ember919
04-11-2006, 05:37 PM
hi all,
just a quick post-surgical check-in. everything went well and, considering what my body just went through, i've been feeling pretty good. reading about the experiences of others has definitely helped my outlook and attitude in dealing with everything so far. my pains have been varied in placement and intensity, some familiar and some not, but nothing i haven't been able to cope with. the most difficult thing i've had to do so far is tell my 18-pound cat that no matter how piteously he cries, he can't climb up on my shoulder for a while.
my biggest problem has been in trying to sleep - cannot seem to get comfortably situated/supported no matter where i am or what position i'm in. i may be making it more difficult than it needs to be, though. i'm sleeping in the soft collar, even though doc said i didn't have to, just because it gives me a better sense of security. and i've only been taking a half dose of my normal sleep aid because i'm afraid of, well, i guess inadvertently moving wrong or something while i'm in a deep sleep.
did i mention that in addition to being a pain weenie, i'm also a clod?
oh well, i assume i'll eventually get over being so nervous with every movement. otherwise, all is good and i'm a happy camper and am keeping my fingers crossed for nothing but improvement from here.
thanks again to everyone for the good thoughts. i'm sure they helped!
just a quick post-surgical check-in. everything went well and, considering what my body just went through, i've been feeling pretty good. reading about the experiences of others has definitely helped my outlook and attitude in dealing with everything so far. my pains have been varied in placement and intensity, some familiar and some not, but nothing i haven't been able to cope with. the most difficult thing i've had to do so far is tell my 18-pound cat that no matter how piteously he cries, he can't climb up on my shoulder for a while.
my biggest problem has been in trying to sleep - cannot seem to get comfortably situated/supported no matter where i am or what position i'm in. i may be making it more difficult than it needs to be, though. i'm sleeping in the soft collar, even though doc said i didn't have to, just because it gives me a better sense of security. and i've only been taking a half dose of my normal sleep aid because i'm afraid of, well, i guess inadvertently moving wrong or something while i'm in a deep sleep.
did i mention that in addition to being a pain weenie, i'm also a clod?
oh well, i assume i'll eventually get over being so nervous with every movement. otherwise, all is good and i'm a happy camper and am keeping my fingers crossed for nothing but improvement from here.
thanks again to everyone for the good thoughts. i'm sure they helped!
Sponsor
ThoreauFan
04-11-2006, 05:49 PM
Awesome to hear from you, Ember.
I got a good belly laugh from the cat line. Been there...
Hoping you have as smooth a recovery as possible. :bouncing:
I got a good belly laugh from the cat line. Been there...
Hoping you have as smooth a recovery as possible. :bouncing:
SpineAZ
04-12-2006, 12:14 AM
Glad to hear you are doing okay after surgery. Being relatively new to the board, and seeing you were to have surgery last week, I was anxious to see how you were progressing.
Warm healing wishes being sent your way
Warm healing wishes being sent your way
acdfouch
04-12-2006, 09:51 AM
Keep going - and know it DOES get better too.
I can say that because I'm apparently in that phase...
So - remind yourself of that as you go along!
I can say that because I'm apparently in that phase...
So - remind yourself of that as you go along!
dennisgb
04-12-2006, 12:45 PM
Ember,
Get a couple of the foam contour pillows they sell at Walgreens and CVS or whatever drug stores in your area. They are the ones that curve where your head goes. These are the best. I still use mine.
Dennis
Get a couple of the foam contour pillows they sell at Walgreens and CVS or whatever drug stores in your area. They are the ones that curve where your head goes. These are the best. I still use mine.
Dennis
mb100
04-12-2006, 06:21 PM
An 18 lb cat on your shoulder? Maybe thats what started all this.
Glad your home and on your way to recovery.
Take it slow...Mike
Glad your home and on your way to recovery.
Take it slow...Mike
JackieH
04-13-2006, 07:13 PM
Hi Ember,
Welcome home! 'Glad to hear things are going as well as possible right now.
