with a new need to not risk anything for your continued health so keep that in mind as you want all the time you can have with your families.
I am thrilled you are so fortunate and have toughed out one major assault on the body that is really not thought of that way. Take your vitamins, eat well when able and pat yourself on the back. You have done it... I knew you could.
Nero
2nd timer
02-11-2004, 02:11 PM
Thanks for the pat on the back. I needed that. I really feel good now that I have a week behind me. I am suffering from quite a bit of neuropathy in my right arm at this time but I know from experience that in a few months it will get better. And it feels like they took out my brain and stuck as bowling ball back in. Surgeries are always a hard decision to come to but a pain free life is defintiely worth it.