The recovery starts
01-09-19, 09:48 PM
#1
Ellensburg, WA
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The recovery starts
Yesterday was my C5/6 cervical fusion. In through the front of the neck so swallowing is a little tough (good excuse for some ice cream). Been a rough couple of days that I make a little brighter by staying up on C&V and the folks here. I came out of anesthesia so bad they had to call a security guard to help hold me down. After that, my body was shaking and convulsing so much that they had to give me Demerol to get it to stop. I was discharged this afternoon and am resting at my parents place until one of my brothers takes me home on Friday or Saturday. It's time to learn patience. I can't lift more than 5 lbs for 2 weeks - guess that means I can still install a rear derailleur and stem and bars when I feel up to it. 
After that it's up to 6 weeks not lifting more than 10 pounds and then up to 6 months not lifting more than 25 lbs. Good thing most my road bikes are less than 25lbs.
For now it's rest, drugs and crossing my fingers for a good healing process.
After that it's up to 6 weeks not lifting more than 10 pounds and then up to 6 months not lifting more than 25 lbs. Good thing most my road bikes are less than 25lbs.For now it's rest, drugs and crossing my fingers for a good healing process.
Last edited by scozim; 01-09-19 at 10:11 PM.
01-09-19, 09:52 PM
#2
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Here's hoping and wishing for a speedy recovery and back to riding as soon as possible.
01-09-19, 10:02 PM
#3
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Wow, hope the rest of this goes way better for you.
Modern Medical Science = Phft!
Always have to remember, "practicing medicine".
Heal well and advocate for yourself whenever necessary.
Modern Medical Science = Phft!
Always have to remember, "practicing medicine".
Heal well and advocate for yourself whenever necessary.
01-09-19, 10:12 PM
#4
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Man in that picture you certainly look like you've been through a wringer. You have my sympathy Scott and will be praying for your complete recovery.
01-09-19, 10:39 PM
#5
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Geez, any ideas what happened regarding the anesthesia reaction? That sounded pretty scary; the rest I assume is par for the course in surgery such as this.
Heal up whenever, just heal up completely
DD
Heal up whenever, just heal up completely
DD
01-09-19, 10:51 PM
#6
Ellensburg, WA
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01-09-19, 11:05 PM
#7
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My father always reacted violently to pain meds. As he aged, it was a common practice by doctors to load him up with that stuff and of course, he would have the same violent reaction. We continually told them to adjust/reduce dosages, but they never listened.
01-09-19, 11:08 PM
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Best wishes for a smooth recovery, Scozim.
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Keeping Seattle’s bike shops in business since 1978
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01-09-19, 11:24 PM
#10
Me duelen las nalgas
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Yikes. Glad it wasn't any worse and you have family available.
Some folks do react more strongly than others to the stresses of surgery, anesthesia and post-op pain meds. Messing around with the neck is very tricky stuff. Take it easy for a few weeks.
I skipped the surgery after my neck was broken in 2001. The C2 finally healed on it's own but abnormally thickened and a bit crunchy and stiff. I may have it re-evaluated this year.
I've had only one surgery since I was 15 (tonsils then) -- for thyroid cancer in November. Fortunately it went smoothly, no post-op problems. But it does take time to heal. I don't think I began to feel quite up to par until just recently. I kept pushing myself too hard every time I felt okay -- including a 25 mile bike ride four days after surgery -- then paid for it for days afterward.
Some folks do react more strongly than others to the stresses of surgery, anesthesia and post-op pain meds. Messing around with the neck is very tricky stuff. Take it easy for a few weeks.
I skipped the surgery after my neck was broken in 2001. The C2 finally healed on it's own but abnormally thickened and a bit crunchy and stiff. I may have it re-evaluated this year.
I've had only one surgery since I was 15 (tonsils then) -- for thyroid cancer in November. Fortunately it went smoothly, no post-op problems. But it does take time to heal. I don't think I began to feel quite up to par until just recently. I kept pushing myself too hard every time I felt okay -- including a 25 mile bike ride four days after surgery -- then paid for it for days afterward.
01-09-19, 11:30 PM
#11
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I wish you the best on your recovery! I'm really sorry the anesthesia messed with you so poorly. Post-surgery patience sucks but yeah, it's very necessary. What was their prognosis with regard to weight bearing (leaning on/over handlebars) and articulation of the neck("looking up" while leaning forward on a bike)? I would imagine they would put restrictions on that for a while. Or have they ruled out riding for 6 months?
01-09-19, 11:41 PM
#12
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I wish you the best on your recovery! I'm really sorry the anesthesia messed with you so poorly. Post-surgery patience sucks but yeah, it's very necessary. What was their prognosis with regard to weight bearing (leaning on/over handlebars) and articulation of the neck("looking up" while leaning forward on a bike)? I would imagine they would put restrictions on that for a while. Or have they ruled out riding for 6 months?
