dave Posted June 14, 2013 Posted June 14, 2013 I had an MRI Monday. Tuesday my doctor called to tell me it was not normal but, we knew that, he said. An hour later he called back and said that he passed it along to a neurosurgeon and the neurosurgeon would be calling me Tuesday. He called that afternoon and told me that he wanted me to have TWO more MRI's, one on my cervical and one on my lumbar and he wanted me to have it now. I had two more MRI's Wednesday. My case was so unusual that a consortium of specialists, neurosurgeons, orthopaedic surgeons and cancer specialists, looked at the three MRI's Thursday morning. My appointment was Thursday afternoon. He asked me some questions about the pain and ran me through a battery of physical tests. The only one I didn't pass was the strength in my fingers test. He asked me to sit back in front of his desk so he could show me the MRI. He showed my the mass that was pressing against my spinal cord, cutting off the fluid a bit. He told me that he was surprised to see me today because people with a MRI like mine, usually come to see him in a wheel chair. He must have told me that he had no words or explaination for why I was walking around and moving like nothing was really wrong, five or six times. He just couldn't believe it and kept repeating it. At first glance, the first doctor thought cancer (lymphoma) but, the rest of the history didn't go with that diagnosis. The consortium came to the conclusion that it is a badly herniated disc, that herniated inside my spine rather than outside. Taking it easy and not lifting anything heavier than twenty pounds for a while. I told him about the fishing trip I had been on this past weekend. 45" plus red drum and dozens and dozens of rays and sharks. He said that I could have been one stringray away from being a quadrapalegic. He again commented on how my body is handling this and has no idea how I am doing it. If I had been in a car accident and he saw this MRI, I'd have been in surgery that day. Again he repeated how remarkable it is that I show little symtoms. I've been sleeping sitting up on a sofa for four weeks. Percoset and Motrin round the clock. Pain is getting slightly better. He gave me the steroid pack for six days. I actually feel a bit better. He said it should slowly heal itself. In the end he again remarked about my physical extraordinary condition and how good it is that it is not cancer. God is good. Quote
Super User lmbfisherman Posted June 14, 2013 Super User Posted June 14, 2013 Wow that is crazy, well good that they caught it and it wasn't permanent. Here's to a very speedy recovery! Quote
Super User BassinLou Posted June 14, 2013 Super User Posted June 14, 2013 Good luck, hope you recover quickly. Quote
Super User Bankbeater Posted June 15, 2013 Super User Posted June 15, 2013 Take it easy and get well. That lunker will still be out there with your name on it. Quote
Super User tomustang Posted June 15, 2013 Super User Posted June 15, 2013 That's better than cancer. Quote
Super User Sam Posted June 15, 2013 Super User Posted June 15, 2013 Losing finger strength means you have a neck problem that needs to be corrected before they attack your back. Back surgery is not difficult. The recovery is difficult. Also, back surgery may not alive all of the pain. My wife had to have a spinal nerve killed to help reduce the pain running down her hip to her foot. Not being able to lift anything over 20-pounds means you need to sit down to do #1!!! Be careful and get the surgery. All the best for a speedy recovery. Quote
Super User slonezp Posted June 15, 2013 Super User Posted June 15, 2013 Losing finger strength means you have a neck problem that needs to be corrected before they attack your back. Back surgery is not difficult. The recovery is difficult. Also, back surgery may not alive all of the pain. My wife had to have a spinal nerve killed to help reduce the pain running down her hip to her foot. Not being able to lift anything over 20-pounds means you need to sit down to do #1!!! Be careful and get the surgery. All the best for a speedy recovery. I see what you did there... 1 Quote
Super User retiredbosn Posted June 15, 2013 Super User Posted June 15, 2013 That is amazing, please take it easy until u heal. I think the hardest lesson I've ever had to learn is how to take it easy. Quote
dave Posted June 16, 2013 Author Posted June 16, 2013 The injury is at the top of the thoracic. I am getting better with steroids. Neurosurgeon said NO chiropractor's. Absolutely no spine manipulating. Today was the first day in four weeks I've taken no percoset. At just over 18#, I can still stand. Quote
derekxec Posted June 16, 2013 Posted June 16, 2013 awwww well as long as you are getting better thats great! Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.