Sunday, October 11, 2015

NOW, FAYE NEEDS SPINAL SURGERY!!!

Fri, Oct 09 - As most of you know, I have been suffering for years (since 2008) with pain in my Sciatica.  Sometimes the pain was worse than at other times.  Eventually I had to give up Line Dancing, Water Aerobics and Pickleball.

When I was first released from the hospital following my Hip Replacement Surgery, I felt Wonderful!!  No pain!!  I had no difficulty doing my physical therapy.  I thought I was well!  Everything was going great; but soon, that old pain started to come back.  It seemed to get worse every day until the pain has become almost unbearable!!  I finally convinced my hip doctor, Dr. Dobzyniak, that something had to be done to fix this problem that I had been suffering with for years.  He said he could not fix it because he was not a back doctor,  but he did order an MRI of my spine and referred me to a Neurosurgeon, Dr. Peter Alexander.  I discovered that Dr. Alexander is a highly regarded Neurosurgeon in the Richmond, VA area.


The MRI Report indicated that I had Spinal Stenosis; however, when I saw Dr. Alexander today, Friday, October 09, he had a different diagnosis!  He said I do have Stenosis and instability L5-S, > L3-4 (whatever that means), but the main problem causing so much of my pain is a Large Facet Cyst at L4-5.  Dr. Alexander showed us the images in the MRI.  He pointed out how my spinal cord up high in the cervical area was nice and wide; as he came down my spine to the Lumbar area it became more and more narrow.  Then he touched the screen:  "Look at this big thing!  That's a large facet Cyst.  That is pressing on your nerve and causing most of your pain."  We were looking at a side view of my spinal column and we could see the dark spot to which he referred.  (Sample Pictures from: http://radsource.us/lumbar-synovial-cyst/)


Then he showed us a cross-section view.  My Cyst looked like a large acorn laying sideways across my spinal column.  No wonder I'm in excruciating pain!!


Dr. Alexander advised I would have to have extensive surgery to remove the Cyst.  It has been growing there for almost a decade, he said.  In addition, a section of my Vertebra would have to be removed to gain access to the Cyst.  Then the Vertebra would have to be rebuilt.  I will be in the hospital for about five days followed by four or five days of rehab (in a rehab facility if I qualify).  WOW!!

Dr. Alexander assured me that the surgery should remove a lot of my pain and I will be able to walk again without a cane.   I CAN'T WAIT!!!  Dr. Alexander did say I may not get back on the Pickleball court anytime soon.  I am just so glad that after all these years of pain, doctors' visits, X-Rays, MRIs, Steroid Shots, and Injections under Microscope, someone has finally identified the problem and it can be fixed!!

It looks like we will be staying in the Richmond/Gloucester area for another month or two!  I will let you know my surgery date as soon as possible, and tell you of some of the other "exciting" events of this past summer!!

Incidentally, I cancelled my pending left shoulder replacement surgery until I can walk again without a cane!  Again, I CAN'T WAIT!!!

4 comments:

Unknown said...

We were wondering where you were! Glad the hip surgery went well and hope your cyst removal goes great. We are happy to hear the cause has finally been found and may your pain be gone soon. 10 years is a long time to deal with it!! Best wishes and hope to see you in FL. Hugs Galore, Bruce and Cheryl Reid from AZ

Unknown said...

Soinds like you are powering right along after your hip surgery. Faye will be praying for a most successful surgery to remote the cyst. We miss you out west, think of you two often. Give Ken a hug for me and consider that you have been flashed ( shirt ) by Bill.

Unknown said...

Soinds like you are powering right along after your hip surgery. Faye will be praying for a most successful surgery to remote the cyst. We miss you out west, think of you two often. Give Ken a hug for me and consider that you have been flashed ( shirt ) by Bill.

irishrovers said...

Glad you finally got a diagnosis. Sounds like you have a very knowledgeable surgeon. Best wishes and we will be waiting to hear how you are doing.
Dick