I'm back! - Spinal Cord Disorders Message Board

IzzyFuzzy · 11-20-2004, 10:32 PM

I'm back home tonight (11-20-04). Stayed overnight in hospital just once, was released 27 hours after surgery ended.

Woke up after surgery with significant return of left arm strength and I percieve less nerve pain. Dr. found several significant bone spurs which added about 1-1/2 hours to surgery. He says that they were the cause of more trouble than my bulging disks.

Now fighting surgery site pain and very raw throat. I developed some bad muscle cramps because I was not allowed to move after surgery for 25 hours. Dr. waited to put me in my collar that long. Had my lie flat on my back with sandbags on each side of my head (allowed me no more than 15 degree head elevation). This made it very difficult to swallow any water or broth, but found that I could use a sponge on a stick provided by the nurses.

Will write more later...

Thanks for helping me through!

Izzy

DonnaKay · 11-20-2004, 10:52 PM

You sound so happy! I wish you continued improvement. :-D

nero · 11-21-2004, 05:00 AM

You are a brave soul...you did it and it shall be worth it..good continued success.
We need an onslaught of good outcomes right about now...so keep up the good work.

nearly new..eventually. Nero

solardust · 11-21-2004, 05:40 AM

Hi Izzy,Gee's that must have been a long 25 hours for you!

I know after my heart cath I had to stay flat on my back,with sand weights on my legs, it was no picinic,it was crueling,so I am happy thats behind ya

now ya just have to take it easy, try and relax, and heal, Take care , keep in touch,and Congrats!

Diana

IzzyFuzzy · 11-23-2004, 05:32 PM

Hi again, and thanks!

Well, I posted this thread on Saturday (the day I arrived home) to let you know that I was doing well. Unfortunately, Sunday and Monday were pretty rotten. It is Tuesday now, and I am a bit better again.

My problem has mostly been muscle spasms throughout my upper back and shoulders. I expected that this would happen and voiced my concerns pre-op and post-op, but my NS assured me that it would not. Consequently (since my NS is not the same doctor who was treating my chronic pain) I was prescribed less pain medication post-op than I have been taking daily for the past two years.

I thought it was strange that the nurses kept encouraging me to use more of the IV pain meds, yet only a few hours later I was sent home with only a few Percocet and no muscle relaxers. By Sunday, I was covered with muscle spasms and actually delirious w/pain.

Since Monday, I have monitored my pain meds to the minute 24 hrs/day to avoid falling into the hole of pain again. I have been using Flexeril that I have on hand, and, while I still am having much more muscle spasms than I have had at any time since last winter, I am able to move around better today.

Also, my history of athsma and pneumonia after anesthesia went unheard at the hospital, so I have had a real hard time getting enough oxygen since I arrived home. I have been using a steam humidifier and my own nebulizer with Albuterol, and by forcing myself to cough, I have opened up my airway by bringing out some thick nasty stuff out about once or twice a day.

One tip I would like to share: When my wound dressing was changed immediately prior to release from the hospital, the doctor used a spray adhesive all over my neck to make a rather large gauze bandage. While I was still flat on my back, he slid the collar under the back of my neck and velcro'ed it together. The adhesive overspay glued the collar to my neck. The NS wants the collar to stay on 24/7 until he sees me again next Monday.

Having the collar glued to the skin of my neck has been VERY uncomfortable, especially since the glue has pulled my skin around sideways...

I am up and walking, however.

Thanks for listening!