It's getting really real now. My spine surgery is set.

You're very right, catalady! I should be concentrating on how this surgery will improve my life, think about the "after" part instead of worrying about the surgery itself. I have a very capable surgeon and I trust him a lot. You're right about the smiling part, too. I've always come out of these surgeries smiling, even when I was in more pain than before I went in. Just knowing it was behind me was enough to get me smiling. The surgeon said he wanted me in the hospital as soon as possible when I saw him last week. Unfortunately, the soonest date he could get me in is September 3rd, which gives me two weeks to worry. I'll try my best to keep my mind occupied on things I love in these two weeks. Thanks so much for the encouraging words. They mean a lot to me. Oh, welcome to myLot! I hope you enjoy it here. Be careful, though, it's addicting. LOL

I sure will, cat. Promise! When I first joined myLot, I almost had to be dragged away from the computer. I was hooked from the start. lol It took a bit of extreme self-discipline but I finally managed to get a good balance between here and real life. It may come down to my needing to be dragged away again, once I'm healed. There are so many terrific people and great discussions here and, well, I DO love to talk.

Thank you for your welcome mentalward, that was really nice of you :o) I think I am already addicted to MyLot, lol...and already I have met some lovely people on here who have made me feel welcome. You can always come on here and talk to your friends to take your mind off your surgery...just look through some of the discussions..that's enough to take your mind of anything,lol. Keep us up-to-date with things won't you.

Hi Cats. Thank you! I know I'll be fine. I'm just scared. However, I'm a lot less scared than I was. I've had such a wonderful outpouring of love and positive energy here that I feel a lot better about it. I'm now looking forward to getting it over with and behind me. I'm just not looking forward to the pain. I'm such a huge pain weenie! One week from right now I'll be in the hospital, recovering and getting all the care and attention I'll need. I think I'll even enjoy the little vacation from housework! Hospital food isn't the greatest (except for one hospital I was in twice... they had fillet mignon and prime rib!) but just not having to cook it will be great. The hospital I'll be in is about 60 miles from here and I probably won't enjoy the ride home very much but my husband has promised to go easy and avoid all the potholes he can. Now, if I can just get him to stop tailgating, the ride should be just fine.

If it makes you feel any better, I know a guy, great friend of my family, and he's in his late sixties. He had to have the kind of surgery where they go in from the front to work on your spine. They put in a couple of cavadar bones and everything. He's doing well now. But the thought they are going in through the front - that's so hard to wrap my mind around, the difficulty, that I doubt anything I say would be very comforting. I wish I could!

Yep it will!

i know your mean mentalward

Hi Leenie. You're so sweet! I figured out that, with this surgery, they average out to one every two years of my entire life. It's amazing that I ever got to where I have, with all those interruptions. I know all about the wonderful improvements made in all areas of surgery but that doesn't make the fear of the unknown disappear, you know? Especially with all the warnings they give you before each surgery. With this one, it's "you could die" and "you could become totally paralyzed". The almost insignificant one is "your voice could become husky." Well, the way I like to talk, it might be a major thing if it happens. I'll have to learn sign language and staple my mouth shut. When I think rationally, I know I'll be fine. It's when I'm not looking that these fears creep up on me. I was so hoping that they could get me into the hospital next week. From what the surgeon said, I would have been in there yesterday. But, he's a very good surgeon and his schedule is totally booked with serious issues and no one could be bumped back until September 3rd. So, two weeks to try to keep my mind from wandering where it shouldn't go and what I can do is very limited now. I think I'm going to start reading one of the Stephen King books I have that I've never had the time to get to before. Thank you so much for being such a sweetheart, Leenie, and thank you for the support. It means a lot to me. Love you, too!

Spring chicken? Well, in my mind, I'm still the same, bouncy, over-enthusiastic gal I've always been but my body says differently. You're right about the prayers, they can't hurt! And I thank you for that. Every time I touch my fingers on my right hand, I can't help but think that it'll be terrific to be able to feel them again. That's not a certainty but I still can hope. My surgeon said that the nerve damage I have now could be permanent but I could also see a lot of improvement after the surgery. I'll keep hoping! It's really weird to not be able to feel your fingers. I've received so much positive energy with this discussion that I am feeling a lot better about the surgery. I'm now anxious to get it over with so I can get on with my life. Thank you so much, Paula!

