Sunday (4/19/2015)

Update:

I got my MRI results.  It found that I have two disks that are bulging which are irritating my nerves (L4-L5 and L4-L3).   My doctor scheduled me to go to the Pain Clinic on Monday, April 27^th for evaluation and treatment.  Right now, it’s planned for me to get a steroid injection to help relieve the pain.  I’ll also be investigating chiropractic care as an additional treatment.  The MRI showed that I have a cyst-like object on one of my kidneys as well.  So tomorrow on Monday, April 20^th I’m having an ultrasound on my kidneys to determine what it is and how large it is.  The worst part about that is I cannot have anything to eat or drink (even water) after midnight tonight until the test is complete on Monday about noon.  It’s not having a drink of water that is going to be tough for me! 

I was really worried about claustrophobia when I had my MRI.  I didn’t need to worry about that.  They sent me in feet first, so my head was only in the tube about a foot.  AND I was in so much back and hip pain that I was concentrating on that rather than worrying about how close the ceiling was to my nose.  My MRI took about 45 minutes.  When it was complete and I was out of the MRI, they told me I could sit up.  I’ve never had this happen before but my back locked up and it was impossible for me to sit up.  I felt like a turtle on its back.  Three nurses ended up helping me get upright.  After walking for a while I loosened up.  I still had my hip pain but at least I was mobile again.

I’ve enjoyed spending time with my brother who came to visit this week.  We’ve done some shopping, worked out at the gym together every day and had some great meals together.  Last night, we grilled out and had a delicious feast.  He’s heading back to Missouri on Tuesday.  I am hoping that I get my medical issues settled so that I can go down to St. Louis and spend a week with him this summer.Hurd