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Boston Scientific Precision Plus SCS mini rechargeable 2
Herein we continue the chronicle of an adventure undertaken in 2010 as I arrived here to inquire about what is all of the journey regarding SCS going to possibly bring to the life I had known before as one who was dependent upon pain management medication as the means merely to survive from day-to-day. Meds continually for me were an unacceptable legacy for life. All of that original material is found here: http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread117854.html where a faith filled journey following a horrible I-70 wreck turned my legal executive career inside out.
Now, please continue the path with me as we take on the next chapter of life managing pain into my upper body where the right arm has been a very serious source of concern. God is good, and Thursday, merely the day before yesterday, a diagnostic and temporarily relieving multistep surgery both left us KNOWING exactly what was causing my right arm to die, instill in me a means to cope for the time being, and within the next two weeks learn next steps. Pain has been a journey on an undulating landscape of trials, tribulations, victories, bittersweet partings of things once capable to a previously fully athletic body now partly bionic through the wildly successful blessing of God's inspired Boston Scientific Precision Plus SCS miracle which I believe I was the first self programmed unit user on this little blue oasis in space. My career fully regained, multiple state license to practice extensions now pending so I may effectively provide counsel to my clients, and the sheer joy such a blessing from on HIGH which has brought this status of renewal to my life has been the flow of energy driving this thread to a newer address whence old is preserved and new takes off into a greater adventure of Faith filled experience. Join me in the walk forward to life beyond the limitations of pain, live the life we were each meant to embrace, and take up the mantra of greeting all whom you meet with the words "I am blessed, how are YOU?" and you will as well learn life is only beginning as we lead the way into a pain filled world needing to understand life is more than the drudge of enduring, but is a blessing filled environment by which we each inspire the other. I am excited as can be....... are you? Blessed and Praying, Mark56:grouphug: |
Mark.....Your life as you once knew it; we were informed. Then tragic wreck on I-70, followed by years of surgeries, pain and suffering. Then hope with the implant of your SCS..withdrawal of all meds; including narcotic. Followed by despair, depression and success. End of meds. A story in itself for all to read.
Life continued...getting back from a world of pain and suffering; attempts at restoring your former legal success, although not the person you once were, physicallly; but spiritually have come to a place where you let God completely take over. Take over He did. We here on NT, joined in on your ups and downs; only to see you once again know how "blessed" you are. Blessed in ways you never dreamed. But, once again, horrible foot burning, pain, suffering was attacking you...gout was the diagnosis. Then unable to use your arm...more pain and concern. What would life be, moving forward?? Up-to-date....Surgical procedure on arm performed; hope restored. Arm appears not to be lost; but can be treated with much success. A life of "blessings". Blessings for all to share. "Blessings"....ours as well. A life continued.....(Maybe one day an all inspiring book published?) Mark..... we will share with you, phase 2. Blessed we all are indeed !!! (Gerry) |
Mark...
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Anymore news about your arm? I had the impression there was a good chance that the pain and perserving of the right arm showed great promise. Concerned & Praying, Gerry |
Newbie
I am so grateful to have found this forum and it's predecessor Boston Scientific Mini Rechargeable SCS 1. It took me 4 days to read the first forum but i found myself clinging to every word as though it was written just for me. I know this not to be true as i am convinced that it has helped untold numbers get through some really tough times. Thank you Mark56 for sharing your story and thanks for all who have chimed in and have shared your stories and overwhelming support for one another. In the past 4 days i have laughed, cried, and most of all come to know each and every member of this forum as someone dear to my heart.
Mark, i am sorry to hear of your current situation with your arm. I know these must be dark days for you but I am clinging to the words of your doctor. "I can fix this!". So, I join in support of victory over this as you have overcome others in the past and await in anticipation for the messages of hope, love, and understanding that will surely fill these pages. |
Hey Mark - I thought I had read your Boston Scientific Thread #1 in its entirety....but decided to click the link once more for posterity. In so doing, I saw that the date of your first post (as well as the date of your appointment to discuss SCS with your doc) was on 3/29/10. I have no idea how I missed this before - but that was the date of my penultimate foot surgery - and my b-day. So it seems we are "connected" in yet another way my friend:hug:
Also - I am not sure who all the mods are over here - but I think that thread deserves to be stickied at the top of this forum - I'm just saying :p Glad you now have an answer regarding the arm pain - and hope that now that the problem has been identified, you and your docs can move towards a solution. |
Agree!
