Fast forward to my late 20's. I was struck by incredible lower back pain. There were days that I barely could get out of bed and leave for my teaching job. Often the pain did get better as the day went on but at times teaching and even just living were difficult. I went to a neurosurgeon and was in the hospital for tests. His conclusion was that I had arthritis and there wasn't much that could be done. For several years my family doctor gave me ultra sound treatments which sometimes did relieve some of the pain ... for a few days.
But with no real relief I then went to an arthritis specialist. After listening to my story he said that he thought he knew what the problem was. He got a tape measure and checked my chest expansion, finding that I had a very limited expansion. He then told me that I had ankylosing spondilitis and my spine was becoming fused at several places. He put me on some very heavy drugs and I finally did get some relief. He told me that at some point I could go into remission and that the key was to keep my back straight so I wouldn't end up bent over. It was then that I began to realize that my problem with tumbling wasn't a mental thing, apparently it came from a spinal condition that I didn't know existed. And it was a relief to know that I wasn't nuts.
So there are some things that one just needs to learn to live with. It's life! Eventually the condition did go into remission. My back is partially fused which has limited me in numerous ways. I have trouble bending over, carrying things, and getting into most cars. I can predict storms using my back and I have learned to live with daily pain and discomfort. And I have learned not to complain because many folks live with worse situations.
Five years ago my back seemed to get worse so I went to see a neurosurgeon after an MRI indicated worsening stenosis of the spine. He ran more tests and finally concluded that he couldn't do anything for me surgically. He sent me to physical therapy which did help to some degree.
Then early in 2014 I went to the ER with heart attack symptoms. They admitted me and ran a number of tests. About midnight they decided my heart was fine and they sent me for some early morning MRI's. The next morning they told me that my spinal cord was being compressed and that I needed to see a neurosurgeon as soon as possible. I decided to try the one with the best reputation in the area knowing, that it normally takes at least three months to get an appointment. They checked my MRI results and said they'd see me as soon as possible because it could be life threatening especially if I got bumped .. He ordered more tests and about a month later I had cervical spine surgery. It was worse than he had expected but he was able to clear everything up. And my recovery was fine. PTL!
But I wasn't done yet with spinal issues. On Sunday, January 4 of this year, when I stepped out of our car at church I suddenly had terrible pain in my lower right leg. I could barely walk but I made it through the services and even made an Awana presentation despite being in terrible pain. That afternoon I called the doctor and I was sent for an ultra sound to rule out a blood clot. Over a few days the pain lessened but I had real trouble walking. I was then sent to an orthopedic doctor who took some x-rays and decided that I had drop foot and that it was coming from my back, probably from my stenosis. He suggested that I see a neurosurgeon.
When I called for an appointment I figured that since I had just had surgery with the surgeon that I would again be seen quickly. Wrong! My appointment was three months away. In the meantime my family doctor ordered an MRI and sent me for an EMG. The EMG doctor suggested that I might have peroneal nerve palsy. That was the third diagnosis. So I went to physical therapy for two months. That helped strengthen my foot but did not relieve the pain or my ability to walk. My cane was with me constantly.
Finally I saw the neurosurgeon who wanted more tests done. However he wanted me to first have my prostate biopsy before having the tests. So that delayed things even more. Finally the biopsy was done and then I had the other tests. But in the meantime I saw another family doctor about my terrible leg pains and he sent me for vascular work. After another test I saw a vascular surgeon who said that I have periferal arterial disease (diagnosis, number 4) but all that I could do about it now was to walk regularly. I have been doing that despite the pain and niumbness in my right leg.
Finally, six months after the "accident", I saw the surgeon and he recommended surgery. He said that he couldn't fix all of my problems but that he could improve my quality of life. But unfortunately he was booked up into September and since we had several commitments that we wanted to keep, we had to agree on October 20 as the surgery date. He said he expected 3.5 hours of surgery and three days in the hospital.
Since this entry was written prior to the surgery, I'm not sure what condition I am in as you read this. I am trusting the Lord for success despite all the horror stories which people have shared with me. But I will appreciate your prayers for a quick and complete recovery.
It's been a long journey - probably about 65 years - from the problem with tumbling to the present surgery. But God has been good and there are so many who have faced far more difficult situations. And He is my refuge and strength and He has never failed me and I know He never will. My hope is in the Lord!
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