Cervical Surgery Completed

Boy does the time fly by when you're having fun.

My Neurosurgery - Cervical Fusion was done on 6/6/2011

• C2, C7, T1 bilateral partial laminectomy.
• C3, C4, C5, C6 bilateral complete hemilaminectomy.
• C3-C4, C4-C5, C5-C6, C6-C7, C7-T1 bilateral foraminotomy.
• C3-C4, C4-C5, C5-C6, C6-C7, C7-T1 bilateral arthrodesis with local autograft and OrthoBlast bone matrix.
• C3, C4, C5, C6, C7-T1 cervical instrumentation with Aesculap S4 cervical fixation system.
• Decompression of spinal cord.
• Electrophysiological monitoring.
• Ultrasound.
• Harvest local autograft
  

And to think my original Neurosurgeon said there was nothing wrong with my neck, just live with the pain.

I stayed in the hospital for only 5 days then I was transferred upstairs to the inpatient Rehab. On June 17th they sent me home telling me I was able to do all things by myself.

No joke I was sent home only 12 days after major surgery knowing I live alone - Marilyn made supper for me and shortly after that I went to bed. I awoke the 18th, got somewhat dressed, brushed my teeth and took my morning meds. I was in so much pain I had to lay down couldn't even make oatmeal for breakfast. My tolerance for sitting/standing at that point was only 15 to 20 mins. Yet the Rehab said I was ready to go home and fend for myself. Yeah right.

I am thankful that I had a nurse come to my apt. to give my shot of heparin, because she said there was no way she was going to leave me there alone. My nurse called her boss and told her what was going on and I was told to get a friend over immediately that I wasn't to be left unattended. So I called Marilyn to help me out. Before the nurse left she had me scheduled to go to a long term Rehab Center. She also read my discharge papers from the Rehab to me - stating all the things I could do, make a meal in the microwave, empty the dishwasher, pull things out of cabinets, take a shower independently and could sit up for more than an hour at a time, do my laundry. None of which I could do at all nor ever attempt to do at the Rehab Center. Take a shower by myself - What were they thinking I still had a neck brace on and it could not get wet or be removed until July 15th.

I got to another Rehab Center for long term care in the afternoon of June 18th at 3pm. That is where I found out they mixed up my paper work with another person that had the same name. Also this person was a different race and younger in age. I tell you things we go through now a days.

Within 24 hrs the real records were sent to the long term Rehab Center and my therapy began. I was so bad off I stayed at this Center for 5-1/2weeks. My cell phone didn't work there nor did I have computer access so communication was minimal.

I have been home little over a week and I still have a long way to go before I am to a fully recovered state. I am still in Outpatient Rehab which can take several more months and up to a year to heal.

I am so glad that I have God to look over me and take care of me, so many things could have gone wrong and did but God took care of every little detail. I am still here and on the mend. He always takes care of His own.

What A Month May Has Been

Here is my update:

Saw Neurosurgeon in early May, told me the surgery I needed and we scheduled it for June 6th. I need to be there by 5:30am, surgery will be at 7:30am. He will be working on 4 levels of my neck through the back to free up the spinal cord. Will be placing 2 rods and screws in to fuse the neck. Hospital stay 4 to 7 days.

Since I have had the neck brace on my sugars are climbing slightly, my blood pressure is now normal 110/70 and I had my first ever normal EKG. So spinal fluid is a must to our bodies. God only knows how long I have been low on fluid. but at least now I will be fixed in that area.

May 11th rectal surgery - it went fine. Today went to get the stitches out still quite sore, I'll see her in 3 weeks for another check up. She said I could have surgery.

On May 20th myself and our maintenance guy tried to stop 2 male ducks from killing a female duck, Paul scared them and they flew above my head and hit me and I went down on my butt. My knee got damaged and I found out on the 23rd I also received a hair line fracture on my left wrist so that now is in a cast. Will be on for 3 weeks or longer. New Xray in 3 weeks.

That is it for now typing is hard, I will post as soon I can following the surgery. Thanks for your prayers.

Day Surgery

My surgery on the 11th went well. At first we thought it might not happen because of all the delays. But finally at 2pm I had my surgery.

I was told my Dr fixed all that she could. Many stitches so I am being very careful when sitting. And yes I went home at 5pm. Only 3 hours later, a first for me.

I am doing good just taking it easy as my neck surgery is on the 6th of June. More later.

My Current Update

Just wanted to give you a brief update.

Tomorrow May 11th I am having my prolapse fixed or repaired - it is a day surgery. I was told I go to the hospital in the morning and go home in the afternoon. I am hoping this is true.

We are shooting for the last week of May or first week of June for my neck surgery. That procedure will be a lengthy one, with a 4 to 7 day stay in the hospital He will be cutting out and replacing my vertebrae's at the 4th through 7th levels of my neck with rods and screws. I will blog as soon as I get a date.

I have been in the neck brace now for 5 weeks - will be wearing it until the surgery and for 6 weeks afterwards. I was told I will be having months of therapy and it could take up to a year to heal. I am praying the healing goes more quickly and the surgery is a success this time.