Take good care of yourself. Maybe you ought to give the other half of the sleeping pill to the cat. :D
Keep in touch,
Jackie :wave:
Welcome home! 'Glad to hear things are going as well as possible right now.
Take good care of yourself. Maybe you ought to give the other half of the sleeping pill to the cat. :D
Keep in touch,
Jackie :wave:
ember919
04-13-2006, 07:30 PM
i may try the foam pillows, as my miserable nights are starting to take their toll on me. i don't know why i have such a hard time trying to get comfortable, but i end up wandering room to room all night long, trying different combinations of furniture, pillows and position. eventually, sheer exhaustion wins and i get a couple of hours in, but i wake up looking for pain meds first thing. grrrrr!
however, i'm doing good during the day! every now and then i move wrong or turn too fast or bend over too far, etc., and sometimes pain will sneak up on me, but all in all i am happy with how things are so far. (knock wood)
reading through the posts beforehand really helped, as there were so many topics touched on and seemingly someone to say, "yeah, i've had that, too!" for each one. otherwise i'd have been calling my surgeon every day to ask what the heck was going on. knowing that these new and weird pains and sensations are not abnormal has been very comforting to me.
i see the surgeon for followup tomorrow. soooooo not looking forward to being in the car again so soon, but am expecting to hear that all is going/looking as it should. i really am doing better than i ever thought i'd be at this point.
thanks again, everyone, for all the encouragement and advice. it's made such a difference.
p.s. 1) i'd probably blame my 30-pound purse before the 18-pound cat, and 2) mb100 - have you quit yet?
however, i'm doing good during the day! every now and then i move wrong or turn too fast or bend over too far, etc., and sometimes pain will sneak up on me, but all in all i am happy with how things are so far. (knock wood)
reading through the posts beforehand really helped, as there were so many topics touched on and seemingly someone to say, "yeah, i've had that, too!" for each one. otherwise i'd have been calling my surgeon every day to ask what the heck was going on. knowing that these new and weird pains and sensations are not abnormal has been very comforting to me.
i see the surgeon for followup tomorrow. soooooo not looking forward to being in the car again so soon, but am expecting to hear that all is going/looking as it should. i really am doing better than i ever thought i'd be at this point.
thanks again, everyone, for all the encouragement and advice. it's made such a difference.
p.s. 1) i'd probably blame my 30-pound purse before the 18-pound cat, and 2) mb100 - have you quit yet?
mb100
04-13-2006, 11:43 PM
Quit what???
ember919
04-14-2006, 03:18 PM
Oh, duh. I forget that people can't read my mind.
I was referring to quitting smoking before your surgery.
I was referring to quitting smoking before your surgery.
ThoreauFan
04-14-2006, 08:36 PM
No sleep is no fun. :yawn:
As I learned here, don't shy away from the pain meds. Obviously, all sorts of things are goin' on in that healing body.
I didn't sleep at all the first night, despite the morphine & ambien (nerve root irritation from the surgery, which is common). Nine or ten days out, the NS had me back in for X-rays because I could not lay on my back and continued to have sleep problems. The pain would rise or the meds would fade after four hours and wake me up.
Ultimately, my wife wound up packing me in like a sardine on the couch. Lying on my right side, pillows packed between the legs, around my head & neck, and smaller pillows providing extra cushion between the couch and my upper back/left shoulder. I'm not suggesting this method, BTW. ;)
And my case is considered to be a success story so far.
Hope your recovery goes well. :wave:
As I learned here, don't shy away from the pain meds. Obviously, all sorts of things are goin' on in that healing body.
I didn't sleep at all the first night, despite the morphine & ambien (nerve root irritation from the surgery, which is common). Nine or ten days out, the NS had me back in for X-rays because I could not lay on my back and continued to have sleep problems. The pain would rise or the meds would fade after four hours and wake me up.
