What worked for me

Like I'm sure many of you are doing, I did a ton of reading and research before surgery.  I had lots of ideas gleaned from the message boards, sites and journal articles about what I would need and how I would adjust to recovery.  What I thought was necessary and what actually was helpful were two different things.  Below is a reverse-chronological list of the items which I really did need:

Day 1 post surgery:

1. Someone to stay with you during initial recovery - You never know how you will emerge from anesthesia.  Even if you come out of it lucid and feeling fine, you still will want to have a friend or family member there to make sure you are getting what you need.  I wasn't really able to articulate my needs to the nurses for even simple things like water.  More important, they can look out for things you wouldn't expect like both my IVs coming out of the vein so the morphine, etc. was just filling up my wrists instead of getting into the vein. 
2. Food and drink options - Although I ended up mostly drinking water because of the nausea, what I thought I'd eat (yoghurt, fruit) did not work out and I couldn't open my mouth big enough to take bites of normal food. 

Day 2:

1. Still need a companion - My first day home was a blur, as I was still coming out from the anesthesia. 
• Keep a log of meds:  Taking all of the medications that were prescribed was too much for me but I wasn't lucid enough to realize that.  All of the pills were taken at different intervals and I think I took them too frequently/not often enough because I wasn't writing them down at first.
• Food and mobility assistance:  I couldn't procure food for myself or walk around safely due to being dizzy.  Again, I wasn't thinking clearly and made poor decisions like standing up too quickly to go to the bathroom. 
2. Trash can - I thought I had avoided this but nausea can still hit 2-3 days after so have this nearby just in case. 
3. Comfortable clothes, cotton and layered - Although I wasn't feverish or infected, I had alternating feelings of being hot and chilled.  Button up pajamas worked best.
4. Small pillow to prop behind neck/head - Managing with the neck brace while on painkillers is harder than you think.  I had an idea I'd be wanting to hold my head up myself so as not to lose strength in my neck but I was fatigued and really needed the head and neck support.
5. Large cup for water (straw optional) - Water is key to avoiding constipation but the straw seemed to make me gassier so as soon as I could I just used the cup. 

Day 3:

1. Companion - especially for the shower.  If you are allowed to shower on the third day, it is tricky dealing with wet hair (especially if it is long) and the neck brace for the first time.
2. Small towel to dry hair - while you are drying and reapplying the neck brace.  I actually bought head-wrap towels designed just for this purpose because my hair is so long.  http://www.turbietwist.com/
3. Wide or V-neck shirts - After a shower, I was feeling more human and wanted to put on regular clothes but the necks need to be large enough for the neck brace. 
4. Something mindless to do/read/watch - Although I was out for short walks by now, I was just starting to feel like I could concentrate on something other than simply staring at the tv.  Mindless magazines did the trick. 

Day 4:

1. Walking Companion - Even though I felt much more stable, I still occasionally would mis-judge a step, curb or uneven walkway. 
2. Makeshift bib - As much as I am ashamed to admit it, a lot of food is getting spilled on my neck brace.  To avoid having to change the pads more than necessary, tuck a soft towel under your chin.  You'll be itching already under the collar, no need to add crumbs to the mix. 

Day 7:

1. Second neck brace - The one they gave me at the hospital is simply too big.  It overlaps my ears and extends way too high up the back of my neck.  I finally got the one I ordered from Amazon (see the Links page here http://acdf-neckiswack.blogspot.com/p/links.html) and it has made all the difference.  As dorky as this is, I use the hospital one for walking and showering.  After the shower, I take off the old, wet one, dry my neck and put on the Vista and then wash out the pads on the dirty one.  It just makes showering and changing afterwards a whole lot easier.  NOTE: The doctor said the problem with the Vista is that people fiddle with the adjustment to lower the height and it provides insufficient support.  My experience is that if its too comfortable, its probably not on properly. 
2. Stool Softener - Sorry to say but I am still having trouble in this "department".  Even at 1 1/2 Vicodin a day,  I'm still sluggish.  So, keep taking those with lots of water until things are right.

