7 weeks post-op posterior cervical spine surgery

Cathie - thanks again for more info! I can't remember if I said before but I'm 46 and well for months I've not had much get up and go. Even my students commented how I'm normally so full of energy that it was noticeable once I started having so many problems! And yea, I already have a friend that has even offered to help me put together a lot of dinners to put in the freezer that the boys can just put in the oven or whatever. She was awesome and brought us dinner the day after I had my epidural injection! Plus hopefully my parents will be able to be here (shouldn't be an issue) and so they both cook and will be a great help (they are 72). I would love to see the photos and written information. Personally the more I know, the less I worry. I'm much more calmed by knowing than being surprised even though I know it freaks some people out more! For any procedure that I've had I always research online and ask around and it really makes me far less anxious. And that's good to know that 3-4 weeks is a bit more realistic as far as being somewhat back to normal. I just wish they'd hurry up and schedule my surgery as the later it gets in the summer, the closer I am to the beginning of school in the fall (well August). As far as I know as soon as my insurance approves it I will get a call to schedule the actual surgery and I would think they'll schedule a follow-up appt then. I have the info for the pre-reg at the hospital but I can't do that until they actually schedule the surgery! They said 5-10 business days usually for my insurance and it's been 7 now so hoping it gets scheduled early this next week! I did email the scheduler and inquired about it so hopefully if it has been approved she'll get back to me on Monday. But if I don't hear by Wed I'll put an actual call in (she did give me the email for communication). That's weird on the spots not hardening up on the head but I suppose it makes sense. Do they hurt at all or you just notice that they're soft when you touch them? And does your hair still cover those areas? Let me know if you have any trouble getting onto the FB page!

Oh and ha ha I always say I'm SO tired of being TIRED!!! So hopefully even though the surgery will initially make it more so that with time it will make it less so!  Carmen  ;-)

I did forget something that I meant to ask - where and how were. you able to sleep?

hi, i had c-3456 fused 2 yrs ago this june. first, for the first 7 weeks, i would advise you to stay low, way low. Let your family, friends or foe"s care for you! it was a brutal surgery and now after 2 yrs, i am on the lowest dose meds, but still, i have pain, my dr. said that the surgery was not to cure the current pain, prior to, but to prevent further more pain, and prevent possible porallas in arms!! lets talk!! take extra special care, of YOU!

 SwedishFish, I posted a reply somewhere on her, sorry, please look for it. Lots of pain today. 6/17/12  Cathie

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I wil look Cathie! Did you try to get onto the board on FB? And so sorry you're having a bad pain today - sadly we all have them here and there! I hope you feel better tomorrow!

Hmm well I searched around and couldn't find it. No worries because I know that you're not having a good day but when you're feeling better maybe you can direct me to it!

Hi SwedishFish, Just looking through the posts and came across my first post hours after surgery. Went under Bikercath, and it mentions a horrible headache immediately in post op. Mentions holding head and being in severe pain....then they knocked me out. Remember being in the wheelchair trying to get into car!! Almost fell , but the attendant grabbed and held me as I was soooo groggy. Back of head was numb for the night,and not much, if any pain either. Next am was intolerable pain!! Told to double up on pills for the day and if that didn't help, go to ER. Pain got less severe over the next one - two weeks. My equilibrim was way off too due to meds. If that happens to you, be so careful of glass, legs of chairs, slipping, and falling, just take extra time...hope this also helps , not scare you. Cathie

Just a quick note, slept ok in bed from first night after surgery...holes are light brown, soft and if I put hand on them, can feel the dent., but no pain. Hair covers area, thankfully. I think I attached my message to you from one of your posts, but for some reason, don't aalways get it right!1 Must be age!!?!! I found my first post, about 4hrs home, under Bikercath, which is here somewhere too. Everything is from" 7 weeks post op."...The recent pain is from a huge bunch of potholes that are so prevalant here in Mich. we were on the motorcycle and now I have constant pain in neck and Ls and sacro. Going to dr tomorrow. Such is life..............nite'

Thanks, Cathie - hope you get some relief tomorrow! And ha ha I blame everything on being over 40. ;) I'll look at your earlier posts right after surgery. I was wondering if you were able to actually sleep on your back, or if you had a special pillow or anything? Oh and got a message from neurosurgeon's office late Fri that my insurance went through so calling first thing in the morning to schedule my surgery.

OK duh I did read that you were able to sleep in bed that first night!

Good Morning, SwedishFish, Hope you have good news today, too. I'm off to drs at 1:00...pain isn't as bad today, thankfully. I did have two pillows, a very soft, and one thinner and a little bit firmer, I don't sleep on back, but did well on side, once I found a comfortable spot. Remember something stupid, but on 2nd day, found little scabs from the shots to numb skull all over the back of head. The front half of head, face was never numb, not anything important, just a remembrance. I will try to get to where the or surgery page is, and all the text I had mentioned earlier, but you have to go to this, then that, etc., etc. There's alot in my folder as I too wanted to know EVERYTHING. In fact, last week we went to the hosp, medical records, to get copies of my surgery. I HAVE to get on your site so these can be sent to you! Also, and you'll laugh, but before surgery, I went through this house like a mad woman, cleaning EVERYTHING!!! My husband must have thought I'd lost my mind!! House wasn't even messy, but, well, you know how it is.....LOL. OK, should get up and get ready soon. Will chat later today. Hope yours is a wonderful and relaxing day. Cathie

6/18/12 7:35pm Hi SwedishFish,
Saw my primary doctor and was referred to a foot specialist for foot swelling,(not gout), back to my spine surgeon for all the pain in neck and lower back, and given a script for a muscle relaxer.
So, how was your day?? Did you finally get an appointment? If so, are you nervous, but still ok? I went back and forth, but because the surgeon said "trust me" I had to put my faith in him. Good choice. I also prayed alot. Going to try to get on your group site right after this post, will let you know how it goes. Take care...Cathie

Hi SwedishFish, Been trying to get onto your post, have tried many ways, but all to no avail. Hmm

***edited by moderator*** web addresses not allowed

.................is that correct??
Cathie

Hi SwedishFish, found a few sites for you...
KnowYourBack.org (Posterior Cervical Foraminotomy)
http/www.spa.org.ar/cientifica/biblioteca_virtual.3pdf.
(Innervation of the scalp)
Doro Neurosurgery Brochure.
Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery at StJohn Providence Health System
(very informative, Dr. Soo. HE is my surgeon)
You Tube- Minimally Invasive Surgery
USC Microscopic posterior cervical foraminotomy (University of Calif)
SpineHealth- cervical posterior foraminotomy video
IARS.Anesthesia and Analgesia (prone view with Mayfield Head Holder)
Medline Plus OR Live and National Library of Medecine

also look up Sugita Head holder, also Mayfield Head holder
Hope these are of help....
Cathie