Really scared
I posted an entry on the boards yesterday and although I asked for help I was a little disappointed at the response. Maybe I am just being sensitive but there is absolutely no one to talk to and this surgery really scares me. The lower level is going to have a front and back incision which means I won't be able to swallow post surgery. I will also have to cut my hair since they will be shaving my head in the back. the C2-3 level is very dangerous to operate on. from what I understand they actually screw the plate into my skull. I really hope I am wrong. I think I was in shock when the doc was talking to me so I forgot a lot of what he said. This time I will bring a list of Questions. I also have a bony growth on the lower base of my neck which happened as a result of the bone stimulator in 2004. The doctor is going to grind down that bone and use it for the filling in the cage. I guess that since the bone spurs are so large at C2-3 they may grind those down as well. That means I will have 4 surgical sites on my neck. What a time to stop smoking.
Replies
hi, I didn\'t see your post yesterday, maybe it\'s on a board I\'m not a member of and sorry I missed it. I haven\'t had spinal surgery and can\'t offer up any advice, but do care. I know any surgery, all the pre-testing, doctors visits, are a lot and it helps talking to others. Anytime you feel the need to yak, give me a pm and we can talk. Many gentle hugs always xo
I\'m sorry you were disappointed at the response to your plea for help yesterday. What you are facing sounds very scary. Are you looking to speak with someone who has been through this type of surgery already? As you have a good relationship with your surgeon, maybe you could ask him if he could put you in touch with one of his prior patients that went through the same surgery? I didn\'t quit smoking after my first fusion and I think that is one of the reasons it healed so poorly. I am now trying to quit as well. Good luck with quitting, such a hard thing too do, but well worth it. Your body deserves it. Is there a friend you could bring to your next appointment for support and memory? The thing I hate about neck surgery as opposed to anywhere else on the body is how vulnerable it makes you. I am not the best with words and if I am just making you more nervous just say so and I will leave you alone. I just feel bad that you feel so alone in this scary time.
Hugs
Hugs
Thanks so much for caring. Salto I have had 5 other neck surgeries so I am not new at this. The C7 level, while I am not happy about it, doesn\'t scare me. The C2-3 level really scares me because of the location and involvement of the skull.
Not that long ago I had a question regarding one of the posts. Apparently by questioning a statement from this person I guess I must have made a few people unhappy with me and I decided to leave the group. A few people talked me out of it but I guess I should have left. Anyway I guess I will hang back for a while and keep up but probably not contribute.
Bill thank you for the hugs and Heather we already spoke on the hugs side.
Have a good weekend.
Which board did you post on Jasmine, I didn\'t see it . I\'m so sorry you are going through this and have to quit smoking as well. Quitting is so very hard to start with, i hope you will be so much healthier after the surgery is done that you won\'t want to smoke anymore. I hope you have some friends to support you through this surgery. For sure, quitting will help you heal better. Write me if you need, I come here once a day to post my stats and pledge on the smoking site.
Hugs, jazzy
Unfortunately Jazzkeys I have no one but family. I will have to depend on them for support and I am really questioning that as well.
sorry to hear about your lack of response-I have had access problems,but am back now..don\'t suppose your dr will just make you into an Robocop instead?