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Posterior cervical spinal surgery on 8.14.14 scared

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Posted 7/30/2014 1:15 AM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone,
I don't know if you remember me, but I have c spine issues following car accident 11 years ago and two failed acdf surgeries from c5 through c7 from 10 years ago.

I have been on this path for soo long, because the original surgeon's practice never told me that my fusion surgery had failed. I have nearly excruciating and nauseating pain 24/7.

The new surgeon and 2 other surgeons have told me I would only get worse, and it was a matter of "quality if life".. Plus it will progress if I don't get the surgery done.

They moved me up the surgery roster, I guess that's a good thing but I am scared about this!!

I have to be at the hospital at 5:30 am on the 14th of August. My main fears are just the surgery itself...for some reason this scares me more than the ACDFs. I have tried to find the info in this forum, and it has been really helpful. My pre-op appointment is next week, and as y'all suggested, I'm writing my questions so I won't forget!!

It scares me to think how they will position me on the table, and what might happen if something goes wrong?

My surgeon told me I would hate him for the first couple of months post -op and then I would change my mind.. I sure do hope this the case!



I have a port in place due to horrible veins, and I can't see how they can handle my port if I'm on my tummy.

He told me that I would be in the hospital for probably 3-4'days.... . If anyone has light to shed on that, I appreciate it!

Oh, and what pain medicine do they put into patient control pump? Morphine makes me very nauseous. Is there any other option?

I thought there was a "list" posted here for things that are good to have on hand? I can't seem to find it

Thank you all so very much for all the support and first hand experiences! Nothing can substitute!

Warm regards - poplar grove
Posted 7/30/2014 2:53 AM (GMT 0)
It's great to hear from you again. I also can't take morphine, so I was given dilaudid-it was great! It was a shot put into my IV and I felt it quickly. Nurses repeatedly told me to ask for it before the pain got bad. My surgical report is very detailed about how they got me in position, stopped to check some things, including that I do not take morphine, then the doctor himself flipped me over. Then when it was finished he again flipped me himself. Something about the way he said that in his report impressed me. I never thought about it before the surgery, so you are way ahead of me. Put that on your list of questions and be sure to ask about the port. I'll bet they have a plan for that, but you need to know and be at peace about it.

PS  I just looked at my report. They used a Mayfield Head Holder and a Jackson table in my surgery-in case you want to do a search and see pictures of those.

Did you see my post on your previous thread about your hair?

Post Edited (Abilene) : 7/29/2014 9:30:20 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 7/30/2014 10:01 AM (GMT 0)
Abilene is correct and I was getting ready to say not to worry about those kinds of things!! The medical field has done a wonderful job designing about any and all kinds of things for any and all situations in surgical procedures. Time is of the essence in the surgical suite and no one's left to figure out what to do to handle such things as positioning to gain access to the port no matter where its located. As soon as the techs arrive each day they stock the suite based on surgeries scheduled and patient needs. There's also standby techs to obtain anything that may be needed without warning from Central Supply.

Your surgeon is right and you will likely call him some colorful words before hopefully thanking him!! Don't push recovery but do follow orders to the best of your ability.

Plenty of post- op meds that don't even have a oral form that are used immediately during and after surgery and most are not aware they have gotten them but thank God for them!! Fentanyl and Stadol are two of the more common than your moved to morphine or dilaudid,demerol if you have issues with those but it's not a great choice due to its clearance rate out of your system. Even without morphine onboard your going to have a anti-nausea med given and ordered post- op due to the general anesthesia and the meds used to dry up secretions,standard operating procedure.

You will be fine and if you are really freaking your self out over all of it ask your Dr to order something to help you sleep the night before surgery.
Posted 7/30/2014 5:49 PM (GMT 0)
Hi populargrove you mentioned in your post, ("My surgeon told me I would hate him for the first couple of months post -op and then I would change my mind.. I sure do hope this the case!") my surgeon said the same thing to me just before my posterior fusion of the articular joints at C3/4! With Rod and Pins on both sides holding it all together! Anyway he told me it was a really painful surgery for the patient, and would take some time for it to heal! He wasn't wrong! The first few weeks especially is miserable! But with that said it was also worth it in the end! I had 47 staples going up the center of the back of my neck, from the base of my skull down to my shoulders! My surgeon left the staples in for just about two weeks, (which I thought was a bit long) Your having allot more done than what I did, so of course your experience will probably be allot different. But prepare yourself this is no picnic! Especially at first! It will get better in time, but make no mistake the first few weeks are going to be tough! You will make it through ok, but you might wonder why you did it to begin with! After a few weeks or maybe even months, you will realize it was well worth having it done!

You just have to keep the long range goal in mind at all times! Anyway there are quite a few people here that have had this type of surgery, and I am sure they will be of great help to you. Remember though eveyone experiences things just a little differently, and doctors do procedures differently too! So even if someone has had the exact same surgery as your having, their experience might be completely different than what yours might be!

