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Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast | Or at least he will be later on today, for six to twelve weeks.
Best of luck to ya Mike! Keep your chin up...  |
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Posts: 686
Location: Route 66, just east of the Cadillac Ranch | You mean like this?
Take care Mike, you're in our prayers. |
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May 2009
Posts: 1433
Location: Right now? | Best Wishes, Mikey! Hope all went well and that you are feeling much relief.
Iffy, I think he will be keeping his chin very still, lol.
;)
Willa |
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June 2006
Posts: 7307
Location: South of most, North of few | Hopefully, this will be the end of Mike's neck problems that have plagued him for years. Our prayers are with ya buddy! |
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October 2007
Posts: 2711
Location: Vernon CT | Good luck Mike, we'll be thinking about you!!
You will have a ton of positive energy comming your way!!! |
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Posts: 4394
Location: East Tennessee | Mike, Adding my prayers as well. |
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Posts: 3084
Location: Brisbane Australia | Good luck Mike!!
Not sure Bob's Commie energy will help you!! :D
Sorry Bob, couldn't resist!!
AJ |
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November 2007
Posts: 1486
Location: Cincinnati | Originally posted by Nick B.:
You mean like this?
Take care Mike, you're in our prayers.
Good luck, Mike. Hope all goes well for you. |
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October 2007
Posts: 2711
Location: Vernon CT | Originally posted by AussieJames:
Good luck Mike!!
Not sure Bob's Commie energy will help you!! :D
Sorry Bob, couldn't resist!!
AJ Commie energy?? splain please? :D |
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Posts: 430
Location: WNC-God's Country | Good Luck Mike...Hope everything works out for ya !!
ka |
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Posts: 4081
Location: Utah | Best of luck, Mike. |
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Posts: 13997
Location: Upper Left USA | I prefer this one.
Keep your chin up Mike! |
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Posts: 2683
Location: Hot Springs, S.D. | We're with you Mike. |
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May 2006
Posts: 4236
Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent | Thinking about you as the snow comes down, down, down, down, down....
comma, comma down....
comma, comma, down doobie doo down down.
Well, you get the drift. (Get it?)
(Actually, you did if I'm not mistaken. The snow I mean. ;) )
Good luck and best wishes for a speedy and complete recovery. |
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November 2006
Posts: 2241
Location: Simpsonville, SC | Hope all went well, here's to a speedy recovery! |
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December 2006
Posts: 6268
Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast | Music Violetta called today and said that Mike is home and doing well. Of course he's a sore puppy...
Hopefully he'll feel up to dropping in on us in a day or two.  |
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Posts: 806
Location: Seymour, Tennessee | Wishing you a speedy recovery! |
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March 2005
Posts: 5567
Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | Good Morning Everyone...and thanks for the good wishes and good natured fun...I finally got some sleep last night after two nights with none...the operation took about two hours and because they had no beds, I was in the recovery room for 6 hours...more about that later...
I came through fine except I cannot speak and swallowing is very painful...hopefully this will be a temporary condition...I am in a lot of pain/therefore a lot of pain medicine (no really?) but that should get better over time as well...I do have a cervical collar tho wear not to be confused with the clerical collar I wear as part of my job...I will be at least 6 weeks recovering...maybe as many as 12...so lots of time to sit and hopefully work in the studio...of course I can't speak let alone sing so we will have to see how that comes about. I saw the depictions of the collar I have to wear: cute...
Here is the real deal complete with me having just woken up: yeah I know delightful...but imagine having a 2x4 shoved down your throat while a Surgeon cuts a three inch slit cross ways in your throat and moves all the necessary breathing and voice stuff out of the way to be able to get to the spine and remove two disc's and replace them with spacers,,,and then zip you back up...OK, I think you get the idea...But, if you print and post it in your garden this spring, I guarantee it will work better than any scarecrow...
It takes a lot to sit and write at the computer so I will probably not be doing much until I get to feeling better...
Take care of yourselves and play a few for me!
MM
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Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Glad to hear (read) that you survived.
At least you didn't get a 'halo' collar... Y'know with the screws in your head?
[Pleasant thought, huh?]
Wishing you a Speedy Recovery.
