Going under the knife on Wednesday

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Hi everyone. After exams to every body part, I found out what may be contributing to my neurogenic bladder. The last test I had required by the surgeon was a Cervical MRI and the news was scary as hell. I am lucky that I am not paralyzed since I have severe damage to all my cervical vertebrae. They sent me immediately to a neurosurgeon from MUSC and he has me scheduled for a 4 hour repair with new discs and release of my spinal cord on Wednesday. They are amazed I haven’t really damaged my spine cord but I just assumed the pain in my neck, shoulders, and arms was from my rheumatoid arthritis. They scared the hell out of me and I have been afraid to move my neck at all. They also believe my complete urinary incontinence is related to this. I did not know that cervical spine damage could cause it. The rest of my back is crap too but they said I need to get the neck done immediately. I had a double dose Botox injection done 2 months ago with complete return of continence but when they place a Foley catheter for the surgery, Heaven only knows what will happen. I think of all of you often and would appreciate any extra prayers for this procedure. I am really fearful. Hugs to all and I will try to catch up with everyone and meet the new members soon. bold text

 

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That does sound scary but also hopeful! Wishing you a successful surgery and recovery.

 

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Thank you for getting in touch. All hope and positive outlook for you to recover in your procedure with everything for a better quality of life.

 

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MUSC is a great facility on the cutting edge. You are in really good hands. Prayers always. Speedy and succeszsful surgery.

 

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Sending positive thoughts and

 

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That sounds terrible!

I pray that God hears your prayers, and grants you healing, comfort, and peace of mind and soul. Amen.

 

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I'll be praying all goes well. Take care.

 

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@Dmorris,
I’m glad that you posted, and I hope that I can provide you with just a touch of calm. In January 2020 I went through something very similar to what you’re facing up here in Raleigh.
Similar to you I was having terrible neck pain and developed tremors in both arms before my right arm turned off about 95%. My “BRILLIANT” pain doctors first sent me back to Physical Therapy, but at this point even they refused to touch my neck as it was too painful simply to touch, let alone even to try to get the knots out.
This same Pain Management??? TEAM then sent me to a Psychiatrist to convince me that the pains were simply Ghost pains from earlier surgeries. After one meeting I went home and contacted my attorney who Fedex’d a letter I wrote to the President of the largest healthcare system here in the Raleigh / Durham area, but on their law firm’s letterhead demanding an MRI & referral to a Neurosurgeon.
I received a call only two days later to schedule my initial work up to see what was going on. I had a very nice intern begin the assessment, but she paused only to return with two more experienced surgery interns who very gently put me in a collar and immediately wheeled me down to the MRI Lab where a top Radiologist was already waiting. After the MRI I was wheeled right up to Pre-Op staging area.
Finally a Neurosurgeon came to speak with me only to explain my C-Spine had essentially collapsed, and that gooey runny nose I had the last few days was not an allergy but cerebrospinal fluid. Apparently a piece of vertebrae had punctured the sac protecting my spinal cord and they had to operate immediately to possibly save me from being paralyzed from the neck down.

The very good news is the Head of Neurosurgery happened to be the Doc they asked to check me out, and went on to remove a ping-pong ball size tumor at C-4. Sadly he had to fuse my entire neck as after 3 years of grinding around in a smaller & smaller space as the tumor grew, there was nowhere stable enough to rebuild upon. So now I have a Bionic Neck as well to match my Bionic Lumbar / Sacral spine!
I am back to 90+% 18 months out and I’m getting ready for a 6 day overlanding trip in my Jeep through the Blue Ridge mountains as soon as they release me from my torn abdominal muscle repairs!
They do amazing things to our spines these days and you are having this done at a 5 Star Surgery! I wish you all the best, and I’ll especially be praying for you on Wednesday morning.

We’ll be waiting to hear from you!

 

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Praying it goes well! I am just glad they caught it!

 

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@Sprung87, I can’t tell you how much better you made me feel!!! Blue Ridge mountains in a jeep! I was wondering if I would be able to do anything after this repair. Your story is so amazing and yet told in such a way as to inspire and not scare! Thank you soooo much and know you took away a lot of my fear. I guess you know what a great group we have here and I am really glad to add you to my friends.
@Jh2025, @MayMay941 (luv ya), @chaps54, @PattiT, @MezaJarJarBinks, @Chuck11, @Tarlton.. ya’ll are the greatest and thank you so much for prayers and well wishes! I will post as soon as I am able! Love to all!!!!

 

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Thought of you last night and as women I,we share stories of what we've known.
So my anecdote is, a friend in her mid seventies fall down a flight of stairs and broke her neck! She has osteoporosis too. The docs fixed her up, she went home shortly after and shes fine and continues her daily life walks several mile a day.

 

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@Dmorris;

I recently thought of you as we have had new members recently come in; and I know you have gone through many rough issues mobility wise.

With that being said and rereading your post about almost being paralyzed and having the surgery. We haven't heard an update from you since that surgery.

I pray to God wherever you are - that you are okay and recovering well. I think of you tonight as I am alone; and wherever you may be - you are never alone. You are remembered on here, as I enjoyed our chats.

If you get this - please let us know if you are okay. I will say a prayer for you tonight hoping everything with MUSC went well, and that your surgery for your discs went flawlessly. May you be recovering and starting to enjoy the better things in life.

You're friends at the NAFC.

Blessings In Christ,
Honeeecombs