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Jan |
How HeartWARMIMG!
Just this evening, we have returned from our road trip to bring visitation to our parents, song to a wedding and worship, AND were able to stop to visit for a couple of hours with Fr. Syl, my wife's priest during the time of catechism and that all important bridge over from childhood to the teen years. It was such a blessing to do all, and especially to see Fr. Syl. His health is waning and he is still ever the servant of Christ, celebrating mass every Sunday for those who gather with him in his mountain beauty picture perfect place to honor God. Precious these times were!
The two procedures accomplished last Thursday did precisely what my dear Dr. S had hoped, and he had picture perfect clarity through the fluoroscope to view the problem impingement of the C7 nerve root. Next week Cleo and I will see him to learn what is next, as the nerve blockers emplaced wore off through the night last night, and driving home was especially painful. Yes, we did pull off of the road thrice to allow me to rest, but rest was fitfull as pain is as it was before last Thursday. Even so, Doc is sure he can treat this issue, and we look forward to the news realizing the meantime will be a time of pain. At least I have the Windows 7 Speech Recognition suite and a trusty headset to dictate. I feel so blessed to know you all are blessed to have the benefit of this continuing chronicle as a means to realize pain need not be allowed victory over us. Hi Dee [I have a niece by that name!], welcome to this region of the universe! I look forward to reaching out to you as you may have questions. Goodness, I am already trying to figure out how to set up virtual Java with Jan so we can chew some Espresso. Rae will have some cool image for us to latch onto for a virtual coffee party. Maybe we can even do it out at Pooh's ranch in Nowhere [a very real place] somewhere between here and thar! I feel blessed y'all, Arms a hurtin, so going to turn in, Praying as always, Mark56:grouphug: P.S. Goodness Coral Toe, I did not realize we were so close in the continuum!:grouphug: |
Thanks Jan for the warm welcome!
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Thanks for the welcome Mark! I am being processed for a Trial SCS. Your posts thus far have been quite helpful as have those of others that frequent this forum. I do have questions...many of them, as well as fears of which I will share in the coming days.
Hope your arm is feeling better soon! |
7 June Excitement
It is amazing to learn of the fullness of the fury of the elements when caught in a midnight storm, the likes of which are beyond the understanding of any old timers around these parts. Last night we were watching a disturbing movie about an airliner crash in Alaskan wilderness and a chase of all survivors by wolves to a disappointing conclusion. It was interrupted in the middle....................
Rain had begun to pelt the roof. Heavy rain, the kind which soaks into the earth, nurturing all which is greenery with life giving moisture. The droplets increased in intensity and tempo, the lightning begins to flash and crash in dramatic counterpoint to the rainfall....... Crash!!!!! I see sparks out of the left peripheral vision not knowing it is fire leaping from the outlets in our daughter's bedroom. The walls vibrate, and a photo montage with poetry written by my dear Mother in Law about our wedding securely hung on the wall, falls to the floor with the vibration..... the smell of electrical fire is emanating from our bathroom in the master suite..... we have been stricken by lightning, the only such home to be hit in the metro area to our knowledge....... thousands of dollars of electrical work and electronics are rendered instant bulk JUNK. A millionth of a second, and it is indelibly scribed upon our minds as an event to pass on to others as a WOW moment in time. Funnel clouds are turning in the sky above our home, and yet we are so very close to the mountains.... the so called all protective mountains which have purported to keep twisters out of our lives, and the mountains stand as mute sentinels to the march of lightning and hail bearing twister clouds while the cacophony of tornado sirens and spoken warnings over the Emergency Broadcast System of the city cry unintelligibly to citizens who cannot hear due to the severity of the storm. We now know all of the money spent to install and regularly test those blasted sirens and speaker systems are funds wasted because during the severity of the storm nothing could be heard or understood. They work just fine in dry weather...... Our home is safe. Electrician has visited and rendered assistance. Replacements are underway while insurance is notified.... God is good, for we were kept dry and safe within our brick and stone structure and though there was fire from outlets, nothing burned but electronics and wires. The arm? Oh, it hurts a regular 8 out of 10, although yesterday at work