Game plan

We went to the doctor today and decided on a game plan. But before I get into that I will let you know the doctors take on the MRI results. Rick's disc is bulging out completely and starting to press on the nerve root. It is pressing on the left side the most. And his lower spine is fused to his pelvis on the right side as well, which is something he has had since birth and makes his back function differently. That is putting more stress on the left side. There are also bone spurs inside the spine. Don't know exactly what that will do.

The most damage is done while bending forward at the waist. That could cause the disc to rupture completely due to the pressure on the already bulging disc. So he has to be very careful and aware of his movements. He should not be putting pressure on the spine because that could also cause a rupture as well. Hockey is done for the season and he has also stopped working his part time job for now as well.

This is something that could heal itself in six months, or it could get worse. The doc said it is 50/50 what will happen. And so the decision has to be made about what to do about it. A surgeon will not do surgery until the epidural cortisone injections have been given a shot, no pun intended. So Rick will have the first epidural on December 18th. He can't do it any sooner because of the previously scheduled colonoscopy on the 12th. We will wait two weeks and if the pain and numbness are still present then he will have another epidural. If after another two weeks the symptoms are still there then we will meet with the surgeon to discuss surgery. If that is the order things go then we are looking at meeting with the surgeon in January.

There are possible complications with both options and the doctor very strongly recommended that the epidural be tried first. We considered meeting with the surgeon first but decided to go ahead and try the epidural. Most people we have spoke with said that the surgery is what did the trick, so it is hard to imagine having to wait. But we will go with the doctor's recommendation and hope for the best but prepare for the worst.

In the mean time Rick will be taking it very easy at work. The doctor said that he would recommend Rick not work, but that as long as he feels he can be responsible about lifting and moving around that he could still work on light duty. The doc said he may be fine at work and then come home and bend over to brush his teeth and rupture the disc, so there is no way to predict what will happen. Rick will continue working but he will be taking a long weekend for the colonoscopy and a long weekend for the epidural, so he will have a couple short weeks for the next couple weeks. It will be strange to have him home so much, but it will be nice to spend some time together. Although it won't be all fun and games.

That is where we are at right now. My dad is coming over for dinner saturday night and it will be nice to spend some time with him. I am hoping to be able to relax a bit this weekend. I really need some time to myself, this has been a very stressful week for me. And with a still uncertain outcome I am stressed about the financial stuff as well.

Until next time,
Jaime