@strongwoman
I had C3-C7 fusion with hardware anteriorly. I was 72 yrs old, female, and in good physical shape other than degenerative disc disease. I didn't have to sleep in the brace after the first night but it went back on when out of bed. I could apply it myself. The brace and the pain were minimal. I didn't need to take all the hydrocodone and I stopped the muscle relaxer in the hospital because it was making me lightheaded. I was suppose to spend 2 nights in the hospital as my surgery was done late in the day. My nurse and I talked my doctor into letting me go the afternoon of the second day, I was starving. Turns out eating was my biggest challenge. I went to a speech therapist to help with swallowing due to the hardware. I'm small and the plate takes up room. I can eat anything now but I'm careful to grind well and use caution with things like apple & grape skins. My range of motion is great, better than I expected but my neck can get tired if I drive more than a few hours, all I need is a few minute break. I have long hair and I went to the local cheap cuts just for an occasional good shampoo & blow dry after I got out of the brace. I didn't wear the brace for very long, 4 or 6 weeks. I could wash my hair but drying in the beginning was challenging.
I pray you do as well as I've done. You've got this.