Posted 8/28/2007 7:22 PM (GMT -7)
Hi Afloat!
Great to hear from you---been thinking of your! You were so uplifting & supportive of me when I had my SI injections & subsequent treatments. I know you had your second (I think) rhyzotomy last week & I was wondering how you're doing, as that's my next option now that I've found the SI & lumbar injections somewhat helpful. But to hear that you're not doing so well makes me sad!
I just finished reading a great book; it's not a "pain mgmt" book per se, but an account of one man's acceptance of his chronic pain which followed a series of spinal surgeries for cancer. It's called " A Whole New Life" by Reynolds Price. Your library probably has it & it's a very encouraging read. Short synopsis: he's DX'd w/ a huge cervical spinal tumor & goes thru 3 awful operations which leave him in horrendous chronic pain, paraplegia & depression. How he gets thru all this is what the book's about. He's a professor @ Duke University & a former Rhodes scholar, so it's excellent writing....not sentimental, yet very moving. I found it very helpful. I'm re-reading it now that my CP is getting worse & tomorrow I return to work (I'm a teacher) & I wonder how I'll do it.... I've been home on disability since last October, but now I'm gonna try FT teaching again (2nd grade...!) & after reading his book, and trying to apply his ideas & advice, I think I may be able to get thru the next 181 days....!
I do wish you were feeling better! How long does it take for the rhyzotomy pain to subside? My pain doc said to figure 2-3 weeks of major discomfort from the procedure & nerves, but then things would be better........? Should I believe him? You're an expert, it seems: what do you think?
Anyway, I'm keeping you in thought/prayer tonight. Picture this: a full moon, slightly tinged w/ orange & gold, just rose above the horizion, highlighting the last summer clouds of today (which was a lovely day)---the waves are calm & lap genlty at the shore (Lake Michigan), peacefully washing the day's debris from the beach....making everything "clean" again....may you have an equally restful night.... & I do hope, a better day tomorrow. Maybe the book will help!
~ Lakeside
2 lumbar surgeries for L4-L5-S1 cystic tumor & post-surgical CSF leak complications. (Fall of '06). Central canal stenosis, severe degnerative arthrosis, grade 1 (21% shift) spondylolisthesis @ L5-S1 area, sensory & nerve function loss & radiculopathy in r leg/foot, on-going facet pain, sacral/illiac pain, lots of epidural fibrosis @ L5/S1.