Signed surgery consent today
 

Hi peeps,

No neurosurgeon will touch me, so I had to go back to where I was injured. I was bawling the whole time, and when my ex physical therapist walked into the waiting room he wouldn't make eye contact.

I brought my new MRI and I think the dr stopped equating bipolar with stupidity. He looked at the MRI a long time and even though it was clearly marked return to me he kept it; I was to distraught to think.

He isn't doing an artificial disc, and said their not always successful even though my disc is lodged into my spine. The surgery will go in through the side of my jugular which is safer in preventing paralysis. He has a titanium bracket to stabilize it against the upper and lower discs. But, he prefers a non FDA approved "plastic" like small, about the size of a half a wine cork, bracket. It's actually a component of material designed by NASSA, and the reason his isn't FDA approved us he slightly rounded the top and bottom edges for a tighter fit. It heals much faster. So, I believe his reputation as a top neurosurgeon is correct because that sounds pretty sharp.

I'll be in the hospital 1 day leaving at noon the following day. No need for assistance in aftercare, I just can't drive. I'll be wearing a large collar for 6 weeks, but it's actually not uncomfortable.

My nerve damage is PERMANENT, and I'll have CHRONIC neck pain for THE REST OF MY LIFE. That I'm extremely distraught about as I came in with one chronic pain issue and I'm leaving with two. He was straight up about my injury this visit. EXCEPT he had the AUDACITY to say, have we met when he walked in the office. I said, yes but I have a new MRI. He also offered to refer me to another clinic, and I said no one will touch me, I'm like a house a contractor left.
I asked him if the 2 NEW bulging discs would eventually rupture. He said yes, and you'll have to take care of it then, but I'm not going to at this time. Props for the truth. He told me that a lot of my symptoms like double and blurry vision were NOT related to the cervical rupture. I said my upper back is killing me and goes numb, that NEVER was a problem until I came here. The physical therapy used the entire force of my upper body, my rotator cuff is torn as the MRI I brought shows, I need a MRI of my upper back when my neck surgery is finished, he said ok. And, I was referred for lumbar problems and I want to know about Arachnoiditis. He said yes. He asked if I smoke, I said like Keith Richards since April, can you write me a script for Chantix it worked great in the past? He said I don't normally do this blah blah and wrote me a script. No doctor will do that for me because I'm bipolar, yay!

He asked if I was doing physical therapy hahaga!!![emoji12] I said I won't do it here!!! He also gave me my health records. I said, are these complete? I keep receiving them without the physical therapy notes I requested. He said you'd better check and I don't know if we make those. My physical therapy notes read I was only sore. never in pain, and had mental problems. I read and reread the surgical contract but didn't see any unusual stipulations about not suing etc. It has been a loooong day [emoji20]

Oh, and my surgery, on June 1st, is an anterior cervical fusion.

Well you certainly did have a big day. Lots to think about and prepare for now. Do you live on your own or are you in a situation where someone will be there to help you post surgery?

This was a big day. I really hope the benefits are great and the recovery rapid.

Dave.

Thanks for replying. If I wasn't a crazy witch other ppl may have replied. It has been a problem.

I've researched what I could as my Dr whizzed through complications mainly mentioning hoarseness. Only 10% of ppl choose this surgery after PT and conservative treatment, there's a risk of higher pain and weakness afterwards and will my 2 bulging discs require new surgery regardless? I'm talking to my PCP, who had neck surgery, about getting a 3rd opinion out of state. The 2nd opinion said no surgery, so I'm conflicted. I'll have chronic pain regardless, so basically I need to know if I am a paralysis risk, 2nd dr said no because of spinal cord fluid. The surgery looks like the scariest thing ever!!

I'm really in between addresses, but he said climbing the stairs up my basement apt and having no help post surgery won't be an issue. That didn't really make sense, but my PCP told me today a week after his surgery he worked a 12 hr shift at the ER?!

Hopefully someone who has had similar surgery will drop by and see your post and give some advice about post-op care.

I was just concerned because I know what's it like to live independently and I loathe having to rely on other people if in need. Having any type of surgery can be a massive deal and affect the way we feel emotionally and physically. We should never forget to look after the emotional side as well.

Wishing you a speedy recovery after your surgery!