Ultimately, my wife wound up packing me in like a sardine on the couch. Lying on my right side, pillows packed between the legs, around my head & neck, and smaller pillows providing extra cushion between the couch and my upper back/left shoulder. I'm not suggesting this method, BTW. ;)
And my case is considered to be a success story so far.
Hope your recovery goes well. :wave:
BobM
04-15-2006, 12:35 AM
This thread has reminded me of my post op experiences, and I want to say that you won't remember these first few nights later on, unless you read it here and get reminded again :)
I didn't sleep at all the first night while in the hospital, but was more comfortable becasue the beds there are adjustable and it's not so hard on your neck.
My first night at home was just wandering from bed to couch to recliner, round and round, and never getting comfortable, and not sleeping until getting so exhausted that I could drop off for a little bit, but then the slightest movement and you're back awake again.
But, try not to worry, it will get better and will fade from your memory. You will get through this, and better days are ahead. Be patient, give yourself time to heal, you are now on the part where you can expect to be getting better.
Best wishes for a speedy recovery and a short memory!
Bob
I didn't sleep at all the first night while in the hospital, but was more comfortable becasue the beds there are adjustable and it's not so hard on your neck.
My first night at home was just wandering from bed to couch to recliner, round and round, and never getting comfortable, and not sleeping until getting so exhausted that I could drop off for a little bit, but then the slightest movement and you're back awake again.
But, try not to worry, it will get better and will fade from your memory. You will get through this, and better days are ahead. Be patient, give yourself time to heal, you are now on the part where you can expect to be getting better.
Best wishes for a speedy recovery and a short memory!
Bob
mb100
04-15-2006, 01:24 PM
Ember,
No, I'm a strugglin. 3 Days to surgery and gettin nervous.....Hard to put em down, know what I mean?
Hope your doin good.
Mike
No, I'm a strugglin. 3 Days to surgery and gettin nervous.....Hard to put em down, know what I mean?
Hope your doin good.
Mike
ThoreauFan
04-15-2006, 02:47 PM
Mike,
There's a whole world of invisible people on these boards thinking about you.
Know that. REALLY, know that in the next few days.
I wouldn't let the smoking/not smoking drive you crazy. There's so much anxiety pre-surg (me, anyway), who needs another cross thrown on his back. You probably won't feel like smoking after surgery, regardless, and it's after surgery that your body will be laying down fresh capillaries to deliver oxygen rich blood to new tissues, which will be bone some day.
Hang tight.
You'll be feelin' better by the time it's sunny and hot.
Before you know it, you may even be out on the Chain of Lakes creating future happy memories. :D
(Psst. I'm originally from your neck of the woods)
There's a whole world of invisible people on these boards thinking about you.
Know that. REALLY, know that in the next few days.
I wouldn't let the smoking/not smoking drive you crazy. There's so much anxiety pre-surg (me, anyway), who needs another cross thrown on his back. You probably won't feel like smoking after surgery, regardless, and it's after surgery that your body will be laying down fresh capillaries to deliver oxygen rich blood to new tissues, which will be bone some day.
Hang tight.
You'll be feelin' better by the time it's sunny and hot.
Before you know it, you may even be out on the Chain of Lakes creating future happy memories. :D
(Psst. I'm originally from your neck of the woods)
mb100
04-15-2006, 03:42 PM
Thanks Funny
I'll quit before I go in, Doc says the 3 months after are whats critical. I know there arte differing opinions on that, but since hes the man, I'll go with it.
Mike
BTW, I will do a little fishing this summer!!!!!!!
I'll quit before I go in, Doc says the 3 months after are whats critical. I know there arte differing opinions on that, but since hes the man, I'll go with it.
Mike
BTW, I will do a little fishing this summer!!!!!!!
ember919
04-15-2006, 05:47 PM
Oh, geez, the image of the human sardine really made me laugh. It sounds much like some of the combinations I have put together over the past week. I know my husband has at times looked at my morning wreckage of pillows and blankets and wondered what the heck I could have possibly been doing with them all.
