julyg
05-06-2008, 07:23 PM
Dear Erin
Please let us know how you are doing. You have been in my thoughts and prayers. You said your revision surgery was on the 5th so I will keep looking.
July
Please let us know how you are doing. You have been in my thoughts and prayers. You said your revision surgery was on the 5th so I will keep looking.
July
Sponsor
erin72
05-07-2008, 10:46 PM
Hi July, it's Erin. Everything went well. Having surgery again is like having 2nd baby. The "oh ya's" are coming back. Lots of pain and discomfort, wearing a neck collar and very uncomfortable. That's ok though, because some of my symptoms are gone (keep fingers crossed) I'm feeling very differently about this surgery, things are going very well or I'm just trying to stay positive!! Lots of love, erin
SpineAZ
05-08-2008, 02:17 AM
Erin:
Just curious, what did you have done? I had an ACDF 2 years ago and now am having a posterior cervical foraminotomy in two weeks.
Just curious, what did you have done? I had an ACDF 2 years ago and now am having a posterior cervical foraminotomy in two weeks.
julyg
05-08-2008, 02:00 PM
That'[s fantastic! Dont spend much time on the computer, and wear youself out. We will chat as you feel better.
I am so happy for you ;)
July
I am so happy for you ;)
July
erin72
05-08-2008, 07:51 PM
Hi spine az, I had a revision of my ACDF c5/6. I wasn't fusing and the device was too big, causing other issues. Hope everything goes well for you! ~erin
julyg
05-10-2008, 09:57 PM
Hi Erin
I hope the past 2 days have been better for you. I found once I got out of the collar the spasms were much better. I understand the "oh yeahs". ;)
Yesterday was a bad one for me as I met with pre surgical anethesiologist consult and he said during my surgery this tuesday I would have to be fully intubated. I told him I couldn't be intubated due to my vocal cord damage. I left in tears. Called my ent and he said no way can I be intubated due to all vocal cord repairs. Surgeon called me & said now I must have more invasive proceedure and will use a spinal block. I am more flipped out about this than I was with ACDF!!!
I wish we were both done with this already!!!!
July
I hope the past 2 days have been better for you. I found once I got out of the collar the spasms were much better. I understand the "oh yeahs". ;)
Yesterday was a bad one for me as I met with pre surgical anethesiologist consult and he said during my surgery this tuesday I would have to be fully intubated. I told him I couldn't be intubated due to my vocal cord damage. I left in tears. Called my ent and he said no way can I be intubated due to all vocal cord repairs. Surgeon called me & said now I must have more invasive proceedure and will use a spinal block. I am more flipped out about this than I was with ACDF!!!
I wish we were both done with this already!!!!
July
erin72
05-10-2008, 11:33 PM
July, I'm so so sorry!!! You can do this! When I began to feel anxiety before my surgery I would remember just how much control I have over everything anyway and just laid my worries at His feet. MUCH easier said than done!! You need to keep yourself as busy as possible for the next couple of days to help ease your mind. Also, I took my prayer quilt (sounds holy roller, I know) and it really helped calm me. Just having something visual to see and hold, reminded me of how many people were praying for me and loved me!! There are so many people who are pulling for you, having NO DOUBT you can do this!! Try to focus on how healthy you will be after this is all over!! And if all else fails, I'll have a drink for you on Tuesday, pain meds and all! My own personal party for 1!!! Hang tough girl, your bigger than the this!!!
On a side note, I think I'm beginning to like my collar, I think I'm going to give it a name. Any ideas??? If it's going to be with me for a while, I might as well have some fun with it, right?!
My thoughts and prayers are with you!! Just remember to let Him handle this one... His qualifications are better than yours, anyway!
Blessings and Hugs!!
Erin and .....(still thinkin')
On a side note, I think I'm beginning to like my collar, I think I'm going to give it a name. Any ideas??? If it's going to be with me for a while, I might as well have some fun with it, right?!
My thoughts and prayers are with you!! Just remember to let Him handle this one... His qualifications are better than yours, anyway!
Blessings and Hugs!!
Erin and .....(still thinkin')
neckpatient
05-11-2008, 03:46 AM
Erin good to hear you are doing well - decorate with rhinestones - I did at the urging of my nieces and it was fun and got me through.
Julyg - my mother-in-law had COPD and when she had to have procedures they would intubate her with a special tube because she had so much scar tissue in her throat/windpipe etc. from all her meds, I don't remember what the tube was called but it was smaller and special.
Its scary but you can do it. I haven't been on computer much lately - been having lots of problems, I go for new neck and thoracic MRIs on Monday. Good luck. I am now on double my meds, back on 1800 mg neurontin and wearing a lidocaine patch and still hurt like heck. I am really scared at what they might find.
