halina
04-01-2003, 06:15 PM
Basic activity- how it looks like,
Sleeping - back or side, no problem even with the Miami collar.I prefer the second one.
Swallowing - problem, but it takes time to throat area not to be swollen from the adjacent procedure.
When did you take first shower. Did you change your collar for it, on your own or with hubby/son/daughter help, in standing or lying position. Front wound is still fresh covered with bandage, what about it.
Do you do any execises from doc recommendations just to strenghten your upper arm muscles. Any advice very appreciated.
Halina
Sleeping - back or side, no problem even with the Miami collar.I prefer the second one.
Swallowing - problem, but it takes time to throat area not to be swollen from the adjacent procedure.
When did you take first shower. Did you change your collar for it, on your own or with hubby/son/daughter help, in standing or lying position. Front wound is still fresh covered with bandage, what about it.
Do you do any execises from doc recommendations just to strenghten your upper arm muscles. Any advice very appreciated.
Halina
Sponsor
BWL
04-01-2003, 06:26 PM
Hi Halina,
Great to see you getting along so well.
I was instructed to and did change my bandage daily. I was given a stack of surgical bandages and bought a box of gloves (because it was fun). After my first week I kept the wound uncovered so that the air could get to it and help it along. If I put my soft collar on I would put a tissue between the incision and the collar.
I took my first excruciatingly cautious shower three days post-op as per my instructions. I kept my hand over the incision so it wouldn't get too wet and just patted it dry. Editorial Note: This was the best shower in the history of showers. I was ovewhelmed when I was able to lift my arm to the top of my head and shampoo without any pain. Hold onto something always! (please).
I would think it is way too soon to do any kind of strengthening exercises. My first six weeks, walking was the only permitted exercise and I had a 4-5 pound weight limit.
Keep getting better halina, sounds like you're doing great. :)
Bruce :wave:
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ACDF with plating and donor bone C6-7 (1/29/03)
Great to see you getting along so well.
I was instructed to and did change my bandage daily. I was given a stack of surgical bandages and bought a box of gloves (because it was fun). After my first week I kept the wound uncovered so that the air could get to it and help it along. If I put my soft collar on I would put a tissue between the incision and the collar.
I took my first excruciatingly cautious shower three days post-op as per my instructions. I kept my hand over the incision so it wouldn't get too wet and just patted it dry. Editorial Note: This was the best shower in the history of showers. I was ovewhelmed when I was able to lift my arm to the top of my head and shampoo without any pain. Hold onto something always! (please).
I would think it is way too soon to do any kind of strengthening exercises. My first six weeks, walking was the only permitted exercise and I had a 4-5 pound weight limit.
Keep getting better halina, sounds like you're doing great. :)
Bruce :wave:
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ACDF with plating and donor bone C6-7 (1/29/03)
winged phantom
04-01-2003, 06:54 PM
Hi Halina,
Good to see your post. Right now I would think your only exercises should be just arm curls- no weights. In other words, if you feel like moving and flexing your muscles, go ahead, but nothing strenuous. Go ahead, stand in front of the mirror and act like Charles Atlas! :p
Right now lots of sleep is probably your biggest ally, and if you can get it, go for it! Hope you are taking good care of yourself...
wr :wave:
Good to see your post. Right now I would think your only exercises should be just arm curls- no weights. In other words, if you feel like moving and flexing your muscles, go ahead, but nothing strenuous. Go ahead, stand in front of the mirror and act like Charles Atlas! :p
Right now lots of sleep is probably your biggest ally, and if you can get it, go for it! Hope you are taking good care of yourself...
wr :wave:
Debbie2
04-01-2003, 11:36 PM
Gosh Bruce it cracks me up how much alike, we and our surgeries were. I hated my first shower, my husband cracked up and told people he knows I thought my head was gonna fall off. I had the clear glue and I could shower anytime. Just felt funny to stand, be wet and raise my arms.
My doctor gave me the option of PT Halina, I just didn't think it was necessary. I didn't let my symptoms go too long so I was weak but worked on it myself. With cans of large green beans to start... no, I'm not a redneck I just think I am.
Then to a little weight thingy.
You just take it slow, I really give some of my success to that alone.
Glad you are good and thanks for posting your story.
:)
Debbie
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Debbie2
ACDF fusion (c5c6) with titanium plate and screws using donor bone -
September 4, 2002.
My doctor gave me the option of PT Halina, I just didn't think it was necessary. I didn't let my symptoms go too long so I was weak but worked on it myself. With cans of large green beans to start... no, I'm not a redneck I just think I am.
Then to a little weight thingy.
You just take it slow, I really give some of my success to that alone.
Glad you are good and thanks for posting your story.
