Hello all,
A brief history...had anterior
discectomy of C5-C7 and fusion done in
April of '06. I returned to my job as a
nurses aide and got hurt again in January
'07. MRI showed ruptured disc at C3-C4,
severe osteophytes C5-C7. I am awaiting
posterior cervical laminectomy surgery,
they are also going to remove C3-4 disc
and extend the existing cage. Has anyone
been through this? What type of relief
did you get after surgery? Will I need
help at home after? (I'll be coming home
to 3 kids) Will I ever be able to return
to my job? How bad is the surgery itself?
Any and all input and suggestions will be
appreciated, I'm scared to death of this
one
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The Ginger 1
Supporter
Joined: 09 Jul 2007 Posts: 556 Location: Loony-tune-land, England
Posted: 10-04-07 14:31pm
Hi Misty ....
Please speak to a Doctor .. get all this
anxiety and questions out to them ... it's
not healthy to be so stressed before
surgery....
The type of work you do ... (which I have
upmost respect to you for) isn't helping
your back condition. As lifting and
bending etc just irritates it more.. ;-(
and kids.... well, how old are they, have
you a partner or anyone that can support
you when you get out ... as really, you
have gotta recover, and it will take time
.... the kids can help out too ... it's a
good thing to get kids involved in
'looking after Mum for a bit '
You sound like a wonderful person, and a
bit of a worryier .... that's not a bad
thing .. but YOU will need to be looked
after for a short while after, and to get
everyone involved to understand thier
roles in the house, sooner rather than
later, will prepare you and them for when
you get outta hospital.
Take care, and I will find out more by
probing websites for some answers for
you...
Ginger
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The Ginger 1
Supporter
Joined: 09 Jul 2007 Posts: 556 Location: Loony-tune-land, England
Posted: 10-04-07 14:52pm
Well .... I did say I'd check it out for
you .....
After surgery ... you are encouraged to
get up and mobile ASAP... you will be
advised how much you are and not allowed
to do....to do light chores is ok, not to
overdo anything, and to take one step at a
time ...
I had a disc removed last year ... and I
wasn't allowed to drive, or do any lifting
for 6 weeks ... I can drive now .. but I
still cannot lift anything too heavy, as I
still get twinges, so I just don't do it
... I have to half all my washing,
shopping etc ..so I can carry it ... ok I
gotta do multiple trips up n down the
stairs and from the car etc .. but it's
good excersise!
You have 3 kids, they can help you out ...
make it into a game if they are really
young ...
I can't tell you how to run your life ..
but if lifting and bending are essential
in your job, please ask your boss if these
jobs could be restricted, cos as you have
already had a disc removed last year,
you've already hurt yourself again this
year, and undergoing surgery again ... you
have already weakened your back. I hate
to say it, but I really don't think you'd
be able to do this kinda work all day
everyday if you have to lift / bend etc
... ;-(
Sorry to be blunt, but you're health is
paramount here...
Ginger
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Misty67
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 02 Oct 2007 Posts: 2 Location: , Canada
Posted: 10-05-07 21:44pm
thanks so much for replying Ginger. I
feel I was pushed back into my job a bit
too fast after the last surgery, and that
played a big part in my re-injury. (a lot
of it my own fault, I loved my job and
wanted back at it) My neurosurgeon is one
of the best, I have all the faith in the
world in him as a surgeon but his bedside
manner leaves a lot to be desired lol,
he's not big on answering questions. I
think I'm more worried about life after
surgery than the surgery itself. I've
always been very independant (some would
go so far as to say stubborn lol) so
asking for help is going to take some
getting used to. I guess its time to face
facts tho, I don't want to have to keep
going thru this pain. I just turned 40,
have a lot of years in me yet to be
playing this game, just going to have to
learn to play by different rules. Thanks
again for your time, Misty