Also I might add don't do the "what if?" mind games with yourself! We have all done it, and I will tell you, it will not do you any good, and will just make things harder for yourself!

I do wish you well, I am sure You will do fine with the surgery!

Good Luck to YOU!

White Beard
Posted 8/2/2014 6:51 PM (GMT 0)
I just dropped in to say HI and hope you are able to relax some as you prepare for the surgery.

At least with the posterior approach you will not have the swallowing problems that seem so common for those with anterior. Did you have that issue with your previous surgery?

I've been thinking a lot about chairs. My office chair is comfortable and could easily move anywhere in the house. A lawn chair is also comfortable. I just like having those options, maybe not for long periods of time, but for sitting with visitors or just to move around. Then my favorite recliner is where I spent so much time early on, eating, some sleeping. It was a big deal when I went to the table to eat and I can't remember when that was.

Do you know yet how long or if you will be in a collar? That's probably on your list of questions.

Take care and try to relax.
Posted 8/5/2014 5:10 PM (GMT 0)
Hi poplargrove,

I had procedure done six weeks ago for cervical stenosis, and compared to your case, this is a walk in the park.

I had confidence in my neurosurgeon and he 'sold' me on my treatment just right. I knew I couldn't go on with this illness and I wanted to be better. So, when the doctor offered surgery, I jumped.

I had a couple stray thoughts about 'what if something goes wrong' or whatever, but... I just decided this was the best way to go. Mostly was able to dismiss those negative thoughts.

I'm like you, I dislike (strongly) morphine, and have EXTREME REACTIONS to Vicodin or Oxycodone (like, my kidneys shut down, for example), THEREFORE, if there is a PRE-SURGERY SCREENING INTERVIEW PROCESS, *tell the interviewer* that you're ALLERGIC. Use the word 'ALLERGIC.' --- When the screening interview is finished, ASK FOR and READ your copy of the information they took -- and AMEND as needed.

I was lucky, my 27 year old daughter was around A LOT during my first 2-3 weeks. There's going to be times when you are going to have to be your own advocate. Be a little (healthily) suspicious, ask questions, and speak up.

My hospital experience was OUTSTANDING, but even so, there were a couple of things that could have been better, had I been a little more diligent and LESS TRUSTING.

Wishing you BEST of luck on your surgery, and STAY POSITIVE.
It's so easy to let negative thoughts creep in, especially during recovery. Don't let them get he best of you -- dismiss them.
Posted 8/7/2014 6:41 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Abilene, Whitebeard, Vickie and Bob,
Thank you all so much for your replies. I am working so hard to go into this experience with a positive attitude. Fear has a way of wiping out positivity! :)

I am doing better than I was prior to my pre-op appointment I had yesterday. My hubby went with me and I feel like we are both mentally and emotionally ready for this. My hubby keeps saying to me: Keep your eye on the prize, and "Courage Camille!" It's his little joke to make me laugh... It usually works.

I am soo tired of being on pain medicines, I cannot think straight. I know I will have to be on them for weeks after the surgery but I will do my best to get off as soon as I possibly can. Plan on using lots of ice, and lots of rest. Luckily, I am retired and do not have that worry about going back to work.

I have a strong faith, and I know things will be fine. A week from right this minute, I will be out of surgery, and on my way to a great recovery period.

I am sooo glad that I found this forum. It has been helpful in so many ways. Thank you all so very very much. ! I APPRECIATE you!
Posted 8/17/2014 12:45 AM (GMT 0)
Poplar grove, I am so sorry your doctor had to postpone your surgery. I certainly hope it will not be very long. I have a friend who had heart surgery postponed. She took it well and later said that she just thought she was ready the first time, then she really knew she was ready the next time. I pray something will happen to let you and your husband know the new schedule will be better for you too.

I thought of something else to tell you. The head holder left a few small scrapes on my head. My dr had mentioned that might happen. Did you get your answer about your port?

I've been diagnosed with sleep apnea now. I'm in the process of getting treatment now. White Beard offered some great advice and told me about another helpful forum.

Hoping you hear good news from your dr soon.
Posted 8/20/2014 9:04 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Abilene,
Wow, I am stunned. I just got a call from the surgeon's office. My surgery was supposedly scheduled for September 18. They have a cancellation tomorrow, August 21, so that's what I'm up to tomorrow.

I am scared, but relieved at the same time that at least I will be getting this behind me.

I am gonna be a grandmother for the first time this December, so I really need to be in good shape by then. Please say a prayer for me tomorrow at 1:15pm. Thank you so much for your support..
Posted 8/21/2014 3:00 PM (GMT 0)
Wondering how you are doing? I hope and pray all went well. Will be waiting to hear how surgery went. (It is today?)
Posted 8/21/2014 9:11 PM (GMT 0)
Also checking in....





M.
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