Hi Marie, It is great to hear that your cervical disc fusion was a success! Take it from someone who has "been there, done that"! It is very difficult surgery and a lengthy recuperation. Here are a few suggestions, when you feel strong enough. Try to "surf the web a lot", catch up on all your summertime reading, take your "cat naps" frequently, listen to the doctors, and wear the "height of fashion", which is your cervical collar. You have my sincere sympathy. I wore a "Philadelphia" collar, which is a rigid plastic contraption for the first month, and then graduated to a soft collar the second month. I wore a lot of my husband's button down shirts, because I was unable to pull a shirt over my head. Be grateful for the tiniest accomplishments, such as, climbing a flight of steps and it didn't take you 1/2 hr. to do it, walking without being in pain, fixing yourself something to eat without someone self doing it for you, cherish your family and their loving support, lean on friends during your recuperation, enjoy sitting outside and feeling the warm sun on your face, marvel in the beauty of nature all around you, and the chirpping birds that are singing their daily songs to you. Cherish every moment and know that you have overcome a difficult hurdle and the healing process will take time. Try to be patient! I know that it is easier said than done. Two months seems like forever........but, in the grander scheme of things, it is but a blink of an eye. I hope your recuperation continues to go well and if you ever want to chat, you may e-mail me. The very best of luck to you, Shirley

Try the wintersow forum, it is a great way to start seeds that need cold strat.

Thanks you guys!! I will for sure check out the links. I tell you, ever since I turned 50, stuff is happening....LOL....I will be 52 next month.....NOW, my doctor says I have fibromyalgia....In fact, I got a bit crabbie with him.....He is just my GP doctor that I have to go through first....I was telling him I do not feel good, and it's like the bones hurt to press on.....you know that bone on your elbow or the heals of my hands, my feet......it is just strange.....worse when you get up in the morning....anyway, he got crabbie saying...*look at how thick you folder is* That in it's self got me real mad......I also itch...it's like these *things* I would not call them sores, but for lack of a better word, they itch.....soooooo he puts me on anti-biotics for a month.....I did take them and nothing changes......I ask if it's okay for the liver, and he is like.....Yes......My thyroid changed 50% higher they said, but then when I asked about it he says it's fine....I wanted to know what would make it jump that high since it has been the same low dose for years.....He told me to come back in a month after the medican.....well I have not....I do not want to see him again.....Oh, now I am getting ahead of my self.....He writes on my copy of the receipt.....fibromyalgia...I only noticed it days later when I was looking at it...Gee thanks for telling me anything....so I have just been reading up on it and it does sound like me....but man, that AND the Hep? Sheesh.,......I am to busy to have all that crap.....LOL....I love gardening and just being active....I know I am tired, but who isn't I say...LOL..... Oh well.....life goes on, and thanks a lot for listening!!!! LucyGoose :-)

Phoggie, wow, a double whammy! Do you remember a while back there were a couple threads that you and I, and others posted on abut sciatica, spinal surgery, etc? I made the comment in one of them that you and I are in the same boat, but now that has changed for both of us. I haven't had the urinary problems, or any lumbar surgery. This will be a reminder/update on me, some of which I have posted bits and pieces of: Long story short. Because I fell, I ended up in the ER, followed by one day in the hospital. Chest scan showed blood clots in my lungs, Large one on the left, smaller ones on the right. I was put on Coumadin, which caused a hemorrhage in my kidney/s. The worst part is now I'm on a walker, and have the Lifeline thingie around my neck. Coumadin dose was lowered. Urology doc wanted another scan, after which he suggested doing a bladder scope, in case there might be cancer there. I have decided not to do that. My left leg is larger than my right leg and is painful; my right hip hurts if I sit too long, but I can tolerate both. I've said all that because I believe those who mentioned blood clots are on the right track. I made many, many trips to the lab and still going every 3 weeks to check on my blood levels. I learned about INR, which I had never heard of before. Talk to your primary doctor about the possibility of blood clots and consider what to do next. I hope you can get on a good path soon, and you and I will be rowing the same boat. It is doable. Sue