Mary, before I had C 3 thru 7 fused, I had major left arm pain along with lower back and left leg. From a pain stand point, 80% was relieved after the fusion was done. The left leg does it's own thing once and a while and I fall but I don't live on prescription pain killers anymore. Get a super good surgeon for your neck. I went to the east coast for a botched surgery when the best guy was in my back yard. This fusion surgery sounds harsh but it beats the pain by far.

Mary - just wanted to tell you something else...After my accident in 2008, after I woke up from my 3 month coma...I was sent to a Rest Home which dealt with mostly Brain Damage and also Alzheimer's and other "Dementia" brain issues....I remember I met an older gentleman when I first got there...I remember him, because the who time I saw him, he never said a word...he just had this freightened stare on his face and Drooled all the time....One morning I woke up in my room and could hear a woman crying very hard in the hall..I got dressed to see what was going on....I asked her if she way okay...she hugged me and said her husband was dying...I felt bad, and I then told her I almost died several times while in a coma...and that I felt no pain, or anything...and I told her I think he will go to a peaceful place where there is no pain or fear.......She smiled..and sadly, he died that night.  She came back a couple days later and told me my words kept her from going crazy that terrible night........And it struck me...with what happened...I think now that in life, "life itself is hard"......Death is a natural "part of life"....And I knew from that point...I will always never give up trying....to get and be better!   Not like I was before...but a "new, better ME!  Just wanted to let you know that...Phil

I am wishing you a good day....:)

Good morning!!