After proving myself a complete idiot (come on, I'm on Vicodin) by forgetting the original paperwork (which takes an entire hour to complete) and having to reschedule (luckily) for that afternoon, I finally made it. I was hopeful, but had my doubts about seeing a PA and really wanted to see the neurosurgeon. Fortunately, I was wrong. This PA was very knowledgeable and he works in both doctor's offices. I happened to catch him on the perfect day - his one day in this doctor's office. He began by going over my MRI with me. Now, there are many times when you want someone to be shocked by your test results... but not your doctor. My general physician had already emphasized that this was a large herniation, but to hear the same echoed by a PA in a spine specialist's office does not generally warm one's heart. But he said it... again and again and again. Then he did some strength tests and he gave me his opinions about my options, but top on his list was surgery. (Which was, of course, at the bottom of my list.) He wasn't pushy about the surgery, but because I kept hearing the same story from people who are medically educated, I was seriously considering it.
Now, I assumed that it would take weeks to get into surgery because even my referral to the neurosurgeon was going to take two months, but again my PA saved the day. Because he saw mine as such a serious case and because he works four days a week at the neurosurgeon's office, he got the ball rolling and literally snuck me into to see other specialist. Seriously. He stuck me in a back room and snagged the doc in between rooms so that he would see me. How awesome is that! He snuck me into the guy that wouldn't even be able to schedule my appointment for another two weeks. And (un)fortunately, this specialist agreed with him. And once I determined the surgery was the best choice, they began to schedule my surgery... for next Wednesday. (It's not 100% set because they have to get my insurance to pre-approve, but they are going to try really hard.) I am having surgery on my spine in six days. Crazy!
So, trying to see the positive. This surgery will fix my chronic back pain. That, in and of itself, is enough for me. I have struggled with back pain since I was 18 years old and have now had two extremely painful encounters. Plus, since we plan to try to get pregnant again, that means one less fear during the pregnancy. Of course, it's scary to face any surgery and it's even more frightening when it's on your spine. And it's not like I've been out of the hospital for very long, but I might as well get it over with. Plus, my life has not exactly been a bowl of roses and the pain already prevents me from doing much. So, what's the harm of a surgery that will fix a chronic problem?
That's the news with me. I'm trying to stay positive, despite having to cut down my meds (400 mg of Motrin will apparently thin my blood) and being in more pain... and the fear of surgery. I just keep thinking about how much better I'll feel in the end. (They will actually get me up and walking on the same day as the surgery!) So... here's to a little more pain, a little more hospital time, but a heaping pile of pain relief without pills!
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