Hi Honey

[snapdragen]

I'm home. Gawd.

My neck brace reaches halfway up the back of my head, up to my ears, and has a convenient chin rest. This sucker is huge. :eek: Once again my doctor used the "impressive" word, I evidently had a large amount of calcification.

Just took my drugs, I'll probably be asleep soon. Tomorrow I get to take a shower!!!!

[salsabike]

You're done! Welcome home. It'll all get better from here.

[snapdragen]

Yup, the burning is already gone! Little bit of tinglyness in my left hand, but that should fade. :cool:

[melissam]

Welcome Home, SNAP!!!!

Ooh, sorry, I probably shouldn't shout while you're newly into recovery.

I can't tell you how relieved I am that you made it thru this part. Now rest up and take care of yourself, ya hear? :)

- Mel

[aka_kim]

Welcome home! The hard part is over, now take it easy and let your minions wait on you for a bit, you've earned it.

[SadieKate]

Wow, that's great. Truly impressive. :p But then we know you are.

Sleep tight. Heal fast.

[jobob]

Think happy thoughts. :)

polenta ...

[Tuckervill]

Glad you made it through!

Karen

[sbctwin]

Good thoughts to you...

[OakLeaf]

WB Snap.

Sending lots of healing vibes your way.

Don't skimp on the pain meds now y'hear?

[Crankin]

Glad you are done with that!
Rest, take those pain meds and now you can start thinking of all the fun activities you will be able to do without pain.
Robyn

[bmccasland]

Welcome home! With the chin rest, does this mean you can snooze and none will be the wiser? :D:rolleyes:

Here's to a quick recovery.

[crazycanuck]

Snap, good to hear your surgery went well. What's the name of it again? I wonder if i could find video footage of it being done? What exactly do they do?

Anywho, take those drugs!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Hope you heal up quickly! :)

[SouthernBelle]

Heal quickly!

We need a pic of the brace. You know we like pictures.

[redrhodie]

Now comes the part where you get to relax and enjoy not being at work!

Get better fast! I hope you can get comfortable in that brace.

[Velobambina]

It's great to hear that you made it through the surgery well and are adapting well to your brace... I hope you are NOT thinking about work!!!

Are you going to decorate your brace for Halloween?

[Veronica]

I like that idea - decorate your brae for Halloween! And take a picture. :)

I hope you heal quickly.


Veronica

[emily_in_nc]

How long do you have to wear the brace? It doesn't sound very comfy! Hope you'll be out of it soon.

Sending healing wishes to you!

[snapdragen]

Thanks all. Today I'm trying Advil for a bit -- I'm kind of tired of being so foggy. I use the codeine/Tylenol for night time most definitely. I finally got some coffee!!! I had a wicked caffeine headache.

cc -- it's called an Anterior Cervical Decompression and Fusion. Google at your own risk! :eek:

I actually have about 4 collars. As the very sweet and very queeny ortho guy says -- one for showers and dirty work, and a nice clean one to go out to dinner. :rolleyes: He was a doll, reminded me of Bob.

Maybe one collar will get decorated. :D

Ugh. They shot me up with steriods before surgery, for the swelling. I'm suffering the hot flash consequences still. Hopefully that will go away soon.

Em - I'm in the brace for at least two weeks. Boo.

[snapdragen]

I feel pretty, oh so pretty.....NOT.

[SouthernBelle]

Wow. That's impressive. You look so happy!

[Trek420]

I see great design potential with blinky lights and feather boas!!

[Velobambina]

There is a lot you can do to decorate that brace. The idea of a feather boa is great. Or maybe some stickers.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

There is a lot you can do to decorate that brace. The idea of a feather boa is great. Or maybe some stickers.

I vote for using deli ham slices to make it into a yummy Elizabethan collar. It would be a big hit at the office parties! Mmmmmmmm! :p
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y27/mrsmogul/New%20Blog%20Album/elizabeth_l.jpg

[Tri Girl]

I wouldn't say you look happy- more like dopey (as in: you're all drugged up- not that you're not smart). :D
Yikes- it IS huge. I'm glad the surgery went well. I'm hoping for a speedy recovery for you!!!

[Zen]

I vote for using deli ham slices to make it into a yummy Elizabethan collar. It would be a big hit at the office parties!
And dogs would love you:)

[Trekhawk]

Here is to a speedy recovery Snap.
Get plenty or rest.:)

[maillotpois]

Wow - what a lovely turtleneck! :p

Glad things went well. Heal up! I am sure lemon drops go wonderfully with pain meds.... :rolleyes:

[spindizzy]

Snap:

I'm sure you could atach a cape to that, put on your tiara and save the world! Getter better fast!!

