Hey guys!
Well, I had a CT scan and X-Rays yesterday and saw the new neurosurgeon. His diagnosis is that I have something called cervical myelopathy and possibly carpal tunnel syndrome. As for the myelopathy, he recommends surgery. He wants to fuse all disks of my cervical spine with the exception of disk one and disk two. This would GREATLY decrease the range of motion of my head. Meaning that I would not be able to turn my head sideways or up and down very much. He said that the surgery takes about 3 hours and is a painful and long recovery since they would be accessing the spine through the back of the neck. The recovery would be: First 3 months – I cannot lift anything heavier than a gallon of milk, second 3 months – I could not lift more than 25 pounds. Final 6 months – I could not lift more than 50 pounds. After the 12 months I could resume life normally. He also said that about one in 10,000 of these surgeries the patient ends up permanently blind. He said that the goal of surgery is to keep things from getting worse and he could NOT guarantee that I would feel better after the recovery period. He also suggested that I get a THIRD opinion from another neurosurgeon. If I do nothing, I will be living with the pain and numbness and if it progresses, I could affect my walking ability.
So there you have it. I do NOT want to go through surgery and one year of recovery with the possibility that I could end up losing my sight. What are your thoughts, guys? I would love to hear from you.
Now, to change the subject…
Because I have been struggling with the posting lately, I thought I would give you guys an extra poll this week. So here you go!
In the first poll, I am going to pick World Cup Boy 2.
So, Who Would YOU Do?
In the second poll, I am going to choose International Boy 1.
So, Who Would YOU Do?
In the third and final poll, I am going to pick Porn Boy 3.
So, Who Would YOU Do?
Jason, first, I like that your doctor advised you to get another opinion. The more info you have, the better.
Because of an accident, my c3 & c4 are fused. My left-right head rotation is limited, but I’ve adjusted: I can shift my upper body just enough to compensate. After a while that became just another part of my living. Depending on situation, when I drive up to a stop sign, I angle just slightly to the left so I can better see that traffic. (I hope that makes sense.)
I faced the danger of blindness for a different reason, but it still cost me many, many nights of lost sleep. I asked lots and lots of questions, often the same one but nuanced differently. Still, making the decision was almost wet-my-pants scary.
Everything is a risk, in one way or another. The words of comfort and reassurance would be: do what you decide is best for you. And know that there’s a bunch of us out here supporting whatever decision you make.
Thanks for your comment, Paul. My C6-C7 are already fused from a surgery a long time ago. I have been asking lots of questions and doing as much research as my numb fingers will allow… lol. I truly appreciate your support!
Wow! Talk about being between a rock and a hard place and damned if you do and damned if you don’t. What could have brought this on?
It has been an on going problem for years. I have degenerative disk disease and I guess this is kind of what happens. Unfortunately.
Is it genetic? Do others in your family have this or something related? I knew someone who had a disc deteriorating disease. They went to the doctor after doctor and found one that actually removed the decaying discs and replaced them with artificial ones. It took about 3 months of recovery of almost staying in bed with limited mobility, but he did recover, pain free.
Has anyone mentioned something like this to you?
It is genetic. My father and sister had it, although not to the same degree. I have had 2 discs fused already. I will see what the third doctor says. Thanks for the idea!
Three nuclear physicists were called into the office and told they had all absorbed lethal doses of radiation. “But,” said the director, “the government will give you anything you want before you die.” One asked for a luxury hotel suite. One asked for a trip around the world. The third asked for a second opinion.
So, faced with this very dissatisfying news, I’d go for the third opinion. Who knows? #3 might know something the others don’t know.
I am truly hoping that #3 does indeed know something the others do not. The doctor I am trying to get the 3rd opinion from is a robotic surgery specialist.
HI Jason,
That’s quite a confronting diagnosis and treatment proposal. On one hand, surgery might give you the help you have needed for so long, but on the other hand, it might not achieve what you hope (to say the least!).
If definitively go for another opinion, and if the prognosis and suggestion is the same as the one you have just received, you have some serious thinking to do about your options. I do feel for you, being confronted with this challenge! If only you could come to Australia and be part of our much more reasonable health-care system!
Thank you Ross! I wish we had a more reasonable heath care system as well… But I am going to get another specialists opinion.
My apologies if you have explored this route before, but what about Chiropractic? It’s cheaper, less painful, may not be applicable, but could be the answer, and is probably worth checking out a couple practitioners. Do check with 2 or 3 or 4, there are shysters in that industry as well. A good chiropractor will tell you up front that they cannot help, others will charge you for a year before you realize they cannot help. I personally swear by chiropractic, but I had one of the good ones. Best of Luck
Thanks Jimmy! I have actually gone to the chiropractor and due to the position of one of my vertebrae, they do not recommend that I proceed with chiropractic care at this time. But I truly appreciate the suggestion. I am open to all suggestions!
Jason