So - here is what I just heard from Pauletta. Dr. Mitchell's partner came by and told Deedy and Pauletta the "plan" for surgery, etc. Thursday at 7am Deedy will have surgery on her spine. It will take 4-5 hours. they will start out with Deedy lying on her back. They will go in through the front (of her neck?) and remove C5 and C6 vertebrae. They will put bone in there and a metal plate. Then they will turn her over - face down now - and from the back, put a rod in and screws to hold this plate away from her nerves.
Recovery in the hospital should take about a week and after that she can probably be moved to Oklahoma. A week after surgery would mean around October 2nd. She will have to go through extensive rehabilitation at a rehab facility. We must find a neurosurgeon who will take her case and a facility that will take her. She will be in-patient for some time and then have outpatient rehab.
The doctor expects her to be able to resume her normal activity - walking! - in about eight months.
Very good news - at last!
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