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Getting through injury


Thecatsmother

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I have been thinking about you Balleteacher.

 

Right now the doctors are trying to decide what to do with me.

 

A lot of people have been trying to decide that for a long time: teachers, parents, spouse, friends, my cats (presently in cat heaven).

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Hello

 

Thank you for asking. I know what you mean about the comment people deciding what to do with me. On the plus side I did manage to do 1 minute of 3 pointe solos mainly sitting down yesterday and it was good to be amongst such focused and committed students. They also made me laugh which is an added bonus.

 

The day was v long and so am a little weary. It was about 20 mins of scans in morning after the injection and then had to go back 3 hours later when they did a full bone scan, a repeat of the scans from the morning plus another long 30 minute scan on my foot only. I could see most of the scans and once I worked out the green line on the bottom of the screen meant how far through each scan they were it helped.

 

I am lucky that my surgeon should get results by the end of tomorrow I reckon due to his connections in the hospital as it usually takes 4-5 days. I have to say my heart sank when one of the staff asked me to show them where exactly I felt the pain just as I was leaving. How can something be so wrong and yet be a nightmare to capture on a scan. I am running out of scans to have now.

 

I do hope you get a plan soon Anjuli and your pain can be reduced in some way.

 

I am drinking loads and eating broccoli to try and limit effects of radiation. Apparently you are not supposed to come too closely into contact with pregnant women or babies for 24 hours post injection. I have kept the radioactive glow to myself by having a night in????

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I hope they sort your foot out balleteacher, you must be so frustrated. Anjuli I hope you can get some pain relief as I understand what nerve pain feels like and it is a nightmare. I had deep facet joint injections straight into my cervical spine, this brought some pain relief. I wonder if you would be allowed this?

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I wish you a most successful outcome - Balleteacher - I;m glad that part of your ordeal is over.

 

Looks like my day is tomorrow.....the hospital will tell me tomorrow morning when to come in.

 

It's taken a heroic husband who litterly got on his white horse (ok silver 6 cynlinders) who went down in person to get the attention of a no-nonsense doctor to unravel a horrendous clerical knot beween two medical offices and a large hospital - just to get this set-up. 

 

I spent the day "on hold," no call backs - except with the wrong information from a bunch of 20 something twerp clerks -  no, I won't continue to rant - its tempting ,,,,but.....not worth the energy.

 

However, when I get to the hospital... I am sure they will love me...I have very good medical insurance!  

 

And, maybe I'll get a chance to give 'em a piece of my mind in ballet French.

 

If you believe in prayer, I would appreciate yours.  Good vibes and wishes will help muchly. 

 

Thank you. 

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I was admitted for what turned  out to be a three day hospital stay.  It was horrific on several levels  (I could use a bit of Brit Grit). 

 

The MRI shows two herniated discs.  The treatment plan is to start out conservatively with one shot (cortisone?).   I can have up to three - after that, it's surgery, which I am told is an out patient procedure - is fairly common, and fairly sucessful. 

 

But, in my experience nothing is "fairly."

 

Though MRI claustrophobia can be a problem, I have developed "Sheila's patented method" to deal with it.  The problem is I had to be sedated to endure the pain of lying flat on my back for the MRI and I am VERY sensitive to all forms of opiate/morphine sedation.  The hospial crew came very close to having a major cleanup inside the MRI. 

 

However, despite all my whining, the hospital crew was superb - attentive, kind, and skilled.  I am grateful to all those hard working people.

 

One incident I'd like to share.....a special "lift team" came to lift me into the bed.  However i was able to do it myself and so the team - comprised of four young good looking males - was sent away.  I immediately regretted it - four young good looking males ready to lift me ....hmmmm....it's not often an old woman gets such an offer....."Hey - guys!  Come back!"

 

And one more positive thing.....I lost over ten pounds in two weeks because of stress (I am slender to begin with) so now I get to eat all the wonderful calorie things without any guilt.  Always a silver lining.....

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Sounds like a nightmare Anjuli. :-(

 

I sympathise re the morphine; I can't take it orally in any form and IV makes me very sick. I can't even have anaeshetic via a mask as the gases make me horribly sick; it has to be IV only.

 

The injections should certainly help with the pain and reduce the swelling in the disks. Don't be surprised if it takes a few days after them for the pain to lessen. Can they give you an anti-emetic along with the sedation for the injections?

 

Thinking of you - enjoy a lovely calorific treat now. :-)

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I was given an anti-emetic - which didn't work.  It doesn't matter what form the sedation is given, it makes me horribly ill.

 

I was told that the injection takes a few days.

 

I am starting my weight gaining regime with a visit to my favorite deli - for a dish of pierogi ending up with a black and white (half chocolate) - half vanilla - ice cream soda - and a .............

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Good luck for Thursday Anjuli and I hope the second injection works. Have you researched deep facet injections? I had this for prolapsed disks in my neck, they also burnt the nerve that was being affected. This is all done under sedation and has been very effective in relieving a lot not all of the pain. It has given me back my life and has also stopped me having to have a disk replacement operation up to now. Hope you get some relief from your pain soon though x

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The spine specialist I am seeing is the same one who fixed the back (same problem) that was plaguing my generalist.  The spine specialist is using the same doctor for the shots as my generalist used.  Everyone seems to be communicating - which is good!

 

 

After telling my generalist that leaving him a message was like "shouting into a black hole with no echo"  (yes I told him that in front of other doctors) (yes, I did it on purpose) he gave me his personal cell number and e-mail. I've been his patient since 1984 and when I call I expect a response.  He is a good doctor with a fine reputation and has practiced here for many years and has great contacts to the rest of the medical community which is a very valuable asset.  Besides, as I tell him, we've grown old together.  

 

 I was told that if it suddenly gets worse - not to waste time but to get to the ER and shout out their names - as they all practice at the same large  hospital - rather than call and leave messages.  So, I feel I have accessiblity (often a big problem).  

 

The spine specialist is a no-nonsense (good looking) doctor with a "get 'er done" attitude and trained at Johns Hopkins.  The injection doctor - does nothing else and  has emphasized the "delayed" factor.

 

My main concern is conserving my husband's strength and trying to get him to think a bit like a multi-tasking woman.  If one goes to the food market to buy cereal - buy more than one box and while you are there pick up milk, fruit, etc.  This is difficult - he stubbornly continues to think like a man.  The idea that the biggest fruit is not always the best is another difficult concept. I do keep a food list handy to take with him - but he doesn't like lists.  :)

 

I do want you all to know how much I appreciate your thoughts and prayers - it does mean a lot to me.  

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I wonder if its the same sort of man mind which cannot understand when you see a friend how you can still sit in the car outside talking for another hour when you've already been out all evening together!!

 

Hope all goes well on Thursday Anjuli

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