Holy CRAP if I could jump into my nuerosurgeon’s arms, I would. The pain has become so disabling that I have almost zero mobility. On a good day, I can be upright and walk for up to five minutes…but most of the time, it’s about 30 seconds. I’ve been crawling around the house the last few days. I’m losing weight partially because the pain is a heckuvan appetite depressant, but also because I can’t bear to be upright long enough to make something for myself for lunch. Yesterday I had to give up taking a shower and instead took a bath, and this morning, hubby DeathLlama had to bathe me (and shave my legs–I may be nearly an invalid, but I will not have Sherwood Forest growing on my legs).
Short version of story, if you haven’t seen it elsewhere: a long-diseased disc, operated on last year, severely re-herniated (as big, if not bigger, than last time) and is crushing a nerve root. Yeah, its as painful as it sounds.
The procedure I’m having is called a microdiscectomy (link goes to an interactive video describing and illustrating the procedure). Relief of nerve pain should be immediate…I will wake up (mostly) pain free! Surgical pain?? Bah…that is NOTHING compared to this. The nerve might still twinge and send some pain while it heals and returns to its normal position (think of a kinked hose un-kinking itself), but mannnnnn I will take it. I live my life lying down, now.
I just got back from my pre-op appointment. It was so hard just getting there, though. DeathLlama drove, obviously, and my seat was reclined, but it still was excruciating (especially braking–that pull forward just SUCKS!),and not being able to sit, stand, or walk made the whole paperwork thing difficult. I managed to hobble into the hospital, but when it was time to start signing things, I had to lie on the floor. I just couldn’t take any more. This caused a bit of a stir–it’s against protocol to have patients on the floor–and people were hand-wringing until a gurney was brought in for me to lie on. They asked if I wanted a wheelchair, and I said no–sitting is worse! DeathLlama impressed me, too. He’s the quiet type, but when his feathers get ruffled, people clear paths. And when they were so worriedly talking about me lying on the floor (it’s dirty, disease contamination, etc.), hubby said firmly but calmly, “Then you need to do something to make her comfortable.”
So I was wheeled around to go get X-rays, and blood drawn, and an EKG, and all that fun pre-op stuff. A few times I had to stand, like for the X-ray, and it was difficult but I made it. DeathLlama was very comforting, and very protective.
I can’t wait! It’s TOMORROW! Whoo hoo! I know I’ll still hurt, but my mobility is nearly ZERO today, and my pain is a constant 8-9. CUT ME.
Whoo hoo!