Back Update

Well, the news is not good.

We saw the specialist 2 weeks ago and have been trying to make a decision on what to do. The specialist is with the U of M and a very good surgeon. He said that I have 2 options, live with the pain, or have a 2 level spinal fusion.

Not exactly what I wanted to hear. If I live in pain there is a chance that in the future I can make my back worse by not having surgery. Bone spurs could develop, I could lock my spine in the wrong position ect. This is not an immediate concern though, he said.

The 2 level fusion is not a very nice surgery though. They would operate through the front and the back. He said this promotes better healing, and a better chance of getting the back into the correct alignment. It would be a long surgery 6 to 8 hours, with a lot of risk. Plus only a 70 to 80% chance that the surgery will work and the fusion will heal. Plus I may only receive 30 to 50% reduction in pain.

With all that said, the Specialist thinks the surgery would benefit me.

Problem 1. the diabetes. He said I woudl be in the ICU for a day or 2 because of it and then in a regular room for another 5 to 7 days. My Primary care Dr. said that there is no way she will let me have surgery right now, with my diabetes out of control.

So we are going to try to get the diabetes under control. She also started me on a pain medication for chronic pain. It is a non narcotic, and not addictive! Yeah! Hopefully it will work so that I can buy myself some time.

Problem 2. Better back options if I could just wait a little longer. They are currently making huge strides in technology for the back. But can I wait that long? And will the technology apply to me?

Problem 3. We were going to get a second opinion for the Mayo. Unfortunately our insurance does not cover the Mayo. The Mayo also requires that you have all the diagnostic testing redone with them. We are talking a ton of money!! There is no way that we can afford that!!

Oh well, we will see what happens in this ongoing saga.

I just wish that it would end, so that I could have a productive life.

Sorry for all the complaining! But it is my blog!