franjo
06-06-2003, 04:19 PM
I finally have a new date set for my tethered spinal cord release...July 15th. Not as soon as I'd hoped, as my symptoms require urgent treatment, but I'm relieved, nevertheless, to have the date.
This has been a most ridiculous journey for me. I feel that I'm an unwilling participant in a Monty Python movie, or something. Everything that could possibly go wrong, since last August when I was diagnosed, has went wrong. Silly, avoidable stuff. Faxes not being sent, records being lost, and simple miscommunication between my NS and my HMO, and even, I suspect, some old-fashioned lying in order to cover some major butt.
I never did receive a satisfactory explanation as to why my original surgery date had been postponed to begin with. I'll probably never know the truth...I've resolved myself to that. The only thing that makes any sense to me is that my NS had a chance to go to Louisiana and hunt wild boar with his buddies, and had to clear his schedule. I wouldn't LIKE that explanation....but at least it explains some things.
Anyway, thank you for all the encouragement I was blessed to receive when my surgery was postponed. I do believe that is what kept me sane throughout all of this.
Hopefully, my symptoms have found a plateau and will not increase before my surgery, as any hope of improvements post-op are not realistic, still, it is possible. I normally would cast my vote for the possibilities, but am trying to remain grounded in the reality, so there's no disappointments later on.
Again, thank you all for being there. I can't say enough. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/heart.gif :angel:
Love,
~Teri
------------------
Spina-bifida occulta; Congenital Scoliosis (dextrorotatory and 'S' curve, 42 thorasic and 57 degrees lumbar); Meningomyelocele (split cord @ L1); Diastematomyelia (re-sectioned at L2-3); tethered cord @ S-3; cysts on cord; various developmental abnormalities of the spine: narrowing of all disk spaces, defects in posterior arches, ectasia of the spinal canal and dura, segmental disease, sclerosis in L. iliac bone and adjacent sacroiliac joint, unilateral osteitis condensans ilium, hypertrophic facet disease L4-5 and L5-S1.
Surgeries include, but not limited to:
Lumbar fusion-1968
Fusion with Herrington Rod instrumentation-1970
Femoral osteotomy-1971
Tethered cord release-1987
Rod removal-1987
Chiari-type pelvic osteotomy-1988
Trochanteric osteotomy-1989
This has been a most ridiculous journey for me. I feel that I'm an unwilling participant in a Monty Python movie, or something. Everything that could possibly go wrong, since last August when I was diagnosed, has went wrong. Silly, avoidable stuff. Faxes not being sent, records being lost, and simple miscommunication between my NS and my HMO, and even, I suspect, some old-fashioned lying in order to cover some major butt.
I never did receive a satisfactory explanation as to why my original surgery date had been postponed to begin with. I'll probably never know the truth...I've resolved myself to that. The only thing that makes any sense to me is that my NS had a chance to go to Louisiana and hunt wild boar with his buddies, and had to clear his schedule. I wouldn't LIKE that explanation....but at least it explains some things.
Anyway, thank you for all the encouragement I was blessed to receive when my surgery was postponed. I do believe that is what kept me sane throughout all of this.
Hopefully, my symptoms have found a plateau and will not increase before my surgery, as any hope of improvements post-op are not realistic, still, it is possible. I normally would cast my vote for the possibilities, but am trying to remain grounded in the reality, so there's no disappointments later on.
Again, thank you all for being there. I can't say enough. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/heart.gif :angel:
Love,
~Teri
------------------
Spina-bifida occulta; Congenital Scoliosis (dextrorotatory and 'S' curve, 42 thorasic and 57 degrees lumbar); Meningomyelocele (split cord @ L1); Diastematomyelia (re-sectioned at L2-3); tethered cord @ S-3; cysts on cord; various developmental abnormalities of the spine: narrowing of all disk spaces, defects in posterior arches, ectasia of the spinal canal and dura, segmental disease, sclerosis in L. iliac bone and adjacent sacroiliac joint, unilateral osteitis condensans ilium, hypertrophic facet disease L4-5 and L5-S1.