Day 11:

1. Frequent Walks - Follow your doctor's discharge instructions but walk as much as you can.  Not only is good for increasing blood flow and promoting healing, but it is helping my mental status by giving me something concrete to do.  A little Vitamin D from being in the sun never hurts either but of course sunscreen!
2. Vary your resting position - Rather than sitting fixedly in one place all day, I have been alternating between the recliner, standing at a high table and sitting in a straight-backed chair.  When I sit still for too long, even reclined and fully supported, I can feel my upper back muscles tighten.  With no way to stretch anything at this point, moving around helps avoid stiffness which is my primary symptom. 

2 weeks: 

1. Out of the recliner & ditch the wedge pillow - After my first post-op visit, my doctor encouraged me to sleep in any way I felt comfortable.  Last night I slept without anything other than a normal pillow with neck support and it felt great.  I actually switched to sleeping on my side and woke up with no additional pain.
2. Glue from the dressings still an issue?  My doc gave me this tip - used some nail polish to remove the lingering gooey adhesive, being careful not to rub too hard or across the incision itself.  Ahhh, much better!  Important to keep at this because, I could only remove a little at a time.  One of my friends ended up with scars from adhesive he did not fully remove. 

3 weeks:

1. Starting back to sedentary work - I got the all clear to start work half days today.  I'm working from home so I can work in any position I need including in the recliner.  So far so good but I am definitely taking it easy.  Work 1 hour, walk around.  Work a second hour, take a break. 
2. Feeling better is no excuse to overdo - I know not every surgeon requires one but if yours does like mine, keep wearing it.  Even with the brace (which my Doctor said allowed about 5% movement), I find myself doing things like slouching over the sink so as not to spit toothpaste down my chin.  When I tried taking the brace off, I invariably torque my neck a little. 
3. Scar Care - Ever since the incision is healed and adhesive off, just this week, I've been using Mederma scar cream with SPF 3 times a day.  Not sure if it really helps since I think so much about scars is genetic but it can't hurt and for sure the SPF is key.  If I take the brace off to go to dinner, I wear a scarf to cover it from the sun as well. 

6 weeks: or after your Doctor gives you the all-clear

1. Consult with professionals before resuming sports - I'm no hardcore athlete but I swim, bike and [used to] run.  Before I got back on my road bike, I went to see a cycling had a specialist do a bike fitting for me.  He made a few small changes which allowed me to be more upright which greatly eased the strain on my neck.
2. Keep up the stretching - Even though I feel great, I'm still doing gentle neck stretches because I'm sedentary at work.  I'm using exercises suggested by my therapist but also here:  Treat Your Own Neck. 

Walking Tips:  I've been walking like crazy and these are the things that have helped me keep at it:

1. Learn to scan ahead to avoid falling - After slipping down the stairs a week ago, I am much more careful to look where I place my feet.  We've had so many storms recently that there are sticks and debris everywhere.  Beware the sideways stick aka the banana peel of the natural world!  I can't tell you how many of those I've stepped on and nearly fallen.
2. Don't pump your arms - Aside from looking like a dorky speedwalker from the '80s, bending my arms at the elbow and pumping while walking increased strain on my neck.  I found myself shrugging more as if to support the collar.  If I focused on relaxing my shoulders and just let my arms hang by my sides the natural walking motion did not create additional stress.  

Neck Brace Tips:  Now that I'm nearly out of it (I hope!), I've finally mastered it but here is what I learned:

1. Insist on a proper-fitting one - The hospital gave me an adult regular brace and I was too loopy to know it didn't fit.  Make sure you or your more lucid caregiver get someone to give you instructions on using the collar and how to ensure a good fit.  If, like me, you find that once you were off the medication, the neck brace was really uncomfortable, have your doctor get you another one.
2. Don't neglect the skin underneath - I took my Doctor's instructions literally and never took it off for quite a while.  I was so skittish I was barely dry from the shower before I swapped the wet pads for the dry.  Now, I am noticing that the skin at the base of my neck/shoulders has broken down and I am peeling from the constant contact. I have started using lotion every day, but know that it will require you to wash the pads more frequently.