The Bullet Dodged; The Bullet Lodged

The main reason I hardly ever blog any more is because my life has been so utterly consumed with medical drama for what is starting to feel like forever. I always said I never wanted to be one of those people who only talked about their health problems but now I AM that person. Health problems have a way of hijacking your life.
So, the things I have written about are not even the Main Event. My spine has progressed to a disaster zone. So, that bullet I’ve dodging for years, the ultimately inevitable surgery, has finally become the no choice option. But, after today, I literally don’t even know where to start first.
I’ve recently found out, from an MRI and a CT scan. that I had severe lumbar spinal canal stenosis in addition to the  spondylolistheses that was diagnosed years ago. My spinal canal is reduced to only 7 mm at L4-5. My ligamentum flavum, the big ligament that runs down the spine, is now almost completely ossified. AS—the gift that just keeps giving!
I’m at risk for permanent nerve damage now, not to mention the, uh, really un-funny pain. So, my spine specialist had already set me up to see a spinal surgeon for what would be extensive and major decompression surgery, plus fusion with  the dreaded bigass titanium screws and rods.
But, then my cervical spine is also killing me and I have developed incessant pins-and-needles tingling in my fingers.  It seemed like my already bad cervical spine was getting in on the act with these disturbingly NEW neural symptoms. So, I was sent off for another MRI and today I got the results. As you may have guessed, I also have a totally fucked up cervical situation, with severe stenosis at C3-4, C4-5, and C5-6. And, of course, risk for permanent spinal cord damage.
Motherfucker!
I see the surgeon tomorrow. I’m going to ask him if he is familiar with the term “twofer special”.

Comments

[Jenn]

Well, I'm okay with you posting about health stuff if that is what's on your mind. I'll still be here. Hell, all I do is post about marking ;)

I'm so sorry about this new spine complications, and I hope you get some good information. And some good drugs. Bah. I'm sorry.

[allison]

Aw. sweetie, this all sucks so hard. I hope the doctor can offer some relief soon.