October 18 – “So … neck news”

So … neck news.  Yesterday was the follow up visit to the neurosurgeon to find out what he saw in the x-rays and MRI that might give him an idea of what course of action to follow.  Read here, “Surgery or no?”  I guess the good news comes first.  There is nothing in the MRI to indicate that there is anything threatening to life or limb.  In other words, there is no need for emergency surgery.  That’s a positive. 

So what’s next, then?  What steps are there to take to relieve some of the pain and annoying tingling?  Well … here is what he said in a nutshell:

1.  “It might eventually go away.”

2.  “We might get it to feeling better by doing some physical therapy and traction.” 

Wait.  “Might”? 

3.  “If you back me up against the wall and insist, I could go ahead with all the testing and procedures leading up to surgery, and the surgery might do you some good.  But you should have 25 or so more years of life.  Will a surgery on your neck at your age do more good than no surgery?  Probably not.  When you are 80 or so and dealing with Dr. Notme, chances are your neck will be in better shape if we don’t do the surgery now.”

Are you detecting the same pattern I am?    

4.  “Be patient.  This is not a wait-til-tomorrow kind of patience.  This will be a long wait.  Like in terms of months.”

There you have it.  It’s official.  No surgery (Unless I want to back him up against the wall).  Physical therapy (Don’t mind that one) and traction (Not something I’m looking forward to).  And the ever-present … wait.  Sigh.

And as he got up to leave Chris dove into the fray with just one further question for him.  “Are there any restrictions as to lifting?” 

He didn’t really hesitate.  “He should be fine to carry a gallon of milk in each hand.”

Then he remembered that I was right there in the room.  He turned to me and said, “If you’re not sure whether you should lift it or not, you probably shouldn’t.” 

Wait.  That sounds an awful lot like the youth camp “Don’t be stupid” command: “If you’re not sure whether or not it’s stupid, it probably is stupid.”  Sigh.

Very conflicted emotions on the drive home and since.  Is it possible to be relieved and depressed at the same time?  Again I say … sigh.

1 John 4:4 says, “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”

Father, thank you for the neck news.  I suppose it’s better knowing than wondering.  So here we go on another medical adventure trip.  Come with me, please?  Amen.