Another success story

**LindaA59** · 06-13-2011, 05:21 PM

I just wanted to put my note in the mix.
5/29/10 I had 30% of the disc at L4-5 removed with no appliance needed and no complications.
5/11/11 I had a Prestige disc replacement installed (sounds like new brakes for the car huh?). This time they found bone spurs at central and to the left that were not previously reported on the MRI.
That explained and verified to me why my left arm was having so much more trouble with numbness, weakness and spasms than the right arm. Sad...but I like being validated in my perceptions with medical findings.
So...it's been just a few days short of 5 weeks. I'm looking at starting back to part time work at the end of this week.
I'm so grateful for the changes and feelings I'm having. My hands no longer spasm...I haven't cut myself since the surgery; I'm regaining feeling in the left hand and fingers...I may soon be able to return to spinning yarn and eventually hope to return to my massage practice.
I do still have a feeling of something being in my throat...on a good moment it's just a vague feeling, the other day I had a spasm in my neck that just happened at the same time when I'd aspirated some silvia....bad moment. It dawned on me that my partner doesn't have first-aid training...so after we both got calmed down again...him due to my being able to breathe and I with the help of ice to the neck; we talked about taking a first aid class together. I've not taken one in years, it's good to get the update.
I hope to minimize the trauma of choking and spasms...I understand they will lessen in time with more healing. I wonder if there are others with this history that could share with me their experience and hope.
I feel for the first time in 6 years or more that my body is now really able to heal and be complete again. Albeit with a "new normal," anything is better than the slow decline I had before the spinal cord interferences were found. I'm going to hold off for the 6-9 month mark before setting any real workout goals, for now walking the dog, working a little in the garden (garden yoga) and getting back to work seems like a very full plate.
May you all have success' to share as well. Blessed be.

**Kimberly** · 06-16-2011, 05:51 PM

Linda,

I'm sorry to hear about all the problems you've been having, but glad to see you've found this forum

I don't have any experience with cervical issues (I'm a straight-up lumbar gal), but there are MANY cervical folks on here that I'm sure will chime in.

Welcome to the forum!
ps I didn't know that there was a Milwaukie, Oregon....only knew about the one in Wisconsin.

**Justin** · 06-16-2011, 08:04 PM

Hi Linda,

Welcome to the Spine Patient Society.

Thank you for taking the time to share your success story with us. I wish you the very best.

**Cindylou** · 06-16-2011, 08:17 PM

Linda, welcome and I wanted to thank-you too for sharing your story with us. I can tell right off the bat that you will have a better recovery experience than many, because you have a great attitude, and that is HUGE. I wish you the very best in your recovery and glad you found us too! A wonderful group of folks here for you to lean on when you need it. Take care, Cindylou

**Gilbert P** · 06-16-2011, 10:35 PM

Hi Linda

We are here to listen learn support and enjoy life as best we can

Gil

**LindaA59** · 06-16-2011, 11:49 PM

Thanks for all the encouragement.
Anyone with a cervical disc replacement? Being at just over 5 weeks...I'm wanting to start working the upper body...okay so I'm not, but I'm wanting to. Still takes it's most of my energy to fold laundry...guess that's all I'm going to do for a bit.
TTFN.
Linda