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← Return to Sciatica nightmare
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Hello, thank you for your reply.
I am so sorry you went through cauda equina!
It is a very serious condition as you well know and I can only imagine how agonizing and scary it was for you.
I am so glad it resolved for you.
Yes, I send a lot of time with an ice pack on my lower back.
Oh, my surgeon's long term plan?
He was a lovely kind elderly surgeon, who showed me my MRI, but said I "have a beautiful spine"??, that he could not do the surgery, had me touch my toes, while he and his assistant were incredulous at how flexible I still am-he said to, "Stand on your tip toes like a ballerina...", which I am also somehow easily able to do, and when he mentioned "what ballerinas do" and I told him, well, that is what I used to do-he looked at me wide eyed, then sad, he asked me if he could give me a hug, (with his female assistant there), and sent me hobbling away on my cane with no follow up-
(Yes, I am a classically trained dancer, and even the osteopath told me, "You are very flexible and strong"...and perhaps you will all doubt the severity of my pain and my mobility ever decreasing even while I am able to still touch my toes etc, but as I mentioned, I am at the same time struggling with the simplest of household chores, losing my autonomy, ashamed I am not functioning...)
Forgive me for emoting so much, and for not responding right away-
Sending you much gratitude and blessings.
Replies to "@heyjoe415 Hello, thank you for your reply. I am so sorry you went through cauda equina!..."
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Hi Joy,
There is nothing to forgive. Your comments are thoughtful and heartfelt.
I'm 71 and can put my palms on the floor, but that's not the point. My lumbar spine is a disaster area, I've been through two bouts of sciatica, left and right side, and putting my hands to the floor has nothing to do with the pain.
A good surgeon would know better. If you don't mind, I suggest finding a younger surgeon. My criteria are for a Dr in their mid 30s to mid/late 40s, with a solid med school pedigree, and a residence/fellowship pedigree from a highly regarded hospital, ideally a "learning" hospital aligned with the local medical college. (Mayo, Cleveland Clinic, Medical College of Wisonsin/Froedert, are just a few.
Bless your Dr's heart, I'm sure he means well. Younger Drs are very ambitious and are building a practice and a reputation. Using my criteria, I found surgeons who had what I was looking for, and had done thousands of procedures already.
All the best to you Joy. Please let me know how you are from time to time.
Joe