Update on neck surgery

The hip area from which they took bone grafts is a minor annoyance. Some nasty looking bruising and minor pain and it seems to fall right in line with underwear elastics, so plan on taking remedial action.

The neck pain is still a pain, but much easier to deal with. I am coming off the pain medicine and have started straight Tylenol but still taking a nerve pain medicine.

My stamina is picking up and I am getting more productive with office work, but not physical. I'm supposed to not lift more than ten pounds. There were some tough weeds this weekend, but my wife could not put a weight scale to them, so I escaped without injury.

The annoying issue now is the internal swelling around the throat. I can swallow but everything feels like a cow going down (not that I have ever swallowed a cow).

Talking gets a little tiring with my neck in the brace, so I take it off more than I should. I always keep it on my leg, so I will remember to put it on when I get up. I believe the brace is more for the unexpected jolts than to hold the neck straight.

That's it folks. Unless there is a major turn of events, I will probably not be giving any further updates. Good luck on yours.