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Topic: I did not sign up for This!!! (Read 294 times) |
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athos
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I did not sign up for This!!!
« on: Sep 1st, 2004, 1:12am » |
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It has been 15 days since the surgery. It was an anterior disectomy of C4-C5.... C5-C7 had already been done so they had to take the titanium plate that was there out and put in a new one.
 
Now I can understand that it would make my throat sore and tweak my voice right after surgery, considering intabation and all the retractors and spaners to move everything out of the way. But it has been over 2 weeks and my voice has yet to be normal and it feels like I have a permanant lump of Cream'o Wheat stuck just below my adams apple. My voice vassilates between no voice and a combination Jimmy Stewart with a bad case of parkinsons and billy goat.
So what is up with that? My nice bass voice turned into a warpped rendition of a barnyard animal? Come on!
I have the brace for another 9 days, and then I get a soft collar. i have decided that the brace is not so much for my benefit as to protect those around me from the unsightly gash running most of the length of my neck. When I have gone out without the brace people invaribly ask.. I tell them it was a drive by by a one toothed vampire.
People ask me if it is uncompfortable and if it hurts. I tell them to look up on the internet about the Popes wife who had a similar surgery and she tells all about it.
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Carl_D
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Re: I did not sign up for This!!!
« Reply #1 on: Sep 1st, 2004, 4:21am » |
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Man Ken, I don't know what to say, but hang tough Bro. Hopefully the worst is behind you and you'll have your voice back and be back to normal soon.
Hopefully you're getting some winks of shuteye. I wish I were, especially after only having 8 hours total sleep since last Monday morning. It should be illegal to have to suffer the insomnia beast, as well as the CH beast.
I guess it's true - no rest for the wicked. I must be pretty evil then cause I ain't getting any.
Hang in there Ken,
Carl D
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juvy
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Re: I did not sign up for This!!!
« Reply #2 on: Sep 1st, 2004, 5:16am » |
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Hey Athos,
Well at least you still have your sense of humor. I know it sucks but just give it time to heal. Hang in there. If your throat is raw you can try gargling warm salt water with lemon (yes it's disgusting). There's also warm tea with lemon and honey.
*hugs*
April
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Jeepgun
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Re: I did not sign up for This!!!
« Reply #3 on: Sep 1st, 2004, 8:19am » |
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Wolfman Jack, at the end of "Green Onions," on the "American Grafitti" Soundtrack: "Gotta get some green onions and keep all the vampires away!"
Hope you heal up soon, Ken. Best wishes.
-Frank
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ExplodingEyeBall
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Re: I did not sign up for This!!!
« Reply #4 on: Sep 1st, 2004, 8:52am » |
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Yeow!!!
Get some rest and take care of yourself.
You'll be singing like a bird before you know it.
Pat
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Just poke out my eye and get it over with!!!
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Annette_Emond
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Re: I did not sign up for This!!!
« Reply #5 on: Sep 1st, 2004, 8:16pm » |
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Hi Ken:
I work for a world renowned speech pathologist. I can tell you it is not uncommon for a surgery such as yours to cause problems with the vocal cords/larynx. I believe it is the 10th cranial nerve that is involved. You need to talk to your doctor about a referral to a voice therapist ASAP in order that you do not permanently damage your vocal cords. The voice will recover with proper care, most of the time, not always completely. My boss is unfortunately going to be away for the next 2 weeks, but I don't think he is actually leaving town until Monday or Tues. If I get a chance, if you like, I will ask him if he knows of anyone in your area who could help. You are in the Scottsdale/ Phoenix area, right?
Take care, hydrate your throat, and make that call.
Annette Emond
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athos
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Re: I did not sign up for This!!!
« Reply #6 on: Sep 1st, 2004, 9:59pm » |
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Annette that would be great!!! I live in Lake Havasu actually.
thanks again.
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Gator
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Re: I did not sign up for This!!!
« Reply #7 on: Sep 1st, 2004, 11:44pm » |
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Hang in there, man. You can't rush this stuff. Annette sounds like she has the right idea. Hopefully she can point you in the right direction. In the mean time, you know you can always come throw a tantrum here and we'll think none the worse of you. Rant & rave 'til your hearts content.
