Discharge Instructions - Request

[Harrison]

Everyone,

I can't believe I intended to ask you all this -- several years ago! Time flies when you're having fun!?

I would like to collect discharge instructions from various hospitals and clinics, review them, then compile a master list. I remember the ones I got in 2004 were pretty vanilla; but I've read/heard from you since then and have been amazed with these differences.

If you can email or fax them, that would be great. I am interested in both cervical and lumbar ADR discharge instructions.I'll provide more contact info to anyone that can help by email or private message. If I am successful in getting a "decent" number of them, I'll share more insights 3-4 weeks after that.

Thx Meli, for the idea -- and welcome to our community!

[Harrison]

Barbara, thx for your message. Sorry, I should have explained that any of you can post here too. I am still hoping to get actual copies of discharge instructions too...

___________________________

Great idea!

First, a disclaimer that I was in a bit of a fog and it's been some time, but here goes:

(1) wear soft collar for two weeks
(2) shower permitted with waterproof bandage over incision (e.g., Nexcare)
(3) can drive after two weeks
(4) stretching exercises for neck and shoulders
(5) PT for neck but no ultrasound
(6) prescribed Vicodin and Flexeril--didn't use up all the pills
(7) antibiotics prior to dental cleaning and work

Otherwise, no other instructions or restrictions that I can think of. At my last visit, 19 months post, I was essentially discharged and cleared to play golf and/or tennis as long as I do neck stretches before. (I hadn't asked about golf or tennis before, so the time line can't be taken literally)

My surgeon was John Regan.

Hope this helps.