SpineAZ
05-09-2006, 10:04 PM
I found this board about a month ago and have been lurking and posting a bit - but on other threads. :wave: This is the first thread I'm starting.
After my visit with the orthopedic spine surgoen 04/24 we decided a C5-C6-C7 ACDF was imperative based on my symptoms (pain, arm pain and numbness, decreased reflexes in the arm, etc). I was okay....BUT now I realize it really will happen - next week!. It was all just a concept until I did the pre-op blood testing and chest x-ray today. :eek:
Karin
After my visit with the orthopedic spine surgoen 04/24 we decided a C5-C6-C7 ACDF was imperative based on my symptoms (pain, arm pain and numbness, decreased reflexes in the arm, etc). I was okay....BUT now I realize it really will happen - next week!. It was all just a concept until I did the pre-op blood testing and chest x-ray today. :eek:
Karin
Sponsor
ember919
05-09-2006, 11:06 PM
You're exactly where I was just over a month ago, same levels and everything. It's daunting, isn't it? However, the closer I got to the actual date, the better I felt -- I was finally going to feel better!
Or at least that's how I looked at it. And let me tell you, it was reading through the posts here that got me feeling that way. Lots of reassurance beforehand and lots of information about what to expect for after.
I'll admit it was tough the first week or two. But now, just under five weeks later, I'm feeling pretty good and I'm happy I did it. The symptoms aren't all gone, but they're much improved and I'm hopeful that they'll improve even more over time.
You know what they say - go in prepared for the worst and hoping for the best!
Or at least that's how I looked at it. And let me tell you, it was reading through the posts here that got me feeling that way. Lots of reassurance beforehand and lots of information about what to expect for after.
I'll admit it was tough the first week or two. But now, just under five weeks later, I'm feeling pretty good and I'm happy I did it. The symptoms aren't all gone, but they're much improved and I'm hopeful that they'll improve even more over time.
You know what they say - go in prepared for the worst and hoping for the best!
SpineAZ
05-10-2006, 01:28 AM
Ember:
Thanks! I need those positive thoughts and it's great to know that in 5 weeks maybe I'll feel as good as you do.
Thanks! I need those positive thoughts and it's great to know that in 5 weeks maybe I'll feel as good as you do.
ThoreauFan
05-10-2006, 03:50 PM
Karin - it is a jolting reality.
The other reality is that a highly succesful treatment exists.
Most of us are pretty happy to take what's behind curtain number two. Maybe it wasn't the new Ferrari and a trip to Fiji behind curtain number one, but curtain number three was where the big ugly was hiding.
Think of all those wonderful things you'll be enjoying again in the future.
I've got my eye on Space Mountain. ;)
We'll all be thinking of you! :wave:
The other reality is that a highly succesful treatment exists.
Most of us are pretty happy to take what's behind curtain number two. Maybe it wasn't the new Ferrari and a trip to Fiji behind curtain number one, but curtain number three was where the big ugly was hiding.
Think of all those wonderful things you'll be enjoying again in the future.
I've got my eye on Space Mountain. ;)
We'll all be thinking of you! :wave:
dennisgb
05-10-2006, 04:27 PM
Karin - it is a jolting reality.
The other reality is that a highly succesful treatment exists.
Most of us are pretty happy to take what's behind curtain number two. Maybe it wasn't the new Ferrari and a trip to Fiji behind curtain number one, but curtain number three was where the big ugly was hiding.
Think of all those wonderful things you'll be enjoying again in the future.
I've got my eye on Space Mountain. ;)
We'll all be thinking of you! :wave:
Funny,
My doc told me no roller coasters ever!
There are others who have posted here over the years that went on roller coasters and screwed their necks up big time. A word to the wise. Ask your doc about this.
Dennis
The other reality is that a highly succesful treatment exists.
Most of us are pretty happy to take what's behind curtain number two. Maybe it wasn't the new Ferrari and a trip to Fiji behind curtain number one, but curtain number three was where the big ugly was hiding.
Think of all those wonderful things you'll be enjoying again in the future.
I've got my eye on Space Mountain. ;)
We'll all be thinking of you! :wave:
Funny,
My doc told me no roller coasters ever!
There are others who have posted here over the years that went on roller coasters and screwed their necks up big time. A word to the wise. Ask your doc about this.
Dennis
ThoreauFan
05-10-2006, 05:47 PM
Dennis,
That will definitely be one of many, many questions.
My PCP is pretty good about articulating risks.
Although, pre-surg, a local RN's husband who had the same surgery did tell me the old wooden roller coasters feel much more "rickety" than the new ones. He's still riding away. Maybe not for long, but he is. ;)
That will definitely be one of many, many questions.
My PCP is pretty good about articulating risks.
