After all the diagnostic nerve blocks, cervical myelogram and EMG, I talked with neurosurgeon and we've decided I need to go ahead and get a double fusion. He'll be reinforcing the fusion at C6-7 (it didn't fuse completely when I had it done 5 years ago) and I'll get a new fusion at C7-T1. Said he'd use donor bone that has some stem cells in it rather than using my own hip bone. I'm going in for a second opinion tomorrow to make sure I'm doing the right thing.

He said he'll be going in from the back as can't reach the area from the front so will be cutting through some muscle. So will have to wear a hard collar 24/7 for 2-3 months...yuck!! Last time got away with a soft collar which is much easier to sleep in but this time the area he's fusing is so flexible (right at cervical/thoracic junction) that he says it has to stay immobile. He's also going to look while he's in there to see if the nerve is being pinched in any way and he may have to remove some bone. Said I will be in hospital for 2 days but I'm gonna try to get out ASAP as I want to get into my own bed at home as soon as I can and also don't want to be around germs more than necessary given my immune system problem.

Looking forward to the pain relief and wondering if this will make my cervical SCS unnecessary. I know they turn it off for surgery but need to find out whether to turn it back on after surgery or not.

Would appreciate your prayers as I'm not looking forward to having another spine surgery. I think this will be number 6.

I own one of said hard collars from my cervical fusion last summer. I had to wear it twelve weeks.... hence, the 3 month delimiter doc has shared with you. It really isn't so bad once you get the drill. One thing, ask for a change out on the foam inserts which make it tolerable, because after a while and soil despite washing, they will begin to SMELL....... and I promise you will be up close and personal with that odor.

Prayers are yours my friend,
Sorry this may well be your lot,
Prayin,

Thanks for the tip for not becoming too "smelly"

I was looking online and it seems there are several styles of hard collars. Some look very sterile and others look more fashionable, as if made for sports injuries. What was yours like? As I'll be approaching the Summer months would like one that breathes to some degree, thus was looking at the ones that appear to be for sports injuries as they are more open. My concern is trying to sleep in the dang thing. That's what I liked about the soft collar last time, was easy to sleep.

all i wish in this lousy thing called pain and we cannot have that oh no what will the doctors insurance pharmaceuticals oh no the law suites oh no we cant trust the nurses giving us our meds the are addicts also oh no who wants to talk about preventive health care rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrright and here is a care taker someone who took an oath may i wish you a miracle
for your relief of your whole body and mind as a spa would treat a person of your nature
GOD BE YOU IN THAT WARM COMFY FLANNEL SHIRT

Is the day for my 1st set of blocks to see if the ablation will even work. Have to get up at o'dark thirty. That will be 3 am our time. Have to be at the clinic at seven fifty. It would be nice if this doc was closer but I will do whatever to see him. It took YEARS of suffering to find a pain doc that understood my need to live a "normal" life. So long ago this clinic was found. I almost booted the clinic to the curb as the 1st doc I had there was not so good at speaking the truth. My doc was sent in to see if he could calm "the crazy lady in 3" down. We had a very long conversation and low and behold I was set up for my trial in less then 1 months time. Since then he has been my doc. I rarely see his partner , but when I do she does treat me with respect and consideration for the miles I travel to be seen in there clinic (200 one way)
So any way please be thinking of this old cranky nurse about 8 am central time.
Thanks
z

Did the up @ o'dark thirty. Pried the hunny out of bed, the son came to watch over the monster and get her fed, dressed and ready for the bus. We were in the far away city at the time the monster gets on the bus. Went to the good Drs place of work. Back into the exam room, vitals taken (hmm your blood pressure seems a little high)From there to the waiting area for the blocks then in for the blocks (ouch but could've been worse) From there hike down the hall to the recovery area. Then off to the pickup to travel back towards home (all in less then 50 min from walking in the place). Pretty sure at this point that this had best be for a good cause! ouch to the 10th power x 1million. Could take NO PRNs since yesterday noon and until I laid down for bed tis evening. Have the lortab and motrin 800mg down thinking about adding so additional medicinal "spirits" but not sure if I can get out of this bed, that I will be able to make my way down the stairs and back up them!
Surely things will be better in the morning

Well mine was of said sporty style and was open pretty much all around because the structural components are architected as though someone with a brain..... or even half of a brain..... sat to the computer and designed it.

There was no color choice given, so the fashion statement did leave something to be desired; even so, it was far more comfortable than I had expected.

Yup,

Surely prayin that all will be well with this block series. Gotta have relief, and I hope the read I gained from your last post Pooh was on the notion your pain was more due to the trauma of trip + injection + residual = big ouch times 1 million and that as it all takes effect, maybe it will resolve to AHHHHH.
Prayin,
but then you know that,
Yup,

Well yesterday was the second set of injections. It took longer for the "ouch" to show up, didn't get to the big nasty until @ home after multiple side stops. Got home later then the 1st time. felt much better about the whole program, BUT when it was time to go "nighty night" I was a hot mess. Needed pain relief in the worst way couldn't have pain meds on night 1 this time.... hunny did the back rub thing trying to help me out. Was a bad nurse patient about 1 this morning and took the ibuprofen 800mg as I had to get some rest. Worked the floor today actually felt pretty good. That changed about midway through the shift. Had to do the full blown CPR thing, am too old to be pumping on someone's chest We took turns I ended up taking 3 "turns" back at the injection sites VERY unhappy. Took 800 of the ibuprofen and 650 Tylenol AND 325 of aspirin. Was able to finish the shift. As soon as I hit the road took my hydrocodone (that good nurse patient thing )When I got home pain was down to 9/10. Cannot use heat until tomorrow, body does not care for ice, so took another round of the aspirin and Tylenol. now am laying with my knees elevated and my back pressed to the bed. May be able to sleep soon. NEED to rest. Have 2 more days on the floor and then a day of surgery. Sugar, sugar, sugar...
Enough whining (ran out of cheese any way )
:hugz and prayers t o you all

You know, that good nurse thing.... take care of you This Evening so you are doing a bit better trying to tolerate the tomorrow work routine. You know the drill. Put the little one on autopilot [every kid has one] and rest......

Prayin for ya,