Hopeful:

Inspector #20

Inspector #20

Ambassador of Tone
Fallen Star
Country flag
I dare not complain, because there are many others who suffer and have suffered far worse, but this is getting to the point where I can't ignore it any longer.

As much as I enjoy these forums, the pain from the brachial neuropathy (from a C4/C5 injury after being rear-ended at 75mph on December 31, 2016) is increasing almost daily now. It's becoming painful to type. My left arm frequently tingles as if asleep, and I lose strength in it at times. I can barely play guitar anymore and I can no longer ignore it. The pain keeps me awake, which I why I often post late into the night, because sleep is not possible sometimes. Sorry for all those long posts...

I've been in physical therapy for 7 months now. I have crammed as much as I can into these past 7 months as I could. Now, they are talking about surgery as the only option and possibly a long recovery period, but I am optimistic, even hopeful that this will pass.

I haven't taken any of the powerful, mind altering pain medications that have been prescribed and I am still working on projects as much as I can. I enjoy these things so much and I don't want to miss the experience.

I am very grateful for all of you guys here that have been so kind and tolerant of me. I post as much as I can, as I have really good days and really rough days too...as we all do I think... :)

This past weekend, we spent 4 days at a resort in Arizona with the kids. Monday we were in the pool from 10am until after 6pm. I played every kind of water game with them...including mock underwater "shark attacks" following watching several Shark Week episodes with them....the pain the next day, however, was remarkably intense.

We are in good shape. We have excellent medical. We don't need anything and we ask for nothing. But, this injury (which is quite minor compared to some) has really impressed upon me a need to do things today...and not wait for anything.

Today, my left hand began involuntarily snapping open, causing me to drop things. I was at the Doc this evening discussing things. Surgery wouldn't be nearly so scary of they didn't tell you all the worst possible scenarios.

I won't post about this everyday, but I will update every now and then.

Hope all is well with all of you....
 
They have to tell you the worst case scenarios.
It's a legal thing so you make an informed decision
and don't show up with a lawyer later on and sue them
for "You never told me that this could happen".

Ray, please correct me if I am wrong on this.

That being said, and being a person who has had
excellent luck with medical science, I feel that if
there is a good chance of surgically repairing this
it should be done. Surgery is a scary thing but if
the alternative is spending the rest of your life
disabled and in either pain or a pain killer
induced fog, go for the repair.

Keep us posted if possible and good luck.
 
I'm very sorry to hear what you're going through.

I had a noncancerous brain tumor in 1985. I was 19. It caused hydrocephalus. I would get terrible headachs and numbness on the left side of my body. I had to have surgery or it would have killed me. First they put a drainage tube in (a shunt). No biggie. But then they had to go through the top of my head, and cut between the two halfs of my brain in the direction the fibers ran. They were to pluck it off my brain stem. They gave me a 10 percent chance of complications. I made it. But they couldn't get all. Then, I got radiation treatment. It's the radiation thats messing with me now. I have to take meds basically to keep me normal and alert.

I just thought we could commiserate. In many ways, you are not alone!
 
Tony M. said:
They have to tell you the worst case scenarios.
It's a legal thing so you make an informed decision
and don't show up with a lawyer later on and sue them
for "You never told me that this could happen".

Ray, please correct me if I am wrong on this.

That being said, and being a person who has had
excellent luck with medical science, I feel that if
there is a good chance of surgically repairing this
it should be done. Surgery is a scary thing but if
the alternative is spending the rest of your life
disabled and in either pain or a pain killer
induced fog, go for the repair.

Keep us posted if possible and good luck.
Click to expand...

I'm admittedly a big chicken anyways. The crash caused a herniation injury in the C4/5/6 region. My head was turned, talking to my son, when we were hit. The other driver's statement (from the CHP report) was he was "doing '75" when he realized he couldn't stop. I saw a huge "spark" when we were hit and then my vision faded out white for about 15-20 seconds before it returned. My son, who was leaned up against the seat back, was thankfully, uninjured. Last night was my last physical therapy appointment after 7 months. Worst part is the pain while playing guitar... :-(
 
Chubbles said:
I'm very sorry to hear what you're going through.

I had a noncancerous brain tumor in 1985. I was 19. It caused hydrocephalus. I would get terrible headachs and numbness on the left side of my body. I had to have surgery or it would have killed me. First they put a drainage tube in (a shunt). No biggie. But then they had to go through the top of my head, and cut between the two halfs of my brain in the direction the fibers ran. They were to pluck it off my brain stem. They gave me a 10 percent chance of complications. I made it. But they couldn't get all. Then, I got radiation treatment. It's the radiation thats messing with me now. I have to take meds basically to keep me normal and alert.

I just thought we could commiserate. In many ways, you are not alone!
Click to expand...

YOU are a trooper!
 
No, I'm a chicken too. Either you're scared or stupid. My doctor told me if my tumor grows back, it wouldnt be until my 50s. I'm 52!!!!! I'm a chicken! Lol
 
I will hopefully speak for 99% of us in here. We are essentially a bunch of strangers but ones who share a bond and brotherhood held together by concern for our musical interests. As an added benefit, we also wish the best for the personal health and happiness of our members and their families.

Therefore, if Robert, Goo, Chub, SG John, Black, Alex, etc suffer from a health issue or issues of the heart like sickness or deaths of loved ones, we all do our best to encourage and lift spirits through the tough stuff.

May healing and comfort come very quick and fully for Goo and Robert during their present situations.
 
Chubbles said:
No, I'm a chicken too. Either you're scared or stupid. My doctor told me if my tumor grows back, it wouldnt be until my 50s. I'm 52!!!!! I'm a chicken! Lol
Click to expand...

Tony M. said:
The reply is in with the quote again...
AAAAAARRRRGH!!!
:mad:
Click to expand...

This is for TonyM,,,,,,,,,,,,
Make sure your text comes after the /QUOTE] and it won't go within.

If I want to quote then add my reply, I do the quote message, insert quotes etc thingy.
Then I double click the ENTER key to leave space and then type my reply. Try that and see if you eliminate the reply in quote scenario.
 
Thank you Chili.

Nope, no smartphone here.
Samsung flipper.
No laptop either.
Large desktop tower and keyboard with all the keys.
(Except for the keys to the locks on the Panama Canal.)
(The 18 on the left are all hot linked to World of Warcraft
macros that I wrote despite being a computer illiterate.)

th
 
The very best to you Robert.
Your an asset to this forum.
Sorry to learn of your issues.
Most of us here are in our 50's or older.
Crusty old farts...
And most of us will, if not already, have our own hurdles to overcome.
We're here for moral support and to bust your balls in a kind and friendly way.
You know you love it. So take care of business, you know whats right.
And most of all take care of your self.

Peace
 
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