Julyg - my mother-in-law had COPD and when she had to have procedures they would intubate her with a special tube because she had so much scar tissue in her throat/windpipe etc. from all her meds, I don't remember what the tube was called but it was smaller and special.
Its scary but you can do it. I haven't been on computer much lately - been having lots of problems, I go for new neck and thoracic MRIs on Monday. Good luck. I am now on double my meds, back on 1800 mg neurontin and wearing a lidocaine patch and still hurt like heck. I am really scared at what they might find.
erin72
05-11-2008, 09:08 PM
thanks neckpatient! You have to make lemonade out of the lemons in life! Thanks for sharing your "recipe"!~
julyg
05-11-2008, 10:39 PM
HI Erin!
Thanks for the tons of support! You gave me great advice, and I appreciate it. I was pretty low when I posted, in fact right after that I went to a hypnotherapist to help calm me down. I am usually not a baby but the fear of losing my voice again was just too much to handle!
Also I do not have one visable vein in my body (I am dead serious) and trying to get the pre-op blood work done was worse than usual. Had to go to a lab drs office couldn't do it and then at hospital blood typing me was awful. The thought of them giving me an IV is enough to make my blood pressure go thru the roof!
Usually have 2 nurses try until the anthesiologist does it and by then my arms and hands are a wreck.
One head nurse told me never tell them I am a "hard stick" it makes them nervous and another says "tell me you are a hard stick" so I am going in there and saying give me your best person to do the IV first time and it will go better for all of us!
Yes, yes have a drink for me on Tuesday! Somone should ;)
Ahhh yes the collar! I had an Aspen And I truely hope you have gotten extra pads for it, because mine got icky pretty quickly. I removed mine to shower
but still.... A lot of people previously mentioned using a silk scarf inside it but I couldn't reach up to arrange it and husband just didn't get what I was asking him to help me with! I have very long hair and just getting him to brush it for me (all the way thru) was comical!
Neck Patient: Thanks for the smaller tube thought but anesthesiologist said that would not work with my proceedure.
So sorry your pain is worse. We all need you here! You are such a source of inspiration and a wealth of knowledge!
Wish me luck!
July
Thanks for the tons of support! You gave me great advice, and I appreciate it. I was pretty low when I posted, in fact right after that I went to a hypnotherapist to help calm me down. I am usually not a baby but the fear of losing my voice again was just too much to handle!
Also I do not have one visable vein in my body (I am dead serious) and trying to get the pre-op blood work done was worse than usual. Had to go to a lab drs office couldn't do it and then at hospital blood typing me was awful. The thought of them giving me an IV is enough to make my blood pressure go thru the roof!
Usually have 2 nurses try until the anthesiologist does it and by then my arms and hands are a wreck.
One head nurse told me never tell them I am a "hard stick" it makes them nervous and another says "tell me you are a hard stick" so I am going in there and saying give me your best person to do the IV first time and it will go better for all of us!
Yes, yes have a drink for me on Tuesday! Somone should ;)
Ahhh yes the collar! I had an Aspen And I truely hope you have gotten extra pads for it, because mine got icky pretty quickly. I removed mine to shower
but still.... A lot of people previously mentioned using a silk scarf inside it but I couldn't reach up to arrange it and husband just didn't get what I was asking him to help me with! I have very long hair and just getting him to brush it for me (all the way thru) was comical!
Neck Patient: Thanks for the smaller tube thought but anesthesiologist said that would not work with my proceedure.
So sorry your pain is worse. We all need you here! You are such a source of inspiration and a wealth of knowledge!
Wish me luck!
July
erin72
05-12-2008, 02:13 PM
July,
You're going to do great. Everything is going to work out! When you get to the hospital, tell them you want to sign your papers immediately so they can give you medicine to relax. They'll have to get your IV in first (be the little engine that could!) and they can administer the medication into the IV. I felt relief from my anxiety right away, literally! Good stuff, way better than margaritas!! With everything you have been through the docs are going to be extra safe! This is a good thing! Hang tough girlfriend, happier days are ahead!!!!
Erin
You're going to do great. Everything is going to work out! When you get to the hospital, tell them you want to sign your papers immediately so they can give you medicine to relax. They'll have to get your IV in first (be the little engine that could!) and they can administer the medication into the IV. I felt relief from my anxiety right away, literally! Good stuff, way better than margaritas!! With everything you have been through the docs are going to be extra safe! This is a good thing! Hang tough girlfriend, happier days are ahead!!!!
Erin