My goodness I've missed you all! So glad to come in and see so many familiar friends carrying on and many newbies too. I've been MIA for awhile I know. Not because I've been smoking but because I had to go "under the knife"! Long story short, had an MRI done on my spine and got quite the shock. I needed a whole new neck and was in danger of being paralyzed because my spinal cord was so compressed! I had to have a "lamanectomy" and spinal fusion from my C2 to T-2 vertebrae! I was operated on Sept 1 and then got sick in the hospital from a sinus infection with a fever of 103.6. One of my lungs was showing signs it wanted to collapse and I developed pneumonia. Was on the heavy duty IV antibiotics and I think I scared my poor surgeon out of his wits! Yes it was quite the adventure. But I got outta there by the 7th day and I've been recovering at a friends house. I hope to get my neck brace off on Oct 28, get back home and start the real physical therapy. This has been so crazy. Lesson learned, don't ignore a pain in the neck! All the "symptoms" I had I thought were the result of just being out of shape, need more exercise etc. I expected the MRI to show maybe a pinched nerve that a shot could take care of. Like I said it was a shock. It sent me into a tailspin and I had already been struggling with my quit. So I made up my mind this surgery and recovery would be the springboard to renewed quit commitment. Come Nov 1, I will be two months quit (again). I am glad to be back among the living and want to stay that way as long as possible! :). BTW my surgeon was incredible and my 8" scar (on back of my neck) is hardly noticeable already! It will be a long haul - like 18 months for full recovery but looking forward to really "getting back in shape" this time! Lol Sending hugs and smiles to all in EX land. Keep fighting the good fight!! oxoxo
