I have been keeping a painful secret; now it’s time to fess up. Lately my life has been a whirlwind of doctor visits, EKG, MRI, X-rays and Physical Therapy.
In January 2011, I had surgery for a herniated disc (C3) in my neck. Two days before my scheduled surgery, the neurosurgeon ordered an MRI. He called me that evening to discuss the results.
During the conversation the surgeon said, “You will definitely need surgery on C6 and C7.” I felt one of those ‘oh, no’ moments but pushed it aside. That was down the road; I would face it when the time came.
Well, the time is here.
It wasn’t long after I healed from the surgery when the pain in my neck began again. As the months passed the pain became worse, wakes me up at night. The headaches are brutal; make it hard to get through the day.
I was fortunate with the first surgery; screws were used to insert a titanium disc. Most people can’t have this procedure because the chin gets in the way. At 5’ 1” and 115lbs, I was lucky and didn’t need the plate.
Ain’t gonna happen this time; not with a double-disc surgery. I have finished physical therapy and the operation is scheduled for Monday, Oct. 22nd.
This is what will happen during the surgery:
You can watch a short ‘animated’ version of the surgery here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ks0tYTzHU9w
Oops, almost forgot, there is a part two of this saga. Will tell ya when I get back, which will be soon. Not to worry, Jen will take good care of me. I am blessed.
Until then…
May Your Glass Always Be Half Full
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My consorts in the LBC may have their own secrets to share:
Anu, Delirious, Maxi Maria/Gaelikaa, Maria SilverFox OCD writer, Padmum, Paul, Ramana, The Old Fossil, http://willknott.ie/
