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Insight for a 7 Level Posterior Cervical Thoractic Laminectomy and Fusion

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Posted 3/26/2018 8:30 PM (GMT 0)
I am having a 7 level fusion in May. I am looking for ideas on how to best help myself during recovery (especially the first 3 months). I have heard some scary stories (like you can't wipe your own butt! smhair to you can't get yourself up out of a chair).

I am more scared of the recovery than I am of the operation!!!

I am wondering - how long before you can go to a hair salon? Can I wear pull over the head shirts? Do I have to sleep laying flat (very hard for me), etc.

Any help, inspiration, experiences will be greatly appreciated. I am 57 years old and had a 2 level cervical fusion in 2003 with great recovery and absolutely no issues, so I am hopeful.

If you were going to do it again, how would you manage your post-op?

Thanks so much!
Posted 3/26/2018 9:33 PM (GMT 0)
Hello & welcome to the forum. I have been hanging around Healing Well a few good years & do not recall any of our members having this many levels done. This is a big surgery. To my knowledge several years ago we had a member that had a thoracic fusion. The recovery was a long one. Not many drs will do the thoracic fusion because of the potential risks involved. I do hope that you have sought out a 2nd opinion & maybe even a 3rd opinion since this is such a big surgery. You should have someone with you the first two weeks if possible.

I hope that you will consider updating your progress as you go along. Your input could help another person having a similar surgery.

As far as going to the salon I honestly do not know if you will be able to do the hair wash because of the angle of the chair & the bowl, its hard. I don't think I would attempt it any time soon. If you have long hair, you may want to consider a shorter style for awhile.

I would think it would be very difficult trying to pull a shirt over your head, invest in some button shirts. I think you will be happier in the long run.

Do you have an adjustable bed at home? If not then I suggest that you rent a hospital bed. Your dr should be able to get your insurance to cover the expense. Our folks that has had ACDF's found sleeping in a recliner for awhile was much better than getting in & out of bed. It will be very difficult for you to come to a sitting position to get up from the bed & you sure don't need someone grabbing your hands or arms trying to pull you up. Same with laying down.

While it is great that you had a good recovery with the anterior work, posterior surgery is not that easy. Add the amount of work being done & it being posterior work too, you are in for a longer recovery period.

One of our mods here, WhiteBeard had posterior surgery & he had prior surgery to that one. It was a tough one, but he said things began to turn around at the 6 month mark. He just kept thinking about full healing & the end result. Hopefully he will see your post.

If you will look at the top of the forum and click on CP101, scroll down towards the end. There is a post there of comments made by our surgery members with all sorts of tips listed. I really think you will find some ideas that will help you along the way.

Other than making sure you are prepared with your medications, food that can be heated in the microwave, something to entertain you during the day/night to keep your mind busy & not concentrating on the pain. Take all of your medication on a schedule in the beginning. I am talking about the pain meds & muscle relaxers. Do not go home & decide oh I will only take them as needed, you will end up in ER like many others have, it is not very pretty. So, stick to a schedule to avoid that type of pain.

Take care.
Posted 3/27/2018 1:12 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you so much for the welcome and the information! I have indeed had three second opinions. They are all in agreement. Which I guess is a good thing. lol

Thanks for the info. I will be recovering at my son's house with his wife and 2.5 year old! It should be interesting.

I am going to scroll through some of the posts from people who have had the posterior surgery. Again, I appreciate the welcome and the help.

blush
Posted 3/27/2018 2:32 PM (GMT 0)
When using the search feature type in posterior ACDF chronic pain forum. That should filter out a lot of junk, lol. If you have any trouble let me know.
Posted 3/28/2018 4:53 AM (GMT 0)
Hi telesales and Welcome to the forum! WOW! A 7 level fusion? May I assume they will be doing this as a posterior surgery? Or possibly both a anterior and posterior.? Regardless a 7 level fusion is allot! So be prepared for a long recovery, and above all don't rush into doing stuff even if you feel okay! Just be gentle with yourself and give yourself plenty of time to recuperate and heal! I've had bot the ACDF and the posterior fusion with rods and pins. I found the posterior approach was much more painful, and took allot longer to heal and recover from verses the anterior approach! How ever I did have the most difficulty with swallowing and losing my voice with my very first ACDF. But to be fare I got that one done in 1985 and at that time doing an Anterior Cervical Disc fusion was a relatively new surgerical procedure, and they've come along way since then!

