Hello all....

I'm home after my surgery Tuesday.

I had to be at the hospital at 8:30 am, but then they said surgery wasn't scheduled until noon. They took me back for pre-op around 1, but it wasn't until about 4 that they actually brought me into the OR.

I was really okay with that, though, because my hubby had a major presentation at work to members of Congress and he couldn't come until around 1:30 (my mom brought me in)....so they let him come back and see me, so I was thrilled!

Anyway, surgery didn't end until around 11:30 pm. NS told my husband that in some areas the disc was completely worn away and it was bone on bone. I had an ACDF done on C5-6 with brace in front; then in back I had laminectomy with rods and screws put it from C4-7. I had C4-5 previously fused 15 years ago without any instrumentation.

At some point though I vaguely remember waking up and saying ...not sure if it was out loud or in my head ... that I couldn't breathe. My throat had swollen so much I couldn't breathe, so they had to intubate me (put in a breathing tube) overnight. I had to stay in SICU for two days.....one day was to watch for additional swelling. The other night because there weren't any other rooms available.

I came home Friday afternoon with percoset and valium with refills. I have some pain in my neck and upper shoulders, but it's manageable.

I see my NS in two weeks. As far as my initial pain in my left arm, that is gone....there is still some numbness left, but not mini-shocks when I cough anymore!!

I am in a Miami J collar for 6 weeks, but I have a plastic version that I can use to shower. I took a shower as soon as I got home (because I had previously bought a shower bench based on the recommendations here). It felt great!!!

Overall, I'm glad I had it done...now I know I have a lot of hard work ahead of me.... Thanks to all of you for your support and answering questions!!