[snapdragen]

I took a shower today -- what a wonderful invention the shower is! I now have a "shower collar" and a "dry collar" :rolleyes: I survived on Advil today -- makes me less foggy than the hydorcodone/apap. I'll take that at night -- knocks me right out.

Tomorrow I may try a short walk. Maybe around the backyard. :D

[jesvetmed]

Yay, Snap! Showers after you cannot have one are the ULTIMATE indulgence. You probably feel much more human now! I'm glad all has gone well. Take it easy and start to heal now.

[SadieKate]

Tomorrow I may try a short walk. Maybe around the backyard. :DPractice the wave to go with your collar.:D

[snapdragen]

I'm having a heck of a time sleeping. I can't get comfy in bed, so last night I tried the recliner. I may order some kind of wedge pillow for my bed, I just can't figure out which one.

I have people from work that want to visit. I need to tell them politely no. I really am not up to human contact right now. :)

[MomOnBike]

I love the Queen Elizabeth collar thing for Haloween. Though, ham slices may not be it. In any case, I've always thought those things need some decoration.

Sorry to see you're in a collar, but you will feel better at the end of all this. (That's an order) :stern face:

[Duck on Wheels]

Hey there, Snap! Good to hear you're on the mend, starting with fingertips. It'll work it's way up to the neck in time. The collar is only temporary. Just think about those poor women who stack brass rings on their necks and have to wear them all their lives :eek: You'll be able to show true sympathy to them now. And I second the recliner and/or wedge idea. Both work for me in certain discomfort-caused sleeplessness situations -- bronchitis, asthma, Crohns cramps, and (most relevant) neck and back pain.

[bikerz]

Hey Snap!

Glad you are home and up and about! (But don't overdue it!)

When you feel up to social interaction, let me know - I'd love to come visit!

[SadieKate]

Yeah, snap. BikerZ isn't normal human contact. She brings yummy stuff to drink. :)

[jobob]

Yeah, snap. BikerZ isn't normal human contact. She brings yummy stuff to drink. :) And me. Likewise a not normal human. :cool:

[SadieKate]

Not even close. ;)

[Smilie]

Glad you are on the mend! Great collar, I think you should paint it black and put spikes on it. :D

[RoadRaven]

Great to see you looking ok with such a subtle and sophisticated collar!
Lots of ribbons needed, methinks
:)

Sending healing thoughts your way - glad to know it all went well

[ClockworkOrange]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3048/2992847601_cd886fdfeb.jpg

You take care Snap.

Just do as you are told and everything should go well, mind you, that's the difficult bit.

Clock

[Red Rock]

Snap- here is wishing you peace and quiet. Hoping that you will heal quickly. Sounds like your beginning to be a bit more mobile which I'm sure must be a relief. Showers are the best. There is nothing like feeling clean! Hope things contiune to go well for you. Maybe a trip to the mailbox or a short walk to the end of the block?

Best Wishes,
Red Rock

[snapdragen]

I've been dying to go outside, it's been windy and rainy though. Once it's cleared and dried out a bit, I'll start walking around the neighborhood.

My friend in Virginia sent me the prettiest little tea roses. Red, white, orange, and pink. I've got them on the cabinet in front of my recliner/bed so I can look at them. :)

[salsabike]

Some entertainment for you, Snap--

http://cuteoverload.com/

[Tuckervill]

How about this?

upsidedowndogs.com (http://www.upsidedowndogs.com)

Karen

[snapdragen]

Baby corgies rule!

Some of those upside down dogs were kinda spooky!:D

[Tuckervill]

Yeah, but then there are those that make you wet your pants! :D :D

Karen

[Zen]

That cat with the box fetish is the funniest thing I've seen in a while :D

[snapdragen]

WOOT!

Another discovery! For close to a year, I've had foot problems; pain and stiffness when I got out of bed and after sitting for a period of time. I internet diagnosed it as plantar faciitis :rolleyes: When I mentioned it to Dr B, he said he didn't think it was related to my neck.

Well guess what.

The pain and stiffness in my feet is gone! I hadn't even realized it until I woke up early this morning with cold feet and a cramp in my toes. I got up to walk around and it suddenly hit me, I wasn't shuffle walking!

http://img2.mysmiley.net/imgs/smile/jumping/jumping0051.gif (http://www.mysmiley.net/free-jumping-smileys.php) http://img2.mysmiley.net/imgs/smile/jumping/jumping0051.gif (http://www.mysmiley.net/free-jumping-smileys.php) http://img2.mysmiley.net/imgs/smile/jumping/jumping0051.gif (http://www.mysmiley.net/free-jumping-smileys.php)

[maillotpois]

Oh snap that's excellent!!