Prayers and vibes for healing and patience headed your way.
Gator
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cootie
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Re: I did not sign up for This!!!
« Reply #8 on: Sep 1st, 2004, 11:55pm » |
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YIPES........I am a tough chickie pooh but for sume reason anything to do with spine surgery sends me into a nausious tizzy. Dam......I have some serious crap goin on with C-3 thru C-7......been causein 'meegraines' too (sorry but 'there'....I said it).......TON of arthritis and bulge disc and changed curve hump deal.......is that what type surgery they do to correct DDD in that area ??? Gonna go throw up now Pam
Hang in there.......if ya do have some sorta nerve damage that can take a year or two !!!! Really !!!
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Charlie
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Re: I did not sign up for This!!!
« Reply #9 on: Sep 2nd, 2004, 1:36am » |
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Looks uncomfortable as hell.
I like what Annette says. It's definitely worth checking.
Keep us posted and you have good vibes from here.
Charlie
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Jimmy_B.
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Re: I did not sign up for This!!!
« Reply #10 on: Sep 2nd, 2004, 6:11am » |
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Thanks for showing me that...Just came back from my G.P. yesterday & he basically told me that there is nothing else he can do for me and gave me a referral to a neuro-surgeon. 
Not sure what type of neck surgery I would be looking at. But it would be my first & it's for C6-C7 & C5-C6 herniated discs.
Jimmy
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alleyoop
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Re: I did not sign up for This!!!
« Reply #11 on: Sep 2nd, 2004, 6:56am » |
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Hey Ken,
Next time some AH asks about your gash, tell em you did it shaving with a really bad hangover! 
Hang tough buddy! We're here for ya!
....................................alley
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Major_Headcase
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Re: I did not sign up for This!!!
« Reply #12 on: Sep 2nd, 2004, 12:48pm » |
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Ken et al,
I can relate ... I had a C5-C6 fusion about 10 years ago and now I'm looking at another. Just had another MRI Tuesday evening and I'm waiting on the results. Paying a group of total strangers in scrubs to take sharp pointy objects and have them carve around next to your spinal column is definitely one of the scarier things I've ever gone through! I think Annette's advice and help is the best, I hope you can find a good doc to work with on it.
Sending you the best "support vibes" I can, keep us informed of your progress. -John
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Annette_Emond
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Re: I did not sign up for This!!!
« Reply #13 on: Sep 2nd, 2004, 8:30pm » |
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Hi Ken:
I didn't have a chance to talk to my boss today, but I did discuss it with one of our other speech pathologists. She said....
Give yourself some time to heal. When intubated they could have scratched/scraped things up a bit. There is always the chance that some nerve damage was also done during the surgery but it is way too early to tell. She said if things don't change in a few weeks, then get yourself to see an ENT who can scope your larynx and vocal cords while in voice function. In the meantime, rest your voice as much as possible, and keep yourself constantly hydrated by sipping on water at all times. Do not strain your voice and do not whisper instead. Whispering is actually very hard on your vocal cords. Good luck, and I will keep you in my thoughts, and if any other advice is forthcoming, I'll let you know right away.
Annette
modified to add... also, a humidifier might help a lot
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| « Last Edit: Sep 2nd, 2004, 8:31pm by Annette_Emond » |
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Happiness runs in a circular motion..
you can sometimes come back around to what you thought was done.
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athos
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Re: I did not sign up for This!!!
« Reply #14 on: Sep 2nd, 2004, 10:20pm » |
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cool thanks
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nancyc
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Re: I did not sign up for This!!!
« Reply #15 on: Sep 2nd, 2004, 10:25pm » |
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This is what i have to look forward to? I think I will just live with the cervical pain....Get better bro! Thinking of you..  nancyc
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cootie
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Re: I did not sign up for This!!!
« Reply #16 on: Sep 3rd, 2004, 12:12am » |
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I agree with you nancyc.......I'm in NO hurry to go thru that...........pain in the neck Pam
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Cause and Effect......"Cause is the effect concealed, Effect is the cause revealed"
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