Update on CCF/decompression w/o duraplasty, Part 11

March 25, 2008

Morning Group Members --

I am so excited -- I drove for the first time since my surgery, 4 mo.

ago ! I drove 12 miles to the nearest Wal-Mart. Hubby went with me.

Wow, it felt great to drive in my " granny's zoom zoom " -- yea, we have

a Mazda 3 -- it is perfect for me and plenty of room for the 3 dogs !

Of course, I do not have any ROM in my neck yet, so that is definitely

a factor in my driving. Luckily, the road to Wal-Mart is a straight

shot and doesn't require my constantly trying to turn my head to see.

I'm going to try PT again starting tomorrow. Last time I tried PT, it

set off headaches -- was too soon for me. Right now I am dealing with

some swelling issues again.

About 8 weeks ago I got the crud that is going around and ever since

then I have felt like a blockage in my throat that has made it

difficult to breathe at times and trouble with swallowing. Plus, the

fact that I can't shake the crud hasn't helped. And then the horrid

coughing fits, man, oh man, my poor neck and head just can't catch a

break ! So, this is only aggrevating the swelling. Dr. B has

suggested the swelling may be lymphatic stasis and has told me what to

ask the PT to do to help with drainage, plus, put me on a mild

diurectic (very mild).

Really can't tell if the headaches that re-occurred with PT have gone

away or not, have been taking motrin to help me deal with the crud

issues, so..... Wait n see on that one.

Right now, other than this awful crud and loosing my voice and these

horrid coughing fits I would say I'm doing pretty good 4 mo. post op.

But, let me tell ya, these coughing fits are so hard on my neck and

head that in the back of my mind I'm wondering if I've damaged all the

good work the docs did -- I'm sure I haven't, but??????

All for now. Just wanted to let everyone know that I really think I am

doing quite well 4 mo. post op taking into account the stuff going on.

I swear I haven't had a cold/flu in 10-12 years and of all the times to

get hit !

Grma Lee

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