Waiting it Out!

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.

A Short Story

About four years ago, my family Doctor recommended that horrible of horribles, a colonoscopy. That was not very high on my list of what I considered fun things to do, but reluctantly, I agreed. he said someone would call to make the arrangements.

Well, a month went by, then two and nobody called. "Great,"' I thought. Elaine was after me but to no avail. Someone once said that I was slightly stubborn, but who am I to argue.

Well, a year went by then two, and finally four. I was in to see the Doc and he asked if I had ever had one. When he heard that I hadn't he decided that due to my age, that should be rectified (no pun intended). Not wanting to make him feel bad, I did not mention that he'd run this by me before, four years ago. By mentioning my age isn't that a form of discrimination against me?

Anyway, this time someone did phone. Elaine drove me over and I had to sign some forms that pertained to liability and also my being grounded for 24 hours afterwards from driving any motorized vehicle or operating any power equipment. I asked the nurse if that meant I couldn't ride a horse also. She gave a half smile and asked how tall the horse was, but said nowhere did it mention not riding a horse.

Well, for 4 years I was praying that nothing bad was going on inside. The operation occurred and they cut out three large polyps (too much information?) and that I would know in three weeks if they were benign, precancerous or cancerous. Well for two weeks I was praying for  the former.

They were right about not driving as I was very groggy for 12 hours and still a little groggy after 24, but other than that and a slightly sore belly, I felt pretty good.

After the two weeks, I returned to see the Doc and he said that on a 1 to 10 scale with 1 being benign and 10 being cancerous, I was a one. The polyps were large and benign. Thanks to God!

He also said that if I had any siblings coming up 40, to have them get checked as the ending isn't always a happy one and an early detection is more easily treatable and has a higher success rate.

During the two weeks, Elaine asked if I was worried. I replied "No, there is no point worrying about something that you have no control over" or something to that effect. I was praying, and my prayer was answered.

Now any more semi-stubborn folks over 40 out there that should be booking an appointment?
When the operating Doc talked to me afterwards he said that I would need another "inspection" in 2 years. After the biopsy, they updated that to 5 years.

Only one other thing to note is  that a product called Golightly is very much miss- named. :-{