[Spinal Fusion / Cervical] C5-6, 6-7 ACDF with Plating, done and wonderful!!

[davemmevad]

Hi All,
Well, after a wild emotional ride, and finding out that fusion was going to be my future rather than implants, I am finally on the other side and I feel GREAT!!!!!! I was out of the hospital in 36 hours, surgery was on Monday, and I slept in my own bed Tuesday night and today is Wednesday AM. Honestly, I knew from the second I woke up in recovery that we'd fixed it, and still feel that way. Mild distraction symptoms, so I'm still taking the Robaxin, but no pain, and no pain meds. Simply amazing. Fortunately we got to it all soon enough that the stenosis did not seem to cause permanent damage to my cord, so I've got the feeling and movement back in my left foot, and can walk without a cane already, and just need to get strength back in the leg, my left hand has full sensation again, and I could even brush my wife's cheek with the back of my fingers and feel her. Wow. Wow. For the first time in a year and a half I am once again fully in my body.

So, all the good news said, I just have to take it easy, and let the body heal, because it has be thoroughly messed with, but for better or worse I am no stranger to recovering from ortho surgery, and know not to over do it. It is a balancing act between doing and not over doing, and I know this won't be fully healed until at least September. But I've had next ski season on the calendar the whole time, and it looks like I'll make it.

Thanks all - I'll keep you posted as the healing goes on, but things look wonderful right now.
Dave

[Dave]

Dave,

This is really great news buddy. I'm glad that everything fell in place for you and you got your problem fixed. Take things easy for a bit and heal well.

Congrats.:thumpup:

[Cindylou]

What great news davemm! I am so happy for you. Sounds like you know the drill: slow and steady wins the race. Be well, and welcome.

[Justin]

Congratulations, Dave!

[davemmevad]

just checking in. I was told I could not overdo it with walking, so have been working on that. My gait is still lopsided from the stenosis and some atrophy of my leg muscles, but doing much better. I checked - last saturday a 1 mile walk took 45 min with a cane and almost killed me, today, a 3 mile walk took 52 minutes (no cane) and felt great and easy.

Honestly, yesterday was a little rougher, but I know from previous surgeries that day 4 or 5 is the bad one for me, so I just let myself rest as best i could - the SDG&E guys were jack hammering all day out front and the dog was all barky etc, but hey, you do what you can.

So for now, I get to walk a whole bunch, but will limit it to what I can do with an even gait until the muscles even out, and my follow up is on the 26th when I hope I'll be allowed to drive again. i'm not taking pain meds so the odds are good based on what the MD said in the presurg. meeting. Till then, I'm grounded and gonna go stir crazy. Oh well, I still feel great, and just have to behave so it stays that way.

Take care all,
Dave

[cheryl stewart]

GOOD TO SEE SOMEONE WITH A POSSITIVE OUTCOME. I WISH I COULD SAY THE SAME. BUT GOD BLESS, CHER KEEP GETTING WELL!

[davemmevad]

Thanks Cheryl - hope yours turns around too. It's funny, because the distraction pain, and the preassure that the neck swelling has put on the medial nerve (right side) has put me in about the same level of pain as when I first went to the MD ... but hey, feeling like the clock rolled back 2 years is terrific! I guess pain is relative - but only someone on this board would say that ;-). But I've stayed away from the pain meds, and am enjoying a clear head for the first time in a while.

Things keep being good for me with this surgery. I flinched yesterday, so things were a little tight & sore, but all good now. I'm still walking every day, and trying not to watch TV - I do think being mobile is important, and if all I want to do is sit and watch, I'll either read, or go to bed on time ... the later is the smart choice, but I do love reading. Looking forward to my son's soccer practice this afternoon, and his game tomorrow, though I have to avoid the wayward balls - ooooo that would be bad. Also the Doc had said I could drive after 10 days/2 weeks if I'd stayed off the pain meds, so I get my wings back again!!!!!!!!!! I do not do well with being grounded.

I know I am a long way out from being done and fused etc, but hey, each day is closer.

Take care all -
Dave

[cheryl stewart]

Dave that's great. I too tried to stay up and at'em. I got out of bed everyday and went through the motions. I had my coffee, tried to eat some breakfast, took my shower. I laid on the couch a bit, then I would take a small walk. Daytime TV really sucks! I started physical therapy about 8 week post op. Since this was a three level fusion now but my third surgery, I knew I would need help. It got my range of motion back. But with the decline on these other two levels my pain is worse. I remember a time when I didn't even take tylenol....Anyway, if I could just get the bone spurs off my soft tissue and support that level for longest I can until something better comes along, I would be happy. But it's just not reality. These discs will give out before then. I don't know if the laser thing will help. My current surgeon doesn't believe that laser surgery is a long term fix. Funny, I wasn't asking for long term, just something to keep me out of major surgery for a few more years. Well we are hunckering down for yet another winter storm here in the OKC. Warm regards to you. Cheryl

[davemmevad]

'Lo all,
Just touching base. I now totally understand why no one hears from folks after surgery - you get too busy catching up on life!!

Recovery has good and bad days, but way more good than bad, and the good get better, and the bad are less and less so. I've got my 2 month follow up the end of this month ... looking forward to it, but then, not really caring either - I do think I'm doing okay, and time will finish what the surgeon started.

Otherwise, am planning a trip to Hawaii with the family for August, and looking at changing job rolls at work (if they'll let me) to take more on. And going to kids soccer games, Junior Theater productions, pulling weeds, all the basics.

Life is good. Busy, but good.

Thanks all of you -
Dave

[sandysullivan32]

Thanks for updating this. If you check in again let me know how you are doing. I am going in to have this done in 4 weeks.