Tomorrow I will be having a quadruple cervical fusion(about 1/2 my neck) which should keep me out of work for the rest of the summer.
I have had severe arm pain and tingling for the past 10 months and after alternative treatments it was decided to have the surgery. Once that was decided I had to have pre op tests which included an EKG which showed that I had a past heart attack. The next step was a nuclear stress test which showed that I had vein blockage. The next step was to have a heart catherization with the possibility of a stent installed. The heart catherization showed that my heart was NORMAL. Wow, what a week that was! I did not need the stress test because all these procedures were stressful.
If I needed a regular stent, the surgery would have been put off by at least 2 months and if a medicated stent was used the surgery would be delayed by a year.
So, I am happy that I only need a major cervical fusion.
Brad
Dang, Brad....that sounds like making the choice of whether to slide down a mile long razor into a bucket of alcohol or suck the snot out of a pig's nose til' his head caves in.. :-\ I've been through both choices you list and doing well.... I pray the same for you. I'll look forward to hearing that you're back safe and sound.....
That's a lot for one to absorb all at once. Hope all goes well with the surgery, and as Kummok states; will be looking forward to hearing from you.
Geez Brad I thought when I broke my back many years ago I was in a bad situation! They still talk about surgery again if the pain comes back to haunt me. Good luck on the fusion. When does all this start? Does this mean we should get smoking so we can all send you care packages? Let us know if there is anything we can help out with. :) ;)
Pat and Ann
Holy crap Brad! That is a lot to take all at once!
I certainly wish you the best. I had to have my back done in the 1985 after a car accident in 1982. It certainly isn't a lot of fun but you gotta do what you gotta do. I did make a complete recovery and certainly wish the same success for you.
Keep us posted.
Mike
My grandson will be off of school just as I get out of the hospital so that should work out good.
I plan on spending some time with him making our 1st jerky.
I also plan on converting about 50 albums into WAV files on my computer.
I will find things to do.
Thanks for all of you, Brad
We will keep you in our prayers.
You will be in our prayers as well.
Brad,
My best goes out to you. I've dealt with 12 surgeries in my 42 years, so I know what you're going through. It will help you'll have a young one around to help you out and help take care of ya. The best things about these times is that medicine has advanced so much and it's definitely the best we've seen in our lifetime. Take your time, heal and enjoy the time off to smoke. Hope all goes well for you.
SD
Hearts with ya, thank goodness no issue's yet with this old body....sure oughta be the way I've taken care of it! Good luck Brad..we'll be here for ya!
C
All the best to you Brad. Take it easy, take care of the young'un and let us all know how you're doing.
KyNola
Wish you the best Brad and pray for your speedy recovery. May the hand of the savior guide your surgical teams' hand and minds.
Wow Brad...thanks for sharing that with us...you're gonna be fine...and we'll be waiting for ya to come back. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family...
Tracy and Bob
Best wishes Brad. :)
Wow. Good luck with the procedure and the healing process. Looking forward to good news at the end of the tunnel.
Hang in there Brad. We will be here hoping for the best and waiting to hear from you.... Good Luck!
I am back. I was released on Friday. I Spent 1 day in intensive care because of all the different body systems that were being monitored. I probable, at one time, had 20 cables or tubes attached to me. So far things have gone well. Time will decided.
Here is a picture of me after the surgery while going into the ICU. They collar is VERY uncomfortable and I have to sleep with it on.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/car54/image001.jpg).
I am moving rather good and not much pain because I am on meds.
This surgery makes me realize how fragile the human body can be. Most of the time it functions with very little problems. This was a planned surgery. My hat comes off for all the people in an emergency situation.
Thanks for your support, Brad
Glad to hear you came out good. Now just work on healing up...do what they say, I sure wouldn't want you to have to go through it again.
Glad to hear you came through it good, Brad. That sure does look uncomfortable, but I gotta think the alternative would be much worse. Take it easy and you'll be good as new real soon.
Ain't pain meds great? I've pretty much got a lifetime prescription for Vicodin that gets me through a lot of pain.
SD
I'm glad the surgery was a success, but it doesn't seem that during the operation everything went smoothly. As TT states, now it's time to work on the healing.
Wishing you the best, Brad. Maybe you can talk someone in your family through the food prep, bradley cooking experience so that they can smoke the food for you. That might help ease some of the discomfort.
Thanks for letting us know you're ok. Get well...take it easy...and we'll be here for ya when you get back on your feet!!!
Tracy
Good to hear from you and glad it's good news. Take it easy and get well soon. ;)
Wishing you a speeding healing, Brad! I'd invite you up for a recovery respite but I'm afraid that the fish would show you no mercy! ;) Ah, er, ahhhh, thanX, I think, for the post-op pic....I'll spare ya the "after" pictures of my operation for testicular cancer :o ) ;) ;D Just kidding on the "cancer", but did have the "sterile chainsaw" taken to my chest and the morphine was great for the short time I got to use it!....."Better living through chemicals" is my motto, but ONLY while hospitalized! Heal fast and well, amigo...the Bradley's calling your name!
I just went in for my 1 month check up. The Dr. is amazed by how fast that I have healed. He told me to wean myself off the neck collar with a possible limited return to work on the 21st which is 6 weeks off.
Here is what my neck looks like now.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/car54/xrayside.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/car54/xrayfront.jpg)
The following link is of my back incision. There is one in the front but because of less muscle it is very clean.
Don't look unless you want to. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/car54/staples.jpg
Thanks for all your support.
Brad
Glad to hear you are healing so well after surgery.
Dam best of luck to ya. 8)
I think I'd have to take more than the summer off! Good luck car, get to feeling better!
C
Great to hear from you Brad. I'm sure glad your improving. I want through back surgery a number of years ago. I really feel my good recovery was directly related to exercise (walking lots) after surgery. Of course in moderation but between this and working daily on flexibility I was able to pretty much make a full recovery.
Keep us posted on your progress Brad.
Mike
Hey Brad,
Did you know they put a bunch o stuff in your neck? ;) Take your time man. Good to know you're doing well.
KyNola
It's great to hear you're feeling better.
Damn Brad, they loaded ya up with a whole bunch of spare parts!!! :D
Take your time buddy and heal up good before pushing it. ;)