Surgeries include, but not limited to:
Lumbar fusion-1968
Fusion with Herrington Rod instrumentation-1970
Femoral osteotomy-1971
Tethered cord release-1987
Rod removal-1987
Chiari-type pelvic osteotomy-1988
Trochanteric osteotomy-1989
Sponsor
Catherine with a C
06-06-2003, 04:34 PM
Teri,
I am relieved that you have received a new date.
Although, I agree with you that the constant delays & excuses have been something out of a bizarre movie.
(Sometimes I think God looks just like Alan Funt!)
(I suppose I am letting my age peek through eh?!)
I hope your level of pain does not increase.
Did you get the date set in stone? Or better yet written in blood!!??
I know that if anyone can endure the wait with grace~
you can.
Thanks for relating the (sigh) good news with us.
Until later,
Catherine
I am relieved that you have received a new date.
Although, I agree with you that the constant delays & excuses have been something out of a bizarre movie.
(Sometimes I think God looks just like Alan Funt!)
(I suppose I am letting my age peek through eh?!)
I hope your level of pain does not increase.
Did you get the date set in stone? Or better yet written in blood!!??
I know that if anyone can endure the wait with grace~
you can.
Thanks for relating the (sigh) good news with us.
Until later,
Catherine
PsychLea
06-06-2003, 04:50 PM
Teri,
Maybe they were waiting for you to "bring shrubbery" as a down payment. As you know, Camelot is "a silly place" and so apparently is your NS office.
I pray you won't have any further delay, but gosh, that is another 5 weeks you have to wait and somehow get everything reorganized. SIGH http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/rolleyes.gif
Hang in there girlfriend.
------------------
God bless,
Lea
C4-5 noncompressive disc displacement
C5-6 compressive disc displacement
C6-7 broad based disc protrusion encroaching on the anterioposterior aspect of the spinal canal.
DDD
ACDF C6-7 5/13/03 with titanium plate,4 screws, and no collar postop.
Maybe they were waiting for you to "bring shrubbery" as a down payment. As you know, Camelot is "a silly place" and so apparently is your NS office.
I pray you won't have any further delay, but gosh, that is another 5 weeks you have to wait and somehow get everything reorganized. SIGH http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/rolleyes.gif
Hang in there girlfriend.
------------------
God bless,
Lea
C4-5 noncompressive disc displacement
C5-6 compressive disc displacement
C6-7 broad based disc protrusion encroaching on the anterioposterior aspect of the spinal canal.
DDD
ACDF C6-7 5/13/03 with titanium plate,4 screws, and no collar postop.
janie francine
06-06-2003, 05:20 PM
Hi Teri,
Well, that just bites, if you'll pardon my expression. Wild Boar???!!! He sounds like the boar to me. Maybe I need a hunting trip to Louisiana, but then you'd never have your surgery.
So the way I see it is you just hand it over to God at this point. Do what you can to take care of yourself and leave the rest up to him. What they say is true - We are powerless over other people, places and things. We can only do our best, which you have definitely done. We're here for you, sweetie, whenever you need us. If you're having a tough time please let us know. That's what we're here for. :angel:
I'm thinking about you and praying for you,
Jeanine
Well, that just bites, if you'll pardon my expression. Wild Boar???!!! He sounds like the boar to me. Maybe I need a hunting trip to Louisiana, but then you'd never have your surgery.
So the way I see it is you just hand it over to God at this point. Do what you can to take care of yourself and leave the rest up to him. What they say is true - We are powerless over other people, places and things. We can only do our best, which you have definitely done. We're here for you, sweetie, whenever you need us. If you're having a tough time please let us know. That's what we're here for. :angel:
I'm thinking about you and praying for you,
Jeanine
Debbie2
06-06-2003, 05:22 PM
It's not as soon as you want... but I thank God right now for it...
