Just a quick update - surgery 9/10 for impressively herniated L3/L4 disk. Sneezed (I kid you not) 9/18 with loud popping in back and immediate return of incredible leg pain. Yep, Murphy rides yet again at the slsh house. I re-herniated the disk, had repeat surgery on 9/24. This back and leg pain was unlike *anything* I've ever felt before. Really, quite unbelievable and, in the end, rather motivating. I'm a person who swore up and down I'd *never* have surgery (major phobia here), and ta-da, not only did I *beg* for it once, but twice in 2 weeks. Once again, never say "never".
Good news is that after 30+ years of smoking, a diagnosis of severe degenerative disk disease has finally made me quit (2+ weeks and counting). Also, I've herniated so much of L3/L4, chances of doing it again are nil because there ain't much left. I haven't lost my job (yet). My kids are proving to be truly amazing and strong human beings, and husband has once again surpassed all expectations and been wonderfully supportive.
Bad news - looking at inevitable additional back surgery - either disk replacement or spinal fusion (fun oh fun). IV morphine, demerol, and valium, as well as oral Vicodin, don't do diddly for me (very disappointing, LOL). Have lost 11 pounds and a ton of muscle mass - Halloween costume as scarecrow is a given, send straw. :wink: I'm off work at least another 2 week plus am probably looking at significant PT after that - I'm worried about how long wonderful boss will wait for this body to recoup. Plus, we definitely have to do some fast thinking about how to manage Boo - I can't even push his wheelchair at this point.
thank you, bless his heart, just could not *not* have all the attention on himself, so he refused initial psychiatric appointment at TLC, meaning he ran out of medications last week. Plus, *he* started smoking. :hammer: :hammer: I told him in no uncertain terms that the smoking must stop (I know, not really something I can control but I have to at least try - too bad he wasn't here to witness the pain firsthand). Also told him "bummer" about the medication issue. I just couldn't fix it - not like I could get a new patient appointment with anyone in the near future, even if I could drive, which I can't. He of course managed to luck out and get a fit-in appointment with- TLP psychiatrist, but I told him that I'm done cleaning up his messes now. This is for keeps - he refuses medications and flips, consequences are on him. I cannot, emotionally or physically, run to his rescue anymore. Honeymoon is wearing thin I think... next month should be interesting.
Will try to catch up with- all over the next few days. Hope all are relatively well.
Good news is that after 30+ years of smoking, a diagnosis of severe degenerative disk disease has finally made me quit (2+ weeks and counting). Also, I've herniated so much of L3/L4, chances of doing it again are nil because there ain't much left. I haven't lost my job (yet). My kids are proving to be truly amazing and strong human beings, and husband has once again surpassed all expectations and been wonderfully supportive.
Bad news - looking at inevitable additional back surgery - either disk replacement or spinal fusion (fun oh fun). IV morphine, demerol, and valium, as well as oral Vicodin, don't do diddly for me (very disappointing, LOL). Have lost 11 pounds and a ton of muscle mass - Halloween costume as scarecrow is a given, send straw. :wink: I'm off work at least another 2 week plus am probably looking at significant PT after that - I'm worried about how long wonderful boss will wait for this body to recoup. Plus, we definitely have to do some fast thinking about how to manage Boo - I can't even push his wheelchair at this point.
thank you, bless his heart, just could not *not* have all the attention on himself, so he refused initial psychiatric appointment at TLC, meaning he ran out of medications last week. Plus, *he* started smoking. :hammer: :hammer: I told him in no uncertain terms that the smoking must stop (I know, not really something I can control but I have to at least try - too bad he wasn't here to witness the pain firsthand). Also told him "bummer" about the medication issue. I just couldn't fix it - not like I could get a new patient appointment with anyone in the near future, even if I could drive, which I can't. He of course managed to luck out and get a fit-in appointment with- TLP psychiatrist, but I told him that I'm done cleaning up his messes now. This is for keeps - he refuses medications and flips, consequences are on him. I cannot, emotionally or physically, run to his rescue anymore. Honeymoon is wearing thin I think... next month should be interesting.
Will try to catch up with- all over the next few days. Hope all are relatively well.