Search This Blog

Saturday, April 9, 2016

Hello new friends!

I have been pretty negligent about posting but thankful I have no changes in circumstance to report.  I am happy to see new people have found the site and are still finding it helpful.  My current stats are exactly the same as before so I won't bore anyone with that except to say that at almost 4 years post-surgery, I am still without any pain or noticeable limitation. 

I am wondering since I am pretty far past the surgery if it would be helpful to hear from some of you who are about to have surgery or have just started recovery.  I guess what I'm saying is I'm so lazy, I'm soliciting guest bloggers!  Anyone interested, please post a comment and we can DM the details.


11 comments:

Unknown said...

Hi, I have been reading your blog and finding it very helpful. I am scheduled to have the two level ACDF thursday the 21st and am in a panic. I never ever had a surgery before. My only hospital experience was giving birth to one child. that was brutal enough. My office (I am an attorney also, I think that is what I read you are) is already asking when I am coming back after the surgery. My doctor does not utilize a neck brace for recovery, so I wont be dealing with that.

Mini Rhinos said...

First off, I love how positive and uplifting your blog is! I felt like I was reading myself writing. I am too glass half full and am about to get ADCF C6-C7 surgery after a long wait for 8 months hoping it will just get better. Stumbled upon yours because I just don't know if this is the right decision (I have read sooo many!). I had already postponed the surgery once. My pain had gotten better but because I pretty much stopped doing things that I want...Exercise, work in the yard, lifting..vaccuum is so painful but can't stop that one. I hope surgery will allow me to be active and don't hold back again..Playing tennis perhaps!

Thank you for posting and showing your vdos and scars. SO HELPFUL! I am so relieved your turned out really nice.

Jodee said...

Oh goodness am I glad I found this blog. Because I am in panic mode right now. I'm having acdf t(c6-c-7) this Wednesday July 13th and I'm scared. I'm scared of the recovery. Scared of the post surgical pain, being able to sleep in the collar, am I gonna have a hard time swallowing, the pc pump, doing something wrong here at home. A flood of out of control emotions come over me. I've even tried to talk myself out of the surgery and just deal with the pain. Anyway! I'm glad I found this blog. :-)

Jodee said...

Mini- I'm so glad im not the only one. I've read not so great forums and scared me to pieces. I hope to be chatting with you soon. How did you hurt your neck? Mine was lifting a flower pot.

Jodee said...

Ugh! I couldn't do it! I backed out of the surgery!

kitty chiwawa said...

Found your blog today while researching how the scar will look after my C5-C6 ACDF surgery next week, September 6, 2016. I've been suffering from neck pain for 16 plus years and have watched the disk get worse via MRI imaging since 2005. Several problems caused me to seek treatment from my neurologist, who referred me to the neurosurgeon...it's gotten to the point where surgery is finally my best option. I hope to check in as things progress, did my pre-operation "education" thing today at the hospital and now all I have to do is wait til time to prep for next week, trying not to be nervous...I'm a veteran of a colorful history of surgeries and trying to be realistic about the procedure and the recovery. Looking forward to learning from your blog and the comments of others here. Thank you for the great stuff!

kitty chiwawa said...

Found your blog today while researching how the scar will look after my C5-C6 ACDF surgery next week, September 6, 2016. I've been suffering from neck pain for 16 plus years and have watched the disk get worse via MRI imaging since 2005. Several problems caused me to seek treatment from my neurologist, who referred me to the neurosurgeon...it's gotten to the point where surgery is finally my best option. I hope to check in as things progress, did my pre-operation "education" thing today at the hospital and now all I have to do is wait til time to prep for next week, trying not to be nervous...I'm a veteran of a colorful history of surgeries and trying to be realistic about the procedure and the recovery. Looking forward to learning from your blog and the comments of others here. Thank you for the great stuff!

KadaA said...

I was in panic mode, and shocked I needed this surgery. I went to see 2 Primary care physicians, 2 neurosurgeons, my arm was tingling more often and my Nurse Practitioner friend said eventually you will loose feeling and function. Well I freaked out and opted for surgery. I had a 2 level ACDF. I met 2 nurses that had the same thing and they happened to have the same surgeon. So I am 3 weeks post op, wearing this nexk collar is making me crazy, I am going back to work Feb 6 th, I teach 1 day a week 2 hour class, then teach 2 labs assisting students. I think my scar is healing, My doctor saw me last Friday and told me to come in 6 weeks x-ray. I cannot drive, walking once a day and taking flexiril for any muscle spasms. I am trying to keep my spirits up doing busy work like revising my powerpoints since I have the time. Im taking this day by day.

KadaA said...

I am now 4 weeks post op ACDF 2 level. I have trouble sleeping with the collar, I propped a fuzzy cushion and 3 pillows with a heart shape pillow behind my head. I am starting to feel some discomfort from the back of the collar so I put a really soft scarf under the back of the collar. I do not know when I will start to feel normal. I take the collar off for a few minutes when sitting. I have to take something to sleep or I will be up all night. I still need to keep reading posts like this one to keep me positive. Thank you!

Unknown said...

I'm being scheduled for my second surgery (after 18 years) sometime in April. Unlike most, my complaint is not pain, although there is some. In my case the spinal canal has become so restricted that spinal cord damage is the concern. My Uncle was misdiagnosed around twenty-five years ago and defame 50% paralyzed. So I'm motivated to have surgery by seeing his journey. My most prevelant symptom is and electrical shock feeling when hyper extending my neck. My only caution to all is not to rush your recovery like I did last time.

Tanvir Asif said...

Hi, it was a wonderful post. Thanks for sharing valuable information.
posture vest

Post a Comment

What 1 item helped you the most after surgery?

Your Host

My photo
I'm 43-years old, married mother of two boys. I work full-time but the daunting prospect of 6-ish weeks of recovery has led me here. How much TV can one person watch?

Total Pageviews

Medical Details If You Must

Two-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion scheduled for May 29th. Herniated discs at C4-5 and C5-6 indenting the cord with significant kyphosis.



Disclaimer:
I am not a medical professional. The information contained in this blog is not intended to be nor is it medical advice. Nothing contained herein should be considered a substitute for consultation with a qualified health professional.