i have spinal stenosis, a couple of herniated disk and 2 bone spurs in the
vertabrea c3-c7. my ortho of that time started talking surgery. i ask the
question "with my back and sholder muscles having all the spasms and pulling
both right and left against my back, can you garrantee me that the surgery
will heal?" he said he did not know. never thought about it. you see these
doctors are not accustomed to dealing with other than TABS. you have to ask
the right questions. i told him that i'd consider surgery if i got to the
point that i could not bear the pain, but, not until that time. spinal
surgery is serious business.

-----Original Message-----
From: K. Salkin [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Friday, June 29, 2001 12:03 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Upcoming Surgery


No, not the CP itself (it's in my legs, not my arms).  However, the stenosis
has caused muscle spasms and nerve-end tinglings in my arms and hands.

              Kathy S.


"St. John's University Cerebral Palsy List" <[log in to unmask]>
wrote:
> kathy, does your cp cause you to have spasms in your shoulder/back area?

-----Original Message-----
From: K. Salkin [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Friday, June 29, 2001 11:51 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Upcoming Surgery


Hello, All:

I wrote a couple of months ago regarding my cervical spinal problems and
upcoming visit to the neurologist.  I had an MRI and the neuro and
neurosurgeon both gave the diagnosis of cervial spinal stenosis, meaning a
narrowing of the spinal cord at C3 through C5.

I'm scheduled for surgery on August 27 and will be in the hospital three to
five days, convalescing for a month or so.

Has anyone on this list has surgery for spinal stenosis - laminectomy ? How
long were you in the hospital, and how long before you could go back to work
or school.

Any information would be much appreciated.  Also reassurances!

Thanks!  Kathy S.