When a person gets sick you expect to get better. That's where I was at a mouth ago with my journery. I didn't say anything to my friends here because I just "expected" to get better. But that has not happened so I thought it was time to reach out to my friends, and family here for love and encouragment and most of all thier prayers.
The first days on Nov. I began to have very sharp electrical stabbing pains from my right hip down to my knee, It prevented my from walking more that a few feet without intense pain. The doctors diagnosed sciatica pain. I could not even work the pain was so severe. I have never had this type of pain before. Everytime I woke up I thought "maybe it's going to be gone." All I'd have to do is move than Mr Pain would smile would take another bit and I knew he stlll lived here.
The next three weeks entailed: hip exrays, MRI, chiropractor. As I dragged myself to these appointments it was exhasting, mostly painly and frustrating. Waiting on appointments, going to "another doctor." All month I have bee alone with Mr Pain, hoping and praying someone could help me. Find a way to make him leave I felt as if I might as well lived in the 1800's. A woman in those times would be offered no medical help day to day as I was. I'm sorry to say I was dishearted by much loved medical profession. I felt abondoned. This did make me raise my arms to heaven and beg for The Lord's help. Though all of this the Mr Pain continued to be in residence.
Finally On Thursday Nov 17 I got in to see a pain specialist. (The scheduler told me I was "lucky" and they had a cancellation otherwise it would take 5 weeks to get in.) He revived my MRI and thought my discs looked okay. He thought there was some inflammation on my L5 and said he could given me a steriod injection on that Fri. Nov 18. ( When the scheduler call me and set up the time she told me I was "lucky" they had a cancellation on Fri. otherwise it was 3 weeks.) I HAD TO LIVE UNITL FRIDAY THE NEXT DAY, AT LAST MAYBE THE LONG 3 WEEKS OF PAIN COULD BE EASED. I was finally parting with my 1800's sister. Finally modern medication was going to help me.
I'm still shaking my head over the next turn of events. On Thursday morning after returning to the pain specialist with hope the next day was by freedom day. Tom dropped me off at home about 11am and he returned to work. Over the course of the next several hours I began the most intense stomachache of my life. It hurt so bad I was doubled over with buckets of sweat pouring off me me. I keep telling myself I HAD to get to tomorrow so I could get the the sinal injection to help my back. At about 3:00 my abdomen was distended to where I looked 9 months pregnant. Mr Pain was threwing electical shock down my leg for over 4 hours. I surrendered.
Tom came home from work and brought me to the ER. When I walked in I told them I was dying. They were wonderful, FINALLY SOMEONE IS LISTENING!! After a CAT scan that showed I had a bowel blockage! How does that happen TODAY??? I had taken very few pain meds since they did nothing to touch Mr. Pain. An EG Tube was placed. (Don't ask.) I was admitted to the hospital and awaited surgery. My doctor that was going to give me the shot for my leg was called. He would not commit to WHEN I could have the shot. He said he would wait to see what my bowel surgery intelled and than he would decide.
On Friday Nov. 18 surgery found there was a long piece of scar tissue "for the old c-section scar" that picked this time, this day to lasso my intestines. The surgery was able to do it laparoscopically. He just went in there and snipped that old scare tissue he said it was tight "like a bread wrapper."
Recovering from surgery I begin to feel better with my leg. I was hopefully that maybe all of this was connected. That the pulling on my intestines caused my back to be out of whack and that's where Mr Pain could be found. As of now 2-3 days out of surgery my pain was minimal down my leg. I realize now that I wasn't moving as much and was on pain medication from my surgery. I hugged my 1800's sister and said I've got one up on you. Sorry but you would have died from a bowel blockage, or worse yet died in childbirth because cesarean sections probably wouldn't have been a opition at that time.
As I came home I had to walk to move things around in my belly. I only looked 4 mouths pregnant at this time. The more I walked the better my stomach detention got, but I woke up Mr. Pain. He is not nice when you wake him from a long sleep. He took many bits out of my leg Thanksgiving Day. Luckly we didn't celebrate Thanksgiving until that Friday. God Bless my sweet daughters they scooped into the kitchen baking up a storm and present a prize winner dinner for us all. I can see only eat small amounts but is tasted delicious. I had to greive some at not being able to cook Thanksgiving meal. One of my highlights of the year. But such it is. I'm alive, my family in front of me were my true treasures. My sweet grandbabies delightedly me beyound measure.
Here is now the weekend. My surgical incisions (very small) look great. My stomach is back to normal size. My plan is to call the pain doc on Monday to see if he will do the injection sometime this coming week. If he give me the run around I have another doc that one of the Doctor's at work recommend to me that is good with spinal pain. I HAVE to find a way to get rid of Mr Pain. I have spent the complete of Nov closed in and praying for an answer.
I share this with all of you for a very selfish reason. I need your support, encouraging words, and too feel not so alone. Most of all I need your prayers.