[bmccasland]

With the toe bone connected
to the foot bone,
and the foot bone connected
to the ankle bone,
and the ankle bone connected
to the leg bone.
Oh mercy how they scare!

Oh those bones, oh those bones,
oh those skeleton bones.
Oh those bones, oh those bones,
oh those skeleton bones.
Oh those bones, oh those bones,
oh those skeleton bones.
Oh mercy how they scare!

With the leg bone connected
to the knee bone,
and the knee bone connected
to the thigh bone,
and the thigh bone connected
to the hip bone.
Oh mercy how they scare!

Oh those bones, oh those bones,
oh those skeleton bones.
Oh those bones, oh those bones,
oh those skeleton bones.
Oh those bones, oh those bones,
oh those skeleton bones.
Oh mercy how they scare!

With the hip bone connected
to the back bone,
and the back bone connected
to the neck bone,
and the neck bone connected
to the head bone,
Oh mercy how they scare!


http://kids.niehs.nih.gov/lyrics/bones.htm

Of course you're wiggly toes are connected to your neck. Those nerves send messages to your brain and back through what was an unhappy neck.

YEAAAHHHHH!!! :D

[jobob]

It's getting better & better! I'm so happy for you snap!

[snapdragen]

It's getting better & better! I'm so happy for you snap!

I'm so freakin' amazed at every little thing. Today I realized the "crick" I've had in my neck for 8+ years is gone.

Is it wrong to hug your neurosurgeon? :o

[Lifesgreat]

Sorry I am a late arrival, but I want to send my well wishes. I am glad you are recovering well.

[snapdragen]

I took my first walk today - about 2 or three blocks worth. It felt wonderful to be outside in the sunshine. My legs appreciated the exercise, they've been a little achy. Once I got home, I had some soup for lunch, then fell asleep. :o I might have over done it just a little, :) I slept for 2+ hours...

[crazycanuck]

Coolio Snap!

Sleep is good for you :)

[jobob]

LeeBob sends his best wishes, and is looking forward to seeing you back on your bike. :)

as are we all ...

[Dogmama]

Snap - sounds like you're doing great!! Four collars? I got one dopey blue one - you must be very special!

[OakLeaf]

Yay for sunshine and then sleep! :D

[snapdragen]

I guess I over did it a bit yesterday, but it felt so good to be outside. I didn't sleep well last night, I've got an earache. Taking Advil Sinus & Allergy seems to help, so I'll do that in hopes of fighting off any kind of sinus infection.

Many naps in my future today.:rolleyes::p

[SadieKate]

I'm a firm believer in practicing naps. Always looking for perfection. :p

[Dogmama]

When I had my cervical fusion, I was surprised at how tired I was too. I thought - hey - little bit of bone, little bit of fusion - no big thing. But it really knocks the stuffin' out of ya!

[snapdragen]

Today I actually felt like I had a bit of energy. I hung out in the backyard with Chloe; she is working on a righteous hole by the fence:rolleyes: Only one nap today, I'll probably be in bed by 9:00!

I've discovered the removable pads on my collar can be washed in the machine. Stuck them in a bag and used the Hand wash setting. Yay, clean pads for tomorrow.

[snapdragen]

Dogmama - I've finally got the recliner bed figured out. Once the foot part is up and locked, I put one pillow in the space between the chair and foot rest, then another on the foot rest itself. Top it off with a nice cozy quilt and I'm a happy camper. :cool:

Only got two collars, but I have 4 sets of pads. The sweet queeny ortho guy liked me :D

[Momonbikemob]

Wow! Glad to hear your surgery went well... anything with the spine is scary to me.
Best wishes for an easy recovery... I'm with the other ladies: definitely take your meds! :p

[Red Rock]

Snap-been a while since I checked in..just wanted to say that I'm glad things are slowly getting better for you. At least your beginning to be able to sleep somewhat comfortably. Then your starting to move around some. Those are all great. I hope that your recovery contiunes to progress in good fashion.

Red Rock

[snapdragen]

Bump!

Had my check up today -- I no longer have to wear the collar 24/7! Yay! I can also drive a little, but no more than absolutely necessary. I can't wait, I get to sleep in my own bed without that collar, maybe I'll sleep longer than 4 hours!

[SadieKate]

Freedom!

[Pedal Wench]

Yippee for you!

[bmccasland]

Snap - glad to hear the recovery is going well. Have a good night's sleep in your own bed.

