Hello friends!! Seems like so long ago! Well…everyone does seem to have very different experiences, & though there is only so much to say for progress, remember me? I was obsessed with the small weird things. The nausea & so on. So feel free to ask me anything. Anything at all. I didn’t go away! I was in hospital a bit longer than most but I’m sure we will cover that. Nice to be back! - TracyJessica
Glad to see you back on the forums! How are you feeling? Did you have any issues with nausea?
I am so happy after all my fuss that this is the 1st question. I did not. I thought once or twice immediately after when they moved me that perhaps it was coming but…NO. I will never know if it is because of my being in hospital longer than others, my already being used to pain medication, sheer luck…but just never happened. And with everything else you have to deal with mentally & physically, let me just say…yay!..I did find the hospital& doctor already all over that issue though. I know I was on anti nausea medications and shots to protect my stomach with everything I was suddenly taking. I assume this is routine at that point. TracyJessica
Anglyn said:
Glad to see you back on the forums! How are you feeling? Did you have any issues with nausea?
Thank you mandy. It’s great to be back. It’s very early but I’m optimistic!
Mandy said:
Glad to hear you are back and doing well
You sound fantastic!!!!!!! Keep us update!!!! Miss you!!
So glad to hear from you. I hope you are taking it EXTREMELY easy 
Jenn
I am 2 weeks from having surgery myself. I’m very nervous and not sure what to expect. I guess my main questions involve independence. How long before you feel comfortable to stand/walk on your own? Do you use any assistance to walk now like a cane or something or do you have no balance issues at all? My surgeon said some people can have a problem with balance. I’m not sure why though. Also when can you wash your hair/shower? Sorry for questions that may have been asked else where. Thank you!
Tonya
I think each doctor is a little different as to when they get you up and walking. For me I was able to walk the evening after surgery without assistance and I was able to shower and wash my hair the day after with a mild baby shampoo.
tkelly said:
I am 2 weeks from having surgery myself. I'm very nervous and not sure what to expect. I guess my main questions involve independence. How long before you feel comfortable to stand/walk on your own? Do you use any assistance to walk now like a cane or something or do you have no balance issues at all? My surgeon said some people can have a problem with balance. I'm not sure why though. Also when can you wash your hair/shower? Sorry for questions that may have been asked else where. Thank you!
Tonya
Oh good! So since you are at the 2 week mark would you feel comfortable going to work with a data entry job? I’m hoping to go back to work after 2-3 weeks after surgery.
I'm not the original poster in this thread so I'm actually at the 1 year 5 months mark. :) I personally did not return to work until week 8 and even then it was hard (I'm an accountant so I sit at a desk all day). To give this a little perspective I seem to have had one of the easiest recoveries of anyone on this forum. The #1 issue for me was fatigue and neck strain. This surgery cuts through your neck muscles and it takes a long time to repair them! You'd think cutting through your skull would be what makes this surgery so major but really it's the neck muscles. You've got to rest and give them a lot of healing time.
tkelly said:
Oh good! So since you are at the 2 week mark would you feel comfortable going to work with a data entry job? I'm hoping to go back to work after 2-3 weeks after surgery.
I’m sorry I didn’t even realize you weren’t the original poster. I’m looking at this on my phone on my lunch break. Now see, the neck muscle thing is something I haven’t even thought of. I knew I would have a stiff and sore neck but I didn’t think it would cause that much of a problem. I am probably underestimating how much pain I will be in since I naturally have a high pain tolerance. At least now I know to mentally prepare for that more. Thank you!
Anglyn said:
I'm not the original poster in this thread so I'm actually at the 1 year 5 months mark. :) I personally did not return to work until week 8 and even then it was hard (I'm an accountant so I sit at a desk all day). To give this a little perspective I seem to have had one of the easiest recoveries of anyone on this forum. The #1 issue for me was fatigue and neck strain. This surgery cuts through your neck muscles and it takes a long time to repair them! You'd think cutting through your skull would be what makes this surgery so major but really it's the neck muscles. You've got to rest and give them a lot of healing time.
tkelly said:Oh good! So since you are at the 2 week mark would you feel comfortable going to work with a data entry job? I'm hoping to go back to work after 2-3 weeks after surgery.
I do believe it is so different for everyone. I had a hard time the 1st few nights after surgery. I choose to use the commode provided in my room. I wasn’t ready to get up and use bathroom but bed pan was out for me. I wasn’t allowed to wash the area until I was ready to leave. A little over a week later. I was provided a walker by insurance. It’s probably for the best for now. I live alone and I am a little weaker then I would have imagined. But every day is a little better. I’m very proud aldo. But you learn fast that independence comes when you put in the work. And always remember. …no matter how tempting. .keep moving that neck! It will lock . You will notice the more you move it…and it will hurt!.. The more It will loosen up. It’s so important! TracyJessica
Anglyn said:
I think each doctor is a little different as to when they get you up and walking. For me I was able to walk the evening after surgery without assistance and I was able to shower and wash my hair the day after with a mild baby shampoo.
tkelly said:I am 2 weeks from having surgery myself. I’m very nervous and not sure what to expect. I guess my main questions involve independence. How long before you feel comfortable to stand/walk on your own? Do you use any assistance to walk now like a cane or something or do you have no balance issues at all? My surgeon said some people can have a problem with balance. I’m not sure why though. Also when can you wash your hair/shower? Sorry for questions that may have been asked else where. Thank you!
Tonya
Thank you for the advice. My husband is worried I will overdo it to soon because I had a separate surgery on my arm that I tried to get it back to normal to soon and ended up undoing what they did, twice. Hang in there and stay strong. Thank you again for the information and help!
jessica said:
I do believe it is so different for everyone. I had a hard time the 1st few nights after surgery. I choose to use the commode provided in my room. I wasn’t ready to get up and use bathroom but bed pan was out for me. I wasn’t allowed to wash the area until I was ready to leave. A little over a week later. I was provided a walker by insurance. It’s probably for the best for now. I live alone and I am a little weaker then I would have imagined. But every day is a little better. I’m very proud aldo. But you learn fast that independence comes when you put in the work. And always remember. …no matter how tempting. .keep moving that neck! It will lock . You will notice the more you move it…and it will hurt!.. The more It will loosen up. It’s so important! TracyJessica