MyPartyGal

Hi All,
I have been reading this board for about two weeks and have been so thankful to read about real people and not just hear the statistical results.

Sorry about the long post but I wanted people to be aware of my situation from the beginning. I would like to keep a post-surgical diary like others I have read to help those undecided on surgery. Those posts helped me know what to expect and helped my anxiety levels.

I was injured in an auto accident on 11/27/2002. MRI, EMg etc confirmed herniations at c4-5 & c5-6 as well as bulging at c3-4 and c6-7 Since then I have been diagnosed with stenosis, spondyliosis, and moderate degenerative disc disease and myleopathy.
My life changed that day and fighting depression has been hard. From over achiever to couch potato in two years time.

Like many members, I had a variety of symptoms that would progress and recede. Burning, searing, pounding, tingling, twitching, gait disturbances, left arm/hand weakness and numbness. Pain has been something that wakes me up at night and greets me in the morning. I tried too many medications to mention, PT, water therapy, epidurals, nerve blocks and finally a cervical facet blocks of c4-5,5-6,6-7. My decision was finally made when the last medication prescribed, Avinza (morphine) made me too loopy and disconnected from the world and my own body, kinda like a shorted wire. Problem was it removed all feelings both good and bad, no pain but no joy, energy etc. I was worthless to help myself or my children. I stopped the medication 24 days later and called the surgeon. I couldnt get an appt with several top NS and OS in the Phila******a Area. The receptionist would ask about accident and litigation and say sorry we wont see you.

That was the end of of my indecision and fear of surgery. I became more concerned with further disability. Two choices, medicated couch potato waiting for paralysis or operate and hope for recovery. I am still terrified but have hope that I could someday return to many activities and enjoy days with less pain and more feeling in my arm and leg, free from meds.

I am a smoker so I need bone from my own hip. Doc has said this is worse than acdf. Quitting seems impossible pre surgery since I am panicking daily. My family has taken my ciggs, I will not smoke when I come home from hosp so I fuse properly with help from the plate and screws.

Any suggestions on how to be a patient post surgical person? How do you keep yourself from doing the daily activities like cooking, cleaning, dancing-LOL. Weeks and months of recovery seem like the norm, what to do with all that time on my hands?