[Dogmama]

Not fair - I had to wear mine for ~ 6 weeks!

Seriously - big congrats. Let me know if your neck feels longer - mine did.:confused:

[snapdragen]

Oh yeah, neck feels stretched! I wonder what my height is, last time at the dr's it was 5' 5 1/2", maybe I'm back to 5' 6" now.:rolleyes:

I still have to wear the collar if I go out -- riding in a car, walking. He said to slowly wean myself off of it. I find my neck gets sore after having it off for about an hour.

Dogmama, do you have hardware in your neck too? Maybe that's why I don't have to stay collared for 6+ weeks. Pic below, not my neck, I actually have 3 screws, this one only has 2.

[Dogmama]

Yup, I have hardware and an x-ray card to carry through airport security. They fused it with bone from my hip - you too? They fused C4-C6. I have lupus & sometimes that can mess with healing - if my body thinks the fusion is an enemy & decides to attack it - thankfully that didn't happen & that's a prime reason I used my own bone.

My doc tends to be anal retentive - he admits it. Orthopaedic surgery = sterile carpentry.

When do you start physical therapy?

[snapdragen]

Yup, I have hardware and an x-ray card to carry through airport security. They fused it with bone from my hip - you too? They fused C4-C6. I have lupus & sometimes that can mess with healing - if my body thinks the fusion is an enemy & decides to attack it - thankfully that didn't happen & that's a prime reason I used my own bone.

My doc tends to be anal retentive - he admits it. Orthopaedic surgery = sterile carpentry.

When do you start physical therapy?

Supposedly mine shouldn't set off the airport security, - guess I'll find out someday. My doc recomended cadaver bone for me, already cut, sized and sterilized. He knew I had enough with the pain, the hip harvesting would have put me over the edge.

Dr B won't let me think about PT until about 8 weeks out - so probably January? What kind of stuff do they do for therapy?

[crazycanuck]

That's way cool! So if i donate my body to science after I leave the planet, this is one benefit to someone else. Funky!

I certainly hope the US TSA acknowledges the x-ray cards etc..!!! Dogm, have you ever been hassled when you set the airport x-ray machine off??

[Trekhawk]

Glad to hear you got the collar off Snap. Im sure just getting a better sleep will help a lot. It can't have been fun sleeping in that thing. You are very brave Snap just the look of that Xray makes me feel a little queasy.:eek:

[Flybye]

It sounds like you have some great new Bionic parts - I am glad you are doing great.

I don't know if you remember or not but my DH had a major jaw surgery in January of this year and he has a plate and a bazillion screws - 17 I think. We went though airport security in with not even a tiny beep. He got in more trouble for trying to check 5 bottles of water though. I think he was hoping for more adventure - like meeting the sky Marshall over a bottle of Dasani. :rolleyes:

Keep yer' neck up!

[jobob]

You are very brave Snap just the look of that Xray makes me feel a little queasy.:eek:

Heh, I was thinking precisely the same thing!

[Trekhawk]

Heh, I was thinking precisely the same thing!

LOL - good to know I'm not alone in my squeamishness. :D

[snapdragen]

You are very brave Snap just the look of that Xray makes me feel a little queasy.:eek:


Heh, I was thinking precisely the same thing!

Too funny. :D:D

[SadieKate]

Hey, snap, are those screws titanium? Could be why Security won't notice.

[snapdragen]

Hey, snap, are those screws titanium? Could be why Security won't notice.

Yup, Ti screws and plate -- it will make me faster, right? :p

My first night in a real bed....FAIL. I could not get comfortable, tossed and turned. Finally got up, made my "bed" in the recliner and zonked for the night. I guess I'm still more comfy in a semi-upright position. The good news is I got more than 4 hours of sleep! Yay!

[jobob]

Yup, Ti screws and plate -- it will make me faster, right? :p


Depends on if you had them painted.

[jobob]

btw, how is Chole reacting to all this upheaval in her life?

[snapdragen]

btw, how is Chole reacting to all this upheaval in her life?

Most of the time she is my "nurse", hanging out by my side. At dinner time, or when it's time for a snack, she becomes my mother's dog. :rolleyes:

[melissam]

Hey Snap,

Glad to hear your healing is going so well! Hopefully you'll be able to get 8+ hours of sleep in your own bed soon.

I had a titanium rod & pins in my leg and didn't set off security, so I like your chances! Should we have the oddsmakers in Vegas take bets on how your first trip thru security works out?

- Mel

PS I can bring my "hardware" for show & tell any time....

