On October 9, 2024 Deborah marked the one-year anniversary of the near fatal car accident that could have left her paralyzed. Because her injuries were so severe, including a brain bleed and damage to her neck, Deborah had to be airlifted to 黑料网 Hospital in Chapel Hill where she woke having no memory of the accident or of being transported to the hospital.
By the time Deborah woke up in the hospital, she was surrounded by her family and pastor. She was heavily medicated, confused, and her brother told her that she would need to have neck surgery. The ligaments in her neck were severely damaged and she had three fractured vertebrae in the upper cervical spine, making her neck extremely unstable.
Cervical spine fusion is a surgical procedure that joins two or more vertebrae in the neck to create a single, solid piece of bone. Deborah required a fusion of the C1, C2, and C3 vertebrae that had been fractured in the accident.
Despite the accident and hearing about her fusion surgery, Deborah felt immense relief when she was able to stand and walk with help in the hospital. Deborah went into her surgery feeling hopeful for a positive outcome.
Deborah remembers talking with spinal neurosurgeon, Dr. Cheerag Upadhyaya on the day of her surgery. 鈥淲hen I was getting ready for the surgery, I looked up at him and asked 鈥榓re you my doctor?鈥� and he said yes and I held out my arms and he hugged me,鈥� said Deborah.
Deborah went in for her fusion surgery on Thursday, October 12, 2023. Fusion surgery involving more than two vertebrae in the upper cervical spine is not common, but was necessary for Deborah due to the ligament damage and fractured vertebrae. 鈥淯pper cervical trauma presents unique challenges, but the opportunity to care for these patients and contribute to their recovery is deeply rewarding,鈥� said Dr. Upadhyaya.
“I could not have handpicked a better doctor for me. I鈥檓 so thankful for him.鈥�
听After surgery, Deborah stayed in the hospital for a few days before being discharged with a neck collar and strict instructions not to remove it for six weeks. She then went to stay with her brother while she recovered. 鈥淚 couldn鈥檛 bend and I couldn鈥檛 reach up because of the surgery,鈥� recalled Deborah. 鈥淚 had to sleep and shower in the collar and I had to use a walker to get around.鈥�
During Deborah鈥檚 recovery, simple day-to-day tasks were extremely challenging. 鈥淢y sister-in-law helped me with my activities of daily living during that time,鈥� said Deborah. 鈥淪he helped me shower, dress, and do my hair.鈥�
Deborah started physical therapy right away with home health visits at her brother鈥檚 house for the first two weeks. She then switched to outpatient physical therapy. 鈥淚t was a challenging time for me,鈥� said Deborah. 鈥淚 had to lay in bed with my brace. I did have some pain, but I was more uncomfortable with the brace and all of the restrictions.鈥�
At her six-week follow-up appointment, Dr. Upadhyaya told Deborah that she could start to take the brace off for an hour each day, with the goal of having the collar off and walking without a walker by the end of the year. Deborah admitted that she was apprehensive to take it off at first and was anxious when anyone even got near her neck. But by the end of the year, Deborah achieved her goal. 鈥淚 worked my way to have it off and off the walker by December 31st, then went back to work on January 2nd,鈥� said Deborah.
Deborah works as a social worker and returned to reduced work hours. After her discharge from physical therapy, Deborah started working with another physical therapist specializing in neck injuries in her area. 鈥淭hey did a great job working with me,鈥� said Deborah. 鈥淭hey released me in July and they gave me exercises to do at the gym and at home that strengthened the muscles around my neck.鈥�
Looking back over the past year, Deborah is pleased with how far she has come since her accident. Due to the screws and rods, her neck鈥檚 range of motion is more restricted, which has required Deborah to make small adjustments occasionally when turning her neck. Deborah has returned to full time work as a social worker. She is also cleared to drive again, and even completed a yoga session. She does not have pain, but experiences stiffness in her neck that can be relieved with a heating pad. 鈥淐onsidering what I鈥檝e been through, I think I鈥檓 doing exceptionally well,鈥� said Deborah.
After her experience, Deborah is grateful to Dr. Upadhyaya for his care. 鈥淚 know he was assigned to me because I had a trauma and he is a specialist, but he really does mean a lot to me,鈥� said Deborah. 鈥淕od sent me Dr. Upadhyaya. I could not have handpicked a better doctor for me. I鈥檓 so thankful for him.鈥�
Written by Makenzie Hardy, Marketing Coordinator in the Department of Neurosurgery