Hi all,

So, I'm 8 weeks post up from a ACDF levels C5, C6, & C7 with titanium plate, screws and cadaver bone. I'm feeling not too bad, still some residual numbness in my right hand (last 2 fingers) and some muscle spasms in shoulders and pain in my traps, but as long as I don't over do things I'm much much better now than I was before surgery, and I'm off almost all my narcotics except a few percacet a day and a muscle relaxer.

I met with my neurosurgeon for my follow up appt. this afternoon, xrays showed everything is in place, but no fusion yet. (I wasn't suprised by this or expecting it really, he had warned me not to expect much before 12 wks).

I'm FINALLY allowed to start taking my hard neck collar off.... yes, I have been in the HARD cervical collar for 8 weeks now, BRUTAL. I was SO HAPPY!!! If I thought I wouldn't have hurt myself I would be doing a happy dance (in my head for now ) He gave me some simple ROM exercises to practice at home and said to come back in September and we'll see about me returning to work after that. Still lots of restrictions, no weights, take things slow, blah, blah, blah...

I tried moving my neck after I got home (I'm still supposed to wear the collar in a car), and after wearing this hard collar for 8 weeks, I can't actually move my neck... sigh. But he said it will take time for the muscles to return their strength and motion. I can slightly nod yes, a little movement ear to ear, but nothing side to side. But it sure feels wonderful to sit back on a recliner and not have a brace on.

So, as of today, I'm very happy that I had the surgery, even though I'm not even close to being healed or 100% yet, I do have much less pain then before and I'm on the road to recovery finally.

...and now we just need some nice weather so I can tan without the brace tanlines!