Re: Digest Number 590

[Guest guest]

Hi Ken:

Before I answer your questions I want to ask you one. You say that I am

fortunate to find a dr. to do the decompression. And also " it can be very

demanding for them, and that's why more of it is not done " --could you

explain what you mean.

My neurosurgeon of 18 years was forced to retire from surgery once he hit

65. So now he just does consulting. I was in hospital having the pump

implanted and it was during this that I was diagnosed with the latest

problem. The neuro that did the implant said then that he would not do the

decompression. So when I got home ( I had to go out of town for the pump, as

noone is doing it in Toronto, and anyone closer I would have to pay for

it--the gov't won't pay) I went to my old neuro. He said the surgery was

very risky. After my first cervical fusion I had a real problem with

intubation for the anaesthetic. When I went in for the 2nd fusion, I woke up

in ICU and the surgery had not been done. They couldn't get me intubated and

apparently I almost died. When I went back 2 wks later I awoke in ICU on a

breathing tube. Again they had run into trouble. All surgeries since have

been done with me awake. Anyway the old neuro tried to find a doctor in

Toronto who would operate on me. He has been trying since June. He told me

that if he could still operate, he would do the surgery but only because he

knows what I have been thru for 18yrs. But he told me it was very risky and

he would be scared.When I was in hospital last week for the trial

stimulator(same neuro who did the pump) I dropped a boiling cup of water on

my foot. They had to call a dr. to treat it right away. I am constantly

dropping things now. Even cigarette I drop. So the neuro had me have an MRI.

That was when he finally agreed to do the surgery.But I am scared. They have

to go in through the back of my neck. This is very dangerous.Oh yeah, it's

my cervical spine C5-6 that they will be doing. I trust my old neuro 150%,

and the new neuro 100%. But I am so scared. I have been thinking of putting

it off. On top of everything else, I am going to be evicted. The gov't is

jerking me around for the past 15 mos. I have gone thru all my money. My

only source of income is $426/month. My meds cost $900. I pay $600 and the

gov't pays $300. My credit cards are almost maxed out so soon I won't even

be able to afford my meds. The govt stopped paying for my demerol in

January.They don't believe in treating pain with narcotic. I have written to

14 politicians for help. They are " looking into it " So that's where I am.

Marsha,Buddi(with a heart over the i) & Mcgiver

poodle@...

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