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!