Tag: leg

My Answer Has Been Disappointing

Lots of phone calls today. People are calling to ask how I’m doing. My answer has been disappointing.

“Not great.”

Lots of phone calls today. People are calling to ask how I’m doing. My answer has been disappointing.

“Not great.”

I’ve been living with leg pain since late July. Nearly five weeks ago it became severe enough to keep me from working. Since then I’ve seen doctors, gotten an X-ray and MRI plus two epidurals–steroid injections directly into my spine. Ouch!

The first steroid injection made a big difference. I am significantly better today than two weeks ago when I got it!

The second injection totally eliminated my pain for 24 hours. The pain has gradually come back. I’m where I was.

It’s back to the neuro specialist tomorrow. He might recommend another epidural. He might recommend back surgery. There will be a serious discussion.

I know many of you are concerned about my condition. Thank you. I am gratified.

I can deal with the pain. It’s just time to get rid of it. It is frustrating to have this problem control me!

Every time I post an entry about my condition advice follows. I read them all.

Have surgery. Don’t have surgery. Chiropractic. Acupuncture. Massage therapy.

Some of you have endorsed doctors based on success in single cases which might or might not be like mine! This blog is not the place to get my medical advice!

None of this is easy. I won’t make any moves hastily. Helaine and I understand the consequences of our decisions.

The status quo is not acceptable.

My Back, Back In The O.R.

I am home and back on the sofa. Today was another ‘procedure’ at the Yale’s Shoreline Surgery Center in Guilford, or as it’s called internally “The Yale Beach Cottage.”

I am home and back on the sofa. Today was another ‘procedure’ at the Yale’s Shoreline Surgery Center in Guilford, or as it’s called internally “The Yale Beach Cottage.”

It’s a pretty simple treatment.

I was wheeled into the operating room where I got up and transferred myself to another gurney. Last week I had to be helped as I rolled between the two.

At this point I was head down, eyes closed. I do know there was a fluoroscope over my back–basically a real time X-ray. It allowed the neurosurgeon to properly aim his syringe.

Not yet! First a few shots of lidocaine (or something similar) to deaden the area.

Now the main event! The epidural placed a steroid directly on my herniated disk. It hurt, but nowhere near as much as last week. My time in the O.R. couldn’t have been more than 10 minutes.

My upper leg and butt are still a little numb (the cause and effect of my problem are in different places but both felt the effect of the lidocaine), but it seems there’s less pain. I’ll know better tomorrow and the next few days.

Call me cautiously optimistic. Even if this doesn’t fully fix my problem I can get one more injection before considering more invasive treatment.

I’m in love with the nurses at the SSC. Linda was there from last week. Mary was with me as I recovered. She is possibly the world’s most Irish person! I wish I remembered more names.

Word is as Yale/New Haven rolled out this new facility in Guilford, management wanted an experienced staff in case of unforeseen problems. That’s why it’s loaded with confident grown-ups. I approve.

Almost as impressive is the gadget in the photo. It’s an Exergen Temporal Scanner, though you can call it a thermometer. Yes, items like this are sold over-the-counter, but it was a first for me to have this magic wand brush across my forehead and neck and immediately display my temperature.

It’s magic.

Hell, if the epidural works it’s all magic!