5 weeks Post-Op Decompression

April 23, 2008

Hello everyone.

I just wanted to share my awesome recovery with everyone, and also to

ask a couple questions.

I had decompression surgery with the surgeons at TCI 5 weeks ago

tomorrow. I thank God (and everyone here) that I decided to do this,

as I am no longer dizzy (at all!), my neck, back and head pain are

gone. I have strength in my right arm, and I can actually speak in

full sentences!! (No problems with word finding, brain fog). My

vision has improved and basically I think I am symptom free!!

Now for the questions: I have a high tolerance for pain, but I find

I still need the pain killers and muscle relaxers. I know it has

only been 5 weeks, but the back of my head, at the incision sight is

still very.... " tight " . That is the best explanation I can come up

with. It has improved greatly over time, and I expect it will

continue to, but I just want to make sure I am 'on track' with my

recovery. If I miss my doses, (for example FINALLY being able to

sleep through the night!!!), It is really really painful when I wake

up. I guess I am just looking for a little reassurance. I do my

neck exercises multiple times daily, and am really taking it easy.

Also, before surgery, the docs at TCI told me I was borderline

Tethered Cord, but what they found during surgery confirmed that I

would benefit from the additional surgery, and If I didn't have it,

it would continue to pull my brain down, possibly over time resulting

in my symptoms reappearing. They suggested I do it in 3 months. I

would like to postpone this until at least the winter, due to

financial reasons.

I plan to return to work, at least part-time in 3 weeks, and summer

and fall are our busy season. Has anyone had these far apart? Pro's

and cons?

I am going to post this to both message boards.

Again, thank you to everyone who has helped me over the past year.

in MA

Decompressed 3/19/08

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