Appointment with Neurosurgeon Today

[greaterexp]

I'm frankly dreading it. The last time he saw me, he said that even though the stenosis was severe and there were other issues, he didn't think I needed surgery because I seemed to be doing well. Now the stenosis and other problems are worse and my symptoms are worse, so I'm thinking it will mean surgery. Not sure if I should try to get it done as quickly as possible, or try to schedule after the first of the year. Of course, they may be scheduling several weeks out anyway, so I may not have to decide. Thank you for your prayers.

[Tulip77]

Spinal stenosis?

[greaterexp in reply to Tulip77]

Yes. It's in the cervical spine mostly.

[bxrmom]

Good luck at your appt and with what ever your dr decides. The plus side to getting surgery now vs next year, as that you won't have to deal with a new deductible this year Keep us updated on how your appt goes!

[greaterexp in reply to bxrmom]

That's a great point! Thank you!

[ahrogers in reply to greaterexp]

I thought of the deductible too. Praying the x-rays showed some good news 🙏

[greaterexp in reply to ahrogers]

Thank you!

[erash]

Sending 🙏

I hope all goes well🌈

[greaterexp in reply to erash]

I appreciate that!

[Hidden in reply to erash]

Prayers to you and always let us know bout your app

[JSSimp]

My prayers are with you.

[greaterexp in reply to JSSimp]

Thank you so much!

[JSSimp in reply to greaterexp]

You are so welcome!

[carolek572 CommunityAmbassador]

I am sending you gentle vHugs and hope that your appointment goes well, greaterexp It is what it is...

[greaterexp in reply to carolek572]

I am looking forward to fixing the problem, but I don't look forward to down time and being extra work for hubby.

[carolek572 CommunityAmbassador in reply to greaterexp]

How long will recovery be, greaterexp ? Can you prepare ahead by preparing casseroles and freezing them? Can someone come in and assist you? I am sure that the housework can wait, correct?

[greaterexp in reply to carolek572]

Housework can always wait! I’m just going in now, so I’ll find out about it. I do have things in the freezer, but thank you for the reminder to check and add to my stash of casseroles!

[carolek572 CommunityAmbassador in reply to greaterexp]

And don't forget homemade chocolate chip cookies, greaterexp

[greaterexp in reply to carolek572]

Oh, my! Those are more important than casseroles!

[carolek572 CommunityAmbassador in reply to greaterexp]

[falalalala]

Good luck with everything!

[greaterexp in reply to falalalala]

Thank you!

[jimeka]

Hope and 🙏 all goes well 😂

[greaterexp in reply to jimeka]

Thank you very much.

[mrsmike]

Good thoughts and prayers are being sent your .🙏🙏

[greaterexp in reply to mrsmike]

Thank you so much.

[Humbrd]

Sending prayers your way!

[greaterexp in reply to Humbrd]

Thank you! I'm grateful!

[kdali]

Aww, I hope it goes well, but sorry you are going through this. 💐

[greaterexp in reply to kdali]

I'm not worried. Thank you for your kind words, as always.

[Yracy]

Sorry to hear this. My thoughts and prayers 🙏 are with you!

Does your insurance have any type of " help" for you such as meal deliveries, home health aide etc?

Stay strong and blessed...

[greaterexp in reply to Yracy]

Thank you! I still don’t know what will happen, but I think it will be not be complicated if it even happens. Thank you for your prayers.

[Tazmanian]

I hope everything works out well

[jorrell]

Okay, I was in a similar conundrum. When they did the first MRI scans for MS, they found that my C spine, C3-C5 had compressed my spinal cord by 50%. They were stunned that I was still walking, let alone breathing. And yes, they found I had MS.

I had the surgery a month later (no rush), and had those vertebrae fused with "skyline" titanium collars. Six weeks later, I had my left arm, hand, foot, and most of the leg back!

Have a Neurosurgeon do the job, forget the bone Doctors, they don't seem to understand the nuances.

By the way, God bless and keep us updated!

[greaterexp in reply to jorrell]

Thank you! Yes, I’m seeing a neurosurgeon. He seems to know his stuff and isn’t rushing toward surgery. My MRIs showed severe stenosis several months ago. The surgeon was surprised that I was doing so well then. Even though the stenosis and other problems are worse, I’m really not doing that badly, so I count my blessings!

I’m so thrilled to hear how great your outcome has been! Hurrah!

[jorrell in reply to greaterexp]

Your outcome will be great as well! I have no doubt!

[Hidden]

Oh no—-

greaterexp—-

Is it causing pain problems?

I am so sorry 😐

Prayers....

[greaterexp in reply to Hidden]

Yes, pain, but it hangs around for awhile, and then leaves. I had X-rays after the appointment and will see what the neurosurgeon suggests after that. Thank you for your prayers.

[Kenu]

Prayers are with you 🙏🙏🙏🙏 Ken 🐾🐾🐾🐾😉

[greaterexp in reply to Kenu]

Thank you, Ken.

[MarkUpnorth]

My son had surgery for spinal stenosis many years ago, as a result of a stupid accident falling out of a tree playing frisbee. Really almost forgotten now, and fine for many years now after a long recovery back then. He was happy to have it done, and I think enjoyed the taking it easy for what seemed like a long time to us. Good luck. A good neurosurgeon can do wonders.

[greaterexp in reply to MarkUpnorth]

Thank you for the encouragement. Glad your son is doing well.

[sashaming1]

Praying.

[greaterexp in reply to sashaming1]

Thank you! I'm so grateful!

[hairbrain4]

Praying for a positive outcome. 🙏💕

[greaterexp in reply to hairbrain4]

Thank you! I know God has this!

[JTZES]

It doesn't sound pleasurable but if you don't have holiday plans due to Covid-19 and your going to be quarantined by choose have it done.

If you want to celebrate the holidays then hold off and at the same time they may have an approved vaccine for Covid-19.

What ever you choose you'll be in my thoughts.

[greaterexp in reply to JTZES]

Part of me think it would be best to have it done sooner while my MS is behaving, relatively speaking.

[mm1527mm]

Praying all goes well! Keep us posted.

[greaterexp in reply to mm1527mm]

Thank you. Will do.

[twooldcrows]

love and many prayers and speedy recovery ....take it slow ....

[greaterexp in reply to twooldcrows]

Thank you!

[mrsmike9]

I'm newly back from vacation and getting caught up. I hope in posts I have not read yet you tell how the appointment went. Even so, prayer for you and how things go or have gone.

[greaterexp in reply to mrsmike9]

I hope your vacation was a great one.

I had flexion and extension X-rays done and have another appointment with the neurosurgeon on November 3. We will see what he thinks.

[jorrell]

One more thing, if you need surgery on your neck, have them come through the front, not the back of your neck! The Dr. that did mine, since I am so old and have neck wrinkles (you are way too young to worry about that, but the incision he made on the throat side of my neck was right down a wrinkle. If you look real close and ask me to see where it is, you can see it. Simply avoid the surgery through the back of the neck as there are so many muscles that have to be cut, meaning a longer recovery.

[greaterexp in reply to jorrell]

Thank you. I think surgeries are done from the front now. I’ll learn more on the 3rd.

[rjoneslaw]

how did things go?

[greaterexp in reply to rjoneslaw]

Thanks for asking. I had more X-rays and will see the neurosurgeon again on November 3.