You know, these love vibes have helped tremendously! I'm actually anxious for the surgery now. Well, I'm anxious for it to be over. Spring chicken is used here in the States, too. I used the confused emoticon because I was trying to fit myself into that spring chicken category and it didn't quite work. It's weird how our minds stay the same as our bodies age. I can remember looking in a mirror once and thinking, "This is what my mother should look like, not me!" I also understand why my grandmother was always referring to her friends as "the girls". "The girls" were all in their 70's or 80's.

The spring chicken thing may be an Australian saying, we say that when we think a person is still young, your little confused emoticon made me think it may not be a saying that you have heard before! I'm glad you're feeling a lot better. All these love vibes everybody is sending you will reach you I'm sure and hopefully all will be well. Take care...

I love you lots to My Surgery if they decide to do it will not be for a while so no worrying over me get yourself better and as soon as you can get here and let us know you are well Big Hugs

Hi Gabs. You know, I'm positive that I'll feel everyone right beside me all the way through this surgery. I've received so much positive energy and good wishes that I know I'll do just fine. I was hesitant about posting this discussion but now I'm so glad I did. A good support system is necessary at times like this and you and other terrific people here never fail to deliver. I should be back home on the 4th and well on the way towards being better than ever by the time you hear if you need surgery. Please let me know as soon as you know, okay? I'll be doing the exact same for you, being there beside you every step of the way, whether you need surgery or not. Love you lots!

Thanks so much, Carol. You're very correct about looking back. I've had some surgeries that have drastically improved my life. I'll try to look at this one the same way. I've read that the problem I'm having can cause memory problems and I have noticed my memory getting worse over the past few months so this surgery could very well help to improve my memory. Also, I probably won't get so many headaches. Always a plus! Of course, the pain and numbness in my arm and hand will be gone, hopefully. The doctor said that I'll probably have some permanent damage to this arm because of the nerve being squashed but it will be in the form of weakness, not pain. At least, that's the hope. I'm going to try very hard to only think about the positive things that will come from this surgery. In about two months, I'll be right as rain, just in time to get started on the holidays.

I wish you a full recovery ahd will say prayers. I know this is a difficult time.

Wow, moon! You sound almost like me! I've never had my gall bladder operated on and don't have any polyps that I know of, at least none that are causing any trouble, but just about everything else has been operated on. I hope you also come through all this better than ever. I've had a lot of surgeries, some very minor, some quite major, but all necessary. I think my first was very scary, then they got easier to handle after that. I walked right into the hospital smiling with my last surgery, which was relatively minor. Now, geez, I was soooo hoping that last one would be THE last one, you know? My husband is having issues with is lower spine. He has two bulging discs. He's being treated by the same surgeon but his treatment is conservative, cortisone shots and physical therapy. I never would have guessed that I'd be having surgery on MY spine! I've never had any issues before this. It all started with a pain in my right shoulder and down my arm. I was shocked when they told me it was my neck, not my shoulder. Oh, well. I'll try very hard to concentrate on the positive and, with your calming, healing prayer, I'm sure I'll do just fine. Thank you so much. I will do the same for you for your upcoming surgeries, as well. Here's to good health!

Some of us do have medical issues to deal with. It's kind of like after awhile of having them to deal with we kind of get use to having them all the while hoping this is the last one. lol My daughter has the same problem you are now, it is also her nerves in her neck and they have told her that she needs surgery with this. But that is a hard one with nerves involved. I do know that if we try to relax and be calm then we do much better when we have the procedures. So yes, try to be calm and try not to worry. Hang in there and thank you for your healing energy to me.

