Hi all! I am 5 weeks post ACDF surgery on levels C4-5, 6-7. I had an appt. scheduled with the neurosurgeon today, and when I woke up this morning, I had some pain that was different from what I have been having. Most of my pain up until this point has been the pain between my shoulder blades and across my shoulders. The pain I had this morning was similar to the horrid pain I suffered on my left side before surgery, but was under my right shoulder blade instead. It wasn't horrific or anything, but nonetheless it was the first time I had experienced it. I had my first x-ray done at the doctor's office this morning, and when I saw the x-ray, I became a little alarmed. The plate at the first level was perfectly centered and straight, but the plate at the second level was crooked, turned slightly to the right at the bottom. He assured me that this was ok, but I'm wondering if the position of the plate could be coinciding with the pain that just started. I told him that I hoped I had not injured myself by over-doing everything. He said he didn't think so, but that I needed to slow down and take it easy, that it takes time to recover from this kind of surgery. He also changed my muscle relaxants (I had been on the other ones for years and they just didn't work any more) and also refilled my pain meds for when I need them. I told him I wish that I had come home with a manual telling me how to take care of myself. I said I got a one sheet list of instructions telling me not to lift over five pounds, don't bend over, run the sweeper, or have sex for two weeks. I cracked a little joke about the sex since I've been single for many years, haha! I have basically been doing all of my housework, laundry, sweeping, mopping, cooking, and taking taking care of five animals (this includes two pot-bellied pigs who are a lot of work!) since week two. I really don't have any choice in the matter as I live alone. My children will help if I need them, but they lead busy lives and I don't like to bother them a lot. So, any insight or advice from the group would really be appreciated. Thanks!