Upcoming 4 level ACDF. Questions to ask?

Interesting! I did not know the bone stimulator was not standard. I will be wearing it 30 minutes a day if all goes as planned. I am glad I am not going to be in the brace...I hate anything around my neck. Thanks, Straydog!

Thanks for the info! I think my surgeon may have downplayed the difficulties in recovery. I think he was talking about not wearing the brace when we were concerned about that and the post-op results which were for a stronger neck with less discomfort. But I do find surgeons are not really aware of the struggles patients face in the interim.

I have been on a LOT of meds. That certainly is not a plus. I am actually getting so tired of the effort to get prescriptions and get monitored and I am wondering if I would be any worse with less medications and side-effects. Do many people in this chronic pain group downsize meds? I have to get through this surgery but otherwise I am pretty uncomfortable anyway. Maybe simplify my life.

Thanks, Karen!!

Excellent points, Karen. Thank you for the input!

I appreciate hearing that I am well prepared! Unfortunately I am an expert surgical patient I guess, if experience counts, but this is a new and scary one. If I hear one more joke about how great it is to be made up of 'bionic' parts! LOL. So not true for me. And surgery is always difficult. I think only people who have gone through specific surgeries can speak to what is involved and the Dr's can be great but they are on the other side of the bed/table. So, I really am so appreciative of the great people taking their time to support me here!

My Dr. is pretty great in that he is older and has his own practice not a factory as is common in FL (probably most places). I am 58 almost 59 and celebrating my 5th wedding anniversary in July so my poor husband has had a lot of practice with a 'recovering' wife but it has helped that he has been involved with the visits on this one and the Dr has spoken to him as well. The Dr. expects eating will be slow with soft foods eaten slowly as tolerated for a while and he does not expect hoarseness even though 'the esophagus does not like to be moved!'. Again I am not sure how much the Dr. actually knows because he won't be in your home and by the time you do the first post-op (3 weeks) you are probably better. That has been my experience with other surgeries.

I have been on a lot of biologics for the PSA...methotrexate injections, tried Humira, Enbrel and now Cosentyx. I have regular lab work but no telling how the bones are!

Thanks, everyone, for the time!

I am very glad I had the surgery. No doubt about that! I have far less pain and am not as limited now as I was before surgery. I'm sorry you have had to wait this long.

Have you read posts from Taller Now? She has several discussions but this one might be of interest to you
One year post C4-7 ACDF update. She did not have an ideal recovery, but has made the best of her situation.
She has just recently had a pain pump put in for her lower spine. That discussion is still on the first page. If you have any questions for Taller Now you could comment on her post.

Post Edited (Abilene) : 7/4/2018 6:36:02 PM (GMT-6)

Darla, lots of good thoughts and prayers for you. Let us know how you are doing whenever you can. We care!

Darla:
Today is Wednesday 18-July . . . You were scheduled to have your ACDF surgery on Monday 16-July.

I want you to know that I am thinking of you and hoping for the best in your post-operative healing.

Sending positive energy and karma into the universe for you. Hoping that each day becomes a tad easier.
Karen

Darla:
It is GOOD story hear from you. This forum is like family. People genuinely care for each other.

Surgery and general anesthesia throw a whollop of a punch. Give yourself the time you need to recover.

I know people with ACDF have discussed similar findings to your own - swelling of the neck, difficulties with swallowing, and irritation of the voice/vocal cords.

Select thick liquids to avoid choaking. Nectar-thick consistency (milkshake, smoothies, yogurt, custard, apricot nectar). Avoid thin liquids (water, fruit juice, soda pop).

Helpful tips: 1. Tuck your chin downward (toward your sternum) as you swallow. 2. You can purchase thickening powder which you can add to thin liquids to ease swallowing difficulties. The thickening agents are tasteless. 3. Avoid dry, crunchy foods (plain toast, dry cereal, dry cracker, slice of dry meat)and gear toward selecting soft, moist foods (warm pasta with a sauce, cream of wheat cereal, chicken pot pie with sauce).

It is disappointing to read that the nursing care you received at the hospital was marginal. That’s unfortunate. I am glad that you are in the comfort of your own home. Home sweet home. Home is where true healing begins. Surgery is behind you, in your rear view mirror.

Sending healing energy to you across the Internet and best wishes in your recovery.
Karen

Darla, so glad to see a post from you. Concentrate on letting the healing be your goal. Each day hopefully will be a bit better. I am not surprised about the nurses at the hospital. I agree, getting home as soon as possible is often the best choice.

Take care.

Karen and Susie thank you so much for writing to me post-op and thank you to the other sweet people who offered support/tips and advice prior. It seems that so many people have ACDF or similar procedures but I think we are a group of complicated people with more than one thing going on and that makes procedures more difficult. I just want to say thanks...You have given me a big boost today. And Karen, some of the advice on swallowing really helped!

Darla:
Medical care has become less personalized for a confluence of reasons - adopted business models that demand more productivity from physicians and ancillary clinicians; increased reliance on established “best practices” that are based on cohort group studies; more attention given to common conditions and less to outlier/zebra conditions; profit maximization; population growth and shifting demographics.

But patients are also part of the riddle of depersonalized care. Patients are overall more demanding with less appreciation. Patients also have higher expectations of medical services and desire quick “fixes” rather than incorporating lifestyle and dietary changes.

It is challenging terrain is you have a complex condition or several overlapping conditions and co-mobidities. Communication across specialities, physician to physician, is erratic.

Early on, it seemed I was subject to judgments by every physician, nurse, or ancillary provider commenting on my opiate dosing. I finally decided to stop giving unsolicited comments any response. My medical conditions speak for themselves. I owe no one an explanation.

Darla, my advice to you: Let judgments and criticisms pass over you like a smooth covering of Teflon.

However, never be complacent regarding opiate prescriptions you receive. Never come to expect that a dosage you have today will be continued next month. I use a tool box of techniques to address my pain (yoga, swimming, progressive relaxation, heat/cold, diversion) and work with my medical team to keep my opiate use realistic and in check. open ommunication and earned trust with providers is key.

I do not think anyone can truly comprehend the effects of ongoing pain until they have had the experience of unending pain. This forum provides a valuable lifeline for people with pain. People helping people. My life has been constricted by illness. This forum keeps isolation at bay.

Darla: You can feel free to be yourself here, without any false pretense. Everyone here shares a common denominator of pain. You can express yourself here and be heard. That, in itself, is healing.

While hopefully everyday becomes a bit easier for you, do recognize that healing is not always a smooth upward trajectory. Some days may be a step backward. Or a plateau. Healing can wax and wane, ebb and flow, and then regain upward momentum.

Sound advice: Listen to your body. Listen closely. Your body will tell you what it needs.

Hugs and healing wishes,
Karen

Post Edited ((Seashell)) : 7/21/2018 4:51:23 PM (GMT-6)

Randi, if you prefer using your first name that is fine. Just never give out your last name or personal info such as an email address in any post. This is to protect you.

You are right, the worst is behind you. Now you can concentrate on healing & looking forward to better days ahead.