Surgery on Tuesday - Spinal Cord Disorders Message Board

DebbieMc · 06-29-2003, 06:33 PM

Well folks, looks like my turn is coming up fast. I'm another day closer to July 1st. Reality is really sinking in now and I don't mind saying I'm scared

I woke up in an extreme amount of pain this morning and it's been like that all day now. The pain pills aren't working today. That's a good reminder for me that I really need surgery, it seems to get worse everyday. Pain is a great motivator as I'm sure you all know. It doesn't make it any easier to go under the knife though. I found out that my surgery is considered an "overnight surgery." Which means I'm going home the day after surgery. I'm not feeling good about that. I dunno, maybe I'm making a big deal over nothing but it sounds like a pretty serious surgery to me! My doctor's nurse assured me that it wasn't the insurance dictating the length of the hospital stay, but the skill of surgeons these days. That made me feel a little better.

I'm still trying to quit smoking. I actually got through one whole day, but I usually break down and have one or two a day. I know I have to quit and there's no doubt in my mind I will completely quit after Tuesday. The patch really helps. I kept craving a cigarette all day yesterday, more than usual, and I couldn't figure out why, then I realized, I didn't put a new patch on! So, I'm convinced they work.

I have a question for everyone who has had ACDF. Can you feel the plate?

And, if anyone has had to use a bone growth stimulator, how long did you have to wear it? And for how many hours a day? My doctor ordered one for me so I'm curious.

OK, wish me luck! My big day is almost here...Yikes!!!

Thanks

DebbieMc

lifeonhold2003 · 06-29-2003, 06:51 PM

I don't feel the plate and have not heard of anyone else feeling it. I'm not sure about the stimulator. It sounds like your well on your way to being smoke free. I'll have to admit, I have yet to quit or even slow down. I know I really need to. My doctor told me two wks before surgery to quit right now, no patches because the nicotine was the culprit. Well, I quit for about 3 days, and then picked them right back up again. Good Luck on your surgery. I'm sure it will go well. Keep us posted on your recovery.

------------------
AKA: Julie

4/23/03 - Anterior Cervical Discectomy w/Fusion C5/6 - donor bone with titanium plate, 4 screws, no collar post-op

rollercoasterfan · 06-29-2003, 07:22 PM

DebbieMc,
My surgery is on the 2nd....I am right behind you. This is my second fusion but I have no hardware.... until Wed.

it does get very scary as you approach the day.

Good luck and God bless.
Hugs,
Suzie

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ACDF 6-7 june 1998
Surgery July 2, 2003

[This message has been edited by rollercoasterfan (edited 06-29-2003).]

jdog · 06-29-2003, 07:51 PM

Hi DebbieMc -

I had an ACDF on 3 levels C4/5/6/7 just over 9 months ago. My big problem is I still have stenosis at C5/6
and some flattening of the cord.

In order to help with fusion, please, please, please, make that promise to yourself and quit smoking. Also, caffiene also inhibits fusion, so go to decaff stuff as well. I'm one to talk, I'm addicted to food, I need to be half the man I am.

I have the SpinalPak fusion stimulator you speak of. I wore mine full time for 4 months and nights for 1 more month. If you haven't seen it yet, it's about the size of a Snickers Bar. It uses a 9 Volt battery each day. I rotated the leads around my neck each day like my neck was a clock. I alway wore t-shirts with a front pocket, so I had no problem with adding the stimulator to my wardrobe. It fit in my pocket next to my ink pen and cell phone.

At night, I just laid it on the pillow next to my head. It's a tough little devil and took a lot of abuse. It should, I looked it up on the web and the asking price is 5 grand. I am grateful to my insurance company.

Also, some advice for ACDF surgery.
-Make sure you have someone to help you those first couple of weeks.
-Put anything you need at home between your nipples and waist high.
-Cervical nerves affect arms, so think 12 ounce cans rather than 2 liter bottles. Lighter is better.
-For your throat, applesauce, yogurt, get the Yoplait Go-gurt and freeze it. It tastes great and feels good going down your throat.
-Take pain meds an hour before you go to physical therapy. They kick in as you are there and it helps.
-When your incision is healed and you want to decrease scarring, look into products such as Mederma or Vitamin E cream.
-After a month, see about getting regular massages. They have worked wonders for pain in my shoulder blades.

We will all be pulling for you on the 1st. Hang in there. You will do fine!

jdog

firefighter_101 · 06-29-2003, 08:03 PM

DebbieMc,
Your pain should be gone,(for the most part), after your sugery.Sure you'll still have some lingering pains but you should feel better. Your having one level right? You'll do great, they will have you done in 1 to 1 1/2 hours.

OK, I smoked over 3 packs a day and I smoked for over 30 years and this is how I quit. I cut back three days before my surgery.... I didn't quit but cut back to a point where I really wanted one but I didn't deprive myself.... then I would smoke ( does that make sense?) I made my mind up that I HAD to quit after the surgery so that was my stop date. I smoked two the morning of my surgery and haven't touched one from that morning. I went through a small amount of withdrawls for a week but nothing bad. I just kept telling myself I have no choice, I have to quit... and I did. I will have my fingers crossed for you, remember if you can't quit today.... please try tomorrow....but I promise you'll be extremely proud of the day when you say I'm an ex-smoker. It was hard for me because I loved to smoke, I sure didn't want to quit!

I wear my Bone Growth Stimulator all the time except when I shower I take it off. I was told by my surgeon that it really works but you have to wear it all the time. Some people on the board only wear there's a few hours a day. The person that delivers yours will instruct you on how to wear it and for how long.jdog moves his around on his neck but my NS said keep mine in the location where I was told to place it. I have to wear mine for 5 months.

I am still having problems with my throat. I don't know if it's the plate I feel as well as the swelling or not. I don't think It's the plate I feel. But I had a much longer surgery than you're going to have and I really don't think you'll have any problems at all.

I was told to expect 1 to 3 days in the hospital. I was wheeled in my room at 5:15 friday afternoon, NS came by at 9:15 that night and said when I get up in the morning I can go home, he was writing the discharge up when he left. I was really glad to get home, I couldn't sleep at all but I did feel better just knowing I was home and not sitting in a hospital bed.

I hope I've answered some of your questions. I'll be thinking about you and wishing you a speedy recovery!!

Harvey

[This message has been edited by firefighter_101 (edited 06-29-2003).]