jmf45's blog

Written by jmf45
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An overdue update!

Posted

I have been off of light duty and doing my regular job full time since November 1st.  Things seem to be going very well.  The strength in my hands and arms is getting better every day.  I still do not have ALL of the movement of my neck back, but I do understand that that may never happen.  I have limited movement turning my head to the right and moving my head straight back.  It's not much of a loss though.  I have an appointment next week with a doctor to do a "Post Injury" check-up.  It looks like it's time to close this chapter of my life.  Even though the whole process took almost nine months, it did seem to go pretty fast.  I have some loss of feeling below my chin, just above the scar.  Other than that and the little bit of range of motion I have lost, I am pleased with the outcome.  Things could have been a whole lot worse.  Thanks again to everyone that sent well wishes and had me in thier thoughts.  I am still working on my stamina and will have more energy and time keep in touch with you all as the days go by!

Back to Work

Posted

Well, It's finally here.  I start back to work on Monday the 25th.  It will be light duty for awhile.  I am still working on getting the strength back in my hands/arms.  I will probably be starting physical therapy next week as well.  I guess I am anxious to go back, but it will not be easy after being home for 2 1/2 months.
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Follow-Up w/ Neurosurgeon 8/28

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I just got back from my follow-up with the neurosurgeon.  (It was actually with one of his assistants that helped with my surgery.)   He sent me to x-ray and then we looked at the x-rays together.  He said everything looks great and is healing nicely.  The metal plate is about the size of a band-aid.  It has six screws, two in each of the surrounding vertebrae.  He did not set me up with any physical therapy yet.  He wants to wait about another month on that.  He did say that I can start driving again though.  It will be such a relief not to have to call someone just to take me to the store that is two blocks away.  Sure, I could have walked there.  With a 10lb weight restriction though, I would not have been able to buy much! 
My next appointment is with the Occupational Heath Doctor on Sept. 11th.  He is the only one that can release me to go back to work.  I'm not positive, but if he goes by what the surgeon is telling me, I don't think he will be releasing me at the time of that appointment. 
All I can tell you is until I can cough or sneeze without having to brace my head, I'm not ready to go back to work.  I've bumped my head too many times on my rack (hydraulic hoist) or the underside of a car/truck.
I want to thank all of my friends and family that have helped and supported me through this process.  I would not have been able to do this on my own!
Thank you also to all the people that have sent me comments and well wishes.  It is greatly appreciated!!
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Would Ya?

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Would ya?................

Kiss me:
Hug me:
Date me:
Get tipsy wit me:
Kill me:
Love me:
Hate me:
Hold me:
Lie to me:
Hurt me:
Sing with me:
Dance with me:
Grind with me:
Cuddle with me:
Let me make a move on you:
Make a move on me:
Watch a movie with me:
Get me a B-day gift:
Caress me:
Let me borrow your car:
Be there for me:
Buy me a drink:
Bring me around your friends:
Give me a massage:
Take me to the club:
Go to sleep with me:
Do me:
Drink kool-aid with me:
Take advantage of me:
Hangout with me:
Take care of me if I wasn't feeling good:
Hold hands with me:
Do something incredibly sweet for me:
Give me a lap dance:
tell me you love me:
call me:
what would you do if you woke up next to me? :

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Surgery Update!

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anteriorplate

 

I just wanted to let everyone know that I will be having surgery on the 21st.  That's right, one week from yesterday.  I wanted to keep this brief because I do not have all of my own questions answered at this time.  I have my pre-surgery appointment on Monday and will know more about what will be happening and what the recovery process will be like.  I most likely will be posting another update after that appointment.  If anyone has any questions for me or can think of any questions I should be asking on Monday, please let me know. 

Right now I can tell you that I am expecting them to remove both the C5-6 and C6-7 cervical disk's and replacing them with bone grafts and a metal plate.  (see attached pic)

Sorry for the brief update but please feel free to let me know if you have any questions about the diagnosis or the procedure.  Thanks to everyone who has expressed their thoughts, info, experiences and well wishes.
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Easy question ~ Please fill this out for me!!

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Mood: Tired

1. Your Full Name (nickname will do fine):
2. Age:
3. Single or Taken:
4. Favorite Movie:
5. Favorite Song:
6. Favorite Band:
7. Kinky or Clean:
8. Tattoos and/or Piercings:

HERE COMES THE FUN ... ... ...