We are lucky enough to have an adjustable bed. We bought it two years ago because of my neck problems and my husband's back problems, and it's been worth it's weight in gold. However, I haven't been using it at night because I'm afraid that if my husband sleeps in the other bed, it'll mess up his back. And since he's doing all the driving and running of errands right now, I don't want to take that chance. I use the bed sometimes during the day if I want to rest, but at night I'm back to pillows if I want to prop myself up.
We should have paid more and gotten the DUAL adjustable bed......
I got bold last night - didn't wear my collar (hoping my head wouldn't fall off if I sat up suddenly :eek: ) and took my regular full dose of Ambien. I slept for a couple of hours in my own bed and then only got up one time to wander around looking for a more comfortable place. Yay for me! On the downside, I woke up this morning feeling like I'd been beaten about the head and shoulders, but that eased off once I'd been up for a while.
Despite my griping about nighttime adventures, I'm still really happy with how I'm feeling. I have to make an effort to remember not to do too much too soon. I know it's only been a little more than a week and that there's still much more to go through and deal with, but I'm hoping I'll be smart enough and patient enough to handle it all with grace and good humor. (I guess I'll be cheating a little, since I'll have access to answers and encouragement whenever I want them -- that would be a yay for you guys!) Oh yeah, that selective memory thing we do to forget bad stuff is great, too, isn't it?
So, in keeping with my endless questions: anyone ever feel a tightness or pulling at the site of the wound? Feels kinda like a rubber band stretched tight. I assume it's just the natural healing and formation of scar tissue; doesn't hurt, just feels weird. I'm guessing the feeling will increase before it decreases. The surgeon took off the last of the steri-strips yesterday, but I'm not sure if that's related.
As always, my thanks to all.
________________________
Mike - I'm an ex-smoker myself. Quit for several years, then was on-again/off-again for several years up until January (had been "on" over the holidays), when surgery was mentioned. Stress is a big trigger for me, as it is for many people, so you can of course appreciate the irony of not being able to smoke through this time.
If it's reasonable and appropriate for you, consider asking your doctor about Wellbutrin/Zyban. I have no idea how it works in the brain, but it helped me, made me somehow not want cigarettes. I'd think about having one and then kinda think, "Yuck." Weird, but it worked.
We are lucky enough to have an adjustable bed. We bought it two years ago because of my neck problems and my husband's back problems, and it's been worth it's weight in gold. However, I haven't been using it at night because I'm afraid that if my husband sleeps in the other bed, it'll mess up his back. And since he's doing all the driving and running of errands right now, I don't want to take that chance. I use the bed sometimes during the day if I want to rest, but at night I'm back to pillows if I want to prop myself up.
We should have paid more and gotten the DUAL adjustable bed......
I got bold last night - didn't wear my collar (hoping my head wouldn't fall off if I sat up suddenly :eek: ) and took my regular full dose of Ambien. I slept for a couple of hours in my own bed and then only got up one time to wander around looking for a more comfortable place. Yay for me! On the downside, I woke up this morning feeling like I'd been beaten about the head and shoulders, but that eased off once I'd been up for a while.
Despite my griping about nighttime adventures, I'm still really happy with how I'm feeling. I have to make an effort to remember not to do too much too soon. I know it's only been a little more than a week and that there's still much more to go through and deal with, but I'm hoping I'll be smart enough and patient enough to handle it all with grace and good humor. (I guess I'll be cheating a little, since I'll have access to answers and encouragement whenever I want them -- that would be a yay for you guys!) Oh yeah, that selective memory thing we do to forget bad stuff is great, too, isn't it?
So, in keeping with my endless questions: anyone ever feel a tightness or pulling at the site of the wound? Feels kinda like a rubber band stretched tight. I assume it's just the natural healing and formation of scar tissue; doesn't hurt, just feels weird. I'm guessing the feeling will increase before it decreases. The surgeon took off the last of the steri-strips yesterday, but I'm not sure if that's related.
