Dear So and So

[indysteel]

Those things are always scary - they did that to me a couple of years ago where the letter came before the phone call. The letter came on a Saturday when they were closed Turned out I just had a cyst in my breast but still!

No surgery on my neck for now My doctor, who happens to be an osteopath (and mountain biker), thinks that most of my discomfort is where the bulging disk is hitting the nerve and there is a really good chance the injections will take care of things. He also said the injections would help decrease the inflammation in the bone (who knew bone gets inflammation?). The bone spur isn't very large...

So I am going to try the injections and now I am off to see if I can find a traction device...

BTW, he thinks the bulging disk came from my fall and subsequent whiplash on the mountain bike...

Overall that sounds positive, Catrin. I hope the injections help. When is your first one scheduled?

[snapdragen]

That's great news Catrin! Did your doc say anything about PT? Sometimes gentle traction can help the disc stuff. I tried it, and it felt great as long as I was in the traction machine, but my neck was too far gone by that point. I'm really happy you don't need to have surgery!!

[Catrin]

Overall that sounds positive, Catrin. I hope the injections help. When is your first one scheduled?

When is still to be determined, it has to be done under sedation and apparently under some kind of x-ray machine where they can see the needle is going into the right place. This may well have to wait until January as I am sure the co-pay for this will be high. I am, however, looking into it.

That's great news Catrin! Did your doc say anything about PT? Sometimes gentle traction can help the disc stuff. I tried it, and it felt great as long as I was in the traction machine, but my neck was too far gone by that point. I'm really happy you don't need to have surgery!!

My doc isn't sending me to PT because he doesn't think it would work any more than what I am already doing. He did recommend a home traction thingee, but I need to find one (and hopefully can afford it). It sounds like a simple device... He did give me some neck rehab exercises. I had a hour long massage this afternoon at his advice, and it was lovely. Not the most comfortable in certain places, but just wonderful!

[Catrin]

My poor mother has to have another lung surgery this afternoon. They found a MRSA infection in her lung and apparently all they can do is to go in and clean it out. She will be back in ICU and have another chest tube...she is getting so tired of this.

[Crankin]

So sorry, Catrin. Keep us posted.

[Pax]

My poor mother has to have another lung surgery this afternoon. They found a MRSA infection in her lung and apparently all they can do is to go in and clean it out. She will be back in ICU and have another chest tube...she is getting so tired of this.

Your poor mom! Healing thoughts headed her way.

[Biciclista]

oh Catrin, OH NO. Donald is starting to feel the same way.

[OakLeaf]

Oh boy. Hang in there, Mimi, Don, Catrin & mom.

[indysteel]

When is still to be determined, it has to be done under sedation and apparently under some kind of x-ray machine where they can see the needle is going into the right place. This may well have to wait until January as I am sure the co-pay for this will be high. I am, however, looking into it.



My doc isn't sending me to PT because he doesn't think it would work any more than what I am already doing. He did recommend a home traction thingee, but I need to find one (and hopefully can afford it). It sounds like a simple device... He did give me some neck rehab exercises. I had a hour long massage this afternoon at his advice, and it was lovely. Not the most comfortable in certain places, but just wonderful!

Remember that come January, you'll have to first meet your deductible before insurance will pay anything. Whether and what the co-pay (or co-insurance) is may be irrelevant, depending on how high your deductible is. Good luck figuring this part of the situation out.

As for your mother, I am so sorry. I hope this second surgery is the last and that she finally gets to go home soon.

[Catrin]

Remember that come January, you'll have to first meet your deductible before insurance will pay anything. Whether and what the co-pay (or co-insurance) is may be irrelevant, depending on how high your deductible is. Good luck figuring this part of the situation out.

As for your mother, I am so sorry. I hope this second surgery is the last and that she finally gets to go home soon.

True, but at least I would be able to use my flexible spending account...but I just need to figure this out. My dr. says sooner is better than later so this doesn't become chronic.

Poor mom, I think she is starting to believe that she isn't going to go home...and that doesn't help the situation. This is about as stressful for her as it ever gets for anyone I think