Just got home from the hospital from ACDF - Spinal Cord Disorders Message Board

jqsmom · 01-29-2004, 03:07 PM

Hello everyone!
I just a 3 Level anterior cervical discectomy and I wanted to let everyone know that it went really well. I was sick yesterday from the anesthesia, but otherwise, I have tolerable pain. I have to have a bone stimulator to help with the fusion and the fact that my neck has been snapped forward (Kyphosis) as the result of a snow tubing accident in which I nearly broke my neck. My incision is quite a bit larger than I had expected-- I would say about 8 inches. I had to wear the Aspen collar only in the car and if I need it for comfort, but so far I can go either way. Right now the pain is about the same as before, but I hoping once the inflammation and such subsides, it will be better. I seen the hospital bill alone (since I work in the business office) and it was nearly $30,000, not including the surgeon's or the anestheisia's bill. I can't thank you all enough for the help and comfort that this board provides and good luck to all of you!

Susie

nero · 01-30-2004, 06:22 PM

Hey SusieQ

You are amazing. I had ACDF on November 10/03 and I was not on net for a couple of days AT LEAST. You have done well. I hope your pain subsides substanially if not totally. You seem to have the luck I did... freaky accident, I fell from beach chair as I sat in it and my head whiplashed on concrete floor and my lower back hit as well. Even broke a back tooth and my gemstone on my ring cracked off on side.

You have a great ability for pain so bottle it up and send it through your words to the many yet to come who have to suffer all this, like us.

Mu

ch luck, Nero

irish34 · 01-30-2004, 09:06 PM

Susie--
I hope that my upcoming surgery goes as well as yours. Our prayers continue for you in your recovery process.
Irish

alsvjames · 02-04-2004, 08:48 PM

Hey,

Wife had C6-7 fused the same day she still has arm and shoulder pain and is quite depressed about that we are hoping the swelling is the culprit. How are you feeling now? How long (months) were you in pain prior to the surgery?

jqsmom · 02-04-2004, 09:15 PM

I was in a snowtubing accident 2 years ago and have had neck, shoulder, and jaw pain since. My neurologist and family doctor were treating me for TMJ, chronic headaches, and whiplash. I finally switched to a doctor that listened to me that it was in my neck and found the herniated disc and deformed cervical spine. So I have been suffering from the pain for quite some time. As soon as I seen my neurosurgeon I had surgery in less than 5 days. I am having a lot of neck and shoulder pain... some even worse than before. I have a follow up appointment with him tomorrow and will find out if he thinks it is just the swelling too, as I hope. I'll let you know!

Susie

Quote:

Originally Posted by alsvjames

Hey,

Wife had C6-7 fused the same day she still has arm and shoulder pain and is quite depressed about that we are hoping the swelling is the culprit. How are you feeling now? How long (months) were you in pain prior to the surgery?