Hello wendyshores: Since my last note to you I have an update I wanted to share with you. First off, when I told you that it wasn't true that x-rays don't show spinal fractures for 24-48 hours. I should've been more specific. Just a plain X-ray can take that long to show a fractured or broken vertebrae. It's the MRI that shows it right away. they can see everything with an MRI. When I go in after I'm sure I've broken a vertebrae I tell them not to even bother with an -Ray. Just go straight for an MRI. I told you that I was have a tele-conference call with my spine specialist the day I wrote to you. She told me that she wanted me in the hospital and that I was to call the squad and she would call the hospital and let them know I was coming. It was decided that I needed to have the Kyphoplasty procedure but the hospital continued to give me Aspirin. When the surgeon found out about that he decided that he didn't want to take the risk of me bleeding so he cancelled the procedure and now I have to have it done as an out-patient rather than an in=[patient, which would've been so much easier , not to mention cost-effective. So now I'm just waiting to get on his surgery schedule. I'm hanging in there and getting plenty of bed rest. That's the only way I can stay as pain free as possible.

But I mainly wanted to tell you about the misunderstanding on the X-Ray. Don't settle for an X-Ray if you think you've broken a vertebrae. Insist on an MRI because you'll get the results quickly and more accurately than just an X-Ray. I'm so sorry that I wasn't more clear when I wrote my first note to you about that. And if there is anyone out there reading this and have more information on X-Rays vs MRIs, please join in on this conversation. I did specifically ask the person doing the MRI about the differences because after I talked to my Spine Specialist and she didn't see any broken vertebrae on the X-ray, I had to find out why they didn't but found it on the MRI.

Ask questions of everyone that takes care of you. Make sure it's the best way of doing things. That's what I'm doing and my Spine Specialist is taking a stronger stand at getting me admitted. Instead of me driving myself to the ER myself, I first go straight thru her and she starts the process. Stand up for yourself and by your own advocate so you don't have to suffer needlessly.

All the best to you. Be at peace. Whenever possible and your pain will allow it, spend time with your happy friends. Laughter is the best medicine. Even if you can only tolerate it for just a short time, try and find love and laughter in your life so you don't give up.