Chronic Pain Support Group

Physicians and professionalsdefine pain as chronic if it lasts longer than three to six months and is persistent. It's distinct from acute pain that is a direct result of injury or trauma. This support group is dedicated to those suffering from chronic pain. Discuss treatments that have worked for you, find advice for your specific experience, and find support. You're not...

2,902 Members
21,876 Posts
0 Online
Brain & Nervous System
/ Chronic Pain Support Group

Surgeons appt

jasmine0523
jasmine0523
Well today was the day I had been dreading. I had my appointment with the doctor. The good news is (at this point) I won't need a halo. He will basically do 3 procedures in one operation. He will do a frontal fusion at C7-T1 and then he will do a fusion at that same level in the back. The C2 level was a bit more complicated. He doesn't really feel that I need a fusion there. He does feel that the bone spur is really cutting into the spinal cord, so he is going to grind down that bone spur to relieve pressure on the spinal cord. He told me that if he did a fusion at C2-3, it would make the spine too unstable and he would have to fuse C1-2 as well. Since they would be putting screws into my skull, I would have absolutely no turning radius in my neck. It's also very dangerous to operate at those levels. Since there was no guarantee either way I opted for the less invasive surgery and will have the bone spur ground down. Hopefully this will take care of the pain.
The surgery will be scheduled for the end of April, beginning of May. I have a tentative date of 4/28.

I would like to thank everyone for their kindness and support. I know I will be a nervous wreck because you never know what they will find when they open you up, but I will take it one day at a time.

Hugggss Jasmine
billwfriend
billwfriend
well that worked out well in my humble unknowing opinion...:-)

I will pray for you on this and the whole of chronic pain...
NessaLeigh
NessaLeigh
Well said Bill.

Jasmine I think that is a good dr you have there. And what a relief about the halo.

It's still surgery and it's still your spine so it's scary. But it does sound a little tiny wee bit less scary than what was originally thought.

And good stuff that the surgery can be sooner and not later.

Goodnight Jasmine. Sweet dreams
hippyone
hippyone
Jasmine understandably you will be anxious until it is over. Happy for you that it won't be a long wait even though it seem that for you.

I agree with Nessa a good surgeon and you have said this as well.

Keeping you tucked in my positive thoughts.

hippy
jasmine0523
jasmine0523
You guys are great. Bill your opinion matters to me. You are always so positive. Ness a and Hippyone I hear what you are saying. I am really grateful that there will be no halo. However it is still going to be a really involved surgery. I am okay with the lower level but man, that C2-3 is really scary. He said that he thinks he can carve out enough bone but he has to be really careful that he doesn't have to take too much. I put myself in his hands and I know he will do the right thing. Thanks for your support. I truly appreciate it.
billwfriend
billwfriend
we must trust it is true....because we know if we do not we know not what to do....

poet in budding! LOL :-)
Aronia
Aronia
Wow, Jasmine.. This is a big surgery for sure, but I am sure you will get through it with flying colors.
One of my friends had this surgery done and redone and she is back to the gym.
Realistically , it takes about 6 months to feel well after this and about 1-2 years for the bone to comoletely fuse.
Rest, eat well, take good care of yourself and do whatever it takes to keep in good spirits.
Love you.
jasmine0523
jasmine0523
Ok Bill. If that's your idea of poetry go for it. Lol. Aronia I know it is a tough surgery and I am trying to mentally prepare myself. I already have less than a 44% turn radius and this will decrease that even more. I only hope he is right and there is enough bone there that he can open up. I will be in a hard cervical collar for several months (yuk) and he is ordering a bone stimulator for me for the lower level since he is really worried about that level fusing. Apparently that level is under a lot of pressure from all the levels that are fused above it. I don't know but all I can do is hope it all turns out ok. Love you too!
LynnJ55
LynnJ55
Good news about no halo - I know you were dreading that part. It'll be hard to not stress out about the surgery, but your doc sounds great and seems to really know his stuff. Maybe you can focus on a nice summer of R and R after its all over, or a day trip somewhere special. You deserve it!

Take care, and deeeeeep breaths! We're here for you.

Lynn
jasmine0523
jasmine0523
Thank you Lynn. I am trying to remain positive but it's really hard.
Posts You May Be Interested In