I HAD C3-C7 ANTERIOR POSTERIOR RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY ON fEBRUARY 2011 AND ANOTHER SURGERY IN APRIL 2011. THE FIRST SURGERY WAS 10 HOURS AND THE SECOND SURGERY WAS 5 HOURS. I HAD A CAGE PUT IN TO HOLD MY NECK UP AND A BONE FROM MY HIP . THE REASON I HAD MY SECOND SURGERY WAS A POST IN MY CAGE BROKE LOOSE SO THEY PUT IN A FENCE POST TO HOLD THE CAGE IN PLACE. i WENT TO PHYSICAL THERAPY FOR 6 WEEKS AND THEN WAS TOLD I WAS FINISHED. I HAVE EXTREME PAIN IN MY NECK, TROUBLE SWALLOWING, AND SUCH A HEAVINESS IN MY NECK. I AM CURRENTLY TAKING LORITAB 10 MILLIGRAM AND SOMA FOR PAIN AND MUSCLE SPASMS. MY LAST APPOINTMENT WITH MY DOCTOR WAS IN AUGUST 2011 AND SO NOT SEE HIM FOR MY NEXT APPT. TILL MAY 2012. MY DOCTOR HAS TOLD ME THAT I SHOULD BE ABLE TO RESUME MY JOB AND REGULAR ACTIVITIES. I AM A COCKTAIL WAITRESS AND CAN NOT CARRY A TRAY OF DRINKS AND WALK A CASINO FOR 8 HOURS A DAY--5 DAYS A WEEK. I AM REGULARLY WORKING WITH 3# WEIGHTS TO STRENGHTEN MY NECK , SHOULDERS, AND ARMS.THERE ARE SO MANY DAYS MY NECK FEELS SO HEAVY AND I AM IN SO MUCH PAIN. I DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO. ACCORDIING TO MY DOCTOR , I CAN GO BACK TO WORK BUT I ASSURE YOU I AM NO WHERE HEALED AT THIS POINT. I AM HOPING THAT I CAN GET SOME FEEDBACK ON OTHERS WHO HAVE HAD THIS SURGERY AND MAYBE LET ME KNOW IF THEY HAVE THE SAME PAIN AND HEAVINESS AND WILL IT EVER GO AWAY OR IS THIS FOR LIFE. I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN VERY ACTIVE AND FEEL SO DEPRESSED AND UNHAPPY WITH MY LIFE AND SITUATION. I AM HOPING THAT SOMEONE WILL TELL ME THAT I WILL RECOVER 100 PERCENT AND THAT THIS IS JUST THE HEALING PROCESS. I WANT TO KNOW IF I WILL BE ABLE TO HAVE A NORMAL LIFE AND BE ABLE TO GO BACK TO WORK SOON. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ANY INFORMATION YOU CAN GIVE ME ABOUT MY SURGERY AND RECOVERY .