Hi, I’m checking in. I’m writing this five days after the surgery, and I’m doing pretty well.
The surgery took over four hours. It had been projected to take two-and-a-half to three hours, so it definitely went long. There were a LOT of bone spurs pressing into my nerves. I believe the doctor told me there was one or more near my spine too, but I’m not totally sure. I was in recovery and some of that is a little blurring in my memory.
I came through the surgery fine, woke up able to talk, proving there was no damage to my voice. In an aside, I was so hot in recovery, the nurse had ice packs all around me. I really do have some weird reactions! It wasn’t a fever, I was just so hot, anyone near me could feel the heat radiating off me. Anyway, I stayed one night in the hospital, and the next day got up and walked with my physical therapist. The therapist was surprised, but honestly, I just wanted to go home and was willing to do whatever it took to get me there. My doctor released me and Wizard got me home by late afternoon.
I battled several days of nausea, which is just how I react to anesthesia. Now I’m over it and my appetite is improving. I’m on the absolute lowest dose of pain meds as I’d rather have pain than nausea. Otherwise, my throat is very sore, but getting better each day. My incision is bigger than we thought it would be, and it looks like someone cut my throat.
I know—gross.
But the incision is healing, and the scar will be what it will be.
We won’t know how the surgery works as far as my existing pain for a while. But I’m very confident that we stopped the progression. With that many bone spurs, it was just a matter of time before something really bad happened.
Another side effect of the surgery is that I have bruises all over my arms, my shoulder and my scalp. That’s from the nerve specialist—he had probes in my nerves to make sure the doctor didn’t hit something he shouldn’t. Apparently, he sent currents of electricity through those to test the nerves, and that would cause me to jerk on the table. That caused the places where the needles were placed to bruise, and I bruise easily. All that will heal so no big deal. I remember nothing about any of the surgery. The last thing I recall is being wheeled into the O.R. room, and the next thing I remember is being woken up in recovery.
Otherwise, I’m up and around, though I tire easily. Wizard and the boys are taking great care of me. I’m listening to Wizard because I only want to do this once. I’m resting all the freaking time. Reading a lot or watching TV. Oh and the doctor gave me a soft collar I can sleep in, or eat in, then I wear the big hard collar the rest of the time. After a few days, I’m used to it, and I know it’s there to protect my neck so that helps too. But when I wear the hard collar, you can see the incision and I want to spare you that, so no pictures.
So that’s how I’m doing, now I’d love to hear how all of you are doing. I may not respond, but I will absolutely read each and every comment. I’m not going to be posting regularly for a while yet, but will check in once a week or so.
November 7th, 2018 at 3:45 am · Link
I am so happy you are recovering swiftly. It sounds like all went well and you are definitely on the road to recovery. You’re smart to listen to Wizard on resting and not pushing yourself too hard.
Your poor body all bruised but it makes sense that the doctor was monitoring your nerves.
I hope you and Wizard had a nice quiet anniversary.
Thank you for updating us. Keep resting.
Take good care.
November 7th, 2018 at 6:19 am · Link
So glad to get an update and all is going well. Keep listening to Wizard and don’t let him take advantage with too much bossing.
November 7th, 2018 at 6:27 am · Link
JENN! YAY! I’ve been trolling here to see if there was any news. And on FB. I know, that’s sounds totally stalkerish, but I can stop now. It’s all good now and you’re on the road to recovery. YAY!
Seriously glad you’re doing well. Ugh about the bruises, but hey, you can use that for accurate bruise descriptions in your writing. And wound stuff. And… Well, you get the gist. Wizard and the boys will take good care of you and you’ll be back to the old, pre-pain you in no time. :hugs:
Take your time coming back. We’ll still be around here somewhere.
November 7th, 2018 at 6:51 am · Link
Very glad you are doing well. I react the same way to anesthesia and that’s no fun. May you have a swift recovery.
November 7th, 2018 at 7:59 am · Link
Thanks for the update, Jen. So glad you’re recovering, but sorry about the anesthesia. Try to be a good patient. (Which is, I know easier said than done.)
November 7th, 2018 at 9:44 am · Link
So glad to hear you are doing well. Take it slow and give yourself some time to heal. Your body has been though a lot. HUGS !!!
November 7th, 2018 at 10:13 am · Link
So glad surgery turned out good Get well soon!
November 7th, 2018 at 10:43 am · Link
So glad to hear you’re doing well!
November 7th, 2018 at 11:17 am · Link
Happy to hear that you’re recovering and taking it easy. Hope that this process remains uneventful. Enjoy catching up on lots of books and tv.
November 7th, 2018 at 11:55 am · Link
WHEW! So glad you’re up to posting. That surger is NOT fun but B.E.’s right. You can use the experience in your writing.
Wiz, the boys, and their ladies are wonderful and will take good care of you. I’m sure Maggie is happy to have her mom home, too. Take care of yourself, do what the docs/PTs say, and heal!!! We’ll be here when you get back to “being you.” Don’t push too hard. That’s an order.
All the love and good thoughts to you, Wiz, Maggie, and the kiddos!
November 7th, 2018 at 12:59 pm · Link
Good News! Glad to hear about your progress. take it easy, Jennifer.
November 7th, 2018 at 2:23 pm · Link
So happy you’re on the road to recovery! Many prayers have been said on your behalf so the surgery went well. Just take it easy and rest. Your recovery is important!
Prayers and Blessings
Debby
November 7th, 2018 at 6:43 pm · Link
Hugs and prayers hunny. I’ve been thinking of you 💜 Surgery takes a lot out of a person. Just take it easy and listen to your dotors and therapists, ok?
November 7th, 2018 at 8:48 pm · Link
Glad to hear you’re recovering! I love the pictures of your grandson. He’s a cutie!
November 8th, 2018 at 4:12 am · Link
I’m glad everything went well, and your home and watched over by family!take care of yourself 😊
November 8th, 2018 at 7:29 am · Link
this is what my sister went through this summer, when I babysat her in the evenings so she would not be alone. I hear ya with the nausea! the collar does help! as does lots of cold drinks and foods (soft, at least for a while!). I’m so glad you came through so well.
November 8th, 2018 at 8:25 am · Link
I am so glad to hear that you are doing so well. I am glad that Wizard is taking such good care of you! You deserve it – take it easy. I do hope that the surgery was very successful and you are back to your usual busy self very quickly. Best of luck as you continue your recovery!!
November 8th, 2018 at 9:37 pm · Link
Thank you everyone for all your kind words and good wishes! I’m doing my best to be patient and heal, and reading all these comments have been truly uplifting.