When I returned, I scheduled doctor visits with an orthopedic specialist, who after ordering a series of MRI's, determined I had a slightly herniated disc at L4-L5 and a bulging disk at L3-L4. They recommend a steroid epidural injection that basically coats the sciatic nerve, calms it down and lets it repair itself.
This worked fine for about 9 months until I started getting intense pain again. I scheduled follow-up visits with the doc, who again recommended a steroid injection since it had worked so well last time. Problem is, it didn't work, and pain only got increasingly worse.
I had previously scheduled an appointment with a new neurosurgeon to start to look at my shunt (which seems to be acting up again), so I was referred to the same neurosurgeon for the back issue (and potential surgery). Since my original neuro appointment was still 2 weeks away and I didn't know how I could wait that long, we made a trip to the ER. I told Becky I needed to drive to make the pain as bad as it possibly could get just to make sure they knew I wasn't joking (or looking for some easy pain meds). They gave me morphine, had my neuro look at my recent MRI and determined the herniation was significantly more than it was in January. (This may or may not be due to the fact that I was reading something on the laptop while walking downstairs, slipped and fell, and---maybe most horrific of all---cracked the laptop screen and bruised my ego.) By the time the neuro had looked at the MRI's it was nearly 8 pm on Friday and I think he was mentally done for the week and suggested I call his office to be worked in Monday morning. Monday morning, the discussion was basically: "You need surgery. When do you want to do it? Oh, and there is a risk of dying. Sign here." They have two neuros from the same practice assist each other since the surgery is so delicate, so while that was reassuring, it was scheduled nearly 10 days later. The pain in the mean time was nearly unbearable without pain killers.
Much to Becky's chagrin, I wanted her to keep all of her personal leave from school for Europe, so I refused to let her take the day off and drive me to the hospital. I could check in, swipe the credit card, show my insurance card, change into my hospital gown all by myself. So I caught the bus and transferred to the commuter rail line that drops you off right in front of the big IHC hospital. A short walk across the parking lot (although painful), and I was there! Now we have another day to spend in Spain in March. :) But lest all of you naysayers are appalled that I took public transit to go have surgery, don't knock it. It was actually quite convenient and easy (not necessarily quick, but easy). And kudos to my parents (who despite receiving the instructions as Becky not to take a day just to sit on hard chairs in the waiting room doing nothing) came against my wishes and did just that. (Thankfully, they arrived after I had already changed into my gown.)
Back surgery on Thursday went fantastic. I could feel the relief almost immediately. The thing I'm having a hard time swallowing is not driving for 4 weeks, no lifting, bending, leaning, twisting, shoveling (I'm good on that one), no lifting more than 10 lbs. (a gallon of milk.) I came home from the hospital on Friday and I've been feeling a bit stir crazy ever since, so I came in to work today (Monday). Problem is, if I decide I can't do more, I have no way to get home (Daniel dropped me off at work on his way to work). Throat is also still a bit sore from the breathing tube they inserted and I feel hoarse. Otherwise, it could not have gone better! Also positive is that I can now take Excedrin again. :D I've never felt so good!!
The disc had herniated so badly that it had nearly encapsulated the sciatic nerve and they had to cut a larger section out of my vertebrae to get to it all to actually work on it. At my follow-up appointment in January, they will start looking at my shunt again. Apparently, when I woke up in recovery, I insisted my surgery was next week. WHERE WAS I NOW? I kept trying to get up and leave. (I only have a vague recollection of this.)
Now, if I could just get the stitches and incision to feel better, I would be feeling like dancing (sort of). And we have a whole refrigerator full of family and Relief Society meals. People have been so kind, and mostly, I have felt overwhelmed by the kindness and concern people have shown. And especially for prayers and priesthood blessings. Sometimes those blessings come in ways I didn't quite expect!
It just feels so good to feel good again! You forget what its like. But I feel validated that there was a real reason for my extreme pain. And I will be glad to be able to drive again. I'm kind of an independent person that doesn't like to rely on other people. Maybe this is a good lesson for me.
P.S. For what its worth, food at LDS Hospital was about 10,000x better than the food at IMC Hospital! And they're both run by the same IHC group. (I know you thought there was a joke coming about the Relief Society doing the food at LDS Hospital).
No comments:
Post a Comment