Hi hmkoct5. As fate would have it, life has kept my mind occupied lately. Last week, I had to take my kitty to the vet's because he was limping. (He had an abscess in his leg... all better now.) Then, this past week, we had to take my husband's cat to the vet's. She had a pretty serious urinary tract infection and was one sick little kitty but she's doing better now, too. She just came out of her hiding place for the first time today and ate some food. (We were having to force-feed her for a couple of days.) Then, just today, my husband and I went to the hardware store and ordered siding and stuff for my son's house. My husband and son are going to be putting new siding on his house and shed this weekend. I'm one of those funny women who love going to the hardware store. I really enjoyed perusing and seeing what I could see. I'm also about to start my own business with a few things I've invented and, although it has to be put on hold for a few weeks while I recover, I've been working on the little details before launching the business. It should be all ready to go when I am. So, I've had plenty to keep my mind occupied. I've received so much positive energy from this discussion that I'm actually anxious to get this surgery over and done with so I can get back to normal. I have pain and numbness down my arm and hand from this herniated disc so having it repaired will be such a relief! Only one week to go now!

I'm so glad you're doing well! I will send positive vibes your way!!!

Thank you so much, Chevee. I've become a lot more positive about this since receiving so much love and positive energy from everyone. I'm anxious to get it over with now instead of worrying about it. I want to get back to normal. This pain in my arm has gone on long enough and I'm ready to get it fixed. I've had an incredible week which has kept my mind off the surgery, for the most part. My cat, then my husband's cat, had to go to the vet's, for different but similar problems. My cat had an abscess in his leg and my husband's cat had a bad urinary tract infection. My kitty is all better now and my husband's cat is definitely improving. Also, someone tried to get into my bank account so I had to get that all straightened out. Also, my son needed my help in getting what he needs to have some repairs done to his house. He just started a new job and hasn't had the time to order the siding and other things he needs to fix his house. (Some siding broke off and blew away... he has no idea where... in one of the wind storms we've had around here.) So, that was just done today and repairs will take place this weekend and I'll be there, supervising. WHEW!!! At least this has all kept my mind from the surgery. All I want now is to get it over with and behind me so I can get on with my life. I am so thankful for meeting you and so many other wonderful people here in myLot.

Thank you so much, Eileen. I'm feeling so much better with all the prayers and positive energy from my friends here at myLot. Who wouldn't? Right now, I'm just anxious to get it over with so I can start healing and get my life back to normal. My right arm is very limited at the moment and hurts quite a lot because the herniation in my neck is pinching off that nerve to my arm. I'm looking forward to having at least some of the use of my arm come back after the surgery. I am going to keep my mind very busy until then so I won't start worrying again.

Here's an angel to make sure you are in good hands.

Hi nangisha. I'm very happy to hear that your mom came through the surgery and is healthy now! I know what it's like to worry about someone you love. I am feeling a lot better now because of everyone sending me good wishes and positive energy. Right now, I'm just waiting for it to be over with and behind me so I can get on with my life.

I can imagine! I, too, have had a few of those boob jobs. I've also had my lower abdomen opened from hip to hip. I ended up with a great big smiley face on my... uhh... body, complete with eyebrows! (Those would be the boob job scars. ) So, do you have a smiley face, too? Yeah, three of those surgeries to date. Twice on the same spot, then once on both at once. I had benign cysts the first two times, then benign fibroadenomas with the third surgery. I've had a few where my stay was longer than anticipated. The longest I've been in the hospital was 16 days. This one should be only 2 days or close to it, rare for the insurance companies today. They want you in and out as soon as possible. I'm surprised they're not pushing me out the door as soon as I wake up. I've also had shoulder surgery. I was back at work in two days, although I really should have rested a bit longer. It's hard to keep me down after surgery. I'm going to have a hard time not doing too much for six whole weeks! But, that's what the surgeon said I'd need. Of course, they almost always say six weeks. If I take it easy, I'll be fine. I'm sure of it. And, now that I've received so many positive energy here, I'm feeling much better about it. I just hope I feel the same way when I'm on my way into surgery!

