Hi Sunshinehope, welcome to the group.
I know a little about the surgery you are facing, I had an ACCF done on Aug 6th C4-6 difference is instead of just the disc, they also take out the vertebra out too... (c5)....
Recovery so far has been a little of a pain. I am required to go to PT, although a lot of people don't need to.
I don't know the reasoning behind yours but mine was due to spinal cord compression, nerve root compression with loss of feeling and strength in my right arm and hand.

Hope this helps.... Hang in there!!

Thank you for the information. I also have nerve root compression due to bad disc and spinal cord compression due to bone spurs. I have numbness and tingling and weakness in arms.
Did you need help when you got home?

Yes I did need assistance, I still do at times, it isn't as bad as you think. It is different for everyone... Of all of the surgeries I have had, I have always been the exception to the rule...
I am the one that has the unusual problems, and the abnormal results... it is so much fun!!! :)
I have gotten use to it.

Best of luck on your surgery. I only have nerve root compression (about 7 of them) but physiotherapy has been really helpful and only one last nerve compression in my neck but unfortunately it's caused my right arm to be useless and I can't get into the refrigerator without extreme pain. My physiotherapist has discussed the surgery but is urging me to wait. But a fellow at work went through it with his daughter and he says she feels like a million bucks now and the recovery was very easy for her. So I say - keep your hopes high!!

Thank you for the information and well wishes. I go to surgery education this week. I hope they will make me feel more at ease too. I will also be fitted for my neck brace. I have lined up help for at least the first week and a half. Will go from there.
Again, thanks to all who have responded here. I hope all goes well for all of you too.

I am surprised that they are fitting you for a neck brace. They didn't fit me for one, I asked about it and they said I wouldn't need it. They told me that the hardware the were putting in would give me enough support. However I asked for a neck brace and they gave me a soft one. I felt I needed it for support when I rode in the car, and I did use it when riding in the car.
I am glad I asked for one cause it helped big time.

Good luck with you surgery and I hope all goes well.

As someone with bone spurs, DD, bulging disc and scoliosis, Healing Back Pain by Dr. John Sarno changed my life forever.

Sunshine, these things are very scary and it looks like I will be facing surgery before long, too.

I'll leave it for members who've had surgery to answer your questions, but I just wanted to add my support.

Hang on in there! Many people are going through what we are, and get positive results.

kjbord - I got my brace last week. It is rigid plastic. It is just a reminder not to move my neck and to protect me when in the car.

artemis000 - Sorry you will have to have surgery too. Mine is later this week and I'm feeling better about it now.

Thank you everyone for all the well wishes and info.