was a well of tears for the pain was 9 out of 10. Co-workers say "you are not made out of steel" but I am not willing to be beat by the arm. I dictate away. That works. Next week we see Doc to learn of both the true diagnosis and the proposed remedy. For now, pain is the reality, and it is tremendous. Agony. God is merciful and helps in this time of need. I am blessed. My Boston Scientific Precision Plus SCS? None of my external electronics were damaged by the lightning.... the destroyer of lightning. The recharger was plugged into one of the most expensive power strips money can buy, as was most everything else in the house. Even so, my Boston Sci was not knocked out, and I just finished the recharge cycle on my generator. Butt buzzing away. Today in the bright morning sunlight with six inch drifts of hail alongside roads, I drove to Ray's house taking Blueberry muffins, plates, napkins, a birthday card and sang happy birthday to his wonderful smile!! He became 93 years young today. We shared scripture and friendship, a blessing for sure. Life is a blessing, Thank you Lord and for those who pray, Mark56:grouphug: |
Excitement wow!!!!
Well I'm sure you won't forget the 7th June in a hurry Mark.
I don't as yesterday both my husband and I were married 30 years :) so it was a lovely day for us and we watched the said film with Liam Neeson, which you were trying to watch. Is that the same film? The Grey? Excellent film. I'm sorry to hear of all that happened to you and your family and you only in the house a few weeks too. But thankfully no one was hurt and also that your SCS was still working. Phew!!! I hope you can get your arm sorted out sooner rather than later Mark and get back on track again. :) Jackie :hug: |
Congratulations to Jackiey!
We were indeed watching the same film and we finished it last evening. The struggle, the push, the hardship, and the indomitable spirit which drove the one remaining character to call out to God, who had lost his character's faith to know he still actually DID want to reach out for a sign. Then the final challenge. Did you watch to the final scene which followed all of the credits? An illustration of "don't be afraid." That flashback moment which urged him on through all of the story.
Congratulations on the big 30th!!! Many blessings upon you, your husband, and your family!! God is so very good and gracious! Only day before yesterday I was speaking with a young man whom I mentor regarding marriage. He, being divorced, has a hard time understanding devotion and commitment to another, as his marriage ended badly and he has custody of the young daughter so produced. His own parents had also divorced when life resulted in twists too hard for one to bear. He was taken fully aback with the realization my wife and I soon celebrate 39 years of devotion. God gave a great opportunity that evening for us to begin exploring devotion, commitment, the meaning of love and its deepening for those who stay the course together. I recounted to him I am so wonderfully blessed to have a dear blessed lady who has remained by my side through so much strife in life, learing lesson after lesson with God's help. We are thus mutually blessed indeed, Arm still agony this morning, yet I know I will have enough from God to press on another day, May your marriage be deeply blessed in this coming year Jackiey, Mark56:grouphug:Praying |
Been gone a few days and I come back to all this excitement!!! :Head-Spin:
I too believe Mark's thread(s) will become published one day. Mark is a gifted writer! AMEN! Congratulations to Jackie for her 30th wedding anniversary! THAT is a BIG deal! I hope you were able to do something memorable, Jackie and that your pain levels are keeping way downnnn. ALSO! Welcome to our new Member DEB! :grouphug: It's great to have you here! You will find so many wonderful, caring people here and the support is out of this world. I look forward to getting to know you! Rae :hug: |
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So glad that you and your family and new home are OK. I for one am terrified by lightning and thunder. So glad we don't get it much where we live. I wish the arm was in better shape and not giving you so much pain. I hate hearing how high your pain level is. Good luck at the Dr. next week. You must be a man of steel with all you've dealt with. What a blessing that you were fully charged and that your electronics were safe. You must have a wonderful voice to sing Ave Maria. It's a difficult song to sing but is so beautiful and inspirational to hear. I love when it's sung at our church. Hopefully your weekend will be relaxing, inspiring and comfortable. Sandy. :grouphug: |
9 June Many Thanks
Oh, I know we have the Blessings thread for the sake of acknowledging thanksgiving for that which we experience; yet, Sandy, you bring up a point of such great importance relevant to the means to live through pain to the Glory of God, that I figured here is precisely the proper spot to add a notation.
