I had my appointment with my neurosurgeon on the 16th, which just so happened to be my oldest daughter's 13th birthday. I was looking forward to it but held back my emotions, I didn't want to be let down. I have been waiting so long for my surgery and so long to feel myself again. I walked in this time with my entire family, we took over the small waiting room. I was in a fair amount of pain from the ride there but in overall good spirits. It just seems more like it will finally happen when you are sitting in the doctors office. He called me in and my entire family walked in behind me, the very people, besides me, that this effects the most. I'm sure an impact on the doctor. We sat there and listened to the same words we heard this time last year... Disc impingement, protruding, spur, broken neck, MRI, CT, c5 c6, car accident, not better. He said just 5 years ago this would have been done for me in three months time.
He let me know how he was going to fix me, graph my hipbone to place in the area for fusion. He told me the risks, paralyzed in extremities, infection, vocal cord damage, etc etc. He also let me know I'll have a small scar on the front of my neck, which I don't care about.
He said my surgery should be soon, within three months and sent me on my way. Although happy that the surgery date was closer I left disappointed that I was still waiting. I went back to surgery not being real in my mind and feeling kind of depressed about it all.
The next day I got up feeling as I always do, lots of pain, popping pain meds and sitting on the couch until the meds kick in, when we got a phone call. The secretary from the dr's office called to let me know there was an opening March 1st!! I was stunned all over again. First I panicked because it's the middle of my daughter's performing arts dances but knew I had to take it, I'd probably be waiting a long time more if I didn't. I also realized there is a greater power out there looking after me, March 1st is my late grandma's birthday!
I think this blog will end up being about recovery now! :)
