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Ever A Good Outcome--Trusting A Surgeon With Your Spine Episode Two
self ^
| October 2 2001
| Chemistcat (Sheri Lynn)
Posted on 10/02/2001 3:17:24 PM PDT by ChemistCat
This is just a quick update. I had the MRI today and was advised to take the film directly to my doctor. I was worked in between patients. Several disks are trespassing on spinal cord territory, but the C5 is especially bad. *I* could see it at once, and it's worse than the X-ray led us all to think it would be. I guess MRI gives such a clearer image. Anyway, we're now waiting on the insurance company. Whatever day they can get me in, I will see my rheumatologist and a surgeon the same day. I was given a prednisone shot to help tide me over till then. (Remember I have lupus too--complicates things.)
I've had a neurosurgeon recommended to me here in my town by another FReeper and I'm going to shoot for that! I hope he takes my insurance. The help I've been offered by FReepers has been beyond measure. I go into this much better informed than I would have been.
I guess I'm glad that it's not so bad that they felt they have to go ahead without worrying about getting permission. With Tricare (military retiree insurance) who knows when it will all be done. I will also be getting physical therapy--again waiting on insurance approval.
TOPICS: Miscellaneous; Your Opinion/Questions
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I've been on FR a **lot** when I should have been studying or spending time with the kids. I guess it's a way of avoiding things. I always get obsessed with news at times like these (not that I've known so many, but I do remember my daddy being away at sea in 'Nam. Current events have always been relevant to me!) Anyway, since I'm recognizing that I am online too much, I'd better mend it and be that grownup we all hate to have to be. :-) I'm posting this because I was so overwhelmed by the kindness of FReepers and I wanted you to know how things stand. Sometimes I'm confident and have a lot of faith and sometimes I get pretty low about it, but thanks to you all I'm more confident than not. I KNOW those who have been writing to me are thinking about me. I'll let you know more when I know more. There is no need to reply to this thread. I know I have friends here, and that thought is incredibly bracing!!!!
I told my mom that the way our insurance works, the doctor's office has to draw exactly the right pentagram with the right chalk, light the correct black candles, summon the correct demon, or else all h*** rains down on my poor little mailbox. I'm only half joking! I'm hoping that this process drags on through December, if I can survive the neuropathy that long, so I can make it through finals. Knock on Hewlett Packard.
To: ChemistCat
Good luck to you.
To: ChemistCat
MRI is pretty neat. Had a session once. It's like looking over some choice cuts of prime rib at the butcher's shop. If you have to do something and the surgeon is highly confident, well then, do what needs to be done. Can you log in to FR from your hospital room?
To: RightWhale
Well, my husband has a laptop--possibly! My husband says hospital phone systems are usually PABX which means they won't be compatible with analog modems. (No, sorry, I can't translate that.) But I suspect that it may be awhile till I get to that point. We're dealing with TRICARE. And I have good reasons to procrastinate. I'm not sure I want to have surgery during the semester, or with Bin Laden still out there plotting. Maybe the US Navy and Special Forces can relieve my mind of that....
To: RightWhale
I'm going to ask for a copy of that MRI frame and see if I can post here or on another thread. Might take me a few days. It's VERY interesting. I'm just amazed at how CLEAR these photos are. If you've ever seen an ultrasound photo of a baby in utero you know how unclear it can be. But this is SHARP as can be.
To: ChemistCat
Just think of how jealous of you Trent Lott is going to be after the operation.
To: ChemistCat
My experience is with a herniated L5, some said cut, some said wait and attend a good back school (couldn't get off the floor at this point)... back school worked, good tips to minimize further injury.
Once the inflamation was reduced with muscle relaxers and pain killers I was able to stand upright again, no cutting, no pain....I hope you are as fortunate. I'm living a normal active life now.
I've heard some horror stories and success stories...not much help, huh?
Good luck!
7
posted on
10/02/2001 4:03:28 PM PDT
by
gorush
To: ChemistCat
ask for a copy of that MRI frame They'll probably charge you for copies, but you are entitled to them if you want. And don't try to schedule around bin Laden since he hasn't published his schedule. School is another matter if you can avoid interrupting that.
To: ChemistCat
Checkout VAX-D . A new way of allowing disks to heal
http://www.vaxd.net/
9
posted on
10/02/2001 4:29:57 PM PDT
by
uncbob
To: uncbob
I've Fibro myaligia, on top of 4 deteriated disc. C6 & 7, L 4 & 5. They get my leg with scatic pain and my neck and arms. Even cause buring around my left eye socket. Chiropractor has done wonders for me over the past 2 months. I've started the Glucosmine and Condrotin (sp?) with MSM to help restore the cartilege today, it is said to do wonders in that area..but it takes a few weeks before you know the difference. Also recommend the low impact excercise tape The Silver Foxes by Richard Simmons. It is designed for senior citizens, but works for me where other faster tapes are impossible. If I get lazy and don't exercise I end up with more pain. Fibro Myaligia is a muscle arthritis, it is a real pain in the butt as the muscles don't hold tone very well.
Hope all goes well with your surgery.
10
posted on
10/02/2001 7:58:25 PM PDT
by
GailA
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