Re: Carol cervical fusion

September 8, 2006

-Hi Carol I know the back surgery will hurt more and heal slower my

sister had two done from the back and it took her longer to heal

because they cut more muscles back there and your neck is weaker

afterwards because of this. I am sure he will have you wearing some

kind of collar afterwards too. I wore one for over 2 months. And I

can see typing and looking down being very hard for you to do.

Lookng down at all with a collar on is very hard. I had to be very

careful not to kill myself on my cats who love to get under my feet

when I had the collar on. As for the swallowing I doubt it will

entirely go away mine hasn't and its been almost 3 yrs. And I know

several others here who will tell you the same thing. Several people

have recently had neck surgery, hopefully some of them will post a

reply to you. Also if you are going to a PM dr now or on pain meds

be sure and ask them or your surgeon what they are going to give you

afterwards for recovery and how long you will have meds. Also ask

about a morph drip in the hospital after suregery. I found out the

hard way one time my dr did not believe in those and boy was I in

alot of pain. But most dr's do that I just was lucky enough to find

one who didn't then. Although he has since changed his mind and when

I had my last surgery I was shocked he actually gave me one after

surgery. Also ask your dr is he will want you to use a cane or a

walker after surgery for awhile. And I'd be sure and ask how long

you will be in the hospital and I hope you have someone at home to

help you out afterwards its pretty painful when you first come home

and you will need to rest alot and having someone to help you out is

very helpful. Lots of questions but thats all I

can think of for now. Best wishes. Sharon Group Owner

Neck-Back , " carol herbin " <cherbin1@...> wrote:

>

> oh, thank you! what wonderful information!

>

> the surgeon actually changed his mind from the first time we

talked to the second, so that was one of the things that threw me a

little.

>

> he plans to do C3 to C4 from the front -- remove the disc and

fuse. then he would flip my half-dead self over and do the

remainder from the back -- C5 to T1.

>

> he has warned me about the swallowing (altho he did say it would

more than likely completely go away in a few days AND since he added

on the posterior part of the surgery, he told me i probably wouldn't

be too worried about it because the back incision would hurt much

more).

>

> i have not asked about hardware. i appreciate that heads up.

i'll ask.

>

> i'm actually trying to track down a second opinion on the process

now, but finding it difficult to find anyone who will even review my

films, reports and diagnosis.

>

> i'm thrilled to find someone who is pleased with the outcome. i

don't know anyone personally who's had the procedures, and i only

know similar surgeries from years ago -- with mediocre results.

>

> so far, he's told me a 12-week recovery/recuperation period, but

hasn't been too specific about that and what it would entail.

>

> i work from home -- doing legal transcription and training by

phone for home-based call center workers -- so i'm hoping i'll be

able to return to those some time within that 12-week period.

>

> thanks again. very encouraging information!

> c

> ----- Original Message -----

>

September 8, 2006

Hi Carol its true surgery any surgery is a 50/50 chance it will work

or not. Most dr's won't tell you that but if you look around even

here in the group you will find many other people who had surgery

and it was a failure and they are in worse pain. I wouldn't RUSH

into anything and don't let your dr push you into it either if you

aren't sure. Get another opinion before you decide for sure. If you

can't find a dr to look at your films try asking at a hospital if

they have a dr who will give you a second opinion. It took me almost

2 yrs to get a dr to touch my back and neck. And my back surgery was

NOT successful, I juat had # 3 done on it. So even I was half and

half. Two times before I had my surgery I was in so much pain

NOTHING in the world would help and I couldn't even leave my house.

This last time I decided not to wait that long, I had the surgery

before it got to that point. But it was very obvious where I was

headed too and nothing was going to help me besides surger. I should

make that clearly though I didn't choose to wait on surgeries rather

dr's choose NOT to touch me until I was in so much pain I couldn't

stand it. I can't know for sure how bad your back is so I can't

really tell you not to have surgery. It sounds like sooner or later

you will need it. Unless it is life threatening I would want to hold

off till I talke to someone else. Surgeons love to operate, thats

their thing. And they think the only way to fix something is to go

in there and fix it. I have yet to see a surgeon say " don't do it "

Maybe you could go see your regular dr even he could read the films

and reports and give you his or her opinion. Best wishes Sharon

Group Owner

>

> i'm so grateful that you're giving me all the " warnings " and the

experience. that's exactly what i'm looking for.

>

> the surgery " option " came completely out of the blue to me, and

i'm having a very hard time accepting the need for it. i have

discomfort now, but not ongoing, constant pain so i'm afraid we're

overreacting by planning such drastic surgery. but, if there is a

positive outcome that keeps me from that kind of pain, then i could

see it better. but, my experience has shown me nearly as many

people with leftover pain and issues worse than before.

>

> thankfully, my husband and my mother are both pretty available for

help, so that is a worry i don't have. aahhh -- looking down and

critters! two dogs and a cat here that are likely to be a concern

for sure.

>

> thanks again. your experience-sharing is most helpful.

> c

>

September 8, 2006