As always, my thanks to all.
________________________
Mike - I'm an ex-smoker myself. Quit for several years, then was on-again/off-again for several years up until January (had been "on" over the holidays), when surgery was mentioned. Stress is a big trigger for me, as it is for many people, so you can of course appreciate the irony of not being able to smoke through this time.
If it's reasonable and appropriate for you, consider asking your doctor about Wellbutrin/Zyban. I have no idea how it works in the brain, but it helped me, made me somehow not want cigarettes. I'd think about having one and then kinda think, "Yuck." Weird, but it worked.
acdfouch
04-15-2006, 06:00 PM
Oh, geez, the image of the human sardine really made me laugh. It sounds much like some of the combinations I have put together over the past week. I know my husband has at times looked at my morning wreckage of pillows and blankets and wondered what the heck I could have possibly been doing with them all.
We are lucky enough to have an adjustable bed. We bought it two years ago because of my neck problems and my husband's back problems, and it's been worth it's weight in gold. However, I haven't been using it at night because I'm afraid that if my husband sleeps in the other bed, it'll mess up his back. And since he's doing all the driving and running of errands right now, I don't want to take that chance. I use the bed sometimes during the day if I want to rest, but at night I'm back to pillows if I want to prop myself up.
We should have paid more and gotten the DUAL adjustable bed......
I got bold last night - didn't wear my collar (hoping my head wouldn't fall off if I sat up suddenly :eek: ) and took my regular full dose of Ambien. I slept for a couple of hours in my own bed and then only got up one time to wander around looking for a more comfortable place. Yay for me! On the downside, I woke up this morning feeling like I'd been beaten about the head and shoulders, but that eased off once I'd been up for a while.
Despite my griping about nighttime adventures, I'm still really happy with how I'm feeling. I have to make an effort to remember not to do too much too soon. I know it's only been a little more than a week and that there's still much more to go through and deal with, but I'm hoping I'll be smart enough and patient enough to handle it all with grace and good humor. (I guess I'll be cheating a little, since I'll have access to answers and encouragement whenever I want them -- that would be a yay for you guys!) Oh yeah, that selective memory thing we do to forget bad stuff is great, too, isn't it?
So, in keeping with my endless questions: anyone ever feel a tightness or pulling at the site of the wound? Feels kinda like a rubber band stretched tight. I assume it's just the natural healing and formation of scar tissue; doesn't hurt, just feels weird. I'm guessing the feeling will increase before it decreases. The surgeon took off the last of the steri-strips yesterday, but I'm not sure if that's related.
As always, my thanks to all.
________________________
Mike - I'm an ex-smoker myself. Quit for several years, then was on-again/off-again for several years up until January (had been "on" over the holidays), when surgery was mentioned. Stress is a big trigger for me, as it is for many people, so you can of course appreciate the irony of not being able to smoke through this time.
If it's reasonable and appropriate for you, consider asking your doctor about Wellbutrin/Zyban. I have no idea how it works in the brain, but it helped me, made me somehow not want cigarettes. I'd think about having one and then kinda think, "Yuck." Weird, but it worked.
Tightness on the incision (I'm assuming on the neck) - Check!
Rubber band - Check!
This far out, I've even had the occasional rip type feeling (which I'm assuming is scar tissue being torn - its not on the outside! :D)
So... All a go and par for the course on the incision.
We are lucky enough to have an adjustable bed. We bought it two years ago because of my neck problems and my husband's back problems, and it's been worth it's weight in gold. However, I haven't been using it at night because I'm afraid that if my husband sleeps in the other bed, it'll mess up his back. And since he's doing all the driving and running of errands right now, I don't want to take that chance. I use the bed sometimes during the day if I want to rest, but at night I'm back to pillows if I want to prop myself up.
We should have paid more and gotten the DUAL adjustable bed......
