Connect
← Return to severe multi level cervical issues and severe S1 changes
Discussion
severe multi level cervical issues and severe S1 changes
Spine Health | Last Active: May 24 1:26pm | Replies (20)Comment receiving replies
Thank you so much Jennifer for taking the time to write such wonderful thoughts to remember. Waiting is the hardest part. I'm retired and I play keyboard in a band and if I just have a little bit of motion to look down, that would help. It's wonderful to hear that you are painting again! You accomplished your goal and that's what I'll keep in mind. I bet your paintings have become even more beautiful and if it takes me 11 months or more, I know I'll get there because I will also "prove to myself" that I can play the piano again. When you wrote that, I closed my eyes and visioned myself playing . I'll just have to do things differently.
I purchased a "cold pack" type neck wrap and a soft cervical collar and a cervical pillow for sleeping.
Thankyou Jennifer, just taking the time to share your thoughts has given me more hope!!
-Jan
Replies to "Thank you so much Jennifer for taking the time to write such wonderful thoughts to remember...."
@janagain Jan, I also wanted to share this with you, an inspirational video of someone I knew personally. His message of learning to play the guitar again after a stroke is very inspiring. Sadly, Pete is no longer with us, but his story and his words and his beautiful music remain.
Jennifer
Connect
@janagain Jan, I play keyboards too. I learned organ as a kid, and then played in a community concert band in percussion playing the bells and xylophone as well as other percussion toys. My husband played trombone and we did a lot of summers of concert series in the park and a concert trip to England some years ago.
Keep that vision of yourself playing music in your head, and bring that to your mind wherever you need it to keep going toward your goal. Visualization and hearing the music in your head will help in a fearful situation, and it is what I did a lot. I think you will have some percentage of movement to look down, and you can also move your eyes downward and not bend your neck. Head turning is done by C1 through C4, so you would loose some of that with a C3/C4 fusion. Most of head turning is done by C1 & C2 which you should still have, but with less range of motion. What I did when I was anxious was to sketch a picture of my surgeon while I waited for the surgery. I could do that with a sketchbook in my lap and not need to lift my arms. It also helped me get comfortable with him, even though it would be awhile before I would see him, and I was nervous and wanted to prepare myself.
I thought you might like to read the story and watch the painting come to life.
Mayo News Story
https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/using-the-art-of-medicine-to-overcome-fear-of-surgery/
More pictures here
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/comment/221703/
This post has the time lapse video of creating the painting and some very nice music.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/comment/222044/
Would you please share as you go through this process? I will help any way that I can if you want to discuss your options and opinions. Are you happy with your surgeon? Will you be seeking second opinions? That is a completely normal thing to do, and perhaps your doctors may have suggested this to you. I would love it if you come back after you have recovered and post a video of yourself playing some music! I really would love to hear that!
Beautiful.... beautiful music
Jennifer