I'm so relieved, this made my day!
Prayers to you, it's just gonna be here before you know it!
Debbie
------------------
Debbie2
ACDF fusion (c5c6) with titanium plate and screws using donor bone -
September 4, 2002.
I'm so relieved, this made my day!
Prayers to you, it's just gonna be here before you know it!
Debbie
------------------
Debbie2
ACDF fusion (c5c6) with titanium plate and screws using donor bone -
September 4, 2002.
Memer
06-06-2003, 05:24 PM
Hi Teri,
I'm so glad that you have a new date. We'll keep you company and hopefully help the time pass. Maybe we can get some more jokes flowing and keep you laughing until July 15.
[This message has been edited by Memer (edited 08-05-2003).]
I'm so glad that you have a new date. We'll keep you company and hopefully help the time pass. Maybe we can get some more jokes flowing and keep you laughing until July 15.
[This message has been edited by Memer (edited 08-05-2003).]
melanie dawn
06-06-2003, 07:06 PM
Teri,
you know how thrilled I am that your date is set. I just did the happy dance http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/dance.gif for real.. , alot! :D
Now we will hold you in prayer to keep your symptoms on this plateau, with no increases allowed.
You have a great outlook, dont worry about they whys now. Now you just get organized , work on getting your rest and dropping your stress level to boost your immune system. There , I think I just gave you enough chores to keep your mind off of things.
As always , Love ya Mel
------------------
Congenital Cervical Stenosis,complicated by:
Paracentral Disc herniations ,bone spurs C4/5,C5/6,C6/7
Advanced myelopathy inc. walking difficulty, loss of gag reflex with swallowing problems, neurogenic bladder, occipital neuralgia, spacticity
you know how thrilled I am that your date is set. I just did the happy dance http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/dance.gif for real.. , alot! :D
Now we will hold you in prayer to keep your symptoms on this plateau, with no increases allowed.
You have a great outlook, dont worry about they whys now. Now you just get organized , work on getting your rest and dropping your stress level to boost your immune system. There , I think I just gave you enough chores to keep your mind off of things.
As always , Love ya Mel
------------------
Congenital Cervical Stenosis,complicated by:
Paracentral Disc herniations ,bone spurs C4/5,C5/6,C6/7
Advanced myelopathy inc. walking difficulty, loss of gag reflex with swallowing problems, neurogenic bladder, occipital neuralgia, spacticity
KeithEugeneW
06-06-2003, 10:02 PM
Teri, I'm so glad you're finally back on track again. I'm sure you've got this clown's attention that a 2nd cancellation would be a capital crime, right? Maybe after Bruce and I take care of that guy who was harrassing Joanne on her walks, we'll swing down through Indiana and put the fear of God into this guy for you on our way back home to NY state. We'll make him an offer he can't refuse concerning your surgery date. (just kidding of course) :D
Keith
Keith
magtize
06-06-2003, 11:01 PM
Hi Teri
Glad you finally got new date set We will keep you busy so time will go faster for you.
Wish someone could tell these people that stress just makes us hurt more.
Prayers are with you
Elaine
Glad you finally got new date set We will keep you busy so time will go faster for you.
Wish someone could tell these people that stress just makes us hurt more.