I got bold last night - didn't wear my collar (hoping my head wouldn't fall off if I sat up suddenly :eek: ) and took my regular full dose of Ambien. I slept for a couple of hours in my own bed and then only got up one time to wander around looking for a more comfortable place. Yay for me! On the downside, I woke up this morning feeling like I'd been beaten about the head and shoulders, but that eased off once I'd been up for a while.
Despite my griping about nighttime adventures, I'm still really happy with how I'm feeling. I have to make an effort to remember not to do too much too soon. I know it's only been a little more than a week and that there's still much more to go through and deal with, but I'm hoping I'll be smart enough and patient enough to handle it all with grace and good humor. (I guess I'll be cheating a little, since I'll have access to answers and encouragement whenever I want them -- that would be a yay for you guys!) Oh yeah, that selective memory thing we do to forget bad stuff is great, too, isn't it?
So, in keeping with my endless questions: anyone ever feel a tightness or pulling at the site of the wound? Feels kinda like a rubber band stretched tight. I assume it's just the natural healing and formation of scar tissue; doesn't hurt, just feels weird. I'm guessing the feeling will increase before it decreases. The surgeon took off the last of the steri-strips yesterday, but I'm not sure if that's related.
As always, my thanks to all.
________________________
Mike - I'm an ex-smoker myself. Quit for several years, then was on-again/off-again for several years up until January (had been "on" over the holidays), when surgery was mentioned. Stress is a big trigger for me, as it is for many people, so you can of course appreciate the irony of not being able to smoke through this time.
If it's reasonable and appropriate for you, consider asking your doctor about Wellbutrin/Zyban. I have no idea how it works in the brain, but it helped me, made me somehow not want cigarettes. I'd think about having one and then kinda think, "Yuck." Weird, but it worked.
Tightness on the incision (I'm assuming on the neck) - Check!
Rubber band - Check!
This far out, I've even had the occasional rip type feeling (which I'm assuming is scar tissue being torn - its not on the outside! :D)
So... All a go and par for the course on the incision.
JackieH
04-17-2006, 04:33 AM
Dear Ember,
I here-by dub you queen of the post-surgery wives club.
I recovered the 1st weeks in a guest room, week 3...asked my 6'7" snoring dear of a husband to choose a guest room for himself & I've staked such a claim on our master cal king beauty rest that he may never get thru the door again!
I adore him but fear his flailing arm sydrome.
No potential bodily injury for me. A cuddly visit once in while is OK...but then it's down to the 2nd floor w/ya!
See ya when my neck is fused baby-cakes! :D
So...tell your sweet hubby he's lucky to have your sweet pillow-piling-presence right there with him.
God bless your continued healing, Ember. I'll keep reading your latest.
Bye for now,
Jackie :wave:
I here-by dub you queen of the post-surgery wives club.
I recovered the 1st weeks in a guest room, week 3...asked my 6'7" snoring dear of a husband to choose a guest room for himself & I've staked such a claim on our master cal king beauty rest that he may never get thru the door again!
I adore him but fear his flailing arm sydrome.
No potential bodily injury for me. A cuddly visit once in while is OK...but then it's down to the 2nd floor w/ya!
See ya when my neck is fused baby-cakes! :D
So...tell your sweet hubby he's lucky to have your sweet pillow-piling-presence right there with him.
God bless your continued healing, Ember. I'll keep reading your latest.
Bye for now,
Jackie :wave:
ember919
04-18-2006, 12:16 AM
Hmmm, "weenie queen" might be more appropriate.
Last night was rough. About 2am I had a mini-panic attack and started thinking I'd made a huge mistake in having the surgery. Oh my God, what have I done, I've got a freakin' metal plate in my neck, what was I thinking when I agreed to this, etc. I was tired and weepy and hurting in too many places, the constant feeling of something in my throat was driving me nuts, I couldn't stand, sit or lay down comfortably, blah, blah, blah. I had quite the little pity party.
