All the kings men...

December 3rd..I'm starting to wonder about this date. On this date one year ago, I was suffering with what I thought was a bad UTI, that turned out to be a kidney stone..sending me to the hospital to get a CT scan. I guess it was only fitting that one year (to the day), that I was once again at the local hospital.
My appointment with the Neurosurgeon was scheduled initially for five..isn't that quitting time? They called and told me to come at 3:15. I the patient arrived on time. I checked in and pulled out my book. My head was pounding something fierce, so I didn't get much reading in. I figured it couldn't be that long of a wait..right?
4:35 they call my name..YIPPEE..I grabbed all of my stuff and walked back, only to be told they were only getting my blood pressure etc. It was like having a balloon deflate. I went back to the lobby and preceeded to wait..and wait. Finally at 5:00 they called me back..this time I cautiously gathered my stuff, fearing it could be a trick..they might need to draw blood.
I was shown to the room..it was FREEZING..I don't think they got the memo, it's December.
I dutifully sat on the bed for 5 minutes..10 minutes..finally I thought, I'm going to go sit in the chair by my coat and warm up. The doctor showed up at 5:30. (much closer to my original time given). I walked out of the Dr.'s office at 6:05. I had about six text messages, and three missed calls..after all my appointment was for 3:15..I should have been home by now.
He ran through the Q's with me. Pulled out my MRI films and proceeded to show me that discs four, five, and yes..six are herniated, and bulging. He thinks I also have Myelopathy That by the time you get to disc six there is hardly any spinal fluid. I said so basically you are saying I'm a "mess?" He also pointed out some tears in my muscle. He recommends surgery. He isn't sure how I've managed to wear out my discs at such a tender young age.

So yes, on January 8th yours truly will be having her neck sliced open. Her windpipe moved out of the way, and bone scraped, donor bone put in, discs fused, and a titanium plate and screws inserted into her neck. He thinks by doing all of this, it will significantly reduce (or eliminate) the amount of pain I'm currently in. (I rate it at an 8.5). Did I mention I get to wear a "cone" on my neck for two weeks? Jealous?
If I don't have surgery..he said there is the potential I could be paralyzed..if I say fall off a ladder and land on my head..get in a car accident and get whiplash. But there is also a 1 in 1000 chance I could end up paralyzed after surgery. YIKES!! I'm feeling a lot like Humpty Dumpty.
Photo by:abbietabbie