[firecaptn]

Hi, My name is Mark and I stumbled across this site while stressing over my upcoming surgery Dec 6th. What a great site! Its nice to see the support and help from others who have been there.

I was rear ended while sitting at a light in my suv by a young lady who was more interested in texting at 50 mph than driving. This happened last January, and caused damage/ herniation to C-5&6 and anteriolethesis to C3 which is mild. being a typical stubborn firefighter, I had to try everything there was before submitting to surgery. Alas the pain, numbness, and not being able to live my life properly, I have had to give in to surgery for C-5&6. Pretty worried, but as I am still fairly young (45) and active I hope for the best.

Nice to meet you all
Mark

[Darlene]

Hello and welcome to NeuroTalk. Happy to see you have come to be with us. Just let us know if we can be of any help.

There are great number of fellow members here to assist as possible. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Again welcome, looking forward to seeing you around.

Darlene

[Abbie]

Hello Mark and WELCOME to Neurotalk!!

Here is the link to our Spinal Disorders and Back Pain Forum:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum22.html

Please feel free to roam around all of the forums throughout the board.
You will find WONDERFUL people here who share a wealth of information!!

I hope to see you around the boards!

Abbie

[TRESA]

Hi Mark! Welcome to NT. So sorry to hear about the impact of that young careless girl upon your life.

Your spirit sounds kind and forgiving. I also heard your apprehension. I too would be apprehensive but I know so many friends who have had numerous back surgies and recovered great from them.

I'll pray you will heal speedily and be up and around better than ever.

Please keep us informed.

[TRESA]

Wait! I have a funny for you Mark.

I live in an elderly complex - cept I'm not elderly - and all the ladies love to have the fireman hunks come out to the apartment complex.

So, one Sat morn - a very boring Sat morn - a resident with limited mental capabilities was asked by ladies to microwave them some popcorn - well, he tried. It burnt and set off the fire alarms.

So, this poor little guy is standing there as the old bitties are castrating him for his stupidity....so, I ran over and gave it my best cheerleading "Hip Hip Horray for Jerry!"

The ladies froze in stunned horror.

So, I smiled ever so sweetly and said, "What? You don't realize what Jerry has just done for us?"

They remained bewildered.

"Well, I don't know about you guys, but I'm gonna get the coffee and sweetrolls heating for our darling fireman hunks!!!"

OHHH, NOW they got it! And, all started to laugh, giggle and I guess the word would be SWOON!!

Then, came the sirens! LOL

[(Broken Wings)]

Well, to our little corner of the world,

Life's a box of chocolates sometimes. a new twist for popcorn.

A firefighter takes good physical strength. Neck problems can make you pretty miserable.

I hope all goes will and you recover quickly.

[ginnie]

Hello, and I am glad you found this site. I understand your worry over the surgery. I found this site the same way, as I was really frightened over my upcoming surgery which I had the last day of august. I had cervical fussion C3-7 and that was not something I wanted to do. It did help however and I have alot less pain. A single fussion is less painful than multilevel surgery. This site helped me to cope with my fear, and get through the proceedure. I was told the truth about the pain in this forum, and I did go through it with full knowledge. For me the surgery worked and I have alot less pain now. I had a single fussion six years before, but I have DJD and DDD so my deterioration continued. I hope that your surgery is successful. If you have no other disease, just the injury, I bet it will turn out just fine. Ginnie

[dahlek]

past ten years? It'd scare your socks off! Truly!!
Surgery IS a scary thing, from the 'unknown' viewpoint? But IF you know exactly what type of surgery you are going to get, between your doc's instructions for the before and webbing things up on the prep and aftermath stuff should become very very clear.
Yes, surgery IS an 'invasion' of your body? BUT, it also eliminates a heap of problems that could get worse if not having them done!
Take a 'risk analysis' of your pending surgery? You will learn that you'd likely feel better and, in time be able to get back to normal. But, listen to that 'in-time' part closely.
Only two things I can suggest about surgeries?
FIRST: Eat lightly and according to any directions your doc gives you!
Be prepared to take some sort of stool softener -why? Because pain-killers stop one up BIG time!
SECOND: IF ANYTHING seems 'off' from what your docs told you to 'expect' afterwards, during healing? CALL! Be as short and concise as you can about pain or other issues. Don't be shy at all with your docs!
Know that all the docs, techs and nurses are there to help you get better, not worse!
I know that I, for one, the two days before any surgery....tend to get well? Wound up! I rarely sleep well the night before and I go in, get zonked on anathesia and wake up in a somewhat 'different' world. I truly hope that the world you 'wake up' in is one with some relief!
Know too that being fit helps in your recovery! But, follow doc directions to the LETTER as you recover, maybe even with some PT to get you to re-learn how to use your 'fixed' body best.
Please let us all know how you end up? 's - j