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6 weeks post C4-7 acdf update

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Chronic Pain
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Posted 7/19/2014 9:08 PM (GMT 0)
Greetings,
Just a check in. It has been 6 weeks now since my surgery. I do notice that I am getting some of my energy back.😊

The surgical pain hasn't changed. My nerve pain other than sciatica has not returned. Twinges in my arms occasionally when I over do it. And since I am more energetic I sometimes over do it then hit the wall. 😰What I mean by that is I will be fine, enjoying visiting or something, and suddenly I hurt BAD and have to go right to bed with meds. My surgeon said this will happen for at least 6 months. When I eat or talk too much or eat wrong food, my esophagus still hurts.i am adjusting to being a hermit (cannot be in a car even as passenger until September).

I hate this collar more than ever, esp. at night. (I have osteoporosis and they are worried that I won't fuse so I wear a bone fuser 4 hours a day, a hard collar 24/7, and can't ride in a car since the vibrations reduce fusion rate).

My 6" vertical scar looks great. Reread my surgical report and was reminded why I hurt. Even though they went in anterior they did a lot of posterior work and re-aligned my vertebrate plus the acdf. If you don't have your report get it and read it once in awhile as a motivator and reminder.

I thought i could start working part-time from home this next week, but no way! Going to try at 8 weeks as my doctor had recommended.

I have come to mental terms that this is a really SLOW recovery but so very thankful for my extremely supportive and loving husband❤️ And praying for FUSION!
turn turn turn
Posted 7/19/2014 11:44 PM (GMT 0)
Good for you! You know what they say: Positive attitude is a big part of this battle! (Or any battle for that matter).

That's a good idea about reading, and re-reading, our reports....just in case we start feeling a little too over excited, a little too soon. (*Raising hand -- I'm guilty of that*)

My surgery was at the other end, but I can relate to the restrictions, new confines, and goodness gracious, yes, the car rides were atrocious! I had to hire an transportation service that could handle gurneys and wheelchairs. At the time, it felt like they managed to hit every single bump, groove, ditch and stick in the road. And I felt...every...single...one...of...them!

And for months, I would have to travel into Boston for all my appointments in this fashion (which meant a few hours in each direction, on top of waiting of course, which adds additional fun to the whole experience).

Keep your chin up (I mean, you know, figuratively that is!) :)










M.
Posted 7/20/2014 12:22 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks Merrida,
Traveling by hired transport sounds awful! I am hoping my low back holds out, I do not want another fusion there. I hope that it is doing well now?

My doctor is about an hour away, but husband takes me as carefully as he can, but I know how all those bumps feel.

Yes, I am validating what my friend who went through a cervical fusion said to me. He said that I would not feel the pain of whatever I did wrong until the next day, and then you have to tease your day before apart to figure out where you went wrong.

Trying hard to keep the chin up figuratively and literally (so the surgeon said to me).
Posted 7/20/2014 1:56 AM (GMT 0)
Ahhh....so far, so good. Just not a joy ride...yet. Maybe someday. Can you imagine just going for a car ride for no real reason. Those were the good old days. And they will return. Car rides don't hurt me but I have to admit I do sometimes get tense just thinking it might.

I read my surgery report too. It's quite interesting and does, as you say, remind me why I had the surgery. I also remember those moments of I'm past where I need to be down so get out of my way and bring me an ice pack.

Thanks for the update. Keep up your determination to heal!
Posted 7/20/2014 5:03 PM (GMT 0)
Good idea, thanks! Yes, it has been hot lately and this neck brace is not so good in the heat - they did give me an extra set of pads to change out so I wash them very other day, but line the chin pad with fabric or sock.

You must have been in a really bad accident to have all of your work? I cannot imagine. I know that they don't do thoracic surgery unless you are really bad.

I hope you are doing okay now? 🐠
Posted 7/24/2014 6:18 PM (GMT 0)
Cspine if you would please keep your rude comments about people here to yourself,we apologize if we all do not rise to your standard of writing but since CP crosses every line of social and economic as well as educational boundaries we cant all be at our best. I take personally anything you say about anyone here in my forum since these are my people and I and Susie are pretty protective of them.

If you think this forum tedious I wish you the best of luck elsewhere but you do not have to leave a departing letter as we generally reserve those for the folks who have been here countless tedious years!

Sincerely
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