Ever notice how to concept of taking 'Pain Pills' loses it's charm when you really Need them? :cool: |
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December 2004
Posts: 4394
Location: East Tennessee | Mike, Glad to hear you are recovering. Hope this will fix the problem. Wish you had worn your Mr Big shirt. :D |
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Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | Done!(with my daughters help...)  |
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Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast | I can't believe 'they' put my dental x-rays on your collar! 
Hang in dere Mike... |
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Location: East Tennessee | The hat adds a nice touch. |
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Posts: 1486
Location: Cincinnati | Mike,
I had the same surgery but only one disc removed and I didn't require the Collar of Shame. The worst part was the soreness from having everything moved to the side so they could access the spine. Most of the soreness goes away in a few days. Hopefully your recovery will be as speedy as mine. Just don't overdo it because you feel better than you really are. |
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Posts: 2683
Location: Hot Springs, S.D. | Mike, I'm glad it's over with and you are now on your way to recovery. It's great to see your sense of humor is still intact! Get yourself a MagnaDoodle 'til your voice comes back. It'll save on paper and ink. |
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Posts: 4536
Location: Flahdaw | Originally posted by Capo Guy:
The hat adds a nice touch. WOW, especially after seeing him without it!
Get well soon, Mike. |
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Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | WOW as well.
Got your voice mail this morning Mike. Yeah...you sound like crap. Can't be much fun.
Feel better soon. |
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Posts: 4413
| No fun when you can't shout at the kids.
Get well soon. |
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Posts: 4081
Location: Utah | Mr. Big looks happier than you do. Hang in there and make the kids pamper you longer than you need it. |
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Posts: 4996
Location: Phoenix AZ | Wow, that's a great photo. |
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Posts: 4236
Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent | Yet another hang in there Mike. It's good to hear from you, but don't do things you don't have to do until you're up to it. (Unless it distracts you from the pain of course. Just be careful, painkillers + posting on the internet? Talk about a digital minefield! :p :cool: )
Here's to a speedy recovery my friend. |
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January 2006
Posts: 1487
Location: Michigan | go mike , your on the the downhill portion of the ride and i gotta tell you after my surgery on my :mad: as$#%le :mad: this board was the best pain medication that i could of had.it sure beat the dickens out of vicodan.
Good luck to you and
don't worry be happy. :D GWB |
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Posts: 7307
Location: South of most, North of few | I knew he couldn't stay away long. Welcome back Mike, and post when you can. |
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June 2006
Posts: 7307
Location: South of most, North of few | Just got an email from Mike, and he said to tell everyone he appreciates the well wishes. He also said he did a little too much too soon so he may be out for a couple of days. |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | AH! I knew it. |
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Location: South of most, North of few | Yeah, I think the Mr. Big T put him over the top. |
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Location: Tennessee | Best wishes for a speedy recovery and return. |
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Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | What? No cranial screws? 'walk in the park . . . |
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Location: NJ | Down,Boy!!
This isn't "DateNight" . . . |
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Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | Ooooh well, cut the video. |
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Posts: 269
Location: Nîmes, south of France | Hello Mike,
I am late to discover you finally got neck surgery, and i am glad to know you feel good.
All my sincere wishes for good recovery, i know this will take some time.
Take care my friend. |
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March 2005
Posts: 5567
Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | Well, I am finally getting some strength back, and am able to swallow: we take being able to drink and eat so easily for granted...It's a big improvement from several days ago...I'm glad I didn't know a lot of the details about this operation ahead of time...even though I can't yet talk, I do see some improvement everyday.
This morning I finally had the energy to play guitar: But the delema: which one? ...since I'm not supposed to lift more that 5 lbs, I opened the OFC II case which was already out in the living room. It's been over a week since I played a guitar and longer than that since I played the OFC II...
When the top of the case opened, it took my breath away (again)...this guitar is absolutely gorgeous! It's light as a feather, so I could not have chosen a better instrument. But the best part is the sound: and what a sound it has! Like a choir of voices: Incredibly awesome!!! Just a wonderful instrument and I feel very fortunate to own it: again, kudos to Tim and Al! I played it for over an hour before having to put my collar back on...But playing this fine guitar did more for me than anything else since my surgery. Music is great therapy, and it's an awesome gift! Having a world class guitar to play it on only puts the icing on the cake.
I also want to thank everybody for the good wishes...you made me smile when I really felt down...I truly appreciate all of you and value our friendship...I hope to see you all at a gathering in the near future! In the mean time, play it!
