Thank you, thank you all!

Personally, I don't feel that I can put off surgical intervention, and I'm willing to take the risk at some level that more than one doc agrees is the right road -- single level fusion or multi levels. I need to do something.

Mg neck prob, thank you for your post. We are extra similar in that I am also single and busy, busy. I'm heartened that surgery helped you. From your history, you do know pain. From time to time, I tell myself to "suck it up" and "it's not that bad" and "chin up". It doesn't work for very long. I'm fortunate that my employer has said take care of yourself first, and, if you need to be out for 6-8 weeks, that's what you'll do and we'll take care of business while you're gone...cross this worry off your list! Thank goodness...

Leesa, I do believe my issues are mechanical, and the neuro said that multi-level fusions together with disc/foraminal cleanup would help my pain. He also said that I'm not at risk for paralysis...yet...but the nerve issues caused by mechanical actions are the culprit. Do you believe differently?

Ginny, very interesting to hear that you did a C6-7 followed by a C3-7. May I ask how much time passed between these procedures? I am also heartened to hear of your positive outcome!

Thanks again!

Kate

May I add a few more personal things? My sweet son is a Marine and is in Afghanistan. More than once I've though that the guy upstairs gave me this neck distraction to prevent me from focusing on him, which it truly has. Reality says that I've got pain and stress from both issues! I also have a dear daughter that is helping me every step of the way!

Please thank him for his service, and you and your family yours...

From the daughter of a 22 year marine, retired master sergeant, viet nam vet, two people hearts from that period as well.

Forevernana,

Oh...gosh! Many thanks to your father for his service and you as well! My dad was career Army...more tours than I can remember! He's no longer with us, but those ribbons and medals are truly priceless. It gave me the chance to live all over this wonderful world, and I wouldn't change it for a second!

Same here! Wow!

Sadly dad has passed as well. He was buried in what would have been his sixty fifth birthday. My father was a fine marine...retired "top" and loved his country like no other...served it well.

It was hard for our military personnel and families then, and it's hard now. You will ALL be in continued prayer. If you ever need an ear, I'm here and will likely understand. Don't hesitate to private message me if you choose.

The few, the proud...ain't it the truth.

PS...God bless your daughter for not only being a good daughter but for enabling a marine to know his mother is in good hands so he can stay focused. Every family member pays a critical role.

Did you ever converse with your dad while on tour of duty via the old ham radio type system when you'd have to say "over" when you were finished with your part of the convo for the moment? Lol. I remember...

Hi Kate, I trusted my first surgeon. He didn't tell me that I had more wrong with my neck at the time of my first fusion. I had trouble right out of surgery which he continued to tell me it was all in my head. There were 6 years of pain management, until my pain specialist did a floroscopy, with Katemine infusion. At that point he could see the other vertrebre failed and referred me to a different neurologist, who really did correct it right away.
I should have used my head, gotten my records from the first time, and addressed the issue right away with another neuro surgeon. The whole thing should have been done right to begin with. I had no money, no insurance, so he did only what he had to do to save me from being paralized. In my case I reversed the curve of my spine as well, so it was structural. Arm yourself with as much information as you can Kate. Really, I am OK now, and not in very much pain at all. I was not assertive enough, to demand some answers from that first surgeon, nor did I question why he thought it was in my head.
You know your body better than anyone, and don't allow a neurologist to avoid your questions and concerns. I will be thinking of you Kate. I hope all goes very well with you right from the beginning. take care. ginnie

Awwwww, Ginny, please don't be hard on yourself! I like to say that with any decision we make, we make the best decision we can with the information available. The internet and this site in particular have helped educate me in a way that just wasn't possible 5 or 10 years ago. Back in the day, we relied on a physician to guide us in a medical decision, for which the physician studied many, many years to be qualified to guide! Of course we trusted.

Thank you for your kind and thoughtful words!

Hi Kate, thank you. I guess we learn by our errors. I came to NT, right before my second surgery. Hysterical etc. This site did more for me than all the doctors I ever saw. People cared, and that is what got me through it. I will be here for you too Kate, and praying for your good outcome. ginnie

[Kate --I think your thinking is very clear and surgical intervention will need to be required --just my thoughts! I would go for the full fusion at one time esp knowing in the very near future 2nd surgery will be required esp with hardware used --the risk is much higher of adjacent disc disease.Knowing those disc already are problemtic. Who wants to have this kind of surgery twice...inquire with your next consult about getting a bone growth stimulator to where during you recovery---its just a device u where after surgery 4 hrs a day ---u dont feel anything it sends these currents to help aid in a solid fusion. I had one-- on a multi level u want to achieve a solid fusion so take any tool offered. The reason I say ask is-- the insurance company usually has to pre-approve it and usually a third party vendor come to your room the morning after surgery. Wishing u the best and Ginne is right the people on this forum will help u get thru it --and Im very glad to hear you have a good daughter helping you every step.Best always!!

Thank you, Mg neck prob! If the next doc offers the same options as #2 doc (single-level or multi-level), I will definitely focus on the multi-level discussion for exactly the reasons you laid out. Thank you for mentioning the bone growth stimulator. I'll check into it!

Over the past few days, everyone here has been so supportive! I'm starting to feel a good kind of anxious...like let's get the surgery party started and finished PDQ!

I'm tired of being a couch potato, but I am having fun watching Mad Men! I never watched it when it was on TV, so I bought the first three seasons on DVD. I think I only have one episode to go, so I'll need to get my hands on seasons four and five! Ahhh...the things we do when we can't move! Before all of the neck problems, I barely sat down...I would always be doing this or that! It's a whole new experience being so sendentary! I am already thinking ahead to my recovery and what I'll do to amuse myself!