Posterior C3 - T2 laminectomy and fusion with local bone graft and hardware

I am so glad to read that you are progressing so well. Keep up the good work. Just don't let your pain get out of control by spacing them out, you will be off of them soon enough I am sure.

The trip outside will do you a ton of good too. I am outside every morning having my coffee. It lifts my spirits hearing the birds sing even if I am having a rough morning, lol. This morning was one of those mornings too.

Keep taking good care of yourself you will reap the good benefits by doing so.

Last Monday I went in and my neurosurgeon's PA removed the 30 staples and six sutures. That was no problem at all. Then I had to go to radiology for x-Rays. That was tough because they had to remove the collar and I had to turn in various positions and stand for several minutes for the three films that were taken. But then I began to feel weak, shakey, and sweaty and had spots in front if my eyes. I sat in a chair for a few minutes and when they wanted to take another x-ray I said no. It was just too much. They put me in a wheelchair and took me back upstairs to the PA exam room where I laid down for about 10 minutes until I felt better. They brought me some crackers and a cup of water and then I was pretty much back to normal. I realize now just how important it is to keep the collar in at all times, though standing in place for several minutes for the x-Rays definitely had a lot to do with me feeling faint and unwell. What an ordeal.

On a positive note, I'll be post-op three weeks as of tomorrow and have achieved a few small but to me significant milestones:

- I was able to shower, wash my hair (thank goodness for my short haircut), remove my cervical collar, change out the wet pads fir the dry set, and put the collar back on - all by myself. I was also able to change the sugar water in the hummingbird feeder outside the kitchen window (had to un-hang it with the pole and hook gizmo Dan made for that purpose), clean it, refill, and re-hang. Did a light load of laundry.

I have an appointment with my neurosurgeon on June 3rd where I'll be evaluated as far as how the fusion is doing, and find out about PT so I can work on improving the range of motion in my neck as much as possible. I'll also find out if he will transition me from this hard collar to a soft foam collar.

Based on the continuing excellent recovery I've had so far, we plan to go on a short 4-day mini-vacation in our pop-up camper on June 5th. The campground is a little over an hour away and we were able to reserve our favorite site that is terrific for bird-watching as it's on the end of the row and is bordered on two sides by hedges and trees. This site also has hookups for electric and water so we'll be pretty comfortable. Dan will do all the set up and take down so it will be an easy outing for me.

So that's the latest news on my progress. I'll post updates as they occur. Again, I so appreciate the good words and support I've received here. This forum us awesone!

Sounds like great progress to me.
Glad they gave you something to eat and water. That's how I feel when my blood sugar drops.
Getting out into nature and cleaning the hummingbird feeder was good for you.
All of it is progress. Glad you're doing good.

Still progressing well. I am very careful walking, and have been able to avoid crowds - for the most part. Like Abilene, I've very protective of my neck and do feel a bit nervous when people are too close behind me.

We did a Costco shopping last Monday and I did well. I found that other shoppers tended to give me a wide berth, which I appreciated. After we got home I took a two-hour nap. Dan took care of loading the basket, and loading and unloading the car and putting the stuff away.

I've gone out to dinner a couple of times and once to an Audubon presentation at our local nature center and it was fine. No measurable discomfort afterward.

Yesterday after my shower I noticed some lateral swelling across the incision point just above my shoulders. There is no redness and it is not hot to the touch so I doubt it's any kind of an infection. The area happens to be where the scar from my surgery in 2013 is located. We'll check it again today and see if there are any changes. By the way, today is four weeks post-op. I would have to think that if anything is amiss it would have happened before now. My follow-up with the neurosurgeon is June 3, about two weeks from now. I have no hesitation calling for advice if the swelling gets worse or other side effects occur.

I started sleeping in our bed about a week ago and it's fine. I have one of those foam triangle pillows and add a small down pillow to provide a little cushioning where needed. I still cannot sleep well on my side because of the cervical collar. I sleep best on my back for sure.

I usually take only 1/2 to 1 Percocet per day and the pain is well-managed.

So far so good.

Thanks, Susie! I feel very fortunate regarding the excellent progress so far. I do indeed have a superb neurosurgeon: Dr. Brara is head of the Neurosurgery Department at Kaiser Permanente Sunset in Los Angeles and is very well-respected by other doctors, both in and outside of Kaiser. I was told by my PCP that Dr. Brara is the one the other doctors go to when they have neck and spine issues. I can see why. ☺️

I have been very careful not to overdo it as far as activities; I do a little and then rest. Afternoon naps are wonderful, and even though I may nap for up to two hours or more I am still able to fall asleep at bedtime and sleep straight through for 7-8 hours.

I will know more about how the fusion is taking when I go in for my follow-up with my neurosurgeon on June 3. I'm sure more x-Rays will be taken and hopefully I'll be stronger and do better than last time.

I've learned it really helps me to go outside and be in nature, even if it's just in the backyard. Sometime this weekend we'll go out to one of our favorite restaurants on the Palos Verdes Peninsula and enjoy relaxing and watching the nearby seabirds and other marine wildlife as we have our lunch.

By the way, the swelling I mentioned in my last post has all but disappeared, and the incision looks good. I'm sure the soft ice pack I use has helped a lot.

Still loving the power recliner even though I no longer sleep in it overnight. It's just great for watching TV, reading (what little I do so far), and web browsing. It has excellent back and lumbar support and is overall the most comfortable recliner I've ever used.

I continue to listen to the relaxation and healing CDs, usually when I lie down for my afternoon nap. I am convinced the mind-body connection is a very powerful thing and I'm ever so grateful to the friend who recommended Peggy Huddleston's book and CDs. This really made all the difference for me.

How wonderful to read your good reports. There is not nearly enough of that here so it's good to have your recovery documented to encourage others.

Did you have increased pain while riding in a car before surgery? I did and was so thrilled when I realized that was gone!

Keep up your good recovery, listening to your CD's, spending time outdoors, not rushing recovery, and just generally taking care of yourself.