Anyway I found on all my cervical fusions and my lower lumbar surgery a nice good comfortable recliner was my best friend, or an adjustable bed! With my back and neck I just cannot lay flat, and I slept in a recliner for many many years until I got an adjustable bed! So if you cant lay flat, I would definitely suggest checking into having something like that available and ready before your surgery! As much as you might want to hold and play with your young grandchild during your recovery I would strongly suggest you use the utmost caution, and don't lift or try to carry the child until your well along in your healing process! The main thing is, is to be patient and gentle with yourself and let your body heal! And of course keep us all here on this forum up to date on how you are doing! We all do care about each other here!

Anyway if I or any of us here can be of any help to you, just let us know!

I wish you well, and good luck to you!.......White Beard
Posted 3/28/2018 1:32 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you WhiteBeard! It will be posterior. The advice about the recliner and adjustable bed is GREAT! I think I will go ahead and shop for recliners and get that in place. I had an additional CT yesterday of my upper spine to see if the T1-T2 will be enough. I mean really, how long are those rods anyway! lol

Some suggest not lifting anything heavier than a shoe and I think that is good advice. I think with that in mind I won't be tempted to pick up anything. The great news is my son and daughter-in-law are very very good at keeping me from overdoing and taking care of me. My son was there for the 2 level I had back in 2003. That was anterior and I recovered quickly and easily.

I love this forum and all of the caring people. It is truly wonderful to have a place to go where folks have gone through the same thing (and some even much worse or many more times).

I will keep everyone updated. I did have to laugh when the brace people said don't gain or lose weight, but then the doctor told me I was going to lose weight no matter what. smh....
Posted 3/28/2018 2:07 PM (GMT 0)
Oh by all means listen to your friends about the lifting. Truthfully, you should not lift anything for quite some time. Invest a few dollars in what is called a "grabber". The metal one is great, it has little rubber suction cup things on the end that keeps things from slipping. They are great for picking up stuff off the floor or reaching for something. We have several & use them all the time. Best invention ever, lol.

None of us are trying to scare you about this surgery, we are just honest. There is nothing worse than someone having a surgery & not being informed, being realistic about the recovery & not prepared. This is why I said I think having your hair shampooed at a salon is going to be out of question for awhile because of the angle of things.
Posted 3/28/2018 3:36 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome! and I'm so sorry!

I've had a 4 level posterior fusion which was no fun and a long recovery but am glad I did it even though I still get asked when will my stiff neck get better. It won't get better but the pain is gone!

My own story is here somewhere titled just like it is in my signature. I had both a lift chair and a recliner that swivels available. The first day home I sat in the lift chair but could not turn my neck at all so I quickly moved to the recliner that swivels. I was able to get up and down alone but your case may be different. A lift chair (where you only push a button to be raised or lowered) might be a good consideration for you. We all love our independence! I did not need help in the bathroom other than the raised toilet seat. I wore a collar for only 2 weeks, that varies greatly with each surgery and doctor. I was able to take a shower, using a shower chair, and wash my hair there. I did not try but I don't think I could have leaned back in a chair at the beauty shop to have my hair washed. I'm glad to hear you have family able to help you. That little one will provide some good distraction for you. I hope you will also have a very private room to spend some time in. I slept on several different pillows trying to find what worked. The very flat one was best for me. And it was mostly flat on my back right at first, which I don't like either.

