It was a Rough Night

Neck is still quite swollen

Last night was tough. Very tough. The pain was unexpected even though it was to be expected. What I mean is I expected to have a certain level of discomfort, but I didn't expect it to be as extreme as it was. Every time I tried to lay down my airway was cut off. I am guessing it is due to inflammation. My neck is still very swollen and I look like a serial killer's victim who managed to get away. My wound is still oozing. Ugh. Ultimately I gave up trying to sleep in my bed and sat up in a chair all night. Thankfully I was tired enough I could sleep sitting in the chair.

Bruising and itching from latex

So health issues are definitely one of the things I didn't consider when choosing the tiny life. Most folks who live in a tiny house don't have a homestead, so I figure most won't run into this kind of issue, but it is real nonetheless. Lifting building materials, 40lb bags of feed, etc. all added to this complication, no doubt. 

Some will read this blog post and find it to be too heavy, some will feel it a sympathy play, still others may feel pity. My goal in blogging about my surgery is to always be transparent, documenting the ups and downs of this tiny house adventure, including the good and the bad. Life is a roller coaster, full of ups and downs. Right now I am on the bottom of the parabola and ready to begin climbing back up again. I am sure each day I will feel a little better, gather a little more energy, sleep a little better. I will bounce back just as I always have and be ready to tackle the next item on my never-ending to do list. 

Onward and upward!

I am Alive

The surgery went pretty well and after two days in the hospital, I am home. The surgery fuse C5 - 7 took close to five hours due to my having a short neck. Who knew? The doctor told me it was a really tough procedure and he had a difficult time isolating the area to fuse it. I look pretty beat up with bruises on my face from the retractors, but I am glad it is done and now I can heal. My neck is pretty sore and the incision looks nasty under all the steri strips. I hope when they fall off and the swelling goes down, it will be less noticeable. 

I won't gross y'all out with photos this time (you're welcome). I just wanted to pop up and say I am still alive. 

Have a great weekend!

Spinal Surgery Scheduled

I went back to the Neurosurgeon the other day. As you may or may not know, I had a sudden onset problem with pain in my neck and arm. Well, the news is not good. I have to have two of my discs removed from my cervical spine and a third will need to be done within the next ten years. The surgeon and I discussed the pros and cons of taking care of that third disc during this upcoming surgery and he told me it is a longer surgery requiring longer sedation and a significantly longer recovery period. We decided together to take care of the two discs that are impinging on my spinal cord at this time and taking care of the other at a later time as it is not as significant. I will be having surgery on December 16th and will have a two week recovery period before I can return to work.