Not looking forward to post-op "stuff" with a smile - Spinal Cord Disorders Message Board

Catherine with a C · 03-28-2003, 09:25 PM

TGIF!! I am grateful to have my hubby home during the weekend moments; & especially now, what with just a few days before surgery.....
Last time, before surgery was post-poned,I was pretty much all good to go. Well, that turned out to be nothing but a dress rehearsal!! Now, after reading so many post-op posts about sore throats; sore arms, swallowing problems, tight neck situations, trouble sleeping, this brace, that brace, suture situations, etc..etc..ad nauseum.......well, I must say I am a wee bit freaked out. I suppose that in order to alleve my major problem of living in pain; I must endure the probabitities of other trauma's . But, come on......what's the reality of recovery?!! I do not expect to be feeling wonderful after the fact; but, I certainly do not want to be dealing with soooooo much other new pain & confusion. (WAA WAA WAA)!!
Here is an example of 1 of many questions that I have been worrying about; my mother-in -law is coming up from Phoenix the day before & said she will stay as long as needed. How long is that?! (thank God! we are
not your stereo-typical in-law story)! What exactly should I have in the fridge that my kid's won't inhale in 20 minutes first!?
I could go on & on.......verbal diareah...but, I won't. I could, but I won't.
Suffice it to say, that I am attempting to prepare myself for the truth, after surgery. whatever that is!
Until later, I remain, worried.
with love & laughter, Catherine

Catherine with a C · 03-28-2003, 11:16 PM

Ignore this post.......cover your eye's !
I was having a moment!! Just spoke with my mom & feel better already.

thanks! C

Nanner · 03-29-2003, 03:08 AM

Catherine, we all have those moments! Either we rant, cry, or we're scared out of our wits. Thankfully, it passes.

Since you'll be doing some time in a hard collar, having your MIL around will be a big help. How long she should stay depends on a few things. Like how much help your husband and kids are around the house. The first week you will realize how limited your movements and vision are by the collar, but you will adjust.

If you have or can borrow one of those long-arm grabby things with the suction cups on one end it's great for picking things up or taking things down. Stretching is a bear for a while.

MIL can be a great help with laundry and housework. Also, she can be your shower assistant, changing the pad. For me, we changed the rear one first while I sat and held the front in place, then I would lay down on the rear while the front pads were switched and my DH would attach the front to the rear while I was laying there.

I would say a week is a given, two weeks would be great. After that, just ask your family and friends to pitch in and your MIL could head home.

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Nancy D-ACDF C6-7 on 6/7/02. Donor bone with no hardware

BWL · 03-29-2003, 07:34 AM

Hi Catherine,

Welcome to the world of relative normality.

Here's my post-op bottom line based upon my two months of experience:

The first few weeks of post-Op and recovery s--ks. No two ways about it. It's major surgery and there's no quick way for your body to recover from the trauma and heal that quickly. Your throat hurts, you typically don't sleep well, you're afraid you'll hurt yourself, BUT, you also get chocolate, flowers, friends visiting, and most importantly blissful pain relief.

I would have taken a year of my first post-op month as opposed to one month with my pre-surgical pain.

You won't regret your decision.

Bruce

PS Nancy when you get married do you get a book explaining all of these acronyms?

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ACDF with plating and donor bone C6-7 (1/29/03)

[This message has been edited by BWL (edited 03-29-2003).]

joprud · 03-29-2003, 12:46 PM

AWWWWW Catherine,

You poor sweety, I'm so sorry for the pre-surgery jitters your going through

I can only imagine.

Sorry I tried to ignore your post but I couldn't.

I'm glad your Mom was able to make you feel better. Aren't Moms the best

Nanner and Bruce seem to have some great advice there and I'm sure there will be more along the way (who couldn't ingnore your post) with some more great advice. After all that is what we do here right? Wish I had some but since I haven't been through it, I'm not very much help in that department. I had surgery (not back related) when I was 16 but I was too young and carefree etc to have any real jitters. I was just glad they were going to make the pain stop.

I know you're going to be fine...between what sounds like a very supportive family, your strength, your great attitude, your amazing sense of humour, and of course...let us not forget...US GUYS...

Teehee
you will sail through all this!!

Take Care,

Joanne