So many over time have expressed inspirational feelings regarding my "capacity to live through pain" as a matter of their perspective from outside my skin. These are blessed individuals such as yourself from afar, or folks who see me day by day even though they may not know me at a grocer or a hardware store. I so love to meet people and share blessings with them....... a crusade, if you will, which has become infective with and among people I chance to meet, for I am known as the "oh yeah, you are the guy who always says he feels blessed." Living, whether knowing pain, or not, as was the case for three wonderful days last week due to the nerve blocks placed at my C7 nerve root for the right arm, has become for me an every day, every moment acknowledgement of the blessings I feel. As for me, you know these blessings as manna given by God throughout my life. Blessings. So, while there is now titanium in my structure, and whatever metals make up the components of my Boston Scientific Precision Plus SCS for the lumbar and leg pain, I am otherwise very much human, and I am stricken low by pain daily in these times; HOWEVER, the "steel" you and others may perceive is something for which I daily and ever give Glory to God as a blessing known in my life. I may sit at my work desk where I practice law, bent over the desk for a moment by moment taking tiny steps knowing the pain will abate as I use the speech recognition program to continue my tasks of dictating documents...... AND I give all of the glory to God, who strengthens me, for through Him all things are possible. Christ gives me the means, oh, and how I so love to sing, lifting the voice with which I was blessed to give glory to God. The voice is not mine for my sake; rather, it is a gift used to glorify He who helps me through each moment by each difficult moment of every day...... and yes, I too, very much love to hear the Ave Maris, of whichever arrangement, for I know two and sing both, as the Latin delivers the entire saving grace message, especially with the ending lyrics "mortis nostrae"- who died for us- the simplest two word message of grace which could be expressed, and so beautifully expressed in that music. I so LOVE GOD, and it is as though I am blazing fire filled with a desire to give glory every single day. Thus I live. Steel, yes and absolutely, steel of character given by grace through God who strengthens me. A simple message of Thanksgiving. Moreover, I am His that He may use me however He will to bring Joy, Hope, Peace, Love, Understanding, Encouragement, and any other means by which I may be used by He who allows me to live for His sake to show thanks I may take tiny steps throughout each day. There are those in my life who also provide living inspiration to me. Each of you who bless these threads with your presence, as it is your coming which demonstrates the life force by which we are all graced another moment to share for the hope of lending encouragement to another. My wife is thus also, and always at my side, or sometimes pushing my wheelchair if I cannot walk and cannot propel my wheelchair because with my right arm as it is, the pain would inhibit its use. Self use of a wheelchair with one arm causes one to make donuts [Now, that is a SMILE moment if ever I thought of one, right Eva?]. My Uncle Calvin, who, being shot down in his young adulthood in front of his family is a constant reminder of one who strove through agony each day for the rest of His long life to Work his orchards, provide for his family, AND give glory to God. My father-in-law, Grandpa Fred, who being stricken with back pain of the likes I have suffered, used both wheelchair and double crutches to live life to the full and give glory to God. My sister-in-law, an RSD patient whose legs are gone and who with morphine lives each day giving glory to God. An inspiration in Joni Eriksen-Tata suffered a fall as an athlete becoming quadraplegic, yet lives each day giving glory to God. So, I add my daily moments being infected of the spirit in a way which causes me to "leap for joy" in a spiritual way. What a glorious blessing! This life I live, a gift to give that more may know the grace of Him who with His blood of sacrifice brought here to us grace having no price a gift we receive to take a step and shine so brilliantly as those who help to bring among the waste of man so many pools of light the plan that life well known among us here become lignt filled with loving cheer as each who meets us take a smile to share along those life lived miles. Brief, to the point, a challenge for me everyday. May I bring the light of life to even one other in the day soon to dawn? How lovely a life we each are given. A smile is a frown turned upward in grace. How very blessed am I, and Sandy, thank you for inspiring me to go on and on about this in the wee hours today. My day is already brilliant with light, though the dawning is a few hours away! Blessings to you, my friend, Praying ever and always for all who grace these pages with thoughts of need, of pain, of cries for help, the questions, some fear, others with joy and success, Oh, how I love coming into this place where we may share, Mark56:grouphug: |
Mark......
