Not sure where to start!

Welcome to HealingWell Chronic Pain Forum Allisonthebaker! Wow! Your surgeon certainly wants to do allot all at one time! May I ask are you getting this done at a major hospital i.e. like a University medical hospital or an other wise major medical facility? I ask this because this is a major type of surgery and not usually done in smaller community hospitals. Also what type of surgeon is to do this surgery? I've had several fusions done in my cervical spine but they were all done one level at a time. ( example C6/7 ACDF 1985, C5/6 ACDF 2009, C3/4 Posterior fusion with rods and pins 2010) but no multiple cervical Discectomy and fusions. However there are several people on this forum who have had multiple cervical levels done at one time. Personally I prefer having a neurosurgeon doing this type of surgery on me! My first ACDF at C6/7 was considered an emergency situation after the problem was finally diagnosed!! The herniated disc was severely pressing into my spinal cord, and the neurosurgeon could honestly not understand why I wasn't a quadrieplegic with the damage I had! (His words not mine!) Anyway I ended up having surgery early the next morning after being diagnosed! I was in the military up in Alaska at the time, but had surgery by a civilian neurosurgeon at civilian hospital in Anchorage. So I can definitely relate and empathize at least to part of your situation!

I can't stress this enough though, what your describing is a major surgery and yes if this is an emergency situation ( are you currently in the hospital or do they have you in a cervical collar or in any other way stabilized your neck from possible further injury?) Then I can definitely understand the need to have this surgery right away! However if there was any possible way of getting a second opinion from a board certified neurosurgeon at a major medical facility or a University medical school I would certainly suggest doing that! I know this must be an extremely scary and difficult situation for you! I do hope some of the other members that have had this type of multiple level cervical fusions come soon and hopefully be of more help to you! One thing I will definitely suggest is you have either an adjustable bed or a good recliner that you can sit in and also sleep in after you come home from your surgery! I personally found this the most helpful thing in my recovery! Also one of those grabbers so you don't have to bend down to pick up stuff!

Not to in any way scare you or anything but have you been told of any of the possible negative side affects that although highly unlikely and usually only temporary, but are still possible with this type of surgery? With the ACDF temporary voice and swallowing problems sometimes can happen. It's rare but not unheard of! I personally think the better informed and prepared a person is, the better chances you have of having a successful out come from your surgery!

I do wish you well with this! If I or any of us here on this forum can be of help to you please let us know! Good Luck to You!

White Beard

Hello Allisonthebaker & welcome to Healing Well. You have posted in the correct forum. We have had many members over the years have cervical fusions. By chance do you have a copy of the written report of your MRI? A lot of information in that report will tell you why the dr is saying immediate surgery. Did the dr go over the MRI results with you, pointing out the levels that has him concerned? Is this an orthopedic or neurosurgeon? Sorry for so many questions.

While this surgery is considered a common surgery these days, it should not be taken lightly. If you have unanswered questions I would go back in to see the surgeon to get answers. The more informed & prepared you are the better you will do.

You have been given some great information here, ask any questions you may have. We will do our best to help in any way.

Glad to read you are using a neurosurgeon plus he specializes in the field. I think neurosurgeons are a bit quirky, just my thoughts. Most of them often do not have much of a personality, however, I can over look that any time, I am more interested in their skill than anything.

Do you have someone at home to help you after surgery? Perhaps some family members or friends that can check on you? It would be up to the dr to determine if home health would be needed. if you live alone you need to discuss this with him prior to surgery. Perhaps you can call his nurse & ask her to check with him. I don't recall any of our members having home health. Everyone's situation is different.

Here are some tips to prepare for coming home; a recliner to sleep & sit in, most find getting in & out of bed too difficult, try to borrow one from a relative or friend, take your medications as directed on a schedule, either prepare some food & freeze it into small portions or get one person meals that can be heated in the microwave, have plenty of drinks of hand such as bottled water. Invest in a grabber/reacher to pick up things off the floor to avoid bending over. These are not expensive at all & work great. We have several at our house & use them alot. Keep your phone charger handy. Ice packs is another thing that will be very helpful especially with pain. Some members have used frozen corn or peas if they had to & they can be refrozen. Cold packs like body buddies will work too, pop them in the freezer. Get some button up shirts, nothing over the head as you will not feel like extending your arms. These are some tips from members that has had surgery. If I think of more to add I will list them.

Take care.