Today I had an appointment at the Michigan Spine and Brain Surgeons. I thought I was meeting with a Dr. Tecksoo. Turns out it was first name Teck, last name Soo. As Rita was parking the car I said, "The best thing that could happen is that he looks at the MRI pictures and says, I can fix that." We were in the waiting room and inner exam room for 2 hours before we ever saw the doctor. Nurses took a lot of information from me and they took a set of x-rays.
When the doctor finally came in, he took out my MRI pictures and looked at each one and said (I swear to God) "I can fix you". I'm not sure I asked all the right questions and he seemed a little cavallier but I am scheduled for a Lumbar Laminectomy and Fusion on October 26th. He asked several times if I was sure that I could no longer live with the pain. That was a hard question because I still have some relatively good days. But when I remember the really bad ones I believe I am ready for whatever will help.
All the nurses I interacted with at that office said he is an excellent surgeon. The surgery will be done at Providence Hospital. They have a spine surgery seminar every Friday and Rita and I plan to go next friday. They also gave me a web site www.understandingspinesurgery.com/soo that will give me an animated explanation of my surgery. If you want to see it, you click on Patient Education, enter your email address and click I Agree and it will take you to the main menu. My condition is under Spondylolisthesis - Laminectomy, Fusion - Instrumented. The nurse that gave me this information also checked Scoliosis - Derotation with Instrumentation, but the doctor never mentioned that he was going to do that part although I was told a few years ago that scoliosis was one of my problems.
I am hoping that Adrienne will be able to come stay with me for a few weeks during my recovery. Its all moving pretty fast and things are falling into place. Just everybody remember to add me to your list of people for God to bless when you say your evening prayers.
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6 comments:
good luck gm i hope everything goes well!
WOW. That is a cool site. I guess it was easier to watch since it is not my back, but I love a doctor that embraces technology.
I really, really hope this works. I suppose pain free might be a bit much to ask, but taking you back a few years would be great.
I always felt that there must be something that could be done for you, and now you have found it. Yes, you will be in our prayers for full success.
I will be praying for you that this will take your back pain away for good.
I had severe back and leg pain in the late 60s. It was so bad I was unable to walk upright. I had a laminectomy in 1970 after trying every other option (pain pills, traction, exercise etc.) Everyone told me how risky it was but nothing else worked. I was only 31 years old and my doctor said I might become a cripple if I did not have the surgery. Sooo, I had the surgery and after normal recovery I never had that back and leg pain again. Other than not lifting over 50 pounds I have no physical restrictions and as you know I am very active. I understand that lots of progress has been made since 1970 and the odds are much better for a positive result. You will continue to be in our prayers.
Yes indeed.
Best wishes for a successful surgery, speedy recovery, and final absence of pain !
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