Read my story and others, plus the helpful hints in Chronic Pain 101 written by us and for us. Ask all the questions you want to ask. And be encouraged that we may not remember all the answers. It was a hard recovery but mine was very successful!

I'd be interested to hear what problems you are having now.
Posted 3/28/2018 4:30 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Abilene. All of the suggestions are great. I had a 2 level fusion in 2003 (C-4/5) that went really well. I was tossed off of a horse onto my head in 1999 with severe injuries. Basically broke the entire right side of my body.

about a year ago, I began to notice neck pain and stiffness, then it started down my right side and shoulder. Finally pain on both side of my neck and I began to have clumsiness in both hands. It graduated to tingling and numbness first on the right side, then the left. That is when I finally went to the doctor. I had had enough. LOL That was in September.

I had MRIs, CTs, x-rays, etc. which showed severe bone spurs on the already fused levels and the two vertebrae above and below my fusion crumbling. 2 months ago when I turned my head to the left sharply, I would pass out. It was so frightening. Apparently one of the bone spurs was pushing on a nerve. It is very hard to drive, type, lift anything, etc. At that point surgery was scheduled. Unfortunately for me (but fortunately for others), my surgeon spends April and May in Iraq and Afghanistan operating on soldiers. My surgery is his first upon his return - May 29.

As a result, they are going to do a C2 to T2 fusion posterior with rods and screws, laminectomy and a couple of other things I can't remember. I have advanced kyphosis as well.

I am so thankful to have a place to talk with others who have been through the same type of thing!
Posted 3/29/2018 11:10 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for sharing your 'how you got here' story. It helps to understand. Are you able to turn your neck at all now? Is this surgeon the same one who did your previous surgery?

I'm just wondering if you will be very far from home or will it be simple for your family to go get whatever you might decide you need from your home. I was just rereading my own story and noticed that I said I don't think I could have been alone that first month, maybe longer. And your situation is bigger than mine was. Have you been told how long recovery might be and what to expect as far as your final outcome? And how long the surgery might be? I expect it will be quite long to do that much work.

I ask lots of questions. Answer whatever you feel comfortable answering. We understand. I had to look up the word kyphosis, but I found it. Have you always had that? You said you are more scared of recovery than surgery. That makes sense. You can sleep through surgery. You have to participate in recovery...a lot! I remember wondering if it was a mistake to send me home 24 hours after surgery. I certainly did not feel qualified to take care of me, but we did just fine. As far as your clothing, anything going over your head and fitting close to your neck might get stretched out over the collar you will probably be wearing. Button up things will just be easier to manage for a while. Or those house dresses with a big neck opening to slip over your collar. I think that's what I wore at first. I could get in and out of that without assistance but still feel dressed. Add a pair of slip on shoes and I was ready to go.

Back up cameras in cars is one of the greatest inventions after side mirrors, in my opinion. I've been wondering when help like that will be available on my glasses to use all the time. smile

Post Edited (Abilene) : 3/29/2018 5:21:50 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 3/29/2018 8:14 PM (GMT 0)
Ask as many questions as you want! It's nice for someone to understand what I am talking about and their eyes not glaze over. LOL The Kyphosis apparently started after my last surgery. My current surgeon told me that if it isn't corrected, I will wind up looking at the ground permanently. I already have a hard time keeping my head up (of course tablets and phones don't help that either).

The surgeon is different and I really like my current one a lot. He took over 2 hours to explain everything to me, showing me the MRI and CT results. It was amazing that he was able to show me on the MRI and CT where all of my symptoms in the rest of my body were coming from in my neck. I had no idea!

Thanks for confirming button up clothing would be best. I also have a couple of housedresses and will keep them on hand.

My husband is going to add a backup system to my car! He thought of that as well. Not that I will be driving anytime soon after the surgery.

