Jun 15 2008
Life
I have been out of the hospital for 3 days now.
It has not been an easy couple of weeks to say the least.
When last I posted I had just had an MRI, my surgeon also ordered blood work.
After my surgeon reviewed the MRI, he told us that he strongly suspected arachnoiditis.
After reviewing the blood work, he was quite concerned about infection.
For those of you who know, my CRP was 65 and SED rate was 96.
He admitted me into the hospital a week ago Thursday, and asked an infectious disease doctor to review my MRI and blood work. His name honest to God is Dr.Mirza.
I told my Doc I didn’t think he was funny. He swore that really was the Doc’s name.
So Doc Mirza, ordered that every available drop of blood in my body be drained ordered a bunch of blood tests as well as a needle aspiration guided by a CAT scan. That was lots and lots of fun.
So I’m home with another hospital acquired “unknown infection”, on a Hickman catheter again for 6 weeks of vancomycin.
I also got some answers about the pain that has so altered my life.
It is due to nerve damage of the arachnoid membrane.
Arachnoiditis describes a pain disorder caused by the inflammation of the arachnoid, one of the membranes that surround and protect the nerves of the spinal cord
Inflammation leads to the formation of scar tissue and adhesions, which cause the spinal nerves to “stick” together.
People with arachnoiditis have debilitating pain, muscle cramps, twitches, and spasms. The prognosis for most arachnoiditis patients is not good.
Treatment almost always fails to relieve the severe pain and neurological deficits typical of the condition. Usually, treatment is centered on relieving the pain, as no cure exists for the condition.
For those days I can’t walk, here is a picture of my new ride.
We just got a notice from the insurance co. that an electric chair has also been approved. Yippee.
Trackposted to Pirate’s Cove, Rosemary’s Thoughts, Cao’s Blog, Nuke Gingrich, Woman Honor Thyself, Right Truth, Conservative Cat, The Cat Blogosphere and Pursuing Holiness, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.
