Cassie I really want to thank you for chronicling your post op journey. It helped me tremendously. I was really afraid to have the procedure but moved forward and had it done. Your update videos helped me have an understanding of what to expect during my recovery.
Cassie, thanks for the great videos. I'm glad to hear most of your numbness is gone now and you are doing so well. I've watched many videos here and I found your no-nonsense, calm approach very soothing and positive. I also was glad you posted the one with the bone stimulator. I'm scheduled for a two-level in a few weeks...nervous of course but trying to look at the benefits long-term. Let's see that "one year update" video next!
I wish you the best of luck for your surgery. I just passed three months last week and had a check-up with the surgeon. The x-ray shows that the bone is fusing nicely but I am still going to keep using the bone growth stimulator. The strength has come back in my arm but I still have some of the numbness. Let me know how your surgery goes. I hope your recovery is smooth and fast!
That's so nice for me to read Susan. Thank you. I still have a little numbness but it's much better. In a few weeks it will be a year since my surgery and I am doing great. I will make another video to show the scar at 1 year and to update you in general. I hope you're feeling better and stronger with every day. The worst part is over for you!!
This was great to watch on 2 levels. You becoming stronger and for being honestly positive for all the viewers. Did you get rid of the numbness? My c5/6 surgery was Mon 1st July. Doing well. You're an inspiration.
I am having ACDF in a week, and I am gathering information from those who had the surgery. Thank you for sharing your experience with me. I am very worried abou the surgery and the Recovery process. I am very active doing an hour and a half of exercise every day.So I expect to havet withdrawals from this.surgery.
My neck was very sore in the beginning too. You are keeping your head and neck at an unnaturally straight/neutral position and that makes the muscles very sore and tired. As you begin to get mobility back in your neck (when you can take the brace off all day and allow your neck to move as it normally would) the muscle soreness should resolve. I had some gentle massages in the beginning, after consulting with my doctor. I hope you feel better very soon.
Wow after a month no neck brace that is great. I'm 3 weeks after surgery and doing good. I can finally sleep with no neck brace which is nice as you know I'm sure. I don't see my surgeon for another month hope to get my neck brace off then. Thanks for your videos they have helped me out during my recovery.
Wow Im so glad you put this up I am going to have this surgery In the Morning UGH So Scared but seeing you you look lovely all the way through So Im hoping that I will bounce back as quick as you, or maybe at this point just survive Mine is multi level just 2 level 4-5 5-6 I have instrumentation as well And well I didnt see on here if you had the plate and screws I may have just missed it
I had my ACDF for C4>C5>C6 December of 2011 due to a sudden severe compression of the spine in that area causing left hand pain/numbness around my thumb. The procedure went well, but like you, no immediate relief for the numbness. It took several months but it...very slowly...did get better all the way to the pad of my left thumb. I still have numbness there but the pain is gone. So you might get better as time goes on! I am having to go back under the knife soon due to the DDD (degenerative disc disease) affecting my right arm from mid-forearm down to the fingertips. The surgeon said that I will have to have the most extensive fusion he has ever done: C2>C3>C4 / C6>C7>T1>T2. He & I joke that I will end up like Harold from that Person of Interest tv show. I just want the pain to stop. Are you going to have to have anymore surgeries?
I wonder if you had this surgery and your results. I also have DDD and in a few hours I will leave for the hospital to have ACDF of C2 through C7. As in your case, mine is the most extensive fusion my surgeon's ever done in a single procedure. The plan now is to perform the same surgery on areas of the thoracic and lumbar spine as previous areas heal. I have numbness, tingling and weakness of both arms from shoulders to fingertips and have lost motor skills in my fingers on both hands. I also experience tingling and numbness of both legs and sometimes lose the ability to walk. As you can imagine, the last two months have been really difficult. Symptoms only began three months ago and have worsened very quickly. I'm wondering how it went post surgery C2 through T2. Any advice? Warnings? I'd appreciate your feedback. Maybe we can communicate via different media or forum later.
hello.. its been 5 years it seems.. thanks for sharing vid.. i am going for the same surgery.. may i asked if your numbness go away completely? strength in your arms/grip and lifting recovered?
Cassie I really want to thank you for chronicling your post op journey. It helped me tremendously. I was really afraid to have the procedure but moved forward and had it done. Your update videos helped me have an understanding of what to expect during my recovery.
Cassie, thanks for the great videos. I'm glad to hear most of your numbness is gone now and you are doing so well. I've watched many videos here and I found your no-nonsense, calm approach very soothing and positive. I also was glad you posted the one with the bone stimulator. I'm scheduled for a two-level in a few weeks...nervous of course but trying to look at the benefits long-term. Let's see that "one year update" video next!