The surgery is 7+ hours assuming all goes well. I will spend one week in the hospital and then have home health for a couple of weeks after I get home. I will have both the neck and body collars to deal with 24/7 for 3 months.

I told my kids they were going to have to walk me like they would a dog the first few weeks until I could walk on my own. haha I know walking is going to be difficult at first, but I enjoy it so maybe I will be motivated to do it.

smile
Posted 3/30/2018 5:59 PM (GMT 0)
That is quite a doctor to take so long explaining everything to you. He is worth waiting for!

Was physical therapy mentioned for part of your recovery? I started that a few months, I think, afterwards and it really helped me. Part of it was like getting a wonderful massage. I'd be afraid to get a massage anywhere else so I'm missing that now.

I did lots of walking indoors. Having the family walk you is a good idea. I just did not feel comfortable walking outdoors when I could not look around and up and down at all my surroundings. I also did some walking in grocery stores pushing the cart. I talk about that in my own story and how long it took me to be able to finish shopping before I HAD to sit down. I guess that's what those riding carts are for in the stores, but I never used one. It just occurred to me that my reason for not going to the park or some other nice place to walk is because I could not do it for very long and needed to be some place that I could sit when I was suddenly finished. My physical therapist gave me lots of exercises to do at home and my doctor said doing them was very important to my recovery. He did not really push walking.
Posted 4/2/2018 11:02 PM (GMT 0)
I can start PT 6 months after the surgery assuming everything goes well. Yikes.

I have a 3 week long cruise planned next February so hoping I am up to it!

My family already has a "walk Nonnie" plan in place. LOL I am not looking forward to that part b/c I love going out and about and staying indoors will be hard for me, but I know it is best.

I have the results of my latest CT and the bone spur they are worried about has moved some. Hoping to make it to May b/c I really want my doctor and not another one to do the surgery.
Posted 4/3/2018 7:18 PM (GMT 0)
Oh my! I certainly also hope you are able to wait until your preferred surgeon returns. IF you can't wait, do you know which doctor you would use?

That cruise sounds wonderful. What a great goal to have! That might be just the change of pace you will need about that time. Some vacations would not work, but probably with your cruise you can decide how active you will be. Is it just you and your husband or will you be with a larger group of family/friends?
Posted 4/4/2018 7:54 PM (GMT 0)
Oh, I am with Abilene, I do hope that you can wait to have all of your surgery at once. That would be a hard one for me to wrap my brain around.

You know you mentioned how you like being outside, I understand that one all too well. Perhaps if you son's house has a flat drive you can eventually be walked on the drive or a flat patio. A small walk outdoors can go a long way. I remember when my brother had heart surgery, his wife walked him on their drive way & patio. It helped with the cooped up feeling. He went from walking just a small bit to the end of the drive. The first time he walked about a half block he called me, he was so excited.

The cruise sounds wonderful & that sure gives you something to look forward to.
Posted 4/4/2018 8:08 PM (GMT 0)
Abilene - the cruise is a quilt cruise, so a bunch of new friends who are quilters. I am so hoping I can wait until my surgeon returns. I'm trying to be super careful!

Straydog - they do have a flat patio and I am sure it will get lots of use. We can sit on the porch as well and that will be nice. We are in Central Texas so by then it will be really hot though, but early morning will be great.
Posted 4/5/2018 3:04 PM (GMT 0)
Well Howdy to another Texan! I'm in Arlington.

I don't quilt but have a bunch of friends who do. I love seeing their amazing work.
Posted 4/5/2018 10:29 PM (GMT 0)
That's awesome! It is very therapeutic for me until my neck got so bad. My rehab goal is to get back to quilting on a regular basis. i am lucky to have a hubby that is good at designing things to help me not have to bend my neck so much.
Posted 4/10/2018 3:29 AM (GMT 0)
Well, I happened to be on the site this evening & saw a member called Birder Nancy logged on. The name got my attention. So I used our search feature above & typed in chronic pain forum Birder Nancy, guess what she had a 7 level fusion back in April 2015. She wrote some posts about her first post op weeks & then she stopped posting. From the beginning she was doing very well. I wish she would have posted something this evening but she didn't. You may want to search her posts.
Posted 4/10/2018 7:10 AM (GMT 0)
Susie, I did post here yesterday evening - but I don’t see my post? Maybe because I replied by quoting msleslee(sp?) and posting that way? I’ll try again later today. By the way, I’m doing extremely well!

