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New member debating a C3-6 ACDF

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Posted 12/14/2014 7:26 PM (GMT 0)
Hello JoeR,
December 19th is your big day! I will certainly be thinking of you, and praying too, for everything to go as well as possible. I just had my almost a year check up. I have about 80% of my movement and that is not expected to improve any. You can read my thread-Posterior C3 - C7 laminectomy and fusion.... for my latest update. I used bendable straws for several months but can drink from a glass now. I'm really sorry to hear that C6-7 screw looks bent. My dr told me it could bend or break but mine is still just like it is supposed to be.

Did you have the heart procedure?

I had an impinged shoulder a few months after surgery. I thought it was just a part of the pain from the neck. I was sent to PT for that which has really helped the shoulder AND my neck. I still do my at home exercises. Some people say PT hurts badly, but mine never has and has helped me greatly. I hope you will be able to have PT to help your healing. It's not always advised by doctors, so once again, we're all different.
Posted 12/14/2014 7:46 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Joe, welcome back. So glad to hear from you & truly thought perhaps by now you had surgery. I am very glad to read that you are using a neurosurgeon this time around. It really makes a big difference in the end. We have a couple of ladies that have documented their surgery & recovery, one who is Abilene. Taller Now is also one that has been documenting her progress, you may want to check out her thread.

Ultimately, follow through with your post op directions to the letter. That is just as important as your surgery. Listen to your body & what it tells you. Over doing is one of the biggest mistakes many make. Stay on top of the post op pain, in other words take your medications according to a schedule. Once the pain gets out of control its very hard to play catch up & reign it back under control. Set an alarm or whatever it takes.

Of course you are nervous, you have every right to be. Please let us know how you do after surgery as we really would like to keep track of you. To answer your question about the short term disability, if your employer did not offer it, there really is nothing out there for you to have an income. Thats the downside to having some serious health issues. There is Social Security Disability, however you have to have a condition that makes you disabled at least one year & then if you are lucky enough to be awarded disability it takes 6 months to collect. Most folks are denied & it can take up to 2 yrs to go through the system to get a hearing.

Keep us posted & many prayers are being said for you.
Posted 12/14/2014 8:06 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the prayers. I'm sure they'll help me out. Need all I can get.
No PFO fix yet. The cardio doc put in a cardiac loop in my chest to monitor for A-Fib. They are really cautious about closing it because they are afraid they may need to go in and do an ablation first, and if they close it I guess it's really a risk to do it later. So again, it's hurry up an wait.
Don't know how long after surgery I could get on a computer; but WILL give you all an update. Reading all the forums have allowed to know more what to expect with a 3-4 fusion, but also gives a lot to think about.
Thanks for being there ! jr
Posted 12/14/2014 9:22 PM (GMT 0)
We will be eager to hear from you but we all know it will take some time. Don't push too hard. We can wait.

Have you read this thread: Useful Items for ACDF Post-op or neck pain Just put that in the Search box in the upper right to find it.

