Quote:
Originally Posted by Mark56
Oh, Sarah Mae-
My heart aches for anyone who is SO youthful to be beset with such maladies and then to have fear of what comes next on top, followed by a generous helping of concern about credibility.
You sound as though one who, as Rae [she is a gem] has put it, has won your trust and respect, a most IMPORTANT credential for any physician. Fear you can overcome. We will help. Shots are painful at first, but the pain is not abiding, but usually shortlived. SCS evaluation, credentialling, determination will generally take a good many steps and time. Insurance and physicians alike want to feel assured the extremely expensive procedure will be likely to produce at least even handed results in the patient. As for me, now 54 days out from implant, I feel as though touched by the hand of God, much as the Sistine Chapel painting depicts.
I have written of my travails, pitfalls, victories, challenges, fears, and on and on at the following: http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread117854.html
Through this I have hoped to bring to one such as you a sense of hope, promise, possibility of life anew if both you and your medical team believe this is right for you. I will GLADLY answer any questions of yours anything at all.
May all eventually be well with you,
Mark56  |
Mark,
As you know, I eventually did get through your whole post. Your story is encouraging, and your unwavering faith is so inspiring. Thank you for your willingness to talk with me and answer questions. That means a lot to me!
I realize that the shot is just a short term thing--I just mentally can't get past being absolutely freaked out about it. I know that as the day draws near when I do the trial for the SCS, I will have to get over my fear at least some so that I can pursue this trial. I absolutely refuse to try epidural blocks or cortisone shots--but I suppose that two shots (one for the trial and one for the actual surgery) will be okay. At least you're partially 'out' and numbed. I realize I won't be fully asleep... but having some medicine in me and being numb is more than I'd get if I had to get the shots on a monthly basis. That, to me, is comforting.
It's still scary, but I have learned and incredible amount of things from your journey. I will, no doubt, forget things like restrictions and such by the time all this happens. I have to have a bone scan first and then go back to my doctor before we even set the trial up--so I hope that in the future, that you guys can all remind me of the things I will forget between now and then.
I want to apologize again for my response to your post--I truly hope you know that I was not trying to make light of your situation. It sounds like you have been through an awful lot, and I am thankful that I have not had to go through as many surgeries as you have. I am in awe of your faith and positive attitude. Please know that.
Thanks again for your openness and willingness to talk about this with me. You guys have all been absolutely wonderful to me so far!
Sarah
__________________
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♥ "Hope is more than a word; it's a state of being. It's a firm belief God will come through. Life brings rain... hope turns every drop into the power to bloom like never before." -Holley Gerth ♥
My name is Sarah and I am 25 years old. I have a lot of chronic health problems. Peripheral neuropathy and POTS (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome) keep me bedridden the majority of the time. I also struggle with degenerative disc disease, disc desiccation, spondylolisthesis, arthritis, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) with insulin resistance, allergies, sound sensitivities, and other health problems.