Thank you, Derek. With all the positive energy coming my way from this discussion, I am feeling quite a bit better now. I'm actually looking forward to getting this over with so I can get on with my life. I can't do much now and, as I am normally a very active person (despite having fibromyalgia), this has severely affected my life. So, I'll keep myself busy as best I can for now and think about how good I'll feel once I'm healed.

Hi Hatley. It's so nice to hear about someone who has been through this same thing. Actually, my husband works with a gal who he has called my doppleganger since he met her. She looks a lot like me, dresses a lot like me and also has the same attitude about life in general. I got to meet her last week and she really is a lot like me. She just lacks the excess enthusiasm I tend to have most of the time. Anyway, she told me that she has had this same surgery in the past. I could see the scar on her neck but it wasn't bad at all. (They went in through the front of her neck, too, just as they're going to do with me.) Scars don't phase me anymore... vanity vanished a few years back. I'm at the age now where you like me as I am or... well, so what? She said her throat was a little sore for a couple of days after the surgery and her leg hurt but that was all. Her leg hurt because they used bone from her thigh to fuse the vertebrae together. My surgeon is going to use a metal plate so I won't have the leg pain. My surgeon said I may have an issue with pain because of my fibromyalgia but he said we'd deal with it. I'm not worried, although I am a HUGE pain weenie! Now, about that Tootsie Roll Pop, I added that question because I had just thrown out one I found in a drawer left over from last Halloween. I saved a few for those little Tootsie Roll Pop emergencies.

Hi Neil. They will be removing a herniated disc in my neck and securing the two vertebrae with a metal plate and screws. The disc is pinching off the nerve to my right arm and causing a lot of pain and numbness all the way to my fingertips. Thank you for your kind words and prayers. I feel a lot better now than I did when I posted this discussion. Everyone has been so wonderful! I would have responded to you earlier but this has been one heck of a week for me! Last week, I had to take my cat to the vet's because of an abscess in his leg. Then, I had a problem with my bank. They had frozen my account because there was some very suspicious activity. I had to get that all straightened out (someone had tried to get into my account and had actually removed some money) and wait for a new debit card. Then, my husband's cat had to go to the vet's because she wasn't eating or drinking. Turned out that she had a very serious urinary tract infection. She's been home for two days now and is just starting to eat on her own again. We had to force-feed her with very mushy food and a syringe. Also, my oldest son has needed help with his house because it needs new siding and other repairs and, since he just started a new job and didn't have the time, I told him I'd take care of the details. That was just taken care of this afternoon and I'll be at his house all weekend while the repairs are done. I FINALLY have some time to breathe, for the moment, anyway. I read your discussion about the good news. I hope it WAS good news. Have you heard anything more about them helping you with Zayzay's surgery? Wouldn't it be quite a strange coincidence if he and I had our surgeries on the same day? Also, both almost in the same area! His throat and my neck. If you still need help, my bank account should be completely straightened out by Monday. Let me know, okay?

Thank you, vandana. I've received a lot of positive energy from posting this discussion so I'm awfully glad I did! I'm feeling a lot better about this surgery now. I'm just anxious to get it over with and behind me. I wish I didn't have to wait two weeks now but it does give me time to tidy up my house because I won't be able to do much of that right after the surgery so it's all good.

You know, I think it could be the pain I'll have when I wake up from the surgery more than the surgery itself that is scaring me. I'm a HUGE pain weenie. The more I read and the more stories I hear, the less afraid of this surgery I'm becoming. I met someone recently who had the exact same operation, right down to the incision being in the front of the neck. She told me that her throat was sore for a couple of days but, other than that, it wasn't bad. So, with that news, plus all the positive energy I've received here, I'm feeling much better about the whole thing. I just got back from my PCP's office where we went over the lab work (pre-surgical testing) and he gave me the green light for the surgery. I didn't even feel a twinge of fear when he said I'm all set to be "chipped away" (his words) by the surgeon. I'm so happy I found myLot! The people here really rally around people when they're having problems and I think that's great. It has renewed my faith in human beings.