A Pain in My Neck

I have this huge pain in my neck... it's called a herniated disc.
Or I had a herniated disc last week.
Friday I checked in to have this repaired and now have a stiff neck from a piece of titanium screwed to my spine.
I am not the best patient. There I said it.
I am stubborn. Try to do too much too soon.
Feel lazy just sitting around at home watching crappy tv shows all day.
Side note...we don't have cable and only watch our certain shows thru Netflix or on the computer. I started looking for something to watch. Mindless tv maybe with a little humor and there was so much sex and naked people and language. Not sure if it's because I have the Netflix version but come one. Just a good old funny movie was more difficult to find that I anticipated. I don't need to see people with no clothes on in the first few shots. And Hollywood...you really can make a good movie that people will watch without all the language.
Okay, rant over.
This is my second neck surgery. First one was about 9 years ago for the same thing.
Herniated disc at C5/C6.
I remember having someone sit with me that first day or two while Paul went back to work but I don't remember when I resumed daily activities.
No kids back then so there wasn't as much to do.
This go round has definitely been harder than I thought it would be.
C6/C7 is a little more difficult surgery apparently since it is lower down the spine.
They actually move the esophagus out of the way! This has caused a good deal of pain.
Never expected to have trouble swallowing. Hurts down in my chest to swallow still. Getting better slowly.
Feels like someone is pressing in on my throat. Wearing the collar exaggerates that feeling. Claustrophobic kinda. I do not like this feeling!
The pain is pretty bad but manageable with pain meds. I try to not take them as often and have tried an alternate method of pain relief.
Peppermint Essential Oil.
I have to say I am still a bit skeptical but it did seem to help yesterday. You put it on your skin down the spine. I want to investigate it further. I am all for the natural method!
My dear hubby has to remind me that I did just have surgery less than a week ago and that it needs to heal.
I don't need to be so hard on myself.
Work can wait and things there will go on without me. I left ahead of schedule in preparation.
(I am at work today and so far so good. Definitely in pain but feel somewhat productive.)  
I am ready to pick up GB again! Ready to wrestle with OM and have tickle fights with SK.
Anxious to see how it looks at tomorrow's follow up appointment with my surgeon. If the titanium plate looks like the last one did it is dog bone shaped. They removed the first plate because that surgery had healed so well the "hardware" was no longer necessary.
Thanks for all the good thoughts and prayers. Keep them coming as this is a longer healing process than I thought. For me to be patient with myself and let my body heal as it needs to so I'll be 110% for my family soon!