ACDF Surgery

Dr M & I @ my post op checkup (I'm standing on a stool)

Seven months after ACDF of c5 - c7 (Anterior Cervical Discectomy & Fusion) I am still relieved of a lot of pain!!!!!! Yes, it's true! Ever since I woke up from surgery I could tell my arms & hands were so much better! See, my spine was being squished in my neck because of 2 severely herniated discs. This surgery helped immensely.

I still have Rheumatoid Arthritis, Fibro, TMD, Arnold Chairi 1 & other spinal herniations, but it's so much easier to manage without that heavy armor feeling I always had. Glad to report I have full movement of the neck & I don't ever feel the titanium plate & six screws in my neck. I no longer have the heaviness and extreme pain in the shoulders! YES! And I no longer have the numbness in my arms and hands, meaning I can drive again and hold things without dropping them! I can stand more than before and I get up a little easier from sitting.

Did 1 month of neck & back therapy after surgery. Seven months later, my back, hips and ribs aren't much better, but I'm not giving up. I'm still unable to get through a full day without needing to stop & rest for hours & then try again later. But I'm definitely on the road to recovery and better health!! It'll take a long time but good health is worth it.

Wore neck brace for 3 mo's

So the next step for me is to lose some weight. Not being able to move much for years definitely adds on the pounds! Plus I know losing some extra padding would help relieve some pressure off my joints. I've been pushing the stretching and walking daily. It's extremely difficult, but I'm confident that if I stick to it and stick to eating right, it'll all come in due time.

Neck scar healed perfect

To help in my new journey, I've embarked on a weight loss / get healthy challenge with my mother-in-law & brother-in-law. Our family and friends are the best support groups. So for about a month now, I've been working on changing my old, bad diet habits. Now I try to drink more water & I'm eating so much healthier, again. I'll have to start taking pictures of my healthy foods to share with you all!

Eating easy veggie tofu stir fry

As you can see in the photo, I have a scar on my neck now. I love the scar! It's a constant reminder of what I've been through, how lucky I am, and it keeps me focused on getting even better.

Stay tuned for my next Easy RA food post! I have lots to share :)

PS - I highly recommend Dr. Edward Mkrdichian with NorthShore University HealthSystem.

eat healthy & drink more water, baby! cause you're worth it!

Anti Inflammatory Chocolate Cherry Smoothie

Healthy smoothies make healing faster! 

I'm back! I checked out of virtual land for a bit. Mainly because I wanted to, also because I haven't felt well enough. Turns out some discs in my neck were pushing on my spinal cord. So I recently got surgery to prevent paralysis and get some pain relief.

Only been about 2 weeks since surgery and I've felt better since day 2! So Im back! Recovering for awhile, but I'm feeling a little better!

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND ANYONE DIAGNOSED WITH FIBROMIALGIA TO GET A SPINAL MRI.
Since spinal surgery, it seems some of my Fibro symptoms may have subsided greatly. I still have Rheumatoid Arthritis & other autoimmunes, so I try to keep up the easy, healthy foods! We all gotta nourish our bodies with the good, fresh, healthy foods!

This is the super easy, fast, delicious and secretly super healthy smoothie Ive been creating daily. It's so delicious and makes me feel great! Did you know our bones require protein from foods to heal and remain well? Me either, till now. I've found an easy and yummy way!

NO INFLAMMATORY CHOCOLATE CHERRY SMOOTHIE

Easier to drink meals with this brace

Ingredients:

1 frozen banana
1/2 cup Chia seeds (awesome Omega 3)
1 cup frozen dark sweet cherries (anti  inflammatory)
1 handful (or more) fresh spinach leaves
1 heaping spoonful dark chocolate powder
1 heaping spoonful peanut butter
1/2 cup almost almond milk
(If you prefer fresh non frozen foods, just add a bunch of ice)

Blend all till smooth and enjoy your super healthy 'dessert'!

Good job!

Let me know if you tried this and if you liked it!

Bling (and healthy foods) make my long recovery much easier. 😁

Bling the thing you swing!  :)

Thanks for visiting!

Breakfast Veggie Skillet

This morning I was craving a restaurant style skillet, potatoes, egg, cheese & all. But Im trying to save money by not going out to eat. So I looked in my kitchen & ta-da, this healthy & super easy Breakfast Veggie Skillet was created.

Mmmm yummy

Ingredients:

1 sweet potato
Onion
Califlower (I prefer frozen in the bag)
Spinach leaves
Butter

This is a very basic, simple recipe. Basically, cut up veggies & potato & add to buttered frying pan. I like to almost burn my potatoes & veggies. Cook to your own desire, mkay.

Healthy skillet goodness

Easy homemade strawberry cheesecake ice cream!

Remember when you were younger & could eat anything you wanted like ice cream, pizza and candy? I do & I still miss them. With Fibro & Rheumatoid Arthritis both being auto immune diseases, it's crucial I watch my sugar intake. Refined processed sugar = inflammation. Wide spread chronic inflammation are key factors of autoimmune diseases. So, I make my own healthy ice cream! Yahoo!

See my happiness

Wait till you see how easy and yummy this Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream is to make.

Blend together:

Frozen strawberries 

Frozen banana

Little almond milk

1/2 graham cracker

Top with graham cracker.

Tastes just like ice cream!

I now make jewelry & sell on Etsy!

You may have been wondering where I've been, or not. I've become obsessed with creating new, fun jewelry!

Rainbow bead necklace

I've been making mostly wire wrapped beads & such. Then I take pics & list them on Etsy.

Wire wrapped jewelry set

Please take a look at my page. Maybe get something nice for yourself or someone you know!
www.etsy.com/shop/JoeyCahanDesigns (previously called Wrapped Beads1)

Happy Holidays & New Year to you!