Bad news on my wife

Awful news to read David. Sending you both a hug from over the pond.
Susan
x

David, it made me cringe to read about your wife's pain. There have been some remarkable advances in spinal surgery....small incisions, speedy recovery. I hope she's a candidate for something like that and gets past this. Bill

L4 & L5 here. I was treated at the Rusk Institute. Nothing helped the pain like steroids, including shots directly on the nerve. Sitting was impossible and I had to sleep on a hardwood floor for a few weeks. Good luck.

David, my heart goes out to you brother. There sure has been an over abundance of issues that have been visited up you.

I can surely identify with what your wife is going through. Lynn had shrunk from 5'11" to 5'3" before she passed and it was entirely due to spinal compressions and fractures.

My prayers are with you both that peace and comfort can be found soon,

Sonny

FRIDAY EVENING UPDATE

Looks like my wife will be getting 2 consultations with 2 different neuro-surgeons, before any treatment decision(s) are made. Right now, the thinking is to avoid surgery unless the doctors feel the damage is too severe, and to try less invasive methods, at least at first, to alleviate some or most of the pain.

She has been out of work for two full weeks now, but she is managing to the most important part of her job as the Scheduling Nurse for her facility from home, via internet/e-mail/phone. It's helping them, and helping her head, of course to keep her mind active.

Her new doctor, which will be her PCP from now on, is a real angel. Once the dr got the seriousness of her MRI scan from the scan doc, she quickly switched meds for her, and now, while the pain is there, it is being controlled much better than ever before. After she sees the neuro docs, I would imagine they may to choose to adjust her meds once again once they fully evaluate the damage.

She can get around the house in short bursts, with cane. But mostly in bed. I am doing all the cooking, cleaning, washing, etc. I bring her all her meals, and help her with her bathing and personal stuff. Now that she is doing a little bit better, starting to take some of the pressure off of me. I won't lie, that first week, I was having to do everything, including supporting her weight, and trying to get by on 2-3 hours of sleep. We are passed that crisis point for now, thank God. I couldn't have taken much more of that, as it greatly increased my incessant pain and fatigue to near the panic point some days. Felt like I was a walking zombie.

For a treat tommorow, since we are having a sunny day in the lower 70s, going to take her for a short drive in the mountains to get her out of the house and into the fresh air. The seats in my Lincoln are both heated and air conditioned, so it will help keep her comfortable. Kind of thinking about a 1 1/2 hour loop if she can take it. If not, at any one point, we will never be more than 20-30 minutes from home. I think that will be good for her.

We are doing the best we can, as usual, we work everything as a team. We apprecaite every kind word, all the good suggestions, and even the prayers offered by some. This getting old part is no fun. But things could be worse.

David in SC

you are right on target, mr bill. thanks.

Bill,

Just last week, went to the county va and gave them the letter from my oncologist and documents from SSD, they are being forwared to the very person in DC that has my service records and appeal, local va said now there's a 90% chance of approval and speedy finalization. only hope that is true.

on the malpractice, in the final stages, should know by december if its all been in vain or not

also realized today, my wife has a lot of $ in her 401k we could tap for an emergency, but that would be a last resort

hoping we dont have to depend on any of these things to survive. i feel bad, because its not like i can run out and get a job in my condition, i wouldn't last a full day on a job even if i could. can barely make it through a day as it is.

david

David,
Very sorry to hear this about your wife. I understand your reluctance concerning surgery. Oddly enough, as much as I have and continue to deprecate prostate surgery, I have witnessed first hand the miracles that are possible with back surgery. I had a spinal fusion when I was 27 that was and remains 100% successful with no complications.
My girlfriend had a spinal fusion on March 14, 2010. On April 28, of that same year we flew to Belize for my daughter's wedding.
This is only to say that IF your wife needs surgery, the results can be truly miraculous. My girlfriend is 100% with no pain.
Not sure where you live, but if you are anywhere near the Pittsburgh area, I would be glad to provide you information concerning her neurosurgeon. His 'group' provides neurological care for the Steelers.
Certainly putting the cart before the horse. Hopefully no surgery is indicated, but no need for fear if it goes that way.
God bless

David,

So sorry to hear about your wife's painful condition. Of course, we all wish her speedy relief.

I hope they can buy her that relief with non-invasive treatments. If not, I know a couple people who've gotten major relief from disc surgery. Best of luck to you both either way.

Jonathan

David,

I do hope and pray you can get through this without surgery. I admittedly do not know a whole lot about it, but the people I personally know have mirrored your 50/50 observation. On the other hand, the majority of those I know that had bad experiences were folks that did it years ago when techniques were more primitive. Advances have been made certainly. And from a brief reading it appears the biggest advance is to use surgery as a last resort. Of course, I am not telling you anything you do not know. You have certainly been down similar roads before.

My regret is that I am not closer to see if I can help you in any way. You are just a few hours away, but we are both busier than a one legged man in a butt kicking contest and just can't. But know that if I could, I would. And if I can, I will.

Hopefully this thing has bottomed out and you are slowly clawing your way out of it. You and the wife are in our prayers.

Steve

Thanks, Steve.

I truly believe your offer to help is sincere, and I appreciate that. As soon as my wife can get those couple of professional opinions, we will know what treatment route best suits her. We are only for surgery if that is truly the best path. The more I read, the more it seems like its more typical to try non surgical approaches first, sometimes you can buy time (months) before you need surgery if you are fortunate. That would give us time to get our ducks lined up in a row, and for her to secure a few things with her employer. We didn't plan on both of us being down and out at the same time, but we won't be the first couple, even here at HW in that situation.

She really enjoyed our ride in the country/mountains today. When you live in such a scenic area as this, western SC - which has mountains, hills, deep forests, and crystal clear lakes, you can easily take it for granite. It did both our heads some good. We passed places where I use to go fly fishing years ago and hiking areas that neither of us can possibly use. It was clear blue skies, 70 degrees, and the last of the fall folliage was out in our area.

david

Hi David, sorry about your wife's back problem, I have had 3 back operations, 2 in '84 and 1 in '94 I have 6 bolts and 2 rods in my lower spine, S1 L4 L5, at the time of my accident, I don't think they did keyhole surgery so it was all open surgery, I would think they would have much better medical options today. I feel for your wife, the pain is terrible, I could not walk, drive, or sit on the toilet.

I injured myself at work, and was covered under workers compensation, can your wife source anything like that?

You both are in my thoughts, and wish you well for the future.

Mal.