djbds1’s Profile

About Me

I am 26...currently a student at American River (city) Colege in Sacramento...music major. For the past 12 years, I worked in the restaurant industry, graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in 2002, and did private catering for a number of years. As a result of being EXTREMELY overworked on a job in 2004, I developed two severe hernias (right...then 3 months later, left). They were both repaired, however, I developed inguinal neuropathy (in the groin) as a result. The three inguinal nerves; ilio-inguinal, ilio-hypogatric, and genitofemoral. In early 2006, I underwent the surgical removal of those nerves called an inguinal neurectomy. That procedure was meant to make my condition improve, however; my condition got worse...A LOT WORSE. Post-traummatic/post-surgical neuropathy is my current diagnosis. The symptoms are pain signals in the groin, a bit of my right lower back just out to the side/hip, front of the hips, front and inner right thigh, inner left thigh, lower abdominals, and genitals...the pain; shooting, stabbing, burning, radiating, tingling, wrenching, pricking, scraping...and so on. Since 2006, I have undergone 5 more MAJOR operations in attempts to corect and/or improve the condition. I have underwent bi-lateral ilio-inguinal nerve blocks, taken around 35-40 different meds (out of which, about 4 are useful...Lyrica, Methadone, Wellbutrin, Ritalin...all for PAIN), TENS, phys therapy, bio-feedback, MRI and radio-imaging, and Spinal Cord Stimulation. I had my first stimulator implant performed in 2007...rather than having the leads implanted into the spinal area (epidural space), they were implanted DIRECTLY into my inguinal region...this is called Peripheral Nerve Stimulation or PNS. My first implant was done INCORRECTLY, and subsequently, I developed a staff infection 6 weeks later...the entire unit was removed and I ended up packing a 6 inch wide incision with a giant inner pocket...with gauze twice a day for three months until it closed on its own. I was confident in my current pain specialist to perform a second implant. It was successful and has been useful in my pain treatment ever since. My career as a chef has been put on a serious hold as the medical condition has severely disabled me. I do teach cooking classes as a monthly guest chef at Whole Foods Market in Sacramento...that gives me a small amount of pleasure. My girlfriend Ami, my father, my mother, and my close friends have been there every step of the way. I cannot explain enough how much I owe them for supporting me, HOWEVER, I feel guilty complaining to them about the SAME stuff all the time...and therefore...I am here for support from all of you!! Thank you all for being here to help.

Interests

Things I can still do: Cooking, DJ'ing (not while standing though), music production, school (yes, I said school is an interest!!), loving my girl, hanging with friends (even though I do not have many anymore...some people just dont want to be your friend when you are in a time of need)... Things I wish I could still do: Skiing, sailing, hiking, biking, basketball, soccer, football, running, DJ'ing (an entire set while standing...even all night!!), long day at the beach, cooking in a kitchen all day every day, walking for more than 30 minutes, etc...