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Posterior C3 - T2 laminectomy and fusion with local bone graft and hardware

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Posted 3/14/2015 7:33 PM (GMT 0)
Brand-new member here, familiar topic. On April 2 I will be having Posterior Cervical Laminectomy and Fusion involving 7 levels - C3-T2. I've been dealing with steadily progressing degenerative Disc Disease since early 2000. I am 69 and in decent health.

I did have a Posterior Right Cervical Thoracic Decompression with Micro-Discectomy back in July 2013. This resulted after making a bad decision to try and help our handyman pick up a marble 2' x 3' entryway slab. Only got it about 1/4' off the floor when I knew I could not/should not be doing that. I put it down immediately but the damage was done. The pain was bad after the anesthesia wore off and I could not put any pressure at all on my my arms as far as getting in and out of bed. UGH. Recovery was about 3-4 months in that case.

So now I'm preparing the best I can for what looks like a daunting surgery and recovery and trying hard to stay positive.

I know some of what to expect post-surgery and recovery but would appreciate any insights or thoughts from this group.

A friend who recently underwent PAO hip surgery recommended a book entitled "Prepare for Surgery, Heal Faster," by Peggy Huddleston. I ordered it via Amazon and picked the edition with the Relaxation and Healing CDs. I just started reading the book and listening to the Relaxation CD and it looks very, very useful. My friend said it was extremely helpful and her recovery and healing far exceeded her surgeon's expectations. So I figure it's worth a try.

Even as I type I'm sitting in the power recliner my hubby picked up for me yesterday. I even tried sleeping in it last night and it was a great success!

Thanks in advance for any and all suggestions and advice.
Posted 3/14/2015 10:19 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome Birder Nancy,
You have probably already read enough here to know there are several of us who have been on this same road but you certainly take the prize for the most fusions at once, as far as I know. I'm eager to hear what your dr says about recovery time and range of motion post-op. I hope you have gotten 2nd or more opinions. What is your pain like now? Are you on pain meds?

Be sure to read the thread about Useful items... It's on page 2 near my thread right now. Have you read mine yet? Aned is scheduled soon also. All the advice she has been given would be helpful for you too. Your relaxation cd sounds good. I'm glad you are in good health and that you have your recliner ready. I expect you will spend lots of time in it over the next year and longer while you recover.
Posted 3/14/2015 11:30 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks, Abilene. I'm still trying to find my way around here and though I did spot the thread about Useful Items (thanks!) I cannot see anything regarding Aned and her scheduled surgery. If you would point me to it, I'd be ever so appreciative!
Posted 3/15/2015 12:47 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Birder Nancy,

Welcome to the Chronic Pain forum. Sorry to had to be here but you will find that the members are all very informative and supportive when each of us faces procedures, surgeries, diagnostic tests. But most of all when we just need someone to talk to that understands, and recuperating is all about that.

I wanted to help you find the thread that Abilene was talking about. If you go to the bottom of the screen where the page numbers are, click on the 2nd page and look for the title, "Posterior C3 - C7 laminectomy and fusion with local bone graft and hardware". I believe that is the one she was referring you to for a lot of information and feedback.

Hope that your days will be better and your recuperation after surgery goes uneventful.

Hugs from Texas,

Pam
Posted 3/15/2015 1:27 AM (GMT 0)
Sister Pam pointed you to my thread. The one by aned is on page 1 and called 4 level acdf.
Posted 3/16/2015 4:59 AM (GMT 0)
OK, I found the thread from aned and just now officially introduced myself. Thank you all so much! I know I'll be on this Forum a lot in the coming days/weeks.
Posted 3/16/2015 4:29 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for your more detailed intro. You and I had a similar issue in 2000. I had surgery, then no further treatment was needed!! Very thankful, as you well know. Gall Bladder, although not emergency, is also in my past. And those cataracts. I've not been happy with my vision since that. I've been told I have floaters that were just not visible to me before the cataracts were removed. I've not been convinced of that. A friend who had surgery to remove the floaters by the same dr I was sent to has had lots of trouble, which does not make me want to take that route. Are you pleased with your outcome?

