Surgery is scheduled (yikes)... - Spinal Cord Disorders Message Board

Sulynn · 05-02-2003, 02:20 PM

I saw the NS today, he was nice enough to fit me in between surgeries since my neurologist said I needed to be seen quickly. The surgery is scheduled for the 10th of this month. He's doing it on a Saturday so I guess it must be kind of important that this gets done!

He doing C 5-6, donor bone with plate. This NS comes highly recommended. My neurologist said there are only 2 NS in our area that he would trust with the neck and this was one of them. But there were a couple of things things that concerned me when I met with him today. One was that he didn't seem concerned that I smoke. He said he uses donor bone on everybody because of the hip soreness and with the plate he doesn't see a difference in fusion...not even in smokers. The other thing that concerned me is that he said I would only be in a collar for a couple of weeks. Has any one else only had to wear their collar for a couple of weeks? He said I could go home that day or the following day. I think I'll be waiting until the following day!

Sulynn

Debbie2 · 05-02-2003, 02:30 PM

I had done exactly what you are going in to have. My doctor told me to quit smoking, just like he would have told me to stop taking a medication. Ver matter of factly. Don't think all doctors are concerned with fusion and smoking as they may be with anesthesia. I don't think it would be good to be put under, with lungs compromised from smoking. That concerned me more. Plus he said it would help with the fuse. Remember, you have hardware (including screws), the collar thing is not that big of deal. Wasn't to my doctor either. Told me to wear the collar for a week (Miami J) and that was it. I wore it two and did while driving as a passenger for a month.
I had my surgery at Johns Hopkins so I felt like I never had to question my doctor. Yet, I still did what was more comfortable for me...
You'll do fine.
Debbie2

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Debbie2
ACDF fusion (c5c6) with titanium plate and screws using donor bone -
September 4, 2002.

Cherylha · 05-02-2003, 05:34 PM

I had and ACDF on C5/C6 on Oct. 02. Used my own hip bone with plating and screws. I just had an MRI done today and now the the disc above where I have the plating is compressing the cord. Have had severe pain in the neck, shoulders and arms for the past week. I also smoke, but that did not slow the fusion down. The fusion is completely healed and looks fine on X-rays. I was in a soft collar for 5 weeks and returned to my desk job at 4 weeks post op.

It does look like I will have to have another surgery for the disc above. It look like before everything is done and over with that I will have alot of hip on my shoulders LOL. Will keep everyone informed to my porgress.

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Cheryl

Sulynn · 05-02-2003, 06:53 PM

This is one of the (many) things that I fear. I have a small disc herniation at c 4-5. I'm afraid that it will become a big problem very quickly because of the stress on it due to the surgery on c 5-6. I'm sorry you have to go through this again. I hope that before any of mine go again they'll be using artificial discs.

Sulynn

jdog · 05-02-2003, 07:39 PM

Sulynn -

I had a 2 level done Aug. 2002. C5/6/7 with donor bone and full hardware. I've got high blood pressure and I'm a diabetic. When my surgeon opened me up, he had underestimated the job. I'm a big guy, and he told me later that it was the most extensive job he had ever done.

I would suggest that you quit smoking. I rather have you around longer.

As for a collar, my NS doesn't care for them. He gave me one to hang on my wall. I wore it twice, once when a nurse forced me to and once when I had to drive 600 miles to attend my dad's funeral (a stupid move, but could not be helped).

I had some complications that kept me in the ICU longer than expected. As a result, my legs were weak and I used a cane for about a month. I also used a Fusion device from BioTek for about 4 months which is supposed to help align the calcium ions (atoms, electrons?) and help the fusion along. Just 2 electrodes taped to my nect and I carried the device in my shirt pocket (about 3 ounces with the 9V battery).

I know that you will do well in your surgery. I will be pulling for you. Make sure that you take care of things that you will need after your surgery. Some suggestions: (1) double your bill payments so you have a credit balance so you don't have to worry about sitting down and writing checks (2) move everything that you will need down to chest level to waist level. (3) Buy cans of soda, not 2 liter bottles, you will have problems carrying heavy objects for a while. A can of soda is a heavy object, trust me. (4) Buy a lot of soft food... yougurt, applesauce, jello to help your throat out. (5) Ask your doc to issue you a temporary handicap parking permit.

Best of luck. You will do fine.

jdog