News from my Mom and need some information

[chloee30]

Good evening,

It's been a while since i write on this forum. I have continue to come and read your comments.

This forum helped me a lot in the past. I remember in 2006 ( the second surgery of my Mom) i wrote down my worries and you helped me a lot. My Mom is a survivor of a spinal cord tumor. She was operated 3 times before the tumor was completely remove. We were so happy. We thought that was all behind us. My Mom has some disability but she get by it.

My mother is monitored regularly by the neurosurgeon. Our visit in April 2008 showed that the spine was very curve. The radiologist give her opinion to check if an operation was necessary. The type of surgery is a fusion. The Neuro is not very hot with this idea. After 3 surgeries, it would be very hard for my mother. Also, she is 70 years old. The last surgery in November 2006 was very hard. My Mom had in infection. She has a lot of pain in the neck, also. So the Neuro prescribed to my Mom to wear a flexible cervical neck. It could help her with her neck and her posture. She had to wear it for 3 months each day for 8 to 12 hours.

Last week, we went back to see the doctor. My Mom had to go for an X-Ray to see if the spine is more curve. The doctor saw that the spine is very curve but when he look at my Mom, it seems there was some improvement. He decided to prescribed another cervical neck. This time it is a semi-rigid cervical neck, Miami type. She has to wear it 8 to 12 hours a day. He told her that it will be more comfortable and will help her to be standing right. For now, my Mom hate the cervical neck. she has some pain in the neck and behind the head. She has been wearing the cervical neck for 3 days.

We told him that we are not interesting with another surgery. We had make some research on this kind of surgery and the outcome are not always good. He agreed with us. I asked him what will be the worst that can happen to my Mom with the spine. He told me that it could be so curve that it could make some pressure on the spinal cord. So he hopes that with the cervical neck it will help. I'm very worry. Has anyone wear that kind of cervical neck? Has anyone had the same problem after surgery? I need some information, please. I want so much for my Mom to have a quiet old age. She is very courageous person and I'm so proud of her. I know that it is difficult for her. She is shy some times when she has to go outside with her cervical neck.

Thank you

Louise

[cindylee]

Louise...How wonderful to see you back again. I was wondering how your Mom was doing and how you were doing. I don't have any info to share with you about the back curve, but I am sure someone here will chime in. I'm sorry to hear that your Mom is having so much pain. Will any type of therapy help her? And does she have any type of arthritis in her spine? My Mom had severe osteoarthritis in her spine and it led to that hump that you see some people have. There was just nothing she could do to straighten up. And she was in huge amounts of pain. Even meds did not help her much. She also tried a back brace for awhile but it caused her more pain that it was worth. All of this pain made her very tired and there were some days she wanted to do nothing at all. I am sure your Mom feels tired from all the pain too. You and your Mom have sure been through a long battle. I wish I could help in some way. Just know that you are not alone in all this and you can always come here and look for some support. I just wanted to say hello and wish you well. I have missed you!! Hugs, Cindy

[chloee30]

Hi Cindy,

I'm glad to hear from you. How are you? Hope all is good for you. It's more than a week with the cervical neck and it's ok but not great. Mom is saying that the cervical neck is very difficult to wear all day. She wear it about 8 hours a day, and it is enough for her. My Mom has some arthritis in her neck and spine. She has also osteoporosis. She's taking medecine for that. The cervical neck seems to help; she's more straight up but it's hurting in her neck. We will wait another one or two weeks and talk to the therapist .

I decided to take her with me. My Mom was living alone in Montreal. She has all the comodities but now she can't go outside alone. It could be dangerous. So I ask her to come live with me. I live in the country and it is more quiet. I was happy that she accepted. You know, it is difficult for her to leave her appartment. But she knows that she will be better with me. We have only one mother so i will take care of her. I have the place so why not!!!

Thank you for your response and have a great week end

Louise