Have you had a 2nd opinion? You read Aned's thread, so mostly all those same questions are for you. How's your pain level now? Do you know what will be used for pain control post surgery? You do have a lot to get ready for. I'm sure this forum will help you as it has me and many others.

You might like to go to your profile page and near the bottom of it you can create a signature to go with each of your posts that includes some of your background. It's not essential and you can change it whenever you want.

I just noticed that the title of your thread and mine are similar enough that they may have been confused. That's ok, mine will drop back down and your thread will stay nearer to the top for now while we are getting you ready for this major surgery!


Thanks for joining us.
Posted 3/16/2015 5:12 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Nancy & welcome to the forum. So glad that you found us. We do have quite a few members that have been down the road you will traveling soon. I am so thankful for them posting their story about their surgery because this has been so useful to others that are preparing for the same. Unfortunately drs do not see the every day life of a person recovering from these surgeries & this leaves the patient with no clue what to expect.

The vast majority of the drs tell the patients you will be healed in 6 weeks, not true at all, nor is that even close to how long it takes to heal & recover. Because of this so many people get upset & even depressed when the 6 week mark rolls around & they are not back to their normal.

Preparing yourself before surgery & how you take care of yourself after surgery is just as important as the surgery itself. Good to read the book & CD's are helpful. Anything that helps is awesome as far as I am concerned.

Keep us posted on how you are doing. Take care
Posted 3/16/2015 7:36 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Nancy, so how are you doing today? I hope by all of the information that has been available on the forum that you are feeling better about yourself, the surgery and what to expect during your recovery.

Like the others members said, it is a remarkable thing to have such true insight into what it really will be like after and what to expect as far as recuperative time.

Hoping and praying that you will have a smooth journey into pain free days ahead.

Hugs from Texas,

Pam
Posted 3/16/2015 9:16 PM (GMT 0)
Just thought of something: you could add your book suggestion to the Useful Items list, if you want. It might also help others like it has helped you. That's what we are here for.
Posted 3/17/2015 12:52 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Nancy,

So how are you feeling today? I hope your taking a deep breathe, a step back and just relaxing a little bit. Be careful not to overdue yourself in getting preparations ready.

Are you sufficiently controlled with pain meds now? Is there any issue with that or are you comfortable until you get the surgery. I know I was in so much pain before the surgery, even with pain meds. I can remember counting the days in hopes of being pain free in the future.

Just wanted to see how your day was, mine was good - hanging in there and doing crafts!

Hugs from Texas,

Pam
Posted 3/17/2015 5:38 AM (GMT 0)
Abilene said... And those cataracts. I've not been happy with my vision since that. I've been told I have floaters that were just not visible to me before the cataracts were removed. I've not been convinced of that. A friend who had surgery to remove the floaters by the same dr I was sent to has had lots of trouble, which does not make me want to take that route. Are you pleased with your outcome?
Extremely pleased. I had been living in a world of pastels and soft focus and I was/am able to see sharp and clear as well as bright colors. Wow!

Have you had a 2nd opinion?
No, I have not. The reason being is that my Neurosurgeon has been seeing me off and on for about 15 years and has kept careful track of how the Degenerative Disc Disease has progressed, and that it now significantly affects my upper back and right arm. Initially it was C3 - C8 but thanks to the NYC bus accident last summer T1-T2 are now damaged as well. He is a very conservative surgeon and went over my latest MRI and my worsening symptoms and together we decided it is time.

.....How's your pain level now?
Pain level is moderate, controlled with Norco once or twice per day. The underneath side of my right arm from the armpit all the way down to the wrist has been numb for the last few months. I also feel a squeezing pressure around the right upper arm from time to time and tingling/prickly sensations - controlled somewhat with Gabapentin.

Do you know what will be used for pain control post surgery?
No. I will find out at my Pre-Op appointment on March 27th. (For my disc repair surgery back in 2013 I was given propophol, the "Michael Jackson" drug.)

You might like to go to your profile page and near the bottom of it you can create a signature to go with each of your posts that includes some of your background. It's not essential and you can change it whenever you want.
Done!