Prayers are with you
Elaine
franjo
06-07-2003, 04:23 AM
How can I go wrong? I've got all of you behind me: Brains, Brawn (Keith and Bruce), and lots of heart http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/heart.gif And you're right, it will be here before I know it. For now, I'm going to enjoy the early summer (if it EVER gets here!), teach my son to swim, and watch the weeds take over my flower beds....(it's a little 'survival of the fittest' study I have going.) :D
Thank you again for watching my back, :)
Love,
Teri
Thank you again for watching my back, :)
Love,
Teri
KeithEugeneW
06-07-2003, 02:59 PM
Teri,
I like that study on the garden, that's a great lesson in just adjusting your mindset and going with the flow! My garden last year was an embarrasment. We had just finished building the house in February last year, so my energy level for the gardening was in a glide path. I plowed and disked it all up, and planted everything, even watered it regularly, but when it came time to start messing with the weeds, I just said the heck with it. Besides, the weeds helped camoflage the good stuff and confuse the deer, so that they'd leave me something to eat. This year I promised I'd do better, and my wife and I are keeping up so far. I made it twice as big as last year, probably about 75 feet by 125 feet (I get a little carried away when I get my tractor fired up!). The wild turkeys are doing a good job on keeping the insects out so far, hopefully this year the turkeys won't pick my tomatoes all to pieces like they did last year! :D
Keith
I like that study on the garden, that's a great lesson in just adjusting your mindset and going with the flow! My garden last year was an embarrasment. We had just finished building the house in February last year, so my energy level for the gardening was in a glide path. I plowed and disked it all up, and planted everything, even watered it regularly, but when it came time to start messing with the weeds, I just said the heck with it. Besides, the weeds helped camoflage the good stuff and confuse the deer, so that they'd leave me something to eat. This year I promised I'd do better, and my wife and I are keeping up so far. I made it twice as big as last year, probably about 75 feet by 125 feet (I get a little carried away when I get my tractor fired up!). The wild turkeys are doing a good job on keeping the insects out so far, hopefully this year the turkeys won't pick my tomatoes all to pieces like they did last year! :D
Keith
melanie dawn
06-07-2003, 03:04 PM
Hey Teri,
I like how you think!! But you knew that anyways.
I hope you are having some fine weather, after a week of cold , gray rainy weather,we finally have some sunshine and close to seasonal temperatures.
Have a good day, talk soon
Mel
I like how you think!! But you knew that anyways.
I hope you are having some fine weather, after a week of cold , gray rainy weather,we finally have some sunshine and close to seasonal temperatures.
Have a good day, talk soon
Mel
franjo
06-07-2003, 05:53 PM
Keith~
You guys and those tractors! My husband can't be trusted with one....I can go and point out a plant I've just planted, turn my back, and WHIRRRRR! It's bush-hogged history. It's one of them there enigmas. :)
At one time, in my distant past, I had some wild, tame turkeys.....they hated me, and weren't the least bit afraid of a swinging crutch! They once had me trapped in my little car....a tom on each door, peering in at me with one eye. I stayed in my car for three hours until someone came to my rescue. I also had a pet skunk, raised a fawn to budding stage (he thought he was a dog), goats, Polish fighting roosters (they were passivists at heart), and flying squirrels (who loved to listen to my harmonica). I had to walk to my car in the dark of morning with my little .22 because the coyotes would hang around the forest edge (15 ft. from my cabin) when my dog was in season. I love animals, but I'm not up for raising any coyotes! Had a Great Horned Owl living in my attic....we agreed to tolerate one another. :D Wasn't quite up to evicting the big guy. Actually, he was the best house guest I've ever had! He earned his keep in keeping the pesky critter population down.
What ever happened to those toms? The coyotes got them before Thanksgiving came around. Drat! I had soooo wanted to even the score!
Take Care,
~Teri
You guys and those tractors! My husband can't be trusted with one....I can go and point out a plant I've just planted, turn my back, and WHIRRRRR! It's bush-hogged history. It's one of them there enigmas. :)
At one time, in my distant past, I had some wild, tame turkeys.....they hated me, and weren't the least bit afraid of a swinging crutch! They once had me trapped in my little car....a tom on each door, peering in at me with one eye. I stayed in my car for three hours until someone came to my rescue. I also had a pet skunk, raised a fawn to budding stage (he thought he was a dog), goats, Polish fighting roosters (they were passivists at heart), and flying squirrels (who loved to listen to my harmonica). I had to walk to my car in the dark of morning with my little .22 because the coyotes would hang around the forest edge (15 ft. from my cabin) when my dog was in season. I love animals, but I'm not up for raising any coyotes! Had a Great Horned Owl living in my attic....we agreed to tolerate one another. :D Wasn't quite up to evicting the big guy. Actually, he was the best house guest I've ever had! He earned his keep in keeping the pesky critter population down.
