GETTING SCARED...cancel surgery??? - Spinal Cord Disorders Message Board

NYFUSED · 01-27-2004, 08:18 PM

Hi,
I am scheduled for a revision surgery on 2/25/2004. Acdf c5-6-7 revision and a new acdf c4-5 with possbible c3-4 involved. The Doctors office called today with my pre admission testing date etc. for th 19th. I will also be fitted for a "hard" collar" and I have to attend a mandatory cervical spine class at the hosp. After I hung up the phone I started crying thinking I cannot do this!!!! I have had several surgeries in the past and I am not afriad of hospitals. This particular surgery is just scaring the hell out of me. If there is anyone that has had a revision surgery (taking out the old plate and hardwear, and installing new longer one) please repsond. I need to talk to someone to try and calm me down. I know if I cancel the surgery it will only get worse and possible permanent nerve damage can occur but...... I just dont want to go through this!!!
Thanks
Lori
------------------
LAMINECTOMY L4-5 2/2001
ACDF C5-6-7 WITH OWN BONE 10/2002
POST. LAMI-FORAMINOTOMY-CORPECTOMY C6-7 6/2003
STAPH INFECT. 7/4-7/9/2003

10/2003 NEUROGENIC BLADDER FLOMAX 4MG

11/2003 NODULES ON VOCALS CORDS FROM BEING INTUBATED. ALWAYS HAVE A HOARSE VOICE, FORMER SINGER, ARD FROM STRESS-NEXIUM 40MG, CERVICAL RADICULOPATHY C5-6-7- ARM PAIN

UPCOMING SURGERIES:
2/25/2004 REVISION ACDF C5-6-7 WITH INTERBODY CAGES, NEW ACDF C4-5
DEVELOPMENTAL STENOSIS C3-4, SEVERE STENOSIS C4-5, NON-FUSION AT C7.

L3-S1 ADR ???? 2004-2005
DDD, BLACK DISCS, SCIATICA, RADICULOPATHY L3-4-5 S1

DIAGIONSED WITH 2 LEAKY HEART VALVES. HIGH CHOLESTROL- PRAVACHOL 40MG

irish34 · 01-27-2004, 08:20 PM

Lori--

Just a little uplifting words for you--you have so many true friends out here who are rooting for you! Our thoughts and prayers are always with you. My surgery is this Monday ACDF C5-6.
Be strong!
Irish

NYFUSED · 01-27-2004, 08:28 PM

Thanks Irish for your kind words. I wish you luck on your surgery and hope you have a speedy recovery.

Lori

rayjj · 01-29-2004, 08:06 AM

Dear Loriat...of course you are scared...any normal person would be...but as you said yourself, you know you have no choice or it's just going to get worse. Trust in your surgeon, his team, and what you believe in as a higher power and it will be all right. Ask for a PCA with morphine afterward for post-op pain control...drink a lot of fluids, don't let yourself get constipated from the pain meds, and get up and around as soon as you can. You will be just fine unless you choose to put it off. I just had a posterior decompression laminectomy at C3-C6 three weeks ago and I'm doing o.k.. I plan on returning to work in a few weeks...I am a nurse anesthetist. I also found that hypnosis and guided imagery CDs and/or tapes for pain control and relaxation are very helpful. Relaxing and resting those neck muscles is half the battle. Good Luck. Ray

nero · 01-29-2004, 07:09 PM

You will be okay Lorirat. I know you can do this after everything you have been through. I had the shakes the night before my ACDF and the morning before I told my husband I was going to cancel out. This is a terrible spot to be in but you are strong and often I read your posts to reinforce that we, altogether, can help each other.

Eighteen years ago this Feb. 5 my first little girl died intra - uterinely leaving me carrying a dead 38 week old baby girl. I had to go for induction that never worked and was sent home with a pregnancy that was to go no where. I finally got to a world renowned irish dr. who helped me deliver her four days after finding out she had died in me. It was horrible and my husband and I were devastated. I was frightened and many drs turned me away saying i had to go into labour on my own. Yet, there was this one, compassionate soul that said, no way, you can be helped and he did. He then went on to deliver my healthy son two years later and my beautiful little girl six years later.

Thus, although this situation seems insurmountable you will be okay and be able to do this. I promise you.

Rest up and rest your mind from all this worry sweetie. I' m rooting for you.

Sincerely, Nero