1. Do we know each other outside of swydm?
2. What song reminds you of me?
3. Would you have my back in a fight?
4. Would you keep a secret from me if you thought it was in my best interest?
5. What is your favorite memory of us?
6. Have we ever been drunk/stoned together?
7. Would you date me?
8. Tell me one odd/interesting fact about you:
9. Do you miss me right now?
10. Do you want to tell me something that you couldn't before?
11. Have you heard any rumors of me lately?
12. Do you like me more than just a friend?
13. Do you think I'm a good person?
14. Would you drive across country with me?
15. Do you think I'm attractive?
16. Are there ever times when you want to call me but don't?
17. Do you trust me?
18. What is the best advice you can give me?
19. Would you come over for no reason just to hang out?
20. Will you post this so I can fill it out for you?
21. Have you ever wanted to kiss me?
22. Have you ever wanted to do something, secretive with me?
23. Ever wish things were different between us?
24. Do you want me in bed?
25. Would you hit it and quit it?
26. Repost this and i will respond to it
Tags: something to do
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cervical disk surgery

Posted

Mood: bored
Well, I finally met with the neurosurgeon yesterday. (thurs. 20th)  After canceling my appointment for Monday the 17th on me at the last minute, I was told the Dr. Zalaya would meet with me between surgeries at 11am.  So I show up at 10:45 and wait very patiently.  At about 12:30pm I decided to check with the front desk.  (there was nobody at the desk from about 11:30 to 12:15)  She called to the back and after a few moments told me the nurse would be right out to talk to me.  Turns out the doc forgot he was supposed to meet me.  He wasn't scheduled to even be in the office that day.  The nurse told me that he was finishing up a surgery and could be here about 1pm.  I figured I had waited this long so what's another 30 min. 
I think it was closer to about 1:45 when I got back in my car.  Only 3 hours to meet with the surgeon for about 10 minutes.  It's a good thing I had nothing better to do. 
Anyway, he seems like a very nice guy though.  Should I be concerned that he got his education in El Salvador?  (I had plenty of time to read his bio on the wall.)
Ok, so we went over the MRI images and he showed me that I actually have two disks that are bulging.  The disk between the 5th and 6th vertebrae and the one below it between the 6th and 7th vertebrae.  The 5/6 disk is the biggest herniation but the 6/7 disk is the one that should be causing the pain and loss of strength in the left arm.  We are going to do one more test that will show them exactly why the left arm has lost it's strength and grip and has had some numbness.  The test is a Myelogram which is basically a special x-ray that uses a dye injected into my neck to outline the nerves and spinal cord.  I think he mentioned a CT scan at the same time. 
We went ahead and scheduled surgery already because I am going to need one whatever the results of the test are.  It's just going to show exactly what they are going in after.  At this point the plan is to remove both of the problem disks (diskectomy) and insert a bone graft to plug the openings and then a metal plate will be used to keep the vertebrae stable.  The procedure is an Anterior approach, which means they go in through the front of the neck as opposed to a Posterior approach which is obviously through the back of the neck. 
Surgery is scheduled for Wednesday, June 14th at 1pm.  It will be at Sunnyside Kaiser Hospital.  I will be off work for 3 or 4 weeks after surgery and then need another month or two of light duty work after that.  The state (SAIF) has been talking to my work to see if they can find me some light duty tasks for right now instead of sitting at home.  I go back to Dr. Ushman (the doc that is in charge of my case) next Wednesday (26th) and will discuss my light duty options.  I get very sore when I sit at the computer for very long and I know that one of the things my boss had in mind was for me to schedule service appointments which means lots of time at a computer and on the phone.  Both of these tasks are quite literally a pain in my neck when done for extended periods. 
I have received my first check from SAIF so that's a good thing.  I have no problem going back to work in a "light duty" capacity, it's gotta be better than doing nothing at home.  I just don't want to aggravate things. 
I guess I am just waiting to schedule the Myelogram and and talk to Dr. Ushman on the 26th.  I will update you all as things become clearer.  I appreciate all of the phone calls and e-mails from everyone checking in on me!  Keep the good thoughts coming my way!
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