Sketchy At Best's blog: "Health"

I think that I've reached peace with the fact that there will be no more good days, as I remember them. It has been over a month that I've gone more than a few hours pain free, and now I can't even shake the pain and discomfort for a few hours it seems. To get to that state, I have to take too many Vicodin, and that just makes me sleepy. I used to have a few drinks with them, and that would help, but even that has lost it's luster. Our family has a history of addictions, and I have enough demons in my life, I'm fighting hard to keep medication at a minimum. But I've gotten used to the dull throb, or the knot feeling on the left side of my spine, that never loosens. I've even adapted to sleeping half the night in my bed, and the other half on the living room floor, with my feet resting on a chair, to relieve some of the pressure on my back. Wednesday, I get a shot in my spine. In theory, it will reduce swelling, and reduce pain. It may work, it may not, I don't know anymore. I'd like to be relatively pain free in 2009, that is my goal. But the way things are going, and how I've been feeling, and the vibe I've been getting from my Dr's, I'm going to have another long year.

I fought a cold this weekend, and on Monday, it wiped me out. I worked in the morning, came home by noon, and slept pretty much til 7. I know part of my recovery woes is the lack of quality rest. If I get 4 straight hours of sleep, its a miracle. I've resorted to sleeping half the night on the living room floor, my legs on top of the seat of the recliner, taking pressure off of my hips. But the lack of/sporadic sleep and the constant pain are taking its toll mentally, because I find myself more and more depressed. So I'm to the point that I force myself to eat, because I just don't feel like it. I find chores that I can do that I can move around, or stand, so that I just don't lay around and lose strength. I hate to admit it though, work wipes me out. After a day of work, and the pain involved, it drains me. So, pretty much business as usual.

Well, The pain hasn't been horrible, but I've really bee uncomfortable lately. I need to keep moving. I've found lately that if I keep moving, or tire out my muscles, I have the best results. I'm 3 weeks away from my shots, so we'll see. I have heard rumblings that the first visit is just a consultation. If that is all that it is, I am going to cancel that, and ask my Dr. if I can skip that step, and go right to surgery, so that it is fixed once and for all for good. I've heard 50/50 on the shots, and think that it is mostly a waste of time. I just agreed to it, because I wanted to get to mid October, so that I can get laid off for work, and get it taken care of. I have been stretching more, and walking, which has improved it some, so here's hoping I get something done soon.

The Pain Clinic called, and set up my spinal injections for the 24th. Which is great, but my followup to see if the injections worked is the 26th. I've been put on the waiting list, so if there is a cancellation, they will call me. I've told my boss that if they call, I'm going, and I'll let him know. Luckily, or not, we are slow at work, so this shouldn't be a problem. I have been deemed the floater, so I work wherever, and on future tickets, till I get it fixed, or worked out.

Today I went to Peoria to see my neurosurgeon, Dr McCall. He told me the same thing that Dr Dave told me. I have a hernaiated disc, that is pressing the nerve that runs down my leg. Then we went over my options. Which were basically surgery, or I can get some shots into my spine, which he hopes will reduce the swelling. I decided on that, with a followup at the end of September. At best, it cures the problem and I don't need surgery. But he did say more than likely eventually I will. At worst, they won't do anything, and I'm right where I'm at right now, and it puts me right around where I wanted to have the surgery anyway. If I do end up with the surgery, he said it is an hour long procedure, with 90% success. They shave the bone around the nerve, so it quits pressing against it. I really would like the surgery soon. I am impatient. He says that my back looks like a 40 year old back, with a few hot spots. But relatively healthy, except for this. I want to go back to writing all stupid blogs, enough about me lol. Thanks for those of you who've been keeping up, It really does mean alot to me to see your names over and over. Jay And I ate at Olive Garden, which isn't really a favorite, but had a pumpkin cheesecake, and it was soooooooooooo friggin good, almost made the last few months of pain worth it

Today is the big day, I go see the neurosurgeon. I have been feeling better lately, but so far today, I'm feeling horrible. I will let you all know what is going on as soon as I know.

I have an appointment the 18th with my Neurosurgeon, and his assosiate. It's at the same place my wife went to a few weeks ago. When she went, she met with hers, and it was very casual. When she got there, he told her she was on the mend, and he could have told her that over the phone. So I explained that to the nurse, and asked her if it was something that could be handled over the phone, and she said no. So it must be something good. The reason I asked was because its a little over an hour to get there, and me days that can be torture. My pain has let up a little the last few days. I really think being on my feet for 12 hours on Sunday helped. I need to walk more, and push myself. So that is where I am at. I have constant pain, but its been a dull throb lately. I'll take that over the stabbing, sharp pains I went thru most the last three months.

I got in touch with my neurosurgeon, a Dr Dinh, and got my x rays and MRI sent to his office. I answered a bunch of questions over the phone, and they said that I would hear back from them in a few days. Then I go for a consultation, and I find out what he thinks is my best bet. As soon as my wife mentioned who my Dr was, a lady from where she used to work went off, saying that the guy is a hack, and that he's operated on the one lady they work with multiple times, and can't get it right. I had a momentary bit of trepidation, but then remembered who she was, and that went away. I'm guessing she isn't one to follow orders, because she's not the most health conscious person. I mean, the invention of the tooth brush has escaped her, so why would following Dr's orders be a priority? My chiro said that for the most part he likes him. For him, that's a ringing endorsement. So when I find out more, I'll let you know.

A herniated disc, L3/L4, mid lower back, that is pressing the nerve going down my left side. Dr Dave will have his office contact the neurosurgeon in Peoria, and I will go down for a consultation. He said that he always guesses wrong what the neurosurgeon will do, but that it is definitely something that surgery could fix. So there is a spring in my step, because I now know what is wrong, and I'm on the path to getting fixed. I will let you know how this progresses, and keep my bitching about it to a minimum.

It was a long weekend. I didn't have the pain from the pinched nerve, as much as just general pain around my hip and leg, and lower back. It's a slow burning pain, that never leaves. I'm not sure which I like better, the sharp stabbing pain, which when I got in certain positions I could avoid...until I moved out of the positions, or the constant throb of pain I am having now. I'm hoping to get to the chiro today, maybe he can give me some relief.