(no subject)

[greatbearmd]

I've been absent in my online stations for a while now. I reinjured (for lack of a better word) my back a couple weeks ago, and the pain has been nothing less than excruciating and continuous. This is even worse than my original issues surrounding the spinal stenosis and the required surgery that only partially corrected it. Unlike that whole ordeal, this time I am completely unable to lay down in any position to get any rest, and walking is impossible without two canes. In order to get any sleep, I have to sit in a chair and put pillows on a table. Sleeping has been a lofty goal I am unable to achieve, I usually conk out from exhaustion and wake up a half hour later from pain. Delays in being able to see the doctor at the outset forced me to the emergency room for strong pain relief meds to help with the tortuous pain levels. Initial work by the doc to ease the suffering haven't netted me any real relief. I am slated to see the orthopedic doc tomorrow, who will undoubtedly want a series of x-rays and MRIs done. My problem there is I am completely unable to lay inside the imager for the tests, it will probably require me to be under general anesthesia just for that. My feeeling is before all is said and done, I am going to need surgery far more involved and invasive than before, with metal plates and screws and braces and who knows what else. Right now I don't care what it takes, I just want to be able to lay in a bed and get some real sleep for a change. My legs are all swollen from the constant sitting, and I am barely coherent from being contantly drugged into numbness. Poor Jeff and the pooches are on edge from my screams of pain in the middle of the night. I can't even begin to describe to utter frustration I am feeling. Even coming up with this post and the ton of spelling and grammar errors is enough to make me throw the keyboard across the room.

Wish us all luck.