Laura P
OK, Laura O.... here is my VAST experience.... prior to both surgeries I was in excruciating intractable pain... opoids and other pain relievers did NOTHING other than take a slight edge off. First surgery I was in on Thurs same day surgery and out on Sunday... Wore a hard collar for a few weeks and then a SOFT collar for 6? (I don't really remember) weeks. Second surgery in on Monday, surgery on Tuesday, discharge on Friday... had a hard collar fitted before going to hospital at a prosthetic device place (was called a Miami-J collar)... my neurosurg's personal favorite... Wore that for 6 weeks, taking off only for short respites and showers... It prevented all movement, unable to move head up or down or turn... initially quite uncomfortable, but gradually got used to it. No throat discomfort that I recall. They did order a "soft" or mechanical soft diet until they knew that I could swallow ok... It was hard to hold a phone with the collar, so I used a headset phone for conversations. Also invested in a box of flexible straws and a box of popsicles. Following both surgeries the immediate pain relief from the relief of pressure was profound. Was placed on muscle relaxants to stop spasming while in collar... doc said he did not want to get any complaining phone calls that my neck was stiff.... he is such a comedian... also oral pain meds to be taken as needed. They were unable to put any hardware in my neck, though he did try... not enough bone to permit attachment... mine was an anterior decompression (from the front)... the bone that was used in the fusion was donor bone, not a graft from my hip as had been done in the first surgery... that bone graft hurt WAY more than the neck part of the surgery... was glad when he said donor bone this go around. You will not be able to drive while in the hard collar, and not advisable in a soft collar either... On post-op appts they will x-ray and check how your fusions are taking... they can see bone growth on the films... that is where everyone is individual for sure... rate of fusion time and completeness of fusion are the ultimate deciders in whether the surgery is "successful"... I was very happy that I fell into the good outcome category for the actual fusions. So in summary, I awoke from each surgery with a noticeable reduction/elimination of the pain, numbness, tingling that had been there prior to surgery... I was in an uncomfortable collar, but when they explained that with the fusions, i had in essence a broken neck that had to heal, I took the collar and its irritations like a big girl and knew it was for a limited time and I could do it. After the first surgery at about week 6, they had me start physical therapy. After the second surgery, there was no physical therapy ordered. I did treat myself to some massages after the collar came off. I hope that this answered your questions, If not, please don't hesitate to ask... I know in my heart that you are going to do fine... And I think I can speak for all of us on this post, that you will be in our thoughts and prayers... Take care, be positive, and FOLLOW your doctors orders... and DON'T BE AFRAID TO ASK THEM QUESTIONS UNTIL YOU ARE SATISFIED AND UNDERSTAND. Sometimes the neurosurg's can be extremely arrogant and aloof... but if you ask, they will answer... also talk to the nurses, and the anesthesiologist as you go in... they can help put you at ease by answering your questions and explaining what is happening. Just don't be shy and end up scared because you don't know what is happening... you and your insurance are paying dearly for this "service", so make sure you get what you are paying for... hee hee.... just a little levity... keep your spirits up, keep a smile on your face and don't be afraid to ask for pain meds if you need them... your recovery will be faster if you are comfortable. Will be thinking of you... Laura P