I got the news today that I didn't want to hear, but I'm greatful for it.
How can I possibly be greatful to be having another major surgery?!
Because if I don't have it, I will die.
My vertebrae are closing in on the spinal cord in my neck, they are compressing it, and if I don't have have this surgery, not only is paralysis possible, but sudden death is a definite.
I will just stop breathing one day he said.
My jaw nearly hit the floor, but he said he can fix this, he can fix me, and he guarantees me that I will be fine.
The chances of anything at all going wrong, paralysis or death, are less than 1%.
He has done this surgery many, many times he said, and he's never lost a patient, and he's never had a patient become paralyzed.
As a matter of fact, he's never had either happen to any single patient in all the years he's been a surgeon, so I have complete trust in him that I will be ok.
The only thing I will lose is my ability to turn my head in either direction.
I can live with that.
I mean, if given the choice between turning your head or sudden death?
I think anyone would take never being able to turn their head again.
The teens are of course, scared, but I have complete trust in my surgeon and I know that everything will be ok.
Mindy and her husband have opened their home to the teens when I have it done, they will have a place to stay, people who will care for them like they are their own, and I will make all the necessary arrangements before I go.
Doc Moreno's nurse Cindy, will be calling me with all the info, what to expect, the date, all of that, it has to be done very soon.
This is a very serious situation, and it has nothing to do with my spine fusion.
This is all congenital.
These are all abnormalities that I was born with, no one ever knew they were there though.
Doc Riegel is actually the one who caught this, he is the one who spotted that something didn't look right in my neck MRIs, he's the one who insisted I see Doc Moreno right away, so when I see him on Friday, I owe him a huge thank you.
He actually saved my life.
If he had not seen this problem, I would have just stopped breathing one of these days, so I kind of owe him my life.
I'm ok, I've just accepted that this has to be done, there is no other choice but a full laminectomy of the vertebrae from C1-C6, I will be permanently fused after this, from the base of my skull to my tail bone.
Kind of amazing, I will be fused the full lentgh of my spine.
After Cindy calls, I'll know more. I'll know when this will be happening, I'll know how long I'll be gone, all of that, and I will keep everyone updated.
I know that I am in the best surgical hands possible, I know that everything will be ok, and when I know more, I'll share it with all of you.
Later days.
====================
How can I possibly be greatful to be having another major surgery?!
Because if I don't have it, I will die.
My vertebrae are closing in on the spinal cord in my neck, they are compressing it, and if I don't have have this surgery, not only is paralysis possible, but sudden death is a definite.
I will just stop breathing one day he said.
My jaw nearly hit the floor, but he said he can fix this, he can fix me, and he guarantees me that I will be fine.
The chances of anything at all going wrong, paralysis or death, are less than 1%.
He has done this surgery many, many times he said, and he's never lost a patient, and he's never had a patient become paralyzed.
As a matter of fact, he's never had either happen to any single patient in all the years he's been a surgeon, so I have complete trust in him that I will be ok.
The only thing I will lose is my ability to turn my head in either direction.
I can live with that.
I mean, if given the choice between turning your head or sudden death?
I think anyone would take never being able to turn their head again.
The teens are of course, scared, but I have complete trust in my surgeon and I know that everything will be ok.
Mindy and her husband have opened their home to the teens when I have it done, they will have a place to stay, people who will care for them like they are their own, and I will make all the necessary arrangements before I go.
Doc Moreno's nurse Cindy, will be calling me with all the info, what to expect, the date, all of that, it has to be done very soon.
This is a very serious situation, and it has nothing to do with my spine fusion.
This is all congenital.
These are all abnormalities that I was born with, no one ever knew they were there though.
Doc Riegel is actually the one who caught this, he is the one who spotted that something didn't look right in my neck MRIs, he's the one who insisted I see Doc Moreno right away, so when I see him on Friday, I owe him a huge thank you.
He actually saved my life.
If he had not seen this problem, I would have just stopped breathing one of these days, so I kind of owe him my life.
I'm ok, I've just accepted that this has to be done, there is no other choice but a full laminectomy of the vertebrae from C1-C6, I will be permanently fused after this, from the base of my skull to my tail bone.
Kind of amazing, I will be fused the full lentgh of my spine.
After Cindy calls, I'll know more. I'll know when this will be happening, I'll know how long I'll be gone, all of that, and I will keep everyone updated.
I know that I am in the best surgical hands possible, I know that everything will be ok, and when I know more, I'll share it with all of you.
Later days.
Oh my, that is BIG news. But I know you will be fine once it's done.
If there is anything I can do, please let me know.
wow many prayers and im sure everything will be finE! i really hope so! big hugs!
SO much to take in, and in such a short amount of time. I will be sending positive thoughts and lots of (((HUGS)).
Oh gosh Kat ... that's HUGE!!
I'm thinking of you and your boys ...
Wow, Kat, at first I was going to tell you how sorry I am that you have to go through all this again, but now I'm so happy your doctor caught this! I know it's a lot to deal with, but in the end I'm just happy they've prevented something so life threatening from not only ending your life, but impacting the boys.
You're in my thoughts, and you know if there's anything you need I'm here as well.
Damn, Kat. I'm so glad for you that your doctor caught that, and I'm sending all kinds of good vibes your way...I hope everything goes well, and you're in my thoughts!!
WOW, it's hard to know what to even say, but I am glad you at least know what's going on and what needs to be done to fix it! If there is anything that I can do from way up here in Ohio, don't hesitate a split second to let me know! Keeping you in my thoughts!
!!!!! OMG.....well, thank goodness this was caught! This won't be anywhere near as traumatic as the spinal fusion, I'm sure...although it sounds like it won't be a piece of cake either. do you mean you won't be able to turn your head AT ALL? Or will you just have limited movement?
You're in my thoughts for a successful surgery....very best of luck to you.
That's big news! I'm so glad that your doctor caught that, it's scary. Good to hear your surgeon sounds like he really knows what he is doing. Thinking of you! *HUGS*
That's big news! Thinking of you and your boys, Kat. {hugs}
Wow, that is some heavy stuff right there. I'm glad everything is in place though, in terms of the teens being taken care of and the doc guaranteeing success. Good luck with this whole ordeal...
Sounds like you have a very good doctor. I'll sending you lots of fast healing thoughts.
OMG! This sucks big time but thank goodness it is something that is fixable. I'm keeping you in my thoughts.
Of course I don't know what to say, but you know we'll all be around sending good thoughts and helping out in any way we possibly can.
I know you probably don't want to think about it yet, but if you'd like I'd be more than happy to start working on some donation stuff to help with any income you'll be missing during recovery and extra expenses.
Wow, I am so glad that you have an answer to the problems, and a solution. And that you have an amazing and competent surgeon and conscientious doctor who found the problem in the first place. That is a far, far cry from all the crap involved getting the other surgery rolling.
I am glad there are no scary what-ifs associated with this surgery :)
I'm so sorry you have to have another surgery but glad that you're taking care of yourself!! *hugs* You'll be in my thoughts
Oh wow! I'll be thinking of you Kat - good luck, lots of good positive vibes for you and the boys both!
I commented on your other blog but {{{hugs}}}. You know we are all pulling for you.
I'll be thinking of you and praying for you. I hope the teens deal with it o.k. and are there to support you. I know how hard it is to be a single mom and be sick and worry about who will take care of the kids and the house when you can't. I'm pulling for you.