Post Edited (Birder Nancy) : 4/10/2018 1:18:15 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 4/10/2018 10:44 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Nancy, great to see your post above!! I have learned many times to always make sure I am logged in. I have lost many posts only to find out I was not logged in, lol. However, HW can be quirky at times too. I do hope you get some time & will come back. Above all so very glad to hear you are doing well.

Take care.
Posted 4/10/2018 5:46 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Susie! Good to be back. I logged on yesterday to do a search on Periformis Syndrome - my latest health issue - and happened across this thread. What are the chances? smile. Anyway, this is almost identical to my surgery of April 2015. So of course I wanted to reply to mslesalee, and that’s the post that didn’t show. So I’ll redo it and hopefully this time it will stay.
Posted 4/10/2018 6:40 PM (GMT 0)
Hi mslesalee! First off, I want to direct you to the thread I started on 3/14/2015: “7 Level Posterior Laminectomy and Fusion with Local Bone Graft.” I hope it will be helpful to you. Also check out the thread I posted: “Update: 7 Level.....”. These threads have a LOT of info and detail my experiences both pre and post surgery.

The first thing I would highly recommend is for you is to read the book "Prepare for Surgery, Heal Faster," by Peggy Huddleston. Be sure to get the edition with the Relaxation and Healing CDs. Truly, it made all the difference on how well I did in the 5 1/2 hour procedure and the relatively fast recovery time.

I would recommend a power recliner. The one I found at Mathis Bros not only has a drink holder, it has a compartment behind the right armrest that has electrical out lets and USB ports. It is awesome! I still use it to this day, and hubby liked it so much we bought an identical recliner for him a week later.

Post-surgery clothing: I was happy with the lightweight housedresses that had snaps instead of buttons.

If you can do it, have your hair cut short. Up to the base of your skull; I wish I had cut mine this short. It would have been SO much easier.

I used a shower chair maybe twice. Hubby had installed a grab rail in our shower that I used all the time. I only need help from him when showering the first time; the rest of the time I was able to do it myself.

Even though I’m normally a side sleeper, I learned very quickly how to sleep on my back. For the first two weeks I slept in the recliner. After that, I was back to sleeping in our bed, using a foam wedge pillow.

So I do hope this has been helpful! Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns and I’ll try my best to answer them based on my experience. Hugs!
Posted 5/1/2018 2:54 AM (GMT 0)
The countdown begins tomorrow. 29 days til surgery day!

I am registered at the hospital, have my pre-surgery testing set up, including my medical clearance appointment with the pulmonologist. 2 weeks before surgery, I will be fitted with Miami J, Miami JRO Extension and Philadelphia collars. Advised not to gain or lose weight after the fitting. LOL Then in another breath told I will probably lose weight anyway for the first couple of weeks after the surgery. sheesh

I am going back and forth between buying a power lift chair and renting one. The cost to rent one for two weeks v the cost of buying one on Mayfair or Overstock is negligible. I have started picking up small things like bendy straws, a thing to pick stuff off the floor with, and, of course, trying to figure out how I am going to look at my phone. ha!

I'm still looking for inspiration and encouragement. You guys are GREAT! and I thank you.
Posted 5/1/2018 2:56 AM (GMT 0)
Oh, and thank you Birder Nancy! I have looked at your posts and it seems like we had and are having similar surgeries. I appreciate all of the ideas!!
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