That's great Jim! :D

No Fair!!!
 

Jim,
I am so jealous!!! but very happy that everything went so smoothly for you.
I hope your recovery continues to be quick & pain free.
Don't forget the:icecream:

Risby

Survivor's guilt
 

Thanks, Risby.

On this one, I simply lucked out. I feel a mix of gratitude and guilt.

And you're right -- it ain't fair.

But as I think we've all learned, there's really no justice. There's just us.

Jim

How are you doing Jim? And Risby? Still doing ok?

My doc hasn't given up yet. He's resubmitting the request with more documentation. I had another EMG. So much fun! NOT!

Life is Good Without a C-Collar!
 

I am enjoying life without the dreaded Cervical collar!!

I am driving short distances and enjoying using my left hand again.
The rainy weather for the past 11 days is awful and my neck seems to ache, not really pain but achy, on some of those days.
Thankfully Motrin seems to help.
I have not had to use the soft collar at all.

Thanks for asking and I hope you can get some satisfaction from Try-n-Get Care, as we call Tricare in our house. I was lucky as my Medicare kicked in and now Tricare is my secondary insurance.

Keep me posted.

In 30+ years, this is truly the first time I've had a problem.

I am so happy to hear you are doing good. I should know in a week or so what the plan is for me. In the meantime, I am still only able to use one arm. :(

Still suffering with a major case of Survivor's Guilt.

Never had to wear a C-collar -- hard or soft. Been sleeping in my own bed since the first night home after surgery -- albeit with a Percocet to get me comfortable (but, after a week, was able to switch to Naproxen). Been eating whatever I want -- although I really needed to chew everything thoroughly before attempting to swallow for the first week. I had almost full range of motion the day after the operation and now it is full.

Only discomfort is along the tops of my shoulder and upper back.

The swelling around the incision is going down every day and the scar should be minimal.

Since I was in no pain or discomfort before the operation -- I had it because the bone was pressing on my cord and two surgeons (and my neuro) advised I have surgery to prevent it from getting worse -- I can't report any relief. I do have weakness in my right hand and there's a chance that might be relieved as a result of surgery but I understand that could take a year before I feel any improvement.

I'm just a lucky, lucky guy.

Now, if I could only get my MS-damaged axons to repair themselves and my myelin to regrow. . .

Glad to hear you're doing better, Risby!

Jim
 

So glad you are recovering so well.

My youngest DS took me to a baseball game for Mother's Day and I could actually turn my neck without any discomfort.

Did you get our MAFO issue straightened out?

Now we just have to hope Cheryl can get her insurance issues straightened out so she can get her spine straightened out!!