Hello all! I’m not sure when I last responded not what I said… (meds do that I guess) and I don’t have the patience to go back and look. 
so I’ll maybe repeat myself here-sorry! I am now home. Discharged yesterday afternoon. I have a LOT to say about the quality of care I recieved at my hospital, some really good and some REALLY bad. I suppose the important thing though is that I am home recovering and hopefully back to normal soon.
My pain level is manageable. It is mostly a stiff tight pain now. The electric shock sensations have decreased substantially thank god. My incision is starting to itch which is a good sign. I think I might have mentioned that when the surgeon opened the dura and performed the laminectomy, he and his team actually saw the herniated tonsils ascending back up. (!!) I had a very deep and tight herniation of I think around 22mm. They had to do a laminectomy on the top 2 vertebra instead of just the top. The first 24hrs was by far the worst and then I steadily felt better and better. It is amazing what a difference a day can make and Im already having a hard time recalling the discomfort of the day of and after the surgery. 
one thing the drs gave me in the hospital that helped tremendously was Valium. It really took the edge off the pain and allowed me to sleep. I instantly got the strength back in my hands after the surgery-that was a shock for me.
So all in all as of right now the surgery was a good thing that should improve my daily life substantially. I would highly recommend my surgeon, Dr Mark Souweidane and his team. Before the surgery one of the OR nurses that works with all the different drs said he was the most meticulous surgeon she had ever worked with. I actually heard that several times. His bedside manner leaves a lot to be desired but in the end I needed a good surgeon for the operation. My friends and family can hold my hand, right? Yikes! I’m rambling. I hope this post helps others to decide what is right for them. Thank you all for all the kind words and encouragement!
Hi Kat,
I am so happy for you; not only did you go through with the surgery, but sounds like you are coming out of it good. And.....I'm also jealous! I wish I had the surgery or was going to. Just not sure yet, if it is anything I want to make a move toward after having brain surgery for my cyst and then getting a shunt put in. I'm scared that it may make my situation with the cyst and brain sagging worse. We'll see though. But you just heal and can't wait to hear how you will progress. Keeping you in my prayers.
Maria