MM |
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August 2005
Posts: 3736
Location: Sunshine State, Australia | Wow Mike. Your description of the op sounds horrific. When they got the 2x4 down there, did the surgeon ask what you were doing on the weekend? (Like dentists do!)
I don't understand why they had to go in through your throat? Why didn't they just go in from the back of the neck? Sounds very risky, cutting and moving and replacing your vocal chords.
Contrary to Caravan's famous observation, I think you sing fine. (Maybe not at this very minute though...)
Best wishes. |
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Posts: 4996
Location: Phoenix AZ | Continued good luck Mike.
PS - We want to hear your Schroeder impersonation! |
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Posts: 5567
Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | Muzza, good questions! The reason go through the front (anteriorly) is to access the discs more easily which they dissect and remove. the discs are located in the front of the neck... a 3 to 3 1/2 inch incision is made diagonally across the throat (in a fold to hide it later when it heals) and allows the surgeon to then move the trachea, voice box and everything else to the left to gain access to the discs...They then clean up and remove all the calcium deposits (called spondilosis) and then insert plastic spacers with bone centers in between the vertebrae (which will grow into the vertebrae during the healing process: 6 to 12 weeks) and cover it all with a titanium bridge and screws to lock it in place...t is dangerous because the vocal cords are so fragile...then of course there is the extra bruising from the trachea tube inserted during the operation; it actually goes between the vocal cords. My Doctors and Anesthesiologists were aware of my need to sing so they were very careful but there is always a chance damage will occur so it is a wait and see deal now...Bottom line for me is I could no longer live with the pain or the drugs so surgery was the only option...I am glad to finally have it done and now I wait and see...
As far as CR, well I just consider the sources...
Take care and thanks fot the concern...
PSS: Dave, I think Schroeder is truly unique...no need to copy...but I truly did appreciate what he said...we get along fine,,,as long as I leave the blessings out...he is after all in himself in his own way...lol! |
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Posts: 2711
Location: Vernon CT | Good to see you back Mike. You do look like you are a bit "uncomfortable" though. Wishing a speedy recovery!!!! |
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November 2007
Posts: 1486
Location: Cincinnati | Originally posted by muzza:
Wow Mike. Your description of the op sounds horrific. When they got the 2x4 down there, did the surgeon ask what you were doing on the weekend? (Like dentists do!)
I don't understand why they had to go in through your throat? Why didn't they just go in from the back of the neck? Sounds very risky, cutting and moving and replacing your vocal chords.
Best wishes. Another reason they go through the front is the density of the muscle mass in the back of the neck. Going through that mass is more difficult and would prolong the recovery time. I'm not sure if this the exact procedure that Mike had, but it is the surgery I had about 2 years ago. Spine Surgery Click on the "Interactive Tutorials" then select "Anterior Cervical Disectomy & Fusion". I had 3 vertabrae fused. And the vocal chords are not cut. They are just spread or moved to one side. Fortunately for me I had fewer problems with it than Mike. Hopefully his recovery goes smooth. |
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March 2005
Posts: 5567
Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | Yep Jack, thats the one. Here is the animated one from my Surgeon: Cervical spine fusion
click on anterior cervical discectomy and fusion...enjoy! |
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Posts: 7307
Location: South of most, North of few | Hey Doc, will I be able to play piano after the operation? :D |
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December 2006
Posts: 6268
Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast | Originally posted by Trader Jim:
"Hey Doc, will I be able to play... ... a banjo!"
"Naw, this isn't a lobotomy!!!"
< with apologies to Steve >  |
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March 2005
Posts: 5567
Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | The 2x4 crack was my attempt at a joke...looking to the pain I was undergoing (and still am...6 days...no voice...) sorry if anyone took it literally...it was really a 2x6 of course...lol |
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March 2005
Posts: 5567
Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | One week now since surgery: I can finally speak (w/a bit of hoarseness); and I can sing...although that will be a bigger challenge and take longer to get back...but considering some are permanently affected by the surgery, I am thankful. I can notice a big difference in my neck pain...and the DR. says it will get better as the neck itself heals...
I wrote a new song; planning to record it and will put it on the site when the voice is better...it's for my class reunion in May...1st song written on the OFC II...I just love that guitar!!!
Thanks for the phone calls and emails folks...each is appreciated very much! |
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Music Mike 'Collared'