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socalmom61 
5:53pm, June 22, 2009
I've been really sick for about 4 days, but I feel so much better today.
I had one of the worst migraines ever.
Enough of that!
Yesterday we went to see the surgeon and we went over all the diagnostic tests I've had done and he said my back is too involved for fusion.
He feels a 4 level fusion would render my back useless in the longrun and the risks would outweigh the benifits.
So, I'm having a procedure called I forget now, it's got 4 initials kind of like IVIG, but not.
It's set up like a discogram. They put a wide gauge needle into the discs. (all 4) and then push a heat cable through the needle hole. It heats the tissue up to 190 degrees, killing the nerves and cauterizing the injuries. It's minimally invasive and they've had great results for multi disc involvement.
He said in a couple years there will be a procedure that will allow for multi disc replacement but for now, they can only do one. He wants me to retain as much mobility as possible.
There are a lot of new procedures in the horizon that they do in Europe but not here yet.
He said this would buy me a couple of years, then he would want to do a multi disc replacement.
We feel so much better after seeing him. He's sending me to one of his colleagues to consult for this surgery. If for some reason I can't get that, then there's a clinical trial for a new procedure that another of his colleagues in conducting.
It's not that he doesn't want to do the surgery, he just wants me to go to the ones who specialize it those particular treatments. If and when I need fusion or replacement, he'll do it.
He was so kind. Mark and I are feeling very hopeful.
I tell you ever since we bought and old new bed, things have been turning around for us.
We bought a brass bed from Goodwill. The lady that had it passed away and her daughter donated it with the hopes that someone who appreciated it would get it.
Mark's been polishing it and it's just beautiful. He's convinced it has good vibes and that's why things are looking brighter. When in doubt, we just buff the bed and say a little prayer.
I hope everyone is fine.
Hugs to all.
Comments
OK, I gave the radiology dept. 3 full business days to deliver catastrophic news...but they didn't.
So, I'm ASSUMING that since we haven't heard anything, then everything is fine.
I'm being scheduled for another discogram. They'll let me know today. It's on a stat order, so it will be soon.
The surgery center is refunding all of our co payments. We should never have had to pay them according to our insurance company and having a repeat procedure due to faulty filing or whatever doesn't sit too well.
I won't be having my fusion there so I feel good about that.
I'll be here now that things have calmed down.
Emily's had the chickenpox and is just now getting over them.
She's 21 and was exposed when she was younger and I could never figure out why she didn't get them then.
Also Mark (I found out) took all 3 kids aside and they had a family meeting. (without me)
I didn't know this, but all of a sudden the kids have been cleaning house, getting along, being nice, and sticking around home more.
He's afraid I'm finally going to snap, I think over the back thing.
It's taken it's toll on the whole family.
Anyway, I hope you're all having a great day.
The Cymbalta's already working, I think too.
Hugs all around.
Comments
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Wow....... Yay for Mark! Yay kids!
I would bug the radiology folks, just to be sure. Here, I always have to get a sono too of my left breast, so I get immediate feedback. Maybe if they didn't think you needed an immediate sono, there was no worry.
Still, I'd call. It's not something that should slip through a crack. If you don't call, and also don't receive anything by postal mail in the next five days, I'd call. I get results by mail sometimes too.
Chicken pox as an adult is NOTHING to fool with. Be on the lookout for shingles in those who had them as a child too....... I hope Emily wasn't too sick. Was she vaccinated for chicken pox? When we were kids, that didn't exist. I had them in 5th grade. I wasn't very sick, I got like a dozen pox and that was it. But 4th grade and both kinds of measles, a whole other high temp story.
And Bravo for the insurance company regarding your discogram! I was all set to start writing very Dragon Weeble letters....... I've done it before and am all too happy to do it again. I go straight to the CEOs, I don't mess with underlings. I'm sorry you have to go through it again, but at least you'll get it and be able to move forward with your surgery.
Hugs and Cosmic Muffin Mojo
Weebs
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Wow! Lots of good developments here!
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A lot better than getting bad news and we're all praying you get the all clear! I'm so glad you had it checked. I know how badly you want them to hurry ahead to the surgery and that having anything sidetrack it would be very upsetting. I hear the pain you deal with and know you just want some relief.
Proud of your attitude about having another discogram too. Really hoping they do it very soon so you won't have time to fret over it. At least you know you don't remember much during the last one. I know recovering from it wasn't a picnic. I'm hoping they will expedite everything and that soon the fusion will be behind you too.
Glad Emily is feeling better and that Mark had the family meeting with the kids. I know seeing them getting along and all pitching in helps so much. They all love you and will support you through all this.
Your friends here will too. I know of one in SC who would do anything in the world for you. Hang tough Kathy! Love you bunches...your kpss
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Kathy first of all Im so glad you are back.So glad you didnt get any bad news .Seems like your husband has put things in order to take some of the stress off you and thats great Kathy.Sorry your daughter had the chicken pox and Im sure wasnt any fun for her either .Kathy you hang in there we are all behind you .The lady above you (Lesa ) is so telling you the truth she would bend over backwards for you .We all love you Kathy so just hold tight .
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I'm glad you're getting some cooperation. Terminal illness/pain is wearing and Mark is right on target in anticipating your needs. My best hopes are with you for good news on the mammogram.