Thanks for joining us.
And thank you for having me. :)
Posted 3/17/2015 5:44 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you SisterPam and straydog for your comments. Much appreciated!
Posted 3/17/2015 5:46 AM (GMT 0)

Abilene said...
Just thought of something: you could add your book suggestion to the Useful Items list, if you want. It might also help others like it has helped you. That's what we are here for.

I'll go do that now, Abilene. Thanks!
Posted 3/18/2015 4:43 PM (GMT 0)
I saw my Primary Care Dr. yesterday for the Pre-Op Clearance. I had an EKG that looks good, BP is fine, HR is normal (had been high in the past), and the cold/flu has left and my chest is clear. Next I have the Pre-Op with my Neurosurgeon's Assistant and the Anesthesiologist on the 27th then the surgery is a go on April 2nd.

In the meantime I'll get a haircut (short!) on the 24th and the housecleaners are coming on the 30th. My son will be flying in from CO on April 1 and will be here for five days. And I'm typing this from my new power recliner we picked up last week. It's heavenly! So I think I have everything covered.
Posted 3/18/2015 6:24 PM (GMT 0)
Birder Nancy, it sounds like you are well prepared! Thanks for the book suggestion. As I just saw this today and my surgery is tomorrow, I will have to look it up post surgery. I hit a snag in my pre-op testing (screwy EKG) and didn't know until this morning that my surgery was definitely on. I hope the rest of your pre op is calm and of course, that your surgery is a roaring success!
Posted 3/18/2015 6:50 PM (GMT 0)
Hi aned! I know you will get a lot of of the book, even post-surgery. I wish you all the VERY best for a successful surgery and a rapid, easy recovery.

Yes, do get the book - the edition with the two CDs. That way you don't have to read holding a book after your surgery - you can just listed to it. The Relaxation and Healing CD will be especially valuable.

For your surgery tomorrow, you may try preparing by meditating: practice feeling calm and relaxed and focusing on the excellent capabilities of your surgeon and how he is dedicated to fixing your issues to ensure a positive, healing outcome.

I'll be sending prayers and good wishes your way tomorrow!
Posted 3/25/2015 2:41 PM (GMT 0)
Hi there, hope you are doing well and calmly getting prepared!

You and new member Vernita need to compare notes. Her C4-T1 surgery is scheduled for late April.
Posted 3/26/2015 4:30 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Abilene: yes, I'm pretty much as prepared as I can be. Just need to pick up a few incidentals like bendable straws. :)

Tomorrow is my Pre-Op and today I'm finalizing my list of questions. I do have one concern: I'm still coughing and bringing up mucous from a bad cold/flu that started back in February. I wonder if my surgery might be postponed until I'm totally over it? That is the first and foremost question I'll ask tomorrow.

I just read Vernita's post and the follow-up replies. Looks like we're in for the same type of surgery. I'll be sure to post to her thread and share what I've learned so far.

Thanks for the lead!
Posted 3/27/2015 2:11 PM (GMT 0)
Hope your day goes very well with your pre-op. Coughing is one of the things you certainly don't want to do right after this surgery, so that is a concern. I had been warned about sneezing, so a month later when I felt a sneeze coming I braced myself so tightly that it was no problem. Perhaps you can be given something to "knock it out" so it will not delay your surgery.
Posted 3/27/2015 4:53 PM (GMT 0)
In the neurosurgeon's office now. Surgery has been postponed until April 23 because of the cough and the mucous I'm still coughing up. They want it completely gone before I undergo surgery. I agree completely!
Posted 3/27/2015 5:12 PM (GMT 0)
That is the very last thing you need is to be coughing or have any type of infection going on with a pending spine surgery. Of course more waiting is so difficult but just try to keep yourself busy between now & then.
Posted 3/27/2015 5:17 PM (GMT 0)
No problem staying busy! I have a laundry list of things I'd like to get done before surgery. :)
Posted 3/27/2015 5:21 PM (GMT 0)
Great attitude! Careful surgeon. It's all good. It will happen when it's supposed to happen. Did you get to go over your questions or was it all over after the coughing question?
Posted 3/28/2015 1:44 AM (GMT 0)
I know, Abilene! Yes, though the coughing/congestion issue was first on my list we went over all of my questions and a few that came up during the visit.
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