What ever happened to those toms? The coyotes got them before Thanksgiving came around. Drat! I had soooo wanted to even the score!
Take Care,
~Teri
Renee016
06-07-2003, 09:47 PM
Teri - I am so glad to hear about your new surgery date. It's not too far away - gives you time to get things ready and pamper yourself a little bit. I will be praying for you on July 15th - gonna mark the date on my calendar.
Take care and keep your spirits up.
Love, Renee :angel:
Take care and keep your spirits up.
Love, Renee :angel:
KeithEugeneW
06-07-2003, 10:36 PM
Teri,
It sounds like you live in just the kind of place I love as well! We have a bad coyote problem here also, they really go nuts howling when the fire whistle goes off at night. I love owls, they are the coolest birds in the woods. They own the night, and they just swoop in and gradually get closer and closer to what they want to investigate, landing a few trees closer at a time, and when they decide what they see is dinner, it's a done deal. Those great horned owls are huge, and very beautiful. I see a lot of barred owls in the fall here. They aren't as big, but are fun to watch. Enjoy the wildlife, it will help pass the time and put you at peace with yourself for the surgery. In the mean time I'll be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers! :D
Keith
It sounds like you live in just the kind of place I love as well! We have a bad coyote problem here also, they really go nuts howling when the fire whistle goes off at night. I love owls, they are the coolest birds in the woods. They own the night, and they just swoop in and gradually get closer and closer to what they want to investigate, landing a few trees closer at a time, and when they decide what they see is dinner, it's a done deal. Those great horned owls are huge, and very beautiful. I see a lot of barred owls in the fall here. They aren't as big, but are fun to watch. Enjoy the wildlife, it will help pass the time and put you at peace with yourself for the surgery. In the mean time I'll be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers! :D
Keith
melanie dawn
06-07-2003, 11:24 PM
Yep, country living is the place for me! Does this sound like an old theme song? :D :D
But that is my dream, out in the country with some property and more room for my critters!
Mel
But that is my dream, out in the country with some property and more room for my critters!
Mel
RageOfAngels
06-09-2003, 05:52 PM
Hi Teri,
Sorry I have not been on the board for over a week (I got suspended for violating the rules), but just wanted you to know I have been thinking about you alot and had my fellowship group prayer for you. I'm glad you have a date set now but wish it could have been sooner.
I had a really bad episode this past weekend with the spinal nerves, in fact it was the worst I've felt since before the surgery 2 years ago. I am not sure what caused it, but I literally couldn't sleep for 2 nights in a row due to tingling/spasms/twitches all up and down my legs and even in my arms, shoulders, and back. It has gotten better over the past few days and I was able to sleep last night. Hopefully this is just a temporary thing and will blow over in time, but time will tell I guess.
Anyway, regards from me, just wanted you to know I wasn't ignoring you and am still here....
Cheers,
Alec
Sorry I have not been on the board for over a week (I got suspended for violating the rules), but just wanted you to know I have been thinking about you alot and had my fellowship group prayer for you. I'm glad you have a date set now but wish it could have been sooner.
I had a really bad episode this past weekend with the spinal nerves, in fact it was the worst I've felt since before the surgery 2 years ago. I am not sure what caused it, but I literally couldn't sleep for 2 nights in a row due to tingling/spasms/twitches all up and down my legs and even in my arms, shoulders, and back. It has gotten better over the past few days and I was able to sleep last night. Hopefully this is just a temporary thing and will blow over in time, but time will tell I guess.
