Surgery

Serenity

You are certainly NOT silly, anyone would be scared facing surgery like this. I honestly think that the more surgeries you have the harder it gets. That is the case for me anyone. Just keep telling yourself that you are doing it for the right reasons and with good medical advice. The days before surgery are hard, too much thinking. I think it is easier once you are in the hospital and just want to get the op over with.
Soon it will be all in the past and you will be on the road of recovery. I wish you well and look forward to hearing how you got on. I will be thinking of you.

Lots of good luck hugs
Jane

Serenity, I had a similar surgery in 2009 - several areas were involved and fused. Surgery was done by a neurosurgeon specializing in neck and spinal surgeries and I did fine. I'm 62 years old female. I did not realize the seriousnesss of my neck problems until AFTER the surgery when the surgeon told me I practically had a new neck. I wore a brace a short while and used a nerve stimulator for 6 months afterward to make the fusion go faster and become more secure.

Surgery took about 3-4 hours and I was cut in front and the back which the surgeon thought would be most effective for my particular situation. It was a good 6 month recovery but I was exercising 3-4 weeks later being extra careful not to include the neck in my exercising. The exercising was mild but you need to get up and avoid "sitting around syndrome" as soon as you can. You will recover quickly the sooner you start moving around.

I was in the hospital 2 nights, walking the 2nd day but eating very little due to a sore throat from surgery. Swallowing was diffiicult for some time. I made several trips to the doctor afterwards for x-rays and the doctor told me I was the "perfect patient".

Your surgery sounds scary and is very involved but accept it as it is and realize what might happen if the surgery is not done. I am sure your surgeon is well qualified for these types of surgeries and has most likely done many like yours and mine.

Good luck in your recovery and let us know how you are doing.

Serenity,

Surgery is scary and what you feel is normal. We are all here cheering you on, Stop by anytime and vent away.

Im sure you will do fine

Betsey

As mentioned...EVERYONE is scared before major surgery...so don't feel out of place...

One of the things I learned to help was to be as organized as possible to have every single detail post op planned out. Making sure that friends/family/church...are set up to help with things from meals to cleaning to help you get around.

As well as have a bunch of movies....dvds....things that can help you stay occupied both before and after the surgery.

Just know that yes...it's going to be a rough go, especially the first few weeks with the pain. And then it's just a day by day recovery....slowly but surely....and just follow ALL Drs. orders to take it as easy as possible and keep up with all the pain meds....Taking them exactly on schedule to help keep the pain from getting too bad...

The rest I just give up to God:)

We are all praying it goes well!