A Pain in the Neck!

12 days post op.

On Oct. 20 I had an ACDF, (Anterior Cervical Dicectomy and fusion). I had been having extreme pins and needles and shooting pains down my left arm, starting around Spring of 2011. As the discomfort progressed I realized that I needed to see someone. I called my GP's office and surprisingly got an appointment very quickly.

My initial visit was, despite my background in nursing, shocking! My GP took one look at me, now with symptoms down my whole left side, and told me he thought that I might have MS. What you may not know is that my hubby has MS, so, for both of us to be carrying this disease was unthinkable! My GP sent me to a neurologist, who after initial tests thought that my problems were related more to a trapped nerve in my neck and dismissed te MS theory, phew! OK, now I could breathe again! A pinched nerve was more acceptable than MS. He suggested an MRI was needed but stated clearly that here in BC I could wait several months before I got one through the regular system and that getting a private one would be a quicker option. This is why I know I am blessed with the man I am married to. Despite the fact that we had paid for a vacation to the UK, including a friend's wee girl who is Amy's best friend, and were due to go within weeks, Steve immediately jumped into action and booked a private MRI. with in a couple of days My MRI was done down in Vancouver. This revealed a herniated dics but the official report would not be ready till acter the weekend. On the monday, 3 days later, I received a call, wouldn't you know, to have an MRI through the system at a local hospital, amazing! Now since the 1st one was only for the head we accepted the second MRI as it included the neck and spine as well. It was an interesting experience being that I am slightly claustrophobic, it was bad enough going through one but two in four days stretched me, plus, lying down was not that comfortable position but I was so grateful and knew God had me in His hands, whatever the outcome!


After the 2nd MRI, I returned home and no sooner had sat down when my house phone rang. It was the radiologist from the hospital asking me how I was feeling? Ominous question when you have just had a test in his department! So, in Sue form I asked him,
"How should I be feeling?"
He then went on to suggest that I go to the nearest ER to see someone as my spinal cord was being compressed due to a herniated disc between C6/C7. From his perspective, he was surprised I was walking, never mind able to drive etc.

OK, if you have ever nerve pain, you can understand that sitting in an ER for several hours would not have been very helpful. So, I called my GP's office and they got me straight in. I was still walking awkwardly and having continuous pins and needles in my left arm and hand, I also now had pains in all the muscles in both arms similar to pain you get after a heavy workout when you have strained your muscles and there was weakness present in both hands more in the left than the right. One look at me now with the MRI evidence and my GP made an urgent appointment for me with a neurosurgeon.

This brings me back to the beginning of this story! I am doing very well. Just under 2 weeks post surgery, my wound is looking great and will leave me with a thin scar, Which I am unconcerned about. The amazing thing is that as soon as I woke up for the anesthetic I was aware of NO pain in my arms/legs, no pins and needles at all and none since! Sure, I still have discomfort, mainly at the base of my neck, I also get a lot of headaches still starting at the base of my neck up into my head. I find sitting or standing too long not helpful, but, compared to pre-surgery, it is like night and day. I am so thankful to my surgeon, the staff who looked after me and mostof all God for answering all the prayers that went up. Prior to this surgery I had always thrown up for up to four days post surgery; this time, I think I had two minor episodes in recovery then nothing else. Low post Op. pain and I was discharged home 24 hours post surgery.

I have friends and even my hubby who face daily challenges that causes their bodies to behave in a manner that is painful and restrictive. Earlier this year a good friend died of cancer leaving a hubby and three young children, all under 5. Though my experience was and to some degree is still painful and restrictive, it was also fixable and from here it will get better. I have overwhelming thanks for that! This experience has reminded me not to take for granted anything. Each day is precious, each gift God gives should be acknowledged and not made light of, and when bad things happen, there is no "why" what I do know and can say is that, God IS Good!

Stephen's bigest delight now is to tell folk that finally his wife has her head screwed on right after all these years! Funny guy, my guy!

So, I am looking forward and upwards with thanks. Hopefully I can inspire at least one person to do the same with this blog, that would be amazing!

Sue :0)