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Good news all around for you Kathy! That is great news about your mammogram and also home being more helpful and pleasant. How is good Emily doing other than having chicken pox? How is Mark? Your kitties? Guess what girlfriend...I have an interview today as a receptionist at Beau Visage this fancy day spa! I'm so excited. I dyed my hair last night and got my fingers and toes done yesterday to look the salon part. I have a new dress to wear that is "in style". This place is all about appearance. I hope this works out. It is close to home. Love you, it's baking Friday and I'm doing rice krispie treats.
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Good news all around for you Kathy! That is great news about your mammogram and also home being more helpful and pleasant. How is good Emily doing other than having chicken pox? How is Mark? Your kitties? Guess what girlfriend...I have an interview today as a receptionist at Beau Visage this fancy day spa! I'm so excited. I dyed my hair last night and got my fingers and toes done yesterday to look the salon part. I have a new dress to wear that is "in style". This place is all about appearance. I hope this works out. It is close to home. Love you, it's baking Friday and I'm doing rice krispie treats.
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Okay, every party needs a pooper, that's why you invited me, right? I am glad they didn't rush to the phone to call you. but keep breathing any way. Generally Radiology departments run in terms of weeks,esp with mams - its just that they take hundreds of them a week, and it takes a Radiologist to read them all. I got a call 2 weeks after I had one done because "they saw something irregular" - turns out it was just not a good film - I guess they hadn't squished hard enuf - hard to imagine! Anyway, it was nothing, but it still scared the poop outta me! You are fine by my read, so take a breath! Emily with the chickenpox is the scary one - dang, wish I coulda taken Chloe over! Seriously though, I lost a friend in college to it - so glad she is going to be okay. As for the surgery, you have a pretty excellent surgical nurse here - I rock with fusions! If I had the $$ to get there I would be there every step of the way. North Carolina has your back (all pun intended) too! Breathe Kath, its all okay
Blessings,Me)O(
After several agonizing months, I decided it was best to resume taking antidepressants.
I tried so hard to live life without them.
But it really wasn't fair to my family, friends or to myself to live the way I've been living.
I always tell people that they would treat other illnesses with the right medication so why wouldn't they treat their depression? It's always harder to take my own advice.
Anyone who lives with depression knows how it feels. The onset is beyond description.
It comes on without warning and stays until it's finished with you.
The aftermath can be devastating.
It's exhausting and unrelenting.
It steals away the person you think you are.
So, I've been making some other changes like eating differently and walking a little bit.
Working in the garden helps.
Talking to my friends here helps so much.
Just being able to put this down and having at least one person understand makes all the difference between complete isolation and emotional breakdown or the sense that there is a light at the end of this tunnel.
So thank you for that.
I should have gone in earlier instead of being so stubborn with myself.
I don't know what I was trying to prove.
But it didn't work.
I could blame it on outside influences like my back pain, but sometimes, it's just an inside job.
Coping skills. That's a big one.
So for now, I've gotta do what works and for me, that's going back on my prescription and starting to live in the light again.
Comments
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Whatever you have to do...
At least in the grand experiment, you know for sure it worked before.
And eating more healthfully and doing what exercise you can, is never a bad choice.
Hugs and Mojo...
Weebs
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Good for you :) Love you Kathy big hugs!
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You know what tho Kathy, you needed to figure this out on your own.. And you did, and thats big.. I'm proud of you and you should be too.
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Ah, a break in the clouds. WE all know you deserve to be happy as you can - glad you broke down to see it too. Love you
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Kathy I no what you mean .But as you can see we are all with you on this .
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I think sometimes we have to try things out for ourselves, just to be sure that a particular path is really the one where we are better off. Sounds like you did that. Eating differently, walking a bit, working in the garden, being in touch with friends - sounds to me like you have excellent coping skills. Even if you can't always find them, they are there, inside of you.
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Your own advice is good Kathy. There is light at the end of the tunnel and you're doing the right things to reach it. I'm very proud of you for taking charge and making positive changes. You're a beautiful person and friend. We're all with you in this.Love you!
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Thanks for sharing these thoughts with us, Kathy. For me I went off of my meds for 2 days and I couldn't believe where I ended up. It's not fair to the people around you, equally it is not fair to yourself.
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You have done yourself proud Sweetie, so walk tall and take the credit for a wise choice made.............oxoxox
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I definitely understand, Kathy! And I'm glad you're doing what you can do to help yourself. You're a smart woman! {{{HUGS}}}
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Goal Updated
So glad that things are moving forward for you now!
And kudos for your doc to sending you to a doc he thinks will be the best for the situation. So many of them don't.
Good Mojo to all there.
And you and yours too of course.
Hugs from Madame Weebs
KweebsLS
Thanks so much for posting this. It's good to hear there is something they can do for you. I have heard, also, that Europe is a few years ahead of us here in the US. Figures.
Bright blessings!
~Fred
fredk
Good and comforting news Kathy :) So happy for you. Help is on the way.
listless
So glad you got good news from the Dr .and now maybe you can get some much needed relief and start to feel better again.Maybe your Brass Bed is your good luck charm sure sounds like it .Kathy you take care my friend you will be in my thoughts and prayers.Love ya lots
DebbieSC
Oh Kath, I'm so relieved. I've feared for so long that some young hotshot would think he cld do anything he chose to attempt !!!! This is so rational that I was in (happy) tears!!
Bless you my OD/om.
carolmj
Great news Kathy! I'm so glad they have a less invasive way to help you. Also happy they decided this now instead of trying the surgery. Hoping this will make a huge difference in your pain levels and that you won't have to wait too long to get it. Love your Goodwill find! Keep polishing and snap us a picture too. It sounds beautiful. Love you lots, your kpss
Lesa