01-10-19, 01:09 AM
#13
Me duelen las nalgas
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Yeah, that's not unusual for different doctors, PAs, nurse practitioners and physical therapists to contradict each other -- or, to put it more generously, have differing opinions and recommendations.
After my shoulder was broken last spring the doctor who was going to do the surgery wanted me in a sling to immobilize the joint. Then they had to postpone surgery (X-rays revealed a thyroid tumor that took priority). The next ortho doc said no sling. The third didn't care one way or another, just whatever made me comfortable. The latter doc was the most experienced so I wore the sling for comfort and support, mostly when out walking for exercise and errands, then I'd take it off a few times a day for moderate physical therapy.
On the other hand, I went to two completely different medical facilities to check the thyroid tumor. The tests, biopsies, prognosis from various endocrinologists and ENT surgeons, and their recommendations were virtually identical. That actually inspired more confidence. Even though the news wasn't necessarily good, it wasn't too bad either and hearing some consistency was reassuring.
Back in the summer when I thought it would be months before I could ride my bike again a friend brought over his recumbent. Hated it. I never got past the parking lot. It just made me more determined to get well fast enough to ride my own bikes. I missed the last three weeks of May, all of June, most of July, then took a few rides that felt good but were premature. Had to take off most of August, then finally started feeling pretty decent again mid-September.
But your surgery and recovery will be more complicated than mine so do whatever your most cautious doctor and therapist suggest.
After my shoulder was broken last spring the doctor who was going to do the surgery wanted me in a sling to immobilize the joint. Then they had to postpone surgery (X-rays revealed a thyroid tumor that took priority). The next ortho doc said no sling. The third didn't care one way or another, just whatever made me comfortable. The latter doc was the most experienced so I wore the sling for comfort and support, mostly when out walking for exercise and errands, then I'd take it off a few times a day for moderate physical therapy.
On the other hand, I went to two completely different medical facilities to check the thyroid tumor. The tests, biopsies, prognosis from various endocrinologists and ENT surgeons, and their recommendations were virtually identical. That actually inspired more confidence. Even though the news wasn't necessarily good, it wasn't too bad either and hearing some consistency was reassuring.
Back in the summer when I thought it would be months before I could ride my bike again a friend brought over his recumbent. Hated it. I never got past the parking lot. It just made me more determined to get well fast enough to ride my own bikes. I missed the last three weeks of May, all of June, most of July, then took a few rides that felt good but were premature. Had to take off most of August, then finally started feeling pretty decent again mid-September.
But your surgery and recovery will be more complicated than mine so do whatever your most cautious doctor and therapist suggest.
01-10-19, 01:11 AM
#14
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Yikes. Couldn't happen to a nicer guy 
I'm sure next September you'll be kicking all our butts in Tour de Palouse II. If you can sucker anyone into coming back out for that.
I'm sure next September you'll be kicking all our butts in Tour de Palouse II. If you can sucker anyone into coming back out for that.
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● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
01-10-19, 01:47 AM
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Glad that surgery, etc. is now behind you, Scott. My best wishes for your recovery process. The view will be so much better now that you can actually bend your neck to see it!
01-10-19, 07:12 AM
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Best of luck with the recovery!
As a C/Ver I’m sure you asked for steel fusion bits instead of titanium right?
As a C/Ver I’m sure you asked for steel fusion bits instead of titanium right?
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01-10-19, 07:21 AM
#17
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Best wishes Scott!!!
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Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
01-10-19, 07:21 AM
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Hope you feel better soon. You're in such great shape that I'm sure you'll be back to riding on schedule. Hopefully, pain free!
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Hard at work in the Secret Underground Laboratory...
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01-10-19, 08:04 AM
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Heal up. Dream up wild projects in your down time.
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In search of what to search for.
In search of what to search for.
01-10-19, 08:28 AM
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Idiosyncratic reactions to anesthesia are not uncommon. That's why the pre-op H&P always asks whether you've had any unusual reactions to anesthesia. And don't worry, we don't take it personally or feel the less of you when things like this happen.
01-10-19, 09:22 AM
#23
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No yodeling for a while.
Here's hoping you breathe, relax, aim carefully, stop to take it in, then move forward knowing we all want you to get there.
And you will. Of that, no doubts exist.
Here's hoping you breathe, relax, aim carefully, stop to take it in, then move forward knowing we all want you to get there.
And you will. Of that, no doubts exist.
01-10-19, 11:54 AM
#24
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I've been thinking about you, Scott. You had it rough. Now it should get better. That's what I'm hoping for.
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
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“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
01-10-19, 11:54 AM
#25
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Heal well. Sounds like a good time to catch up on all those books you meant to read (Like Beryl Burton's biography)
Take care, Milo
Take care, Milo