Dear readers of this page,
Below is an excerpt from man email sent to me by someone else who had the operation. I found the letter informative and thought that it would be nice to post it here for all to read.....
Juz to let you know, I have my slipped disc fixed last Monday 5/7/04. Its an ordeal, extremely scary, but an experience for me. I think the worse bit was the anaesthetist, when he was trying to place the needles into my veins, my whole body was actually shaking and shivering, to the extent that he told me that he will not be able to proceed if I don't stabalise. I was operated on at 3pm. Anyway, the nurse was trying to calm me, and asked me what drinks I like, Gin, Vodka, Bourban, Beer.... And suddenly I can see double, then see triple, and........ The next thing I heard was "Sir, its all over, the operation was a success." It was 7pm. After that, I was wheeled to the ICU, where mum and my wife are waiting. As what you have done, I also wriggled my toes
The PCA or "patient controlled analegia" is morphine activated by the patient at the press of the button. It was very very effective in reliefing pain (I can feel no pain at all in the op site), but side effect was horrible. I felt sick, and vomitted on few occassions, and I requested for this PCA to be removed from me, relying only on the good old paracetamol. Nevertheless, in ICU, I can see a tube sticking out from my neck to catch the excess internal bleeding, and a bladder collection bag connected to my bladder.
2nd day in the ward, and i can still feel the effects of morphine...still feeling sick. So worried was my wife and my mum. Anyway, on the 2nd night, I started to feel better, and by the 3rd day, I can stand up and walk by myself. The resident doctor said if all goes well, I should be able to go home on Fri. But I told him that I can hardly sleep in hospital (1st night slept for 30mins, 2nd night slept for 30mins, and 3rd night slept for 3 hrs). If I continue to be deprived of sleep, I will really be sick. He checked my wound, and agree that I am fit to go home and rest.
My throat was feeling extremely sore, as it has been shifted to one side. And it feels as if a panadol was stuck in my throat for a few days. I can only have mushy food, yoghart, etc. Same as you, mum prepared chicken porridge for the first few days during my stay in the hospital. I was lucky, bcause I do not need to wear a collar after the operation. For you information, I have the following done:
- Disc replacement with Bryan discs - C3/4, and C5/6 levels
- Disc fusion with artifician coral material - C4/5
- Neurosurgery, Westmead Private Hospital, Sydney
I am now in my 2nd week, and definitely the sore in the neck areas are still there. The incision was 2 horizontal cuts, about 2 inches, across my front of neck, along the exisitng wrinkle. I'm well, and resting at home now. Doctor advised that I should take short walks everyday to assist in the recovery, up to 3 times a day, 30mins per walking session. And of coz, should rest my neck every now and then just to assist in the fusion process.
I went for a post op x-ray, and can see my new neck discs... very strange feeling. Anyway, its good to feel healthy again.
About one year later, this guy said,
juz had my x-ray done 2 weeks ago, and met up with my neurosurgeon last week. The recovery was excellent, and the artificial disc spaces is within tolerance, which means, neck mobility and movements were maintained. I raised the question regarding life-cycle of the disc (hip and knee lasts 10 yrs, and need to be replaced), and was assured that the longest receipient of a cervical disc is about 8 yrs. But there are tests ongoing, which indicates that replacement is not needed until after 20 yrs....anyway, for the time being, my recovery seems to good... how's r u feeling now??