Getting ready for 3-level fusion, came up as a surprise!

[supergirl]

So I thought I would post an update.

I am 39 days post op, had my first xray and dr visit. The spine looks incredible- he really lined up everything so nicely, restored my curve and instead of looking like a dilapidated tenement building, I have a beautiful spine again.... sort of, of course.

I can officially say I don't have any loose screws

I went back to work this week, and definitely had some pain progressing throughout the week. I guess I can't expect any different. I am at least pleased that when I get pain, if I sit back and relax my neck, it stops, so it is manageable.

I walk about 4 miles daily, and I think that has helped a lot with the muscles in my neck as even though I am still in the collar (see below), the collar is not actually holding up my head when I walk, my own muscles are, and I think that has contributed to a more active recovery.

Back to the collar.... of course he told me 4 weeks in the collar, and I was a bit surprised with 3 levels that was all he wanted, and sure enough he added 2 more weeks on. Which is fine with me, as it really is comfortable and a bit of a security blanket of sorts at this point. He didn't want me to drive with it on, but frankly the thought of not wearing it in the car is a bit chilling.... don't trust my fellow drivers, so I am very careful and I do have very good visibility and no less range of motion with the collar on- it's not as though I would be looking over my shoulder at the neck anyway. I have my little fish eye mirrors on my wing mirrors. I don't think I feel comfortable on the highway and most of my driving can be on single lane backroads anyway, which doesn't seem to need much neck turning. I twist at the waist and hips, as I started doing before surgery anyway as sharp neck turning was painful anyway.

My scar is a little over 3 inches long, but is healing really nicely. I have been using a silicone pad over it since the steri strips came off, and I think it is looking great. I found that the scar looked better the longer the pad was in place, instead of the numerous scar treatment oils and creams I tried. So I am committed to mostly using the silicone as much as I can. The color will have to fade with time, but it is not raised in the least and some small patches of it are even quite faded already.
The worst area is right over my apple where there is the most traction from speaking and swallowing.... dead center. Oh well, I bought a bunch of scarves...

Still on the Tylenol arthritis 8 hour. It varies that I take it 2-3 times, thought I was weaning, but then I seem to need it again. I am not complaining.

Taking all my vitamins, eating a healthy bone healing targeted diet. Only foods with nutritive value will pass my lips... well almost all of them, I do have a little treat now and then.

In case anyone is interested, after spending much time researching, these are the supplements I am taking:

Ca++ with Mag and Zinc
Vit D (I checked a level prior to surgery, and was just a little low, so am taking a slightly higher dose)
"Centrum Performance" multi vit- it has a bunch of the minerals that aid with Calcium absorption, including silica, boron, and a few others not in the other multivits- I read a lot of labels, and this one really seemed to be the one.
multi B50
Vit E
Vit C
iron
Lysine.

I usually don't do supplements. I figure, I will use all the help I can get. None are mega doses, just supplement doses. Remember- if you megadose fat soluble vits, you will overstore them and bad stuff can happen, and the watersoluble vits just get peed into the toilet.

Regards!

[dshobbies]

Supergirl is doing super. Good job.

Know what you mean about the collar. It's like a sucurity blanket.

Regardless, keep up the good work

Dale

[Maria]

Your update sounds like you've progressed along really nicely.
I don't blame you for wanting to have your "security blanket" on a bit longer!

All sounds so good that all I can say is I'm very glad to read your path with surgery and recovery has been so good and wish you a continued excellent recovery and future with your new improved cervical spine

[sahuaro]

Hello Supergirl!
I apologize for only just now reading your thread and so I missed the opportunity to offer support. But it looks like you didn't need it!
Congratulations on a successful surgery!!!

I am wondering if you could "graduate" to a soft collar which would be more comfortable, especially in the summer heat. I, too, wore the collar while driving weeks after I was told I didn't need it because I dreaded the possibility of another MVA jolting my neck. I don't remember when I gave up my security blanket/collar--I think I just forgot one day to take it into the car!

Once you are out of the collar, be mindful of your head position while talking on the phone! Headsets are probably best--not that I use one!

It truly is wonderful that you are doing so well and I hope you continue to recover arm and hand function--if you are going to have poor handwriting, it should be your choice!!! I hope you find (as I did) that an unexpected bonus of being a spine patient is a special added sensitivity to your patients!