[Dogmama]

Yup, I'm titanium too & have never set off an airport alarm.

Snap, did they go through your throat? I think that's the typical way. I have a nice 3" scar on my throat now. You'd think they'd go through the back so we could grow our hair & cover the scar. :rolleyes:

In physical therapy, they work on range of motion exercises - turning your head in different directions. I told the PT I just needed to be able to turn left - to see the cars on my bike. :D

It was awhile before I could get on the bike because the vibration really hurt my neck. Who knew? I did try to ride once with my cervical collar. Cars really avoided me. "Look at the nutcase on the bike!"

[OakLeaf]

Glad the healing's going well Snap!

DH has a plate in one thumb that dates back to the 1970s - I'm pretty sure it's steel not Ti because of how old it is. In all our travels it's set off a metal detector exactly once. He has a visible scar and it was easy to isolate the thumb with the wand, so they didn't give him too much trouble. Should be the same or better for you.

Now, a lumbar fusion or an artificial hip might be harder to isolate to TSA's satisfaction... :confused::p

[Dogmama]

Now, a lumbar fusion or an artificial hip might be harder to isolate to TSA's satisfaction... :confused::p

..unless you're Joe the Plumber.

[snapdragen]

Yup, the doc went through my throat. The scar isn't too bad, we'll see how it looks in a month or so. So far all I get is the stink-eye when I mention riding, so Bleu remains in mothballs for now. Dr B knows what my goals are, so I'm sure he'll tell me when I can start riding. Maybe after PT?

I get mildly panicky when I feel any kind of twinge/tingle in my arms or hands. I have to remind myself it's only been ~3 weeks, and Dr B said it may take time for all the symptoms to go away.

I drove myself to the bank yesterday, in my collar. NEVER AGAIN. :eek: It was too scary, I'll walk next time. The bank, drug store, SBux and the bus are all within 1/2 a mile, so there is no reason not to walk, now that I'm an endurance walker :D

[Dogmama]

My PT told me when I could ride & mapped out a plan. I got really lucky because my PT is a cyclist. The plan was like 30 minutes, skip a day, 40 minutes, skip a day, etc.

Regarding tingling, etc., it was a good nine months before I felt normal. I freaked out too. My spine doc kept telling me that nerves take a LONG TIME to heal. Patience is a virtue - for somebody else.

Driving - OMG - it was over two months because I couldn't move my head quickly enough. I had to drive on a college campus though and crosswalks are mere suggestions to those kids. DH drove me to & from work.

What is Sbux?

[OakLeaf]

What is Sbux?

AKA *$

[snapdragen]

What is Sbux?

Starbucks :o

I must learn this patience thing. Right after surgery I was crowing about how nothing hurt, I felt great. Well yeah, I was pumped up with painkillers. Oops. I still feel a whole lot better than before surgery, especially my wrists. They used to feel like I had hot barbed wire wrapped around them. :eek:

I want a massage.

[Red Rock]

Its been a while since I have written. I am glad things are slowly getting better for you. Even if that means a slight reduction of the pain killers. Its still progress. I subluxed one of my shoulders a few years ago. Many months to perhaps years afterward, I would get these sudden electrical shocks all over my shoulder, up my neck, and other places that I can not remember. They did finally stop which was quite a relief. Unfortunately they do take a while to heal.

Good luck with everything.

Red Rock

[jobob]

Starbucks :o Hee hee, I remember when a certain riding buddy of mine would nary darken the door of said establishment. :D

[snapdragen]

Hee hee, I remember when a certain riding buddy of mine would nary darken the door of said establishment. :D

Yeah....well, it's on the way to work.:rolleyes:

[Bike Goddess]

Snap-I'm so happy to hear that you are doing well. I have found that being outside is good for the soul, so keep it up, girl! :) You are lucky that we've had such nice weather. Even though we can't ride, at least we can walk!

Let us know when you are up for some company. I'm almost at the point where I can drive, so a trip down your way would be a pleasant adventure. Maybe we could have a little TE get together someplace near you. We could even do a neighborhood walk together. And, of course, food after. :p:p:p

[Dogmama]

Yup, it's a bummer when we have to face reality - that we aren't superwoman & don't have magical healing powers.

I remember sitting in my living room in a percoset daze - thinking that I had a chemical imbalance in my brain - a percoset deficiency. Got off of those little pills real quick-like!

I finally quit obsessing about every little twinge just about the time I went back to work. Funny how life is like that. 15 faculty-types hanging over my desk whining tends to divert your attention. Anyway, one day I realized that I hadn't felt a twinge, tingle or numbness in about a week. Yahoo!