Update: 7 Level Posterior Cervical Thoractic Laminectomy and Fusion

Yesterday I had the second post-op appointment, now 6 weeks out. Bad news is I must wear the hard cervical collar another 6 weeks; but the good news is I can take it off while eating, showering, and sleeping. Yay!
New x-rays showed all the hardware - 14 titanium screws and 2 titanium rods - are in place and secure.


Apparently they don't use the soft foam collars anymore as these didn't provide much support or protection. So the two-part hard cervical collar is the way to go, gradually decreasing dependence on it and increasing time out of it to allow the neck muscles to strengthen and provide support.
Pain is minimal except when I am out and about, then it tends to kick up a notch or three. I usually take 1/2 of a 10mg Percocet in advance of my outings and again at night when I go to bed. (It was wonderful sleeping without the collar last night!)
I am now able to travel, including air travel. I was told there will be no issues going through security with my new titanium hardware. MRIs are fine as the titanium is non-magnetic.
I was cautioned to take care to avoid falls and trauma, and any activity that would place undue risk on my neck. Walks, car rides, trains, etc. are fine.
PT will be considered after the next post-op on July 15th.
This recovery, as well as its been progressing, will take far longer than I initially anticipated. But that's the way it is, and I accept it as part of the overall healing and recovery process.

Hi BN,

I think it's great that you are coming along so well with your recuperation! Yea, it's a long road but baby steps, right! Now you can take your collar off and enjoy somewhat restful sleeping and you have no limits on traveling.

Best of luck to you in your healing journey, take it easy and wishing you many low pain days ahead.

Hugs from Texas,

Pam

Happy for you. I hope you can get out to enjoy some nature soon. Always relaxes me. Keeping you in my thoughts.

Great news Nancy and it looks like you're on the right road to fusioning and although its a slower than originally planned healing you are healing. As for the perks it's a natural thing, your body has grown accustomed to the opiates and therefore has to whine a bit when you take it away. Good news is you already have gotten yourself down off of it pretty good and cutting to a quarter is a good plan. Also if after going to the quarter and you're still somewhat uncomfortable with stopping go to a quarter every other night and then you may feel some discomfort without it but should only last a day or two.
Good luck and continued healing and updating.

What an excellent progress report. It is amazing how well you have done in such a short time. I hope this continues as long as necessary.

I am sure you are excited about getting out of the collar. They can be so irritating at times, lol.

You asked about getting off I am guessing Percocet. What you are experiencing is not withdrawals at all. The not being able to sleep without it is probably from tension in your neck & your body's way of saying it tired. You may want to consider getting a very mild muscle relaxer to take at bedtime to help reduce the tension in your neck.

Your trip sounds awesome!!!!

Nancy, I am thrilled you are doing so well. You had such an extensive surgery.

Your camping trip sounds like it will be so much fun. I've always wanted to see the Pacific coastline and the Northwest. Enjoy yourself.

I'm an avid camper as well and although I had to trade my tent and sleeping bag in for a rv with a bed and air there's absolutely nothing more relaxing then sitting in a campground with the smell of fire cooking and crickets. So thrilled you are doing so good and enjoy your camping trip just be cautious.

So very good to hear from you & even better to know you are relaxing & having a great time traveling. This has probably done you more good than anything.

You have just done so exceptionally well from your surgery & we appreciate you sharing this with us. Healing Well is such a wealth of information for various medical conditions & we get so many readers here. People will come here to read about a condition & never become a member because forums are not for everyone. But reading a thread like yours will some day give someone the positive side of surgery & you may put their mind at ease. Unfortunately, we see more of the negative side than positive. That is why I will tell someone not every surgery is a failure, if it was the drs would not be doing surgery on people.

Will look forward to your next checkup. Take care.

Birder Nancy. I am scheduled for a 7 level cervical/thorasic fusion. Your posts have been reassuring. Do you have any updates? I am curious as to long term prognosis--problems and benefits.

Nancy, I just did a quick search this way; chronic pain forum piriformis syndrome. It pulled up several threads on this condition. By typing it in this way, it tends to weed out a lot of garbage, lol.