I felt better today, but I'm just disgusted with myself for having this little meltdown so early on. I mean, a little lack of sleep and I go to pieces? It hasn't even been two weeks since the surgery, and I'm not having to deal with the hip thing. I honestly have NOT been feeling too bad at all, especially compared to before, except for those few hours every night when everything seems to flare up at the same time.
Someone tell me this is not completely abnormal. (even if you have to lie!)
Last night was rough. About 2am I had a mini-panic attack and started thinking I'd made a huge mistake in having the surgery. Oh my God, what have I done, I've got a freakin' metal plate in my neck, what was I thinking when I agreed to this, etc. I was tired and weepy and hurting in too many places, the constant feeling of something in my throat was driving me nuts, I couldn't stand, sit or lay down comfortably, blah, blah, blah. I had quite the little pity party.
I felt better today, but I'm just disgusted with myself for having this little meltdown so early on. I mean, a little lack of sleep and I go to pieces? It hasn't even been two weeks since the surgery, and I'm not having to deal with the hip thing. I honestly have NOT been feeling too bad at all, especially compared to before, except for those few hours every night when everything seems to flare up at the same time.
Someone tell me this is not completely abnormal. (even if you have to lie!)
SpineAZ
04-18-2006, 01:36 AM
I haven't had a cervical fusion (yet) but I did have a lumbar fusion years ago...and I underwent the same thing. The mini-panic attacks, what if I hadn't done this?, am I nuts for having done this? etc. You'll be fine. The lack of sleep, meds, anesthesia, pain, etc are all playing havoc on your nerves and your body's equilibrium.
BobM
04-18-2006, 01:50 AM
Hi Ember:
Sounds very normal to me - I've had 2 ACDF surgeries, and both times it was hard to get comfortable, had difficulty swallowing, would drop off to sleep but wake up the first time you move, etc. It gets better, hang in there. You get used to the plate in your neck, I don't think you'll find you made a wrong decision.
Weeks 2 and 3 were the worst for me, in terms of feeling bad about things post op. I believe you will find it improves with time, but it can be slower than you want it to be.
To be realistic, my case did not totally remove these symptoms, but they are MUCH less than pre-surgery (I'm 1 year after the 2nd operation)
Normal to feel panic and second thoughts, but find comfort in your decision to do something about the problem.
Best wishes for feeling better -
Bob
Sounds very normal to me - I've had 2 ACDF surgeries, and both times it was hard to get comfortable, had difficulty swallowing, would drop off to sleep but wake up the first time you move, etc. It gets better, hang in there. You get used to the plate in your neck, I don't think you'll find you made a wrong decision.
Weeks 2 and 3 were the worst for me, in terms of feeling bad about things post op. I believe you will find it improves with time, but it can be slower than you want it to be.
To be realistic, my case did not totally remove these symptoms, but they are MUCH less than pre-surgery (I'm 1 year after the 2nd operation)
Normal to feel panic and second thoughts, but find comfort in your decision to do something about the problem.
Best wishes for feeling better -
Bob
ThoreauFan
04-18-2006, 02:51 AM
Yes, Ember, I have had similar panic/anxiety episodes.
But then I realized the plate & screws can never be reposessed.
You really CAN take it with you! ;)
I went through another emotional bombshell moment on Sunday. It's not allograft, donor or cadaver bone - it's pieces taken from someone else's body! Who were they? What were they like? Who invented liquid soap and why?
Once the anxiety gets goin'... :eek:
But then I realized the plate & screws can never be reposessed.
You really CAN take it with you! ;)
I went through another emotional bombshell moment on Sunday. It's not allograft, donor or cadaver bone - it's pieces taken from someone else's body! Who were they? What were they like? Who invented liquid soap and why?
Once the anxiety gets goin'... :eek:
JackieH
04-18-2006, 06:15 AM
Funny, you really are funny. :jester:
OK, Ember....
I call this, "Getting Claustraphobic in my own body."
