Hello! I'm sorry for all the problems you've had. My niece is in the Army and had a similar situation with them taking way to long to take her issue (not spinal) seriously. I had a multi-level ACDF (C4-7) in Nov 2011. I was in the hospital 24 hours and the recovery went well with my return to work at 7 weeks. I just had multi-level laminectomies with fusion in the thoracic spine (T3-4, 5-6 and 9-10) and was in the hospital 5 days. I'm at 8 weeks post-op now and doing well. I returned to work (desk type computer) part-time last week. I'm scheduled for a lumbar laminectiony with fusion (L2-S1) on 13 Nov and have been told to expect about the same. Don't know if that translates to a laminectomy in the neck, but maybe it'll help. Based on what I've read, people's experiences really differ, so it's hard to say what the recovery will be like. But I can say that you definitely need not to rush the recovery and to take it easy. I know that it may be hard with the military and the physical work you all have to do, but try to take it as easy as you can. Hopefully the laminectomy will work for you. I saw immediate relief from several of my pain points with this last surgery. I waited too long (several years) to get the cervical work done and it looks like the pain/tingling in my left forearm, pinky and ring fingers may be permanent. So do go forward with it and try to stay positive. Good luck with it! Best wishes and thanks for serving!
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