Facing acdf surgery July 1
 

Hi
I was rear ended on the hwy in march and suffered injuries to my neck and knee. I will be having acdf c3/4 c4/5 and c5/6 surgery on Monday July 1. I will be having cadaver bone metal plates and screws. I am scared of complications with the esophagus vocal cords etc.
And what am I facing post surgery? I have read some of your wonderful posts and have an idea. But what about things like taking care of my cats? Will I be able to lean over to do that? What about sleeping? What about my hair? Seems trivial but not to me.
Basically I am scared. I am no novice to surgery and for the first time I am scared of the actual surgery. Any wise words?
And I am also facing total knee replacement on August 22 also as a result of my accident.

Acdf surgery Monday July 1
 

Hi
I posted yesterday but don't know if I did it wrong.

I am facing acdf c3/4 4/5 5/6 on Monday. I was rear ended on the hwy on march 26 and my car and I totaled. I suffered injuries to neck and knee. I have had arthroscopic knee surgery and will have total knee replacement on August 22.

However after PT and epidural injections I have no relief on my neck. It feels as though I have 100 lbs on my neck and shoulders. Does anyone else feel this way?

So I will have acdf Monday July 1. And I admit I am very scared. And no novice to surgeries either but this one scares me. Anyone else feel or felt this way?

So many questions about recovery. Will I be able to sleep in my bed? I don't think I will be wearing a collar.
What will my limitations be and for how long? After the first week I will be alone much of the time. Will I be able to feed my cats? Wash my hair?
And when can I drive?
How helpless will I be?!
Pls help, anyone, because I am full of uncertainty and fear
Thx

Hi and welcome

I have merged this post from today with the one you made yesterday :) I see you added some extra points today.

You also have an intro thread on new members forum with some replies http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread190457.html

Hopefully others will be checking in here soon....the forums are always quieter in the summertime and especially as we are entering the July 4th holiday period.

Wishing you all the best with the surgery

You will need some help for the first few days.

To start, make sure you have meals frozen so you don't have to cook. No way will you feel like cooking. And I doubt like you'll want to be standing on your feet that long. Besides, looking down at a stove, will be painful.

YOu'll need a "GRABBER/REACHER" -- you can get them at some pharmacies or health stores. They help you pick things up that you've dropped or reach things higher up. You'll be glad you had one.

I don't think you'll want to lie flat in bed. You'll do better propped up with pillows. I'll be surprised if you don't have a collar -- at least a soft one. I don't know about washing your hair. You'd better ask at the hospital about that. They may not want that area getting wet so soon. I'm not sure.

You will NOT be able to drive for awhiile. Probably not at least until your first check up. It wouldn't be safe anyway, because your range of motion will be impeded for awhile. I imagine you'll be able to care for you cats.

Hopefully others will chime in with more helpful hints. Hugs, Lee