It's a hopeless feeling but then God always gives you the peace to go on. People make you laugh, a good movie, a good steak off the grill. All of a sudden you see life, tho hard (in our case often extreeeeeemly hard,) is filled with little moments & blessings.
You're not alone, Ember. We all are even more human than we portray ourselves to be online.
You'll have less of the bad moments & more of the happy ones as each week passes. :)
Love,
Jackie :wave:
OK, Ember....
I call this, "Getting Claustraphobic in my own body."
It's a hopeless feeling but then God always gives you the peace to go on. People make you laugh, a good movie, a good steak off the grill. All of a sudden you see life, tho hard (in our case often extreeeeeemly hard,) is filled with little moments & blessings.
You're not alone, Ember. We all are even more human than we portray ourselves to be online.
You'll have less of the bad moments & more of the happy ones as each week passes. :)
Love,
Jackie :wave:
ember919
04-18-2006, 02:11 PM
Well, in the way things often go, after venting here last night, I went to bed (in my own bed) and - ta da! - slept through the night. I couldn't believe it when I woke up this morning. I'll try not to get too excited, but I sure hope I can do the same thing tonight. And tomorrow night. Etc., etc., etc.
I do struggle with even the idea of the plate and screws (Aaaugh! I've got these THINGS in me!), but I know I'll get used to it over time. I still get some of the same nerve pain/sensation if I sit or lay in a certain way, and I wonder how much of that is temporary and how much will be permanent (and I was warned I might have some permanent damage that couldn't be fixed by surgery, so that's OK). But, all in all, I feel a LOT better than I did before going in, so I know I did the right thing.
Doc said I could drive, but I am not in any hurry to do so, and I'm sure as heck not telling any of my local family about that yet. I start PT next week, which should be......interesting. My dad came over to "sit with me" (more work for me than him) a few days ago and now he has a nasty cold, so I'm hoping he wasn't contagious. I sneezed this morning and could not believe how bad it hurt.
I loved "getting claustrophobic in your own body" - how apt.
It was just a bump in the road. All is good. Thank, everyone, for the support and the reassurances that I'm not just plain nuts. :dizzy:
I do struggle with even the idea of the plate and screws (Aaaugh! I've got these THINGS in me!), but I know I'll get used to it over time. I still get some of the same nerve pain/sensation if I sit or lay in a certain way, and I wonder how much of that is temporary and how much will be permanent (and I was warned I might have some permanent damage that couldn't be fixed by surgery, so that's OK). But, all in all, I feel a LOT better than I did before going in, so I know I did the right thing.
Doc said I could drive, but I am not in any hurry to do so, and I'm sure as heck not telling any of my local family about that yet. I start PT next week, which should be......interesting. My dad came over to "sit with me" (more work for me than him) a few days ago and now he has a nasty cold, so I'm hoping he wasn't contagious. I sneezed this morning and could not believe how bad it hurt.
I loved "getting claustrophobic in your own body" - how apt.
It was just a bump in the road. All is good. Thank, everyone, for the support and the reassurances that I'm not just plain nuts. :dizzy:
BobM
04-18-2006, 02:17 PM
That was a good update, I think you'll find you continue to improve.
You did remind me - on a long list of things to be not happy about post-op - the sneeze was the absolute worst thing from a pain perspective! That gets better, too.
You did remind me - on a long list of things to be not happy about post-op - the sneeze was the absolute worst thing from a pain perspective! That gets better, too.
JackieH
04-20-2006, 05:52 AM
PS...
For Bob....
'Just saying hello, Bob. Long time no talk. We're keeping up w/eachother via other folks' threads lately. :D
Jackie :wave:
For Bob....
'Just saying hello, Bob. Long time no talk. We're keeping up w/eachother via other folks' threads lately. :D
Jackie :wave:
mb100
04-20-2006, 06:28 AM
I had to laugh when I read that Funny. My head's a scarey place to be alone in too.