Neck Update
Well I had my follow up appointment with the neurosurgeon on Friday before we headed out of town on Friday.
Good news is he is pleased with how things are healing since the surgery and believes the graft has fused well. Migraines are waaaaay down, my movement is good and all the reflexes are good.
Bad news is I've been having numbness in my left hand for the last few weeks. A few weeks ago while looking up slightly and turning my head I had a stab of sharp pain in my neck and about an hour later my thumb and first two fingers on my left hand became number and have stayed so since then. The doc said the numbness is likely a result of the disc above the one that was removed bulging. Prior to the surgery we knew it and the two above it were bulging as well but none of them were ruputured as yet. The doc thinks that there is a good chance it will subside and cleared me to do traction again at home. The bad part is no fighting until the numbness is gone and he said it could take months. We asked specifically about Gulf Wars and the doc said no :( unless there is some miracle and the numbness vanishes. I am keeping my fingers crossed but based on my experience thus far it likely isn't going to happen. I had really really wanted to be able to take the field with the Nige but it looks like I won't be able to - at least not in armour. I'll be out there as support but sadly not in armour. Sorry folks :( I was quite upset as we left the doctors but have processed things somewhat and am getting closer to being ok with it.
Good news is he is pleased with how things are healing since the surgery and believes the graft has fused well. Migraines are waaaaay down, my movement is good and all the reflexes are good.
Bad news is I've been having numbness in my left hand for the last few weeks. A few weeks ago while looking up slightly and turning my head I had a stab of sharp pain in my neck and about an hour later my thumb and first two fingers on my left hand became number and have stayed so since then. The doc said the numbness is likely a result of the disc above the one that was removed bulging. Prior to the surgery we knew it and the two above it were bulging as well but none of them were ruputured as yet. The doc thinks that there is a good chance it will subside and cleared me to do traction again at home. The bad part is no fighting until the numbness is gone and he said it could take months. We asked specifically about Gulf Wars and the doc said no :( unless there is some miracle and the numbness vanishes. I am keeping my fingers crossed but based on my experience thus far it likely isn't going to happen. I had really really wanted to be able to take the field with the Nige but it looks like I won't be able to - at least not in armour. I'll be out there as support but sadly not in armour. Sorry folks :( I was quite upset as we left the doctors but have processed things somewhat and am getting closer to being ok with it.