After waiting since summer, I finally got my call to go into the MRI machine at the Royal Alex Hospital in Edmonton. The machine "ate" me for 25 minutes while they formed pictures of the inner workings of my lower back.
For quite some time now, my legs have been going to sleep when I'm sitting, standing or walking, to the point where I would be stumbling around like I was under the influence of something (Not so). Then came the knock downs as a nerve in my right leg got pinched, or unpinched. The ability to lift 50 pounds (dog food or salt blocks, or salt for the water softener) became difficult causing a few set downs before they got to where they were supposed to be.
The local Doc said it's from age deterioration (note: not OLD age). I am 30 years old with 39 years experience at being 30 years old.
Anyway, I managed to talk a Doc into putting a cast on my hand in such a manner that I could still hold the reins and ride. The challenge here if they elect to do an L4/L5 bone fusion is to get them to take out the old disc and replace it with one 3 1/2 inches thick to make up for the loss of height over the last few years. I prefer being 6"1" rather than 5"10 1/2". I can be persuasive when I have to be.
Riding feels pretty good on the back, relaxing, and the Doc did not mention stopping riding. To be fair, I did not ask him either.
It will likely be 6 months, going by past experience, before I get to see the neurosurgeon. A lot can happen in 6 months!
Of all this some good could come of it yet! 6" 1" again! Currently, I am beginning to feel vertically challenged!
I am sure to get some comments from nurses out there, but be warned, I am a difficult patient! Ask Elaine about the Man Colds I get. :-}}
ps. The Doc doesn't feel that the condition is horse related.
May the rest of the news be good.
ReplyDeleteYou do have time to heal in the next six months.
laughing at your age experience! :)
ReplyDeletegood luck w/ new and improved height as part of the deal!
I hope you can get it straightened out, Ian! Glad the process has started, and hope it goes well.
ReplyDeleteHi Ian,
ReplyDeleteit seemed scary to be in a MRI scan gan. Very narrow and cramped. I know that although they had a good look at what is happening ehand yet ...... Do you have a hernia? This is because I read that you pinched nerve.
It is also difficult to tackle heavy lifting food. You can do horse riding and that is at least still fun and relaxing :-)
I do so hope you get better. And back to your "old" self : ) I like your description of "age".
ReplyDeleteHahaha - 39 years of experience at being 30 - love it - I have to remember that one. I actually kept counting to 50, but I'll have several years experience with that one before I'm ready to start counting again. I hope you're able to get some answers on your leg issues.
ReplyDeleteTrust that all will go well.
ReplyDeleteBest of luck, Ian. I hope you get a good report soon.
ReplyDeletePrayers for your recovery!
ReplyDeleteYou could always come to the United States for evaluation and treatment and it won't take 6 months to see a doctor. After Obama care kicks in... well, that's another story.
ReplyDeleteGod be with you brother
to Ronnie
ReplyDeleteGood idea, but I can't afford the $100 k it would probably cost down there! I can stand a little pain for the next few months. Did I misunderstand? Are you offering to pay for me down there? :-}}
hehe...does this mean you are 69?? i will have to remember that, it's AWESOME!!!
ReplyDeletei have multiple sclerosis, i've had mri's every 6 months for the last 10 years, they are no fun!! you should not have to wait 6 months to see a neurosurgeon. i am a nurse as well as a patient and that is way too long!!
I felt so sorry to read this Ian...very sorry!! I hope you wear thermal underwear to keep you warm..That pinched nerve sounds like sciatica, and that is painful. If its that, then your leg needs a quick hard pull by a chiropractor, but I won't very go to one, unless I know they are a good one, otherwise it can end up worse. It un-pinches the nerve...I pray your neurosurgeon is a good one.
ReplyDeleteI walked with a painful toe for 5 years because I was told it was a stress fracture.Knowing as a nurse that these things heal themselves, I taped it up and worked on. Then I returned home to Australia and visited a chiropractor about lower back pain. I told him about my toe. He give it a quick hard pull without warning me first...and walla..all pain was gone! When I think how I listened to and trusted a doctor and suffered with it.. Blessings Crystal