Thank you for the videos!
I wish you the best of luck for your surgery. I just passed three months last week and had a check-up with the surgeon. The x-ray shows that the bone is fusing nicely but I am still going to keep using the bone growth stimulator. The strength has come back in my arm but I still have some of the numbness.
Let me know how your surgery goes. I hope your recovery is smooth and fast!
Your scar looks much better than mine at one month. Best of luck to you.
That's so nice for me to read Susan. Thank you. I still have a little numbness but it's much better. In a few weeks it will be a year since my surgery and I am doing great. I will make another video to show the scar at 1 year and to update you in general. I hope you're feeling better and stronger with every day. The worst part is over for you!!
This was great to watch on 2 levels. You becoming stronger and for being honestly positive for all the viewers. Did you get rid of the numbness? My c5/6 surgery was Mon 1st July. Doing well. You're an inspiration.
I am having ACDF in a week, and I am gathering information from those who had the surgery. Thank you for sharing your experience with me.
I am very worried abou the surgery and the Recovery process. I am very active doing an hour and a half of exercise every day.So I expect to havet withdrawals from this.surgery.
I hope that your surgery has gone well and that you recover quickly. You'll be back to daily exercise in no time!
I'm at a month now since my surgery c4 to c5. I'm still in pain & having headaches. I see my doctor in a few weeks. My neck muscles are so sore
My neck was very sore in the beginning too. You are keeping your head and neck at an unnaturally straight/neutral position and that makes the muscles very sore and tired. As you begin to get mobility back in your neck (when you can take the brace off all day and allow your neck to move as it normally would) the muscle soreness should resolve. I had some gentle massages in the beginning, after consulting with my doctor. I hope you feel better very soon.
Wow after a month no neck brace that is great. I'm 3 weeks after surgery and doing good. I can finally sleep with no neck brace which is nice as you know I'm sure. I don't see my surgeon for another month hope to get my neck brace off then. Thanks for your videos they have helped me out during my recovery.
tddybear31 I'm so glad you found the videos helpful. I wish you all the best for a speedy recovery!
tddybear31 how you doing
Thanks for sharing your experience.
I had acdf and lost my voice, still waiting for return 1month. how about you?
Thank you for all your videos. They really are informative.
Wow Im so glad you put this up I am going to have this surgery In the Morning UGH So Scared but seeing you you look lovely all the way through So Im hoping that I will bounce back as quick as you, or maybe at this point just survive Mine is multi level just 2 level 4-5 5-6 I have instrumentation as well And well I didnt see on here if you had the plate and screws I may have just missed it
Thx for your info, having this surgery in November 17. I guess there is worse things that can happen to our body.
I had my ACDF for C4>C5>C6 December of 2011 due to a sudden severe compression of the spine in that area causing left hand pain/numbness around my thumb. The procedure went well, but like you, no immediate relief for the numbness. It took several months but it...very slowly...did get better all the way to the pad of my left thumb. I still have numbness there but the pain is gone. So you might get better as time goes on!
I am having to go back under the knife soon due to the DDD (degenerative disc disease) affecting my right arm from mid-forearm down to the fingertips. The surgeon said that I will have to have the most extensive fusion he has ever done: C2>C3>C4 / C6>C7>T1>T2. He & I joke that I will end up like Harold from that Person of Interest tv show. I just want the pain to stop.
Are you going to have to have anymore surgeries?
I wonder if you had this surgery and your results. I also have DDD and in a few hours I will leave for the hospital to have ACDF of C2 through C7. As in your case, mine is the most extensive fusion my surgeon's ever done in a single procedure. The plan now is to perform the same surgery on areas of the thoracic and lumbar spine as previous areas heal. I have numbness, tingling and weakness of both arms from shoulders to fingertips and have lost motor skills in my fingers on both hands. I also experience tingling and numbness of both legs and sometimes lose the ability to walk. As you can imagine, the last two months have been really difficult. Symptoms only began three months ago and have worsened very quickly.
I'm wondering how it went post surgery C2 through T2. Any advice? Warnings? I'd appreciate your feedback. Maybe we can communicate via different media or forum later.
hello.. its been 5 years it seems.. thanks for sharing vid.. i am going for the same surgery.. may i asked if your numbness go away completely? strength in your arms/grip and lifting recovered?
Please tell me it is now better. I want you to get better. I need to know.
It's much, much better. It's like I never had a herniated disc at all. The surgery was a total success, as the vast majority of them are.
how are you these days ?
It's been over 8 years since my surgery and I am completely fine now. I have no problems with it at all.