Welcome to our THINK FUSION CLUB!
Posted 12/15/2014 2:46 PM (GMT 0)
Joe, something I wanted to point out to you is TallerNow also has severe osteoporosis which has made a huge impact on her recovery. Abilene is another lady that has had surgery & you might want to also look at her surgery journey here too.
Posted 12/16/2014 1:54 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks, I did find Abeline's journey and reviewed it. I realize I may be in for more of a battle than I was hoping for. I actually believed th Doc, when he told me if I felt up to it, i could go back to work in 2 weeks. My discussion in pre-op for C3 - C6 was
1. Arthrodesis 2. Cervical radiculopathy 3. Cervical spondylosis with myelopathy
4. Spinal stenosis in cervical region (isn't all this the same?)
Doc is also going to evaluate C6-C7 since in the newest CT (past Friday) shows a bent screw, so I hope C3-C6 is it and not try to take apart 6-7 and try to re-attach stuff. I couldn't even image him trying to get out a bent screw, but a lot of my symptoms are C6-C7 issues like pain/weakness from the neck to the hand, and upper rear shoulder and tricep numbness. Soon, 4 days and dreadfully counting. joe
Posted 12/16/2014 3:56 AM (GMT 0)
Just got done reading all of the weekly posts from TallerNow and I'm even more nervous. I don't think I'll feel better breaking dishes, and I hate to say it, being a 55 Y.O. guy, don't think I'll have much of a counseling or network to have heart to hearts with. I guess when I get too down, I'll take a couple extra pain pills and relaxers and get on my bike and hit the open road. The pull over go in the woods, do some screaming and try to to make it back home. I am joking all, but I will also have to try to get back to work asap. At least I'll be able to B$%^, moan and complain here and get some honest feedback on where I am and why.
I hope you all heal well. I just can't imagine honestly the time involved in all this. I do not recall my C6-C7 taking that long. (not that I really remember) and maybe that's why I have a bent screw??, but at 55 I know it will be a longer time recovery
Posted 12/16/2014 3:30 PM (GMT 0)
Take it a day at a time, sometimes its a moment by moment thing. We will be here for you to support you or give you the boot if we think you are doing too much, lol. The main thing is following those post op instructions to the letter & once home take your medications on a schedule to stay on top of the pain. Trying to be tough & then having to play catch up is not fun. You should do fine.
Posted 12/16/2014 7:49 PM (GMT 0)
I should hope your C6-C7 did not take that long to heal, we're talking about a lot more surgery now. We will help you but at least now you know going in that it's really a beast of a surgery, even in the best of cases.
Posted 12/20/2014 6:31 PM (GMT 0)
Hello ALL ! The thoughts and prayers worked well. Surgery was only 2 1/5 hours, only did the C-3 through C-6. Have no idea how they connected the C-5,6 to my former repair. I am home today and no major pain, just the swallowing for now. Can drink tilting my head down and fully forward but apple sauce and grits had to cough up as kept going the wrong way down. Sent me home with Percocet 10/325 and Robaxcin 750 for spasms. So far so goo, Going to take one of each and take a nap.
Again, thanks all, Merry Christmas or Hanukkah and I will post in a few days see how I feel.
Joe
Posted 12/20/2014 6:39 PM (GMT 0)
That sounds GREAT!! Now don't think you are feeling well enough to do too much and overdo. It's easy to do at first when you are still in shock. Lots of naps. Thanks for letting us know.

This may be a crazy Merry Christmas for you! Just keep your drugs nearby. That's what I was doing last year.
Posted 12/22/2014 7:04 PM (GMT 0)
Just wondering...are you in a neck collar? Doctors have various opinions about that. I hope you are still being pampered and encouraged to take it very easy. Remember, it really is a year long recovery. Did your dr give you his opinion on that?
Posted 12/22/2014 7:34 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, Abilene. Came home Saturday. Felt pretty good. Stayed up and about, but took it easy. Was feeling it later though. Both upper arms are really sore but I have no more "pins and needle"pains in my right wrist,thumb nor index (NICE!). Am really having a hard, hard time swallowing.Can Almost bend over to swallow, but if sitting somewhat goes the wrong way and does not completely complete the swallow, so lots of hacking.
Doc does have me in a hard neck brace and said due to the levels, plan on being in it for at least 3 months. I cannot swallow without releasing the neck level down some. I figure I'll wear it and see how it goes after a week or two and then maybe see if I can rest in a soft collar, just for a slight change. If it continues as is I hope to be able to work on the computer some for work. We'll see.
Thanks for the follow up, Joe
Posted 12/23/2014 8:46 PM (GMT 0)
Joe so glad to read that your surgery went well. I do hope that you are taking the post op meds on a regular schedule. Its better to stay on top of the pain rather than under it. Word of caution, follow the drs post op directions to the letter, they were given to you for a good reason & they is crucial to you having a good result from your surgery.

The working on a computer, that is what one of our ladies did & she had a very hard time doing the computer work. Give yourself time to heal & don't rush things. Take care.
Posted 1/21/2015 4:12 PM (GMT 0)
How's your New Year going? Are you still taking it easy OR working at the computer? I hope you are doing some of both but not overdoing either one! Just remember that FUSION is the goal. No matter how long that takes, it will pay off in the long run when you can finally be more comfortable-like me!
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