Although, pre-surg, a local RN's husband who had the same surgery did tell me the old wooden roller coasters feel much more "rickety" than the new ones. He's still riding away. Maybe not for long, but he is. ;)
dennisgb
05-10-2006, 05:55 PM
Dennis,
That will definitely be one of many, many questions.
My PCP is pretty good about articulating risks.
Although, pre-surg, a local RN's husband who had the same surgery did tell me the old wooden roller coasters feel much more "rickety" than the new ones. He's still riding away. Maybe not for long, but he is. ;)
Funny,
A lot of people aren't told about the risks of these things. You don't want to spend all this time getting fix, only to mess it up...
Dennis
That will definitely be one of many, many questions.
My PCP is pretty good about articulating risks.
Although, pre-surg, a local RN's husband who had the same surgery did tell me the old wooden roller coasters feel much more "rickety" than the new ones. He's still riding away. Maybe not for long, but he is. ;)
Funny,
A lot of people aren't told about the risks of these things. You don't want to spend all this time getting fix, only to mess it up...
Dennis
ThoreauFan
05-10-2006, 06:05 PM
Oh, I'm with you Dennis.
I've made more than one physician very, very uncomfortable with my questions.
I know where the lines are drawn.
I've made more than one physician very, very uncomfortable with my questions.
I know where the lines are drawn.
sunshine221
05-10-2006, 10:56 PM
I'm a big Disney fan but no more Space Mountain for me and as much as I want too ride it again to figure it out no Mission Space (Epcot) - its basically a centrafuge.
jentaylor728
05-11-2006, 01:05 AM
Hello...my situation sounds identical to yours....i just had ACDF w/fusion on 2 levels C-5/6 and C-6/7
Just had the surgery on may 5th...if i can be of any help..let me know!
Jennifer
Just had the surgery on may 5th...if i can be of any help..let me know!
Jennifer
SpineAZ
05-11-2006, 10:55 PM
Jennifer:
Did you have a cervical collar? My doc says I'll be in one for 4-6 weeks. My other concern is sleeping - what have you found in terms of positioning or seating that helps get you relaxed and able to sleep?
Any information you can share would be greatly appreciated :D
Karin
Did you have a cervical collar? My doc says I'll be in one for 4-6 weeks. My other concern is sleeping - what have you found in terms of positioning or seating that helps get you relaxed and able to sleep?
Any information you can share would be greatly appreciated :D
Karin
jentaylor728
05-12-2006, 12:36 AM
Hi Karin,
I had metal plates put in with donor bone...from what I can gather from reading the posts on here...if this is done, then they don't want you in a collar....at times, though I really feel like one would feel good!.....but I'm trying to follow orders!
A lot of people have told me that a recliner is the best way...but I have a king size bed and at last count 8 pillows...varying sizes and "softness" cause sometimes certain pillows work better than others!
The 1st two nights after surgery, I did very little sleeping...take the pain meds...it helps..actually at the hospital in the middle of the night i either watched TV or (SSHHH!! don't tell anyone) surfed the web on my cell phone!
Have lots of soft food on hand at home....pudding, popscicles, applesauce...
Pills will be difficult to swallow..i had to score them and put them in applesauce!
I don't have another appointment until 6 weeks after the surgery.
Please let me know if you have any other questions....it makes it easier to know someone else is going thru the same thing!
Keep me posted!!
Jennifer
I had metal plates put in with donor bone...from what I can gather from reading the posts on here...if this is done, then they don't want you in a collar....at times, though I really feel like one would feel good!.....but I'm trying to follow orders!
A lot of people have told me that a recliner is the best way...but I have a king size bed and at last count 8 pillows...varying sizes and "softness" cause sometimes certain pillows work better than others!
The 1st two nights after surgery, I did very little sleeping...take the pain meds...it helps..actually at the hospital in the middle of the night i either watched TV or (SSHHH!! don't tell anyone) surfed the web on my cell phone!
Have lots of soft food on hand at home....pudding, popscicles, applesauce...
Pills will be difficult to swallow..i had to score them and put them in applesauce!
I don't have another appointment until 6 weeks after the surgery.
Please let me know if you have any other questions....it makes it easier to know someone else is going thru the same thing!
Keep me posted!!
Jennifer
jcjwillis
05-12-2006, 11:43 AM
Hope that your surgery goes well, you will be in my thoughts and prayers.
littlelucky
05-13-2006, 08:15 PM
Hello...I am right behind you...going in 5/30....I am sure all will go well and when you are feeling up to it let us know how you are doing.....
SpineAZ
05-17-2006, 01:27 AM
Well, one more day of work and then Thursday is the day :eek: I just figured out that in 48 hours I'll be out of the Operating Room and loving the Aspen Collar I have to wear for 6 weeks :rolleyes: NOT
Karin
Karin
more
05-17-2006, 02:29 AM
Kross - Good Luck with the surgery. I had the same levels done 4 years ago (wow time flies). I also had plates and was in a hard brace for 6 weeks.
