Well another fine mess I've gotten myself into

[bcipam]

So for the last two 1/2 weeks I had some back pain. No biggy. I get it once and awhile. This last Friday I experienced some new pain. It was so intense I had my good buddy Richard take me to Mission Hospital ER. They found nothing wrong but said I should go see my orthopedist. So I saw Dr. Legome on Tuesday. He noticed some weakness in my left leg. I advised him I was experiencing some very intense pain and if it were not for the Vicodin prescribed by the Hospital I would not be able to function. He gave me another prescription, and ordered an MRI.

I had to do the MRI in 2 sessions. I could not lie on the table for long due to the intense, sharp pain in my lower left leg. I had session 2 today and just received a call from Dr Legome. Getting a call from the doctor was scary. They did find something unusual on the MRI. He thought I had a herniated disc. I don't. What I do have is a large cyst on my spine and its impinging on the nerve causing my pain. The only relief is surgery. WHAT?????? Oh no not again! Doctor will try and get it scheduled asap. I see him next week and he'll try and get me into a spinal specialist (Dr. Legome no longer does spine surgeries so he will be referring me out). Most likely I'll be in the hospital a day or two and home for 3 weeks. Yes I've already told my boss. He was very sweet and felt bad for me but I really can't afford to be out of work. I was just out 6 weeks for the cancer surgery. I just pray and hope this solves the back pain and leg problems I've had the last several years. Wish me luck. I'll know more next week. And uh oh yeah, Merry Christmas! 2006 sucked for me! :-(

PS: The only good thing is if I can get the surgery done this year - I have already met my insurance cap and deductible so no out of pocket other than a co-pay. But if it's next year, I'll have to come up with another $3,000 or so. I'm still trying to pay off the cancer surgery!

[SadieKate]

Oh, sheesh, when it rains it pours. I can feel a little empathy for you. I have a lipoma on my back that is too close to a regular injection site and it's been getting a bit upset so I trotted off to doctor who prodded it . . . and I hit the ceiling. It's right over the sacroiliac joint and has been mimicking sciatica for years. Who knew? I can feel your pain.

My surgeon's appt is Monday. I'll be thinking of you.

[bcipam]

Oh, sheesh, when it rains it pours. I can feel a little empathy for you. I have a lipoma on my back that is too close to a regular injection site and it's been getting a bit upset so I trotted off to doctor who prodded it . . . and I hit the ceiling. It's right over the sacroiliac joint and has been mimicking sciatica for years. Who knew? I can feel your pain.

My surgeon's appt is Monday. I'll be thinking of you.

Sadie is it the same thing I have? I would like to know what your surgeon has to say about the surgery and the down time after. I cried all the way home from work (surprise I didn't have an accident - I don't remember driving home). I'm not afraid of surgery I just don't need another right now Seems like things are always keeping me from riding. What's up with that???

[SadieKate]

A lipoma isn't a cyst at all; it is an amorphous blob of unencapsulated fat. My lipoma just happens to be, probably and maybe, in the same place as your cyst. Mine is probably a lot more in the elective surgery status. It doesn't like any pressure on it and I have to locate it for whoever is giving me an injection in the posterior. So I'm just going in for an evaluation whether 1) it is even possible to remove the thing and 2) weigh the risk against the need. I'm nowhere near in the pain you are - at least until my doc pushes on it.

I have been dropped to my knees by sciatic pain but I learned how to control the pain before I learned that the lipoma could be causing it. Fortunately, I've been pretty pain-free since then. But I have to have the injections the rest of my life. Therefore, I'm just in exploratory mode right now.

We need Lise or Doc. Did I get my description of a lipoma right?

Pam, I know this is incredibly difficult news right on the heel of your cancer surgery but I truly believe things come in cycles. For a while, I was afraid to pick up the phone for the bad news. My mom was in the neuro-surg ICU with a brain tumor (all is well now) when my dad discovered a lump which turned out to be non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, but things work out. Doesn't mean I don't pound my fist on walls at times but then I focus on the light at the end and start putting one foot in front of the other. It's the only way I know how to get through it.

[salsabike]

Everything SadieKate said.

Jeez, Pam. There are times when life just piles it on. Luckily, there are those other times when we have clear, lovely sailing for a while. Just know that those times will be back too.

[LBTC]

{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{Pam}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

I'm sorry you're hurting so and have to go through this again! Trust yourself and the universe, honey. This, as with all things, will pass.

You've been an inspiration to me. Thank you!

ps maybe when you get a chance you can tell me what my scopes will be like. I don't want to think about them until late Feb....about a week before they happen, okay? Is it a deal?

Thanks!

Hugs and butterflies,
~T~

[margo49]

Everything SadieKate said.

Jeez, Pam. There are times when life just piles it on. Luckily, there are those other times when we have clear, lovely sailing for a while. Just know that those times will be back too.

What Salsa and SK sed too
Live your life 1/4 of an hour at a time till things improve - you can stand anything physical or mental for 15 minutes.

In my thoughts and prayers (a local call from here!)

[light_sabe_r]

A lipoma isn't a cyst at all; it is an amorphous blob of unencapsulated fat.
We need Lise or Doc. Did I get my description of a lipoma right?

I may not be Lise or Doc, But Yes you did get the description right. I've the pleasure of growing fat from a lipoma come through our fat research lab. (Don't all get grossed out at once. Every biologist has to make her living somehow)

Looks the same as any other fat. it's NOT malignant. It will grow out but will not invade like cancer.

the cells just undergo mitosis a lot more than usual is all. They're NOT immortal like cancer cells



bcipam!

That's wonderful news about the cyst! Not so wonderful news about arthritis... But more than wonderful news about being encouraged to ride! YAY FOR YOU!

[Triskeliongirl]

You might ask your doctor for a referral to a physical therapist (which your insurance then might pay for) who can design an exercise program for you. After my cycling accident I had a problem with my SI joint and general back weakness. The PT gave me a back strengthening program which I found more helpful than general yoga/pilates classes since due to the nature of my injuries not all exercises one might do in a gym or yoga class were appropriate. At her suggestion, I purchased a balance ball which came with a workout DVD and found that also did wonders for my back and core, and can be done in the convenience of your own home. Good luck with healing. At least you can still ride, and at least surgery is off the table right now. I think eating healthy food and doing the right exercise (i.e. what your med experts say is safe) will be good for your to heal, and perhaps slow the progression of your arthritis. Perhaps others with more experience in this area can chime in. Healing thoughts are going your way!