3 weeks post op PFD and Fusion c1,c2

[actressmouse]

I decided I post today as I'm feeling good and in a positive frame of mind.  These past 3 weeks have been a roller coaster of a ride.  Most days are very good, with only a few (less than 5) days that qualify as ones I'd rather not repeat.  As for pain....I'd say most of my pain is from the fusion and the incision.  I don't get HAs like before.  I still have a lot of swelling in the back of my head and my neck area, but the stitches are out (taken out on day 15 due to Stickler's Syndrome) and the site looks wonderfully clean, neat and not scary at all.  I have to be careful not to over medicate myself (my husband is helping me with this), because that makes me feel worse than the surgery aftermath, believe it or not.  On day 5, while still in the hospital, they took me for an xray just to make sure everything was "where it is supposed to be".  I was allowed to see my pics, and WOW!! I was amazed at the precision of the entire thing.  It was like looking at a work of art.  Wearing the brace is a pain at first, (Miami J), but I've gotten used to it.  I also got this cool cervical stimulator thingy that I wear for 4 hours a day to help the bones fuse better.  

If you are weighing whether or not to fuse, I would think carefully.  I decided to go forward because I'm relatively young (50) and wanted to get "the most bang for my buck".  No really, I didn't want to have to go back 6 months later for another surgery, which if you have a retroflexed odontoid, you probably will become a candidate for it down the road.  I won't lie,  it's not an easy recovery.   But I am trying to stay positive, trying to remain optimistic, and trying to let myself "take it easy".  I'm lucky I only needed to c2...the original plan was to c3 or c4...but my doc said he would "see what's what when we get in there".  I will most likely regain a lot of range of motion.  

I hope this update helps....I flip flopped back and forth up until the last minute.  I believe it's because I took the whole thing seriously.  {{gentle hugs}}

[Rahe28]

So nice to hear from you. You are so positive about the whole thing. I just had a PFD, with duraplasty and laminectomy and caurterization....but I can't say that I am feeling as well as you seem to. Even though I knew it would be a hard recovery, it is much harder than I thought, and I am 20 yrs younger than you. So,prop to you for being so positive. I also have a retrofexed odontoid, and my NS and I opted to see if the first surgery would relieve enoughthat I wouldn't need that procedure...because that is a hefty one...and one I am  not prepared to do. Thanks so much for your honesty.

[irislita]

thanks for sharing ur recovery and being so honest about it. I do wish u all the best.u truly deserve it <3

[selmaS]

  Hi thanks for that update, I have been putting the fusion off ....I am a few yrs older then u and know from a few younger that have had it, that it can be a diff surgery to recoup from as it can be painful.....

I had many things crop up that have helped push this back, and it is moving forward again....ugh I hate to think of another surgery, but if it helps, I will ....and knowing how well u r doing and benefiting helps : )