It's funny isn't it .. how, when you are needing someone, someone or something, steps into your life - for a reason.

I'd been to see the Doctor today. She told me that there was nothing else she could really give me and is writing to the Chronic Pain Clinic at Sheffield to ask them now that Dr. Atcheson (my previous specialist) has now left, to ask for someone to see me.

I read this letter on her computer and asked if she would run a copy of for me.

Basically, when I last saw my surgeon and he said that there was no operation he would give me and therefore there is little they can do at this point. This is the letter my Surgeon wrote to Mr. Atcheson, my Pain Specialist and anaesthetist. He is the one responsible for placing the leads in my spine.

Dear Rob,

I reviewed this lady in the clinic today who we have discussed on several occasions in previous MDT meetings. Unfortunately due to the epidural scar tissue she would no longer be a candidate for insertion of a dorsal column stimulator, whether lead or paddle, and as matters stand currently there are no other surgical options that would be appropriate for her. We have discussed other technologies such as dorsal root ganglion stimulation, but for the reasons we discussed pertaining to events from her previous admissions, I would not consider a candidate of this particularly as it is a completely new and untried technology in our hands.

Her operative would have healed well and as there is little further that I can do at this point in time I have discharged her from my follow up care. I wish her all the best.

Yours sincerely,

John Yiannis
Consultant Neurosurgeon

I was crying as I came our of the doctor's room, and there stood an old friend who opened his arms and held my whilst I cried buckets in the full surgery waiting room.

I felt his love and it soothed me ...

Derek, thank you .. wherever you are now.