Back in the Saddle Again!

(Well, okay, it’s a back brace, but you get the idea).

So, once again, I innocently went to a doctor’s appoint and ended up in the hospital. Here’s how it went down:

I went to see the infectious disease doctor, who was displeased at the length of time it would take me (as an outpatient) to get an MRI. Since both he and the spinal doctor wanted one and the infectious disease doctor also wanted to do some extensive blood work) he suggested me going back into the hospital for two days MAXIMUM! After some internal debate, I agreed and was immediately admitted on Wednesday, February 16. I got the MRI the next day.

Following the MRI and exam, they determined that the ninth and tenth vertebrae that are disintegrating were pushing the disc into my spinal cord. Due to risk of immanent permanent paralysis, they performed an operation to fuse my seventh to twelfth vertebrae on Saturday.

The MRI showed that the mass had not decreased in size even though the signs of infection had gone down. According to my doctors this is not abnormal due to the body's defense mechanisms not allowing the antibiotics to penetrate the mass. They drained the mass and removed all they could during the operation to hopefully lessen the pressure it was putting on my back.

Following this procedure I remained in the hospital for a couple more days before being released to an assisted living facility (also in St. John’s Providence Hospital).

I passed all the therapy tests and was finally released this last Friday.

There was a ton of interesting/funny/sad stuff during my hospital stay that I could have put in the Blog, but didn’t. For example, it took them four times replacing my PICC line so it would finally work, all while poor Joe and Kathy were waiting to take me home before continuing on their trip to Florida (sorry and thanks!)

Since I have been home, I have mostly been very tired and doing a lot of napping. This is why I haven’t been keeping the Blog up, but I’ll try and do better. I am adjusting to the brace and zipping around on my walker.

Thanks again for all those who visited, called or even just cared. I really feel like I am on the road to recovery this time. But, with me, who knows? God only knows what’s coming up next, LOL!