Been offline for a while-neck surgery again

[robnpat]

All, been offline for a long while. I, once again, had neck surgery that I am recovering from. It was almost one year ago that I had my first surgery, and now they had to fuse C5/C6 and C6/C7 together. I guess I have degenerative disease that will progessively get worse. Needless to say, I haven't been able to ride my bike for a while. My wife wants me to get rid of it, and I probably will have to eventually if/when my neck gets worse. I have a nice suture mark in my neck; looks like I got into a knife fight and lost



I'm pretty much immobile for the near future, which sucks because I hate 'sitting' still and relying on others to help me with the basics. My dad and sister came over last week to mow my lawn (made me mad because I didn't know they were coming over but I knew they were doing it to help me and my wife). My daughter even came up from college Friday as a surprise to help her mom take care of me over this long weekend. I just love my family.

Not sure what the future holds for me and riding, but I sure am going to fight as hard as possible to keep riding.

Anyway, time to look back at some of the posts so I can start dreaming once again on riding my bike again once I get my clearance from my doctor. Get out there and ride; I'll pretend I'm right there with ya.

Rob

 

[ziggie]

Glad to hear you doing ok and have help.sounds like you will be riding soon with that good mind set.keep us up to date.

 

[robnpat]

I keep teasing my wife that I want to take my bike out for a short 'spin'...she doesn't think it is funny, although she knows I really won't until I get clearance and that I am physically able to. Sometime soon I'm gonna go out and start it up; get the oil flowing through the engine, and to hear that engine roar (well, an NC700X roar, not a Harley-type roar). I do watch alot of NC videos on youtube

 

[wozza]

You just get better soon. I can't imagine what it must be like to go through what you have.
You'll have plenty of good wishes from the members of this forum...

 

[turbodieseli4i6]

Get well Rob! Been missing your post.

 

[robnpat]

Thanks, Wozza. I thought it was hard last year when I had my first surgery because I just purchased my bike and had hardly rode it before having surgery. Now that I have been able to ride it for a long time, the bug REALLY bit me and it is even harder. But, I know my bike is out in the garage, ready to go when the time is right. I'll have a smile a mile-wide when I get it back on the highway. I just gotta hide my keys so the wife doesn't sell it right under my nose

 

[robnpat]

Oh, and the neck brace sucks. I have to wear it at least 50% of the day, and at night, for at least the next week. The meds suck (Vicodin, Vallium, and some other muscle relaxer) and make me more sick that it does to help the pain. I can't see how people abuse those drugs; I hate them with a passion.

 

[Old Can Ride]

You are 100% correct about the meds, they are worst than the pain. Get well soon.

 

[JDE]

Man that sucks! Sorry to hear you're having to deal with another surgury. Get well soon and deffinately hide those keys!! I can somewhat relate as after I had my first bike for about a year and a half. I got into an accident, the bike was totalled. I had some nasty road rash on about 10% of my body in various places. My wife had to help clean my wounds and change my bandages after being released from the ER. My Dad had to mow MY lawn!! That was a change!! Haha! After that my wife said no more riding!! I tried my best to keep her wishes, but at almost a year of no riding after the accident I got the NC. In a week it will be two years since I totalled the last bike. I'm much more cautious now on the NC. I don't want to re-live that experience.

 

[TC3]

Rob I hope you are able to get out on the bike before long. You are having a tough time right now but with the help of your family you will get through it. Hope you are up and about soon

 

[johnakay]

get well soon Rob but why torture yourself watching nc rides etc on you tube
time is a good healer and at our young it seem to go quicker.
remember the old school day when 8 hours seem like 20! to us school boys

 

[robnpat]

Oh yes, John...those 8 hours sitting in a 'prison' for 13 years was not fun; it sure did feel like 20 hours (and they dare gave us homework, too..sheesh). Oh well

 

[Mikee3544]

And those monday moorings at the office - after an hour feels like whole day is gone, but 80% of it still remains.
Get well soon! Being healthy is that kinda thing, what you don't feel but realize it when you are ill.
You'll ride that bike again, just believe that, and don't give up at any time!
Best wishes!

 

[miss demeaner]

heal well, don't rush it. we'll just have to step up the tag thread to give you something to "watch".
you will be back on 2 before you know it..

 

[johnakay]

Oh yes, John...those 8 hours sitting in a 'prison' for 13 years was not fun; it sure did feel like 20 hours (and they dare gave us homework, too..sheesh). Oh well

yeah the bastids . I couldn't get out of it as I was stationed at a boarding school, last 5 years of my school life stuck in that place!
glad to leave school in 1968!! gosh where have all those years gone??

 

[shinkle]

First let me say that I hope you get to feeling better and are eventually able to get back on the bike. Secondly, I fear your situation is about to hit close to home for me. I've only had my bike a few months and was just diagnosed with a multitude of neck issues that I'm guessing are going to end my riding for at least the near future. Without getting too personal, do you mind telling me what brought on the neck surgeries? I have been diagnosed with spinal canal stenosis, neural foraminal stenosis, C3-C4 arthritis, bulging discs from C4-C7 that are protruding into my spinal cord and into my esophagus. I will be seeing a surgical spine specialist and a physical therapy spine specialist next week to discuss how to proceed.

Sorry for the long lost, but your story is really hitting me where it hurts.

 

[tew47]

Had a steel plate put in my neck several years ago and it helped quiet a bit. Take it easy for a while!

 

[robnpat]

Shinkle,

I can't really tell you how I got into this 'situation'. Last year, I started having nerve issues that affected my left arm; they tried to get me to do physical therapy but I was almost in tears and the therapists told my dr. that something drastic was wrong. An MRI showed a pinched nerve in C6/C7. They tried an ESI (Epidural Spine Injection..I think that is what it is called) but it only made me very sick. So, off to surgery I go to relieve that nerve. During all of that 'investigation', they found I have arthritis in my neck, but they didn't think it would get much worse.

Fast forward to a couple months ago...I start having different neck issues (pain turning head left, right arm hurting, etc). A new MRI showed a real bad disc degenerative disease and bulging discs in most of the neck bones, but definitely in C5/C6 and C6/C7. Surgeon mentioned something about stenosis, but I don't know what all of that means. He said what he needed to do, but warned that it 'will' get worse, but he can't predict a timeframe (could be another year, or 10 years or more). So, that is my story of this issue. As long as I don't have any other bones fused, I should be ok with head movement enough to keep riding. Of course, if it does get worse and I can no longer drive my truck or ride my bike, I don't know what I'll do for work (I'm 12.5 years from full retirement...it's nice working for a school district).

Good luck with yours. Recovery is just pure h*ll, and I can't wait til my pain level gets below 50%! In fact, the night I woke up from surgery, I was in so much pain, I couldn't sleep. They gave me demerol directly in my rear (as opposed to IV), vallium, and other drugs to help control it and get me some relief. Nothing worked. I do feel better now that I did several days ago which is why I am on the Internet now, but don't let anyone convince you that recovery is a piece of cake. After 2 surgeries of this type, I am hoping I am done. Not sure my body can handle anymore.

 

[robnpat]

Had a steel plate put in my neck several years ago and it helped quiet a bit. Take it easy for a while!

That is good news. I know eventually it will help, but man, I can't believe this recovery is as painful as it is. I can't wait for this to eventually help me and maybe hold off another bout of neck issues.

 

[L.B.S.]

Hope you are feeling better ASAP

I wince all the time at the thought of another 15-20 years to go before retirement sigh. For sure I'll be long gimped with my back and other faulty bits by then!

C'mon MegaMillions Lotto!!