hugo eve

Hi Guys

Thought I'll post and let you know how positive my two surgeries have been. In June 2003 I woke up with agonizing pain down my right arm. I assumed it would go away but like a nitwit I kept working hard (electrician) and after working on a light fitting above head which was pretty heavy I suddenly found that I could hardly walk and I couldn't hold my tools. I assumed it would pass but alas it got worse. Started to consider that this was serious. Visited some surgeons and neuro's and had MRI and sure enough I had flattened my cord in two sites (C456) with cord scarring. C6/7 was protuding but not enough to cause a problem.Tried every altenative method I could find until one day accepted the truth that I was going to have to go under the knife. I was told that there was 40% chance of improvement, 40% chance of staying the same and 20% chance of being worse. Bad shock to the system I can tell you! With heavy heart I booked myself in. Had surgery in Dec 2003. Fusion and plate C456. My legs and arms slowly got better but still went wobbilly if I lifted anything or bent forward. I thought that this was the damage to the cord and that I had to live with it. Don't tell anyone but one day I burst into tears (and I'm Australian... we don't cry!!) as figured I basically was handicapped for life. As a last resort I had another MRI and found that 6/7 had now flattened my cord as well but also showed that fusion on the two above levels had worked really well and cord had lot of space around it and white shading (damage) had all gone. Suddenly I had hope again. Naturally I was apprehensive about surgery but very excited that something could be done (and I love it when those pretty nurses give you a body wash... heee hee). Anyway had surgery 16 days ago and already am feeling so much better. I was up a ladder yesterday and moving furniture around. I feel as tho I have been reborn again. Pain is subsiding and no wonky feeling in legs. Hands are probably working at 90% efficiency. Decided I will take life a little easier to protect my remaining discs and will do some weight training to stengthern my neck muscles. Will stop getting into pub brawls and no more rodeo's (shucks) but hey I'm fifty in a couple of months so should slow down a wee bit.

O yeah... was really worried that I wouldn't be able to move my head as much but after 3 cervical fusion reckon I have lost 20% of rotation at worse. Very please about that. Still tire easily so the girls will have to keep themselves amused for a while!

Wooo Hoooo, I'm alive again. Look out crocs, here I come!

I hope you all have the success I'm having.

Love you all.

Hugz.