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~

[Duck on Wheels]

My formerly fellow Americans,

You have just GOT to get it together and get yourselves a national health plan! Why on earth should it be the poor working person's tough luck if they happen to get cancer, and then a cyst, or maybe a broken leg, or whatever? In sensible countries your surgery AND your down time from work are covered by national health insurance. Everybody pays over their taxes, and everybody is covered. Companies love it because it means there's a level playing field amongst them and a generally healthy population to recruit from. Too expensive, you say? You're already paying twice what we Scandinavians pay per capita for your health coverage, and not getting half the service we get. And don't think you don't pay for those who aren't covered. One way or another, the bill comes around. For instance in the form of antibiotics-resistant diseases because of all those poor working folks who can't afford to take a whole series of medications, just the first few doses until the symptoms fade and then sell off the rest.

Well, at least your insurance is now covering the direct costs, Pam. Hang in there! Sorry I can't get this pushed through Congress in time for your upcoming surgery. I don't even have a vote back in California any more.

[bcipam]

I have to say I am fortunate to have the insurance I do. My cancer surgery costs were close to $100,000 and I will be paying something less than $3,000 I had the best of care at Mission Hospital, was treated royalty. Because of my insurance now, I will no doubt be able to expediate this surgery in order to have it done this year (and save me money). I'm not knocking a National plan, I hate to think people are not covered for this sort of thing but I can't imagine a National plan will be better than what I have.

I know this debate can go on and on. Frankly right now I am just so depressed about having surgery and another hosptial stay, and being down off by bike I don't want to think about it. The tears haven't stopped. And this has been a particularly sucky year for me. So much has happened between recovering from my collarbone surgery late 2005, having to move out of the house I was sharing with a roommate because he got a girlfriend and moved her in without asking me, financial issues, lost of a long time girlfriend (no she didn't die - our friendship ended for Inguess a million reasons done of which I know), the cancer, the betrayal of my friendship by a man I thought cared for me, and now this. Boy I can't wait for 2007!

Thanks for the advice you all about just getting through this. The time will pass soon enough and plus, maybe all the back and leg pain I've had (and thought was due to an old back) will go away. I can't tell you tha last time I had a really good nights sleep. I usually woke up several times due to back or leg pain. Of course right now the Vicodin is helping. Like I said, I can see why folks gets addicted to pain killers. My body usually has tons of aches and pains. Not right now! Oh Vicodin, sweet Vicodin!

[spokewench]

Oh No! Pam I just can't believe it - more surgery! I wish I could make it go away but I can't. So, here's wishing you a quick surgery, a fast recovery and as always healing thoughts. I know it is incredibly hard to keep up the faith, but hang in there, you'll have the surgery, and get better quick. At least you can look forward to no pain after the surgery!

[Xrayted]

Wow, Pam. I agree, you've certainly had enough happen to you this year. I'm sending you a big hug from the east coast hon.
Yeah, I think you got it right SK. I learned in school that a lipoma is a fatty tumor under the skin. They don't usually remove them unless they create pain. Otherwise, it's considered a cosmetic type of surgery. There usually aren't easily definable edges to these so even if they are removed, they can come back. They typically would have to take extra tissue around it to make sure they got it all.
Now cycts are a bit different and that's good news. They have definable edges. They are non-cancerous and have a kind of sack-like membrane around them. When they go to remove them, they know they've got it all. So Pam, if you're gonna have to have something there, that would be my choice I guess. Easier to deal with.
I hope for your physical as well as financial well being that they can get in there this year yet and take care of it. Keep pushing those docs. There is always OR time open. Make them work for that holiday break!

Good luck to you dear and let us know what's going on. Take care.

-X.

[Thistle]

Pam that just sucks I am so sorry to hear you have to do the whole surgery/hospital thing again. Hugs and hopes that this is the last one for a loooooong time, and that it all goes as well as it possibly can.

[SadieKate]

My body usually has tons of aches and pains. Not right now! Oh Vicodin, sweet Vicodin!

Pam, here's a positive thought for you. Vicodin wires me. Makes me spin somewhat like epinephrine in Sudafed. The dentist gave it to me so I could get through the night to a root canal the next day. Instead, I arrived at the endodontists with no sleep for 2 days, in cold sweats and nearly throwing up from the pain. The endo was being a good doc and kept trying to talk to me about what he was doing, but once he'd drilled through the crown and released the pressure, I asked him if he could be quiet so I could sleep.

See? Small things to be grateful for.

[bcipam]

I've always had mixed reactions from taking VIcodin. I agree - it also wires me out (at work I'm just buzzing along - I think my typing is all weird however) but then it also lets me sleep. Go figure???

[Trekhawk]

Oh Pam that is terrible news. Keep your chin up and just think after all of the crap you have had to deal with in 2006 07 will be smooth sailing.

Feel free to PM me anytime if you need to vent.

[mimitabby]

My formerly fellow Americans,

You have just GOT to get it together and get yourselves a national health plan! Why on earth should it be the poor working person's tough luck if they happen to get cancer, and then a cyst, or maybe a broken leg, or whatever? In sensible countries your surgery AND your down time from work are covered by national health insurance. Everybody pays over their taxes, and everybody is covered. Companies love it because it means there's a level playing field amongst them and a generally healthy population to recruit from. Too expensive, you say? You're already paying twice what we Scandinavians pay per capita for your health coverage, and not getting half the service we get. And don't think you don't pay for those who aren't covered. One way or another, the bill comes around. For instance in the form of antibiotics-resistant diseases because of all those poor working folks who can't afford to take a whole series of medications, just the first few doses until the symptoms fade and then sell off the rest.

Well, at least your insurance is now covering the direct costs, Pam. Hang in there! Sorry I can't get this pushed through Congress in time for your upcoming surgery. I don't even have a vote back in California any more.

Boy, you have got that right. I am always worried about my sons who alternately do not have insurance (right now one does the other doesn't)
what if something HAPPENS to them??!?