:)
Debbie
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Debbie2
ACDF fusion (c5c6) with titanium plate and screws using donor bone -
September 4, 2002.
Catherine with a C
04-02-2003, 12:14 AM
Halina,
I may have to go & re-read this post to you in a few days; but.........baby steps!! Baby steps!
I believe, that we tend to want immediate recovery for a problem that we have had for oh, so long. We tend to forget that an immediate "fix" to our problem is not a reality. It took us this long to feel the pain which we feel, our bodies need a wee bit o' time to adjust to the solution........I hope that you are well on your way to feeling better by the time I pop back in (pun intendend), after my own "fix"!!
Please keep your up-dates coming as I know they will
be of great benefit for others.
Until only tomorrow, (HURRAY)! I remain, in pain,
Catherine
I may have to go & re-read this post to you in a few days; but.........baby steps!! Baby steps!
I believe, that we tend to want immediate recovery for a problem that we have had for oh, so long. We tend to forget that an immediate "fix" to our problem is not a reality. It took us this long to feel the pain which we feel, our bodies need a wee bit o' time to adjust to the solution........I hope that you are well on your way to feeling better by the time I pop back in (pun intendend), after my own "fix"!!
Please keep your up-dates coming as I know they will
be of great benefit for others.
Until only tomorrow, (HURRAY)! I remain, in pain,
Catherine
bdb
04-02-2003, 01:33 PM
I to was only suposed to walk and lift nothing over 5 pounds. It sounds like you are doing well. don't over do it though.
bdb
bdb
BWL
04-02-2003, 03:32 PM
Halina,
My doc was indifferent to PT despite my tricep needing a great deal of work to regain strength. I got the scrip for it, but will probably rehab it myself unless I have a craving for some ultrasound. I am now doing some isometric exercies here at home.
Try and withstand the urge to strengthen just yet. If you lift something too heavy you'll feel it right away in your neck.
Debbie's words of wisdom worked for me. Go SLOW and don't rush yourself.
Debbie, I'm even more convinced we share a donor too.
Fuse Well Halina
Bruce
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ACDF with plating and donor bone C6-7 (1/29/03)
My doc was indifferent to PT despite my tricep needing a great deal of work to regain strength. I got the scrip for it, but will probably rehab it myself unless I have a craving for some ultrasound. I am now doing some isometric exercies here at home.
Try and withstand the urge to strengthen just yet. If you lift something too heavy you'll feel it right away in your neck.
Debbie's words of wisdom worked for me. Go SLOW and don't rush yourself.
Debbie, I'm even more convinced we share a donor too.
Fuse Well Halina
Bruce
------------------
ACDF with plating and donor bone C6-7 (1/29/03)
Nanner
04-02-2003, 04:08 PM
Halina, I think I took my first shower five days out with the collar on. Of course, with no plate I had the collar 24/7 for 7 weeks. Do change the pads after, and have help so you can support the head while they take care of the pads.
Hubby was in there with me the first few times, and I appreciated the knowledge he was there if I started to slip, though I didn't. The thing that was a hoot was trying to rinse without being able to tilt my head back. It's those little things you come to appreciate while you are in the collar :)
As for strengthening, please take it slow. You newbies ought to read my PT posts from October-November as I think I am the poster child for what you can do to screw things up by pushing too hard.
Halina and all you recent and soon-to-be fusion veterans, do NOT lift more than the doc okays for you. Especially when it comes to arm raising and curling exercises, you can irritate nerves you didn't know you had. You don't want to be like Mama Nanner, getting epidurals 10 months post-fusion because you did. :nono:
End of lecture :D
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Nancy D-ACDF C6-7 on 6/7/02. Donor bone with no hardware
Hubby was in there with me the first few times, and I appreciated the knowledge he was there if I started to slip, though I didn't. The thing that was a hoot was trying to rinse without being able to tilt my head back. It's those little things you come to appreciate while you are in the collar :)
As for strengthening, please take it slow. You newbies ought to read my PT posts from October-November as I think I am the poster child for what you can do to screw things up by pushing too hard.
Halina and all you recent and soon-to-be fusion veterans, do NOT lift more than the doc okays for you. Especially when it comes to arm raising and curling exercises, you can irritate nerves you didn't know you had. You don't want to be like Mama Nanner, getting epidurals 10 months post-fusion because you did. :nono:
End of lecture :D
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Nancy D-ACDF C6-7 on 6/7/02. Donor bone with no hardware
BWL
04-02-2003, 06:18 PM
Just expanding on Debbie's post and her home gym suggestions. I favor the 1lb 12oz cans of whole tomatoes. :wave:
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ACDF with plating and donor bone C6-7 (1/29/03)
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ACDF with plating and donor bone C6-7 (1/29/03)