I found the best way to sleep was in a recliner for the first week. After that I experimented with the bed and pillows. I found if I layered my pillows in alternating positions it was more comfortable and easier to sleep. That is like this
_________________
___________________
_____________________
This caused me to sleep in a more upright position with the neck brace resting on the pillows and my shoulders on the bottom pillow.
Also, something I experienced was pain in the jaw - at one point I was sure I had a bad tooth because my jaw hurt so bad - but what I figured out was the pain was caused from the position I was in when sleeping - my jaw resting on the neck brace and pushing on the nerve.
Remember healing takes time - also, something else I discovered (or did) was not to depend totally on the neck brace to hold my neck up. After the first couple of weeks in the brace I had a tendency to try to support my head without resting my chin on the brace totally - as a result of this once the brace was removed the doctors were amazed at the strength I had in the neck.
Again, good luck and remember to come back once you have had the surgery - provide us with your experience and also ask away the questions that may come up.
I found the best way to sleep was in a recliner for the first week. After that I experimented with the bed and pillows. I found if I layered my pillows in alternating positions it was more comfortable and easier to sleep. That is like this
_________________
___________________
_____________________
This caused me to sleep in a more upright position with the neck brace resting on the pillows and my shoulders on the bottom pillow.
Also, something I experienced was pain in the jaw - at one point I was sure I had a bad tooth because my jaw hurt so bad - but what I figured out was the pain was caused from the position I was in when sleeping - my jaw resting on the neck brace and pushing on the nerve.
Remember healing takes time - also, something else I discovered (or did) was not to depend totally on the neck brace to hold my neck up. After the first couple of weeks in the brace I had a tendency to try to support my head without resting my chin on the brace totally - as a result of this once the brace was removed the doctors were amazed at the strength I had in the neck.
Again, good luck and remember to come back once you have had the surgery - provide us with your experience and also ask away the questions that may come up.
jentaylor728
05-17-2006, 01:21 PM
Karin,
Good Luck tomorrow...make sure you have a "chap stick" close by for when you wake up from recovery.....your lips will be as dry as the Sahara!
Take it easy and let us know how you're doing!
Jennifer
ACDF w/hardware on 5/5/06
Good Luck tomorrow...make sure you have a "chap stick" close by for when you wake up from recovery.....your lips will be as dry as the Sahara!
Take it easy and let us know how you're doing!
Jennifer
ACDF w/hardware on 5/5/06
mb100
05-17-2006, 02:27 PM
Hi Karin,
Just wanted to say hello and remind you that you'll be home for the weekend!!! You'll have some limitations but it's not that bad. Your body will tell you what they are. You've probably read about every symptom and side effect you could possibly have on here, and you'll likely have a few. But on the whole, it's a surgery with a high sucess rate.
Best of luck and break a leg!
Mike
Just wanted to say hello and remind you that you'll be home for the weekend!!! You'll have some limitations but it's not that bad. Your body will tell you what they are. You've probably read about every symptom and side effect you could possibly have on here, and you'll likely have a few. But on the whole, it's a surgery with a high sucess rate.
Best of luck and break a leg!
Mike
ember919
05-17-2006, 07:18 PM
Hope all goes perfectly tomorrow and that we hear soon of how much better you're feeling!
neckpatient
05-17-2006, 09:34 PM
hey Karin, i bet you will be surprised and will be up and about in no time! i am now 12 days post op - doing well
recliner works for me
lots of popsicles for sure that first week.
i've had 2 acdfs (a 2-level c4-6 and now this one a 1 level) I can say for me the 1-level C6-7 was much easier for sure! Don't be scared we are all pulling for ya.
good luck , post and tell us how you are doing as soon as you feel well enough. good luck . cindy
recliner works for me
lots of popsicles for sure that first week.
i've had 2 acdfs (a 2-level c4-6 and now this one a 1 level) I can say for me the 1-level C6-7 was much easier for sure! Don't be scared we are all pulling for ya.
good luck , post and tell us how you are doing as soon as you feel well enough. good luck . cindy
SpineAZ
05-18-2006, 01:13 AM
Thanks Cindy. I didn't even think to buy popsicles. I'll make my husband run to Safeway before I come home to get some :-) Funny thing is he had his tonsils out 2 years ago - I feel like I'll be on the same diet he was at that time. It's 9:00 PM and I have to be at the hospital at 6:00 am. I can't even think of sleeping now :yawn:
Karin
Karin
ThoreauFan
05-19-2006, 12:54 AM
All your invisible friends are thinking of you, Karin! :wave: