OfflineHey everyone,
I made a post in the surgery area about my story and how I fianally ended up with a surgery date.
September 3, 2008 I will have a 2 level ACDF @ C 4-5 and 5-6.
Lots of you know me here even though I don't come on and post much everyday.
I am feeling a bit overwhelmed I guess because it has just been so long that I have been waiting for this! Now the surgery is in less than 3 weeks. I actually could have had a date on next Wed, but that was just to soon to get things in order, and coordinate for my Mom to come up and take care of me from her home 2 1/2 hours away.
This morning I woke up a bit later than I normally do and now my painmed schedule is off. I had woken up around 145 am and was in a lot of pain so I turned on the heat pad for 20 minutes and took a BT med and fell back to sleep til 6 am which is very unusual for me.
I think I have been pretty worn out since my Doc visit on last Thurday. I did end up switching to the Ortho surgeon which I feel way more comfortable with. I explained all that in my thread in the surgery area. It is a very long post.
On Friday my Mom and I needed to take photos of all my jewelry to put the photos on my On-line store and that really just took a lot out of me. I have been in extra pain and very tired ever since.
Today I really want to go to church but because I woke up late and the pain levels I may not make it.
Right now the shock that I finally have this surgery date is still setting in and I am somewhat overwhelmed!
I discussed with the Ortho Surgeon about the fact I was enrolled in fall semester of college. I told him I took the easiest clss I could because I needed to take something in order to keep my insurance. I explained all that in the other post as well. Any how he said it was fine as long as I did not push myself, and listened to my body. SO I have the stress of that on top of everything else. I will only get to one class before surgery and then after Labor day I will have my surgery.
I wnated to here from others who have had this surgery and what their experiences were...~good or Bad~...
I would also like to know if anyone purchased a wedge Pillow that was somewhat hig in the back? High enough that you might be comfortable watching TV or Reading with it?
I do know that Bed Bath and Beyond has them but they are very very low and I was picturing a much higher back one that put me in a higher reclined position. They have then in some on line places but if anyone has purchased on from a particular web site they felt was safe I would appreciatie the link if you still have it.
Lots of questions bumbling around in my head.
I make jewelry and would like to still do so while in my neck brace if at all possible. I know there is someone that is on this site that does this too and I am wondering if they have any suggestions for sontinuing to do so. I just can't remember who it is at the moment.
Being scared about the surgery is normal I guess. I do have those little moment of doubts whether I made the right decision or not but I know in my heart that I have! I have tried all other methods of traditional medicine to help my neck issues with no relief what-so-ever! The Ortho Surgeon told me at this point being how far along the injuy is the chance of it healing on its own is very minimal.
So please share any and all suggestions and experiences with me. I am open to hearing it all and having an open mind when reading everything posted.
I do have stairs in my home and I will have my Mom here right after surgery. I also am planning to have a gal come in and give a good house cleaning the week before surgery so my Mom does not have to much to contend with other than cooking and tidying up.
I have had many many surgeries over the lst few years but the seriousness of this one is giving me a bit of anxiety and nervousness. So help in coping and encouragement are much needed,,,Thanks in advance...
Chrissy
Since May of 2004 I have had 2 female surgeries and 4 arm surgeries. The arm injury happened on Sept. 17 2004 and was a work Comp injury. After 3 1/2 years of comp I finally got better and was off all meds. This was very short lived as I was in an MVA on July 10, 2007 and recieved a neck injury. Good thing was it was not my fault. Workers comp closed their case in Aug. 2007 and because of the neck injury I still am unable to work. It was found I have bulging discs at C 3-6 with tears in those discs. At C 6-7 there is fissuring in the bulging disc. In Jan of 2008 I had a Posterior Cervical Foraminotomy at C 3-4 C 4-5. I was told before this surgery that I would need later fusion. I am still having awful pain and I am in the process of awaiting a 2 or 3 level ACDF. I had a discogram in May 2008 and that was the most painful test ever...Yikes! One Day at a Time and don't forget to BREATHE! 
UPDATE:
two level ACDF C 4-5 and C 5-6 on September 3, 2008. This makes surgery # 8 and I really hope it might be the last!!
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I am glad you finally got a date scheduled. somehow it makes it a little scarier than before it was set doesn't it?
Ican't speak for cervical surgery, but those on here can. I am nervous enough about my shoulder surgery this thurs. I aam sure everything will be fine. , and you have all the
support of everyone on here with you also. Having your Mom
with you will make all the difference . Good Luck
Chrissy. , will be saying a little prayer for ya.
always LEO
Hey Chrissy,
I know what you are feeling like right now. I was at the same place when I waited 13 months for my sugery. Then when I finally got the ok, from WC it was like, what did I get myself into.
I too had to give myself a few weeks to get my heart, mind and body ready. I cried, thought I would cancal the surgery, got angry with how and why this happened, just a whole mix of things. By the time I was at the hospital I was ready. 
I didn't have any problems with the stairs (I had ACDF on 2 levels c5/c6 and c6/c7 in March 08) and pretty much took care of myself. Everyone else was at school or gone. I slept in the livingroom reliner for the first couple weeks.
My throat wasn't bad after surgery, some tightness when I swollowed. Scared me at times, but that only lasted a couple weeks. Make sure and get straws, and popsicles or ice treats, they help.
I too will be having surgery here soon,the 28th on my shoulder, reliving this anxiety and stress again.
We sure make a great three some, Leo, you and I. LOL Leo's surgery, Aug 21st, Mine Aug. 28th, and now you Sept. 3...
Okay Leocat and Justme...
We all get to do it together. I know you both are having the shoulder done, but the anxieties that go with surgery are still the same.
I am ready on the inside, and i am sure that everyone has those little doubts that cross the mind. The truth is I was ready to have it done a real long time ago.
There is another forum i go to and between this one and the other one I am getting lots of information. I have also met some people at my church that have had fusions recently. One who had it done by my old NS and one I met today that has the same ortho as I do now. Both have had good results and say good things about each doctor.
It is always nice to hear good things and good outcomes.
I better run I think we may be about to have a thunderstorm. I hope so because believe it or not we have had not one yet this summer. So I will welcome the rain and the thunder and lightening as long as no wild fires are started.
Chrissy
Since May of 2004 I have had 2 female surgeries and 4 arm surgeries. The arm injury happened on Sept. 17 2004 and was a work Comp injury. After 3 1/2 years of comp I finally got better and was off all meds. This was very short lived as I was in an MVA on July 10, 2007 and recieved a neck injury. Good thing was it was not my fault. Workers comp closed their case in Aug. 2007 and because of the neck injury I still am unable to work. It was found I have bulging discs at C 3-6 with tears in those discs. At C 6-7 there is fissuring in the bulging disc. In Jan of 2008 I had a Posterior Cervical Foraminotomy at C 3-4 C 4-5. I was told before this surgery that I would need later fusion. I am still having awful pain and I am in the process of awaiting a 2 or 3 level ACDF. I had a discogram in May 2008 and that was the most painful test ever...Yikes! One Day at a Time and don't forget to BREATHE!
UPDATE:
two level ACDF C 4-5 and C 5-6 on September 3, 2008. This makes surgery # 8 and I really hope it might be the last!!
But why do have to go first?? LOL!
Oh well, i guess someone has to be first. We will be all be there for each other as we go along i know. CHRISSY, you will have to be patient with me and JUST ME in responding, remember we will only have one arm! LOL 
I keep thinking about laying in the hospital waiting for them to come and wheel you down to surgery. That drives me crazy, i feel like i just want to puke. I am glad my husband will be with me.
3 more days, OH no. i keep thinking this time next week it will be overwith. Chrissy , you have a little more time to prepare. , you both take care, and we will be in touch. did you get your thunderstorm Chrissy? what state are you from? we have not had much rain either in the last couple weeks, I am from Ohio. talk later always
LEO
i have found that if you dont want to wake up from surgery with a headache (headache caused from no morning coffee no sleep no food, fasting for surgery, let alone are nerves) let the anesthesiology know and i have found they love to help us like this, just say im so afraid of waking up with a headache he can give you a shot of something after surgery but befor you wake up and you will not have a headache
this really has worked for me
Cervical Stenosis with Myeolopathy.
C-3-7 Herniations Impingement on Cord several areas.
C6-7 is worse with Large Herniation with over 50% Impingement.
Possible M.S "Only Possible".
Myeolpathy symptoms seem to be getting worse. So time is important to me.keeping a positive attitude and holding head high.
Feel Free To Check Out My Websites: Patsy Now And Hunt Pix
I already told the lady at hospital for pre-op that i generally through up in recovery, she said they will give me something for that. i am not sure about the headaches. that nauseous feeling is terrible, let alone being in pain.
I am sure they will take care of me. thanks again patsy
always Leo
I do know what you mean, for me the two go together,throwing up and headache, im wondering now if the shot works on both problems, i think i remember them telling me that.also my dad had this wonderful nauseous medicine we would rub on his wrist it worked wonders, my daddy passed away on thanksgiving day last year and today is his b-day. my mom uses his left over nauseous cream and i used it once it works like a miracle
Cervical Stenosis with Myeolopathy.
C-3-7 Herniations Impingement on Cord several areas.
C6-7 is worse with Large Herniation with over 50% Impingement.
Possible M.S "Only Possible".
Myeolpathy symptoms seem to be getting worse. So time is important to me.keeping a positive attitude and holding head high.
Feel Free To Check Out My Websites: Patsy Now And Hunt Pix
Hey everyone,
Thanks for all the encouragment and good thoughts. I have been running around trying to get some things in order before surgery.
Leocat I was unlucky and did not goet one drop of rain and not one bit of thunder. That is the way it has been all summer. It just moves east and misses my town. I live about 30 min south of Reno Nevada and 30 min east of Lake Tahoe.
Sunday I went to have all my pre-op bloodwork and EKG UA and chest x-ray and the hospital forgot to give me the chest x-ray. SO yesterday I went back for that. They gave me a fee meal card for the cafeteria because I had to come back which was good. I will give it to my Mom to use.
My actual surgery will be in the Surgery Center about a block away from the hospital. I still need to go over there and do my pre-surgery check in. That is when I plan to xplain about all my little/big issues with surgery.
When I get the anesthesia, I get sick to my stomach too, but it is not untill about 12 hours after coming awakefrom the stuff. So I need to be on the anti nausia meds for quite a while after surgery. I also have the headache from anesthesia as well but whatever they gave me in the hospital last time worked great for all my issues.
The two things that real realy concern me the most are the urinary retention. Because the anestesia puts all the organs to sleep, my bladder and bowels have real trouble waking up. I think I explained in the last first post about how I have had to return to the ER to have them put a catheter in and drain my bladder. So a bit of concern there.
Then the other one Imay have mentioned was the reaction to IV morphine and Dilauda.
Most of the surgeries I have listed below in my signiture were done on an out-patient basis. The only one I have had to stay in the hospital for was the first neck surgery. I have to say that the stay in the hospital after that surgery was by far the best and easiest time I have ever had with anesthesi, urinary retention, headaches, nausia/vamiting etc. And they gave me a Demoral pump and it was also slowly dripping in my IV.
So I have great concernes with this surgery about those issues but I will discuss them in depth with the Orthos office the day before surgery when I get fitted with my Aspen collar. I also plan to discuss this with the Surgery Center as well.
This ortho said most people go home after surgery with only a one night stay. I would feel more comfortable with a two night stay because I want to make sure I have had my catheter out for at least 12-24 hours before leaving the hospital.
It is important to leave the catheter in me for a good while right after surgery other wise I will be getting up down up down up down up down trying to go potty and I will not sleep. Which is another issue I don;t sleep for 35 hours after surgery but when in the hospital this was better taken care of.
For all those going before me with some type of surgery I am praying for you and sending out good thoughts for you all.
Chrissy
Since May of 2004 I have had 2 female surgeries and 4 arm surgeries. The arm injury happened on Sept. 17 2004 and was a work Comp injury. After 3 1/2 years of comp I finally got better and was off all meds. This was very short lived as I was in an MVA on July 10, 2007 and recieved a neck injury. Good thing was it was not my fault. Workers comp closed their case in Aug. 2007 and because of the neck injury I still am unable to work. It was found I have bulging discs at C 3-6 with tears in those discs. At C 6-7 there is fissuring in the bulging disc. In Jan of 2008 I had a Posterior Cervical Foraminotomy at C 3-4 C 4-5. I was told before this surgery that I would need later fusion. I am still having awful pain and I am in the process of awaiting a 2 or 3 level ACDF. I had a discogram in May 2008 and that was the most painful test ever...Yikes! One Day at a Time and don't forget to BREATHE!
UPDATE:
two level ACDF C 4-5 and C 5-6 on September 3, 2008. This makes surgery # 8 and I really hope it might be the last!!