Anyway, regards from me, just wanted you to know I wasn't ignoring you and am still here....
Cheers,
Alec
RageOfAngels
06-09-2003, 05:59 PM
Hi Teri,
I haven't been on the board for over a week (I got suspended for violating the rules), but I just wanted you to know I have been thinking about you and my fellowship group was praying for you. I am glad you now have a surgery date finally set but I wish it could have been sooner.
This past weekend I had a bad episode myself with my spinal nerves where I literally was not able to sleep for 2 nights straight (I managed to get some sleep during the day, but not much). I am not at all sure what caused it. But I haven't symptoms this bad since before my operation 2 years ago, which included spasms/twitching/tingling up and down my legs and even in my arms, back, and shoulders. It was a bit scary but I managed to pull through it by continually bringing it to the Lord. It has gotten a bit better over the past few days, and last night I was able to sleep, but it is still a bit of a problem. Anyway, I am hoping it will work itself out in time and that it is just a temporary thing. We'll see.
Anyway, just wanted to let you know I am still here and haven't been ignoring you, just haven't had access to the boards,
Cheers,
Al
[This message has been edited by RageOfAngels (edited 06-09-2003).]
I haven't been on the board for over a week (I got suspended for violating the rules), but I just wanted you to know I have been thinking about you and my fellowship group was praying for you. I am glad you now have a surgery date finally set but I wish it could have been sooner.
This past weekend I had a bad episode myself with my spinal nerves where I literally was not able to sleep for 2 nights straight (I managed to get some sleep during the day, but not much). I am not at all sure what caused it. But I haven't symptoms this bad since before my operation 2 years ago, which included spasms/twitching/tingling up and down my legs and even in my arms, back, and shoulders. It was a bit scary but I managed to pull through it by continually bringing it to the Lord. It has gotten a bit better over the past few days, and last night I was able to sleep, but it is still a bit of a problem. Anyway, I am hoping it will work itself out in time and that it is just a temporary thing. We'll see.
Anyway, just wanted to let you know I am still here and haven't been ignoring you, just haven't had access to the boards,
Cheers,
Al
[This message has been edited by RageOfAngels (edited 06-09-2003).]
janie francine
06-09-2003, 07:37 PM
Hi Teri,
I know what you mean about the wildlife. In my "previous life" I had 3 1/2 acres bordering woods and the wildlife was an every-day joy. There were wild turkeys, deer (13 one night), porcupine (I had no idea how big those suckers could get!), moose and wonderful birds. If the feeder was empty the chickadees would sit on my porch railing at yell at me util I filled it. They would actually stay there while I filled it. LOL. If you could have seen my black standard poodle, Liza, and the turkeys together, you would have died laughing. The past 3 plus years I've been stuck in a third floor apt in the inner city and have had enough. God willing and the creek don't rise, my new hubby and I will eventually be moving to a friend's 300 acre farm so I (Liza, too) can once again enjoy the country life. In the meantime, I love to hear about everyone's wildlife adventures. Thanks for making me smile. :D Be well and take care of yourself. :angel:
Jeanine
I know what you mean about the wildlife. In my "previous life" I had 3 1/2 acres bordering woods and the wildlife was an every-day joy. There were wild turkeys, deer (13 one night), porcupine (I had no idea how big those suckers could get!), moose and wonderful birds. If the feeder was empty the chickadees would sit on my porch railing at yell at me util I filled it. They would actually stay there while I filled it. LOL. If you could have seen my black standard poodle, Liza, and the turkeys together, you would have died laughing. The past 3 plus years I've been stuck in a third floor apt in the inner city and have had enough. God willing and the creek don't rise, my new hubby and I will eventually be moving to a friend's 300 acre farm so I (Liza, too) can once again enjoy the country life. In the meantime, I love to hear about everyone's wildlife adventures. Thanks for making me smile. :D Be well and take care of yourself. :angel:
Jeanine