So much of what you write is in the silence of my heart. No one sees or know really what is being felt inside. For whatever in my childhood, learned from parents who unknowingly taught me a lesson. Seen what unforgiving resentments could do to those who really were "beautiful" but for this terrible flaw. Rather than carry this on to my family; whether or not bad or good day with children.....never were allowed to go to bed at night without giving a "kiss" to and getting one back. Love is "unconditional". We may not like what family members did or do; but that does not mean we do not love them. Blessed for the days as a child, sat in an empty church many evenings; but always in the Presence of God. God who has filled me with this "unconditional love" has given me the grace to pass on to my family. I watch as they pass on to others; especially those who need them. Oh yes, Blessed are we to be in the presence of one another. Strangers we are, yet not really; we are one...our "pain" has brought us here together. Together we share thoughts and feelings rarely understood by others. Supporting, caring and sharing is what really brings us together. Pain, then takes a place after these and not our main focus because we have one another. Blessed we all are to have found one another. Of course....not by chance. Gerry |
9 June...... A Day of Hurts
Well, I had managed since withdrawing from pain meds to avoid them altogether since weaning off in 2010 after receiving my Boston Scientific Precision Plus SCS. It has performed beautifully and does so still for the pain it is capable of reaching. The stim did not fail me at all.
Today, feeling the agony in my right arm was too much and was North of 9 out of 10. I have worked at my desk serving clients this past week with tears streaming down my face. Pain has slowed my rapid fire pace generating fulfillment of my client needs. Today was even worse. Knowing I had still locked in the vault certain of said formerly used pain meds, I relented and took two pills along with my Neurontin. Then I had to lie down and rest to await the coming relief of the pain meds. Only thus was the arm brought under control. Only thus. Long months had I tried to manage with just Neurontin or the ibuprofen which might help inflammation of the nerve tissue. It does not address the arm pain. I fell prey to the pain and succumbed. Took it. Took it. I hated doing that, but realize the arm pain is far beyond managing and I must make it until Thursday and the appointment for followup to the surgery a week ago last Thursday to find some means of relief. Arghhhhhh, Lord hear my prayer about this arm, help me to deal with it not using pain meds, I so do not want to go there again, Prayin, Mark56:grouphug: |
Mark,
I keep trying to come up with the right words to write to help take away any sense you may feel of defeat. I understand how difficult this choice must have been for you to make. When the pain is that bad....only the pain wins if you do nothing. Thank God for the pain meds, when not abused, they are a gift. Praying, Gerry |
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Yikes, Mark! Glad the crazy weather didn't do any more damage than it did, and that you are all safe. Sorry to hear that your arm pain is so horrid, though. I pray that you'll very soon find a solution and some relief!
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Don't beat yourself up, Mark. Nerve pain is different from other pain and MUST*be managed. You can't*just "tough it out" until you are able to meet with your doctor. Flare ups could cause more damage. *Nobody here wants you to suffer any more than you already have.
Congratulations Jackey on your 30th wedding anniversary! * Wishing you 30 more years of happiness! Thanks Rae for the warm welcome! *I am so fortunate to have found this forum! * Jan, I am excited to hear you have been approved for your SCS Trial on July 24th!* I really hope that this works well for you! *I am looking forward to hearing how things go so keep us posted! |
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I tend to be a couple cans short of a six-pack, as we say here in redneck country! :D It's sure nice to have you here Dee. You bring a bright spot to our little neck of the woods and I look forward to getting to know you! Rae :grouphug: |
Indeedy, eh
And me to, eh! Oh, no eh, Coral has me eh going eh! I eh can't eh stop eh!
Better to laugh, eh? Than cry today, eh, as I did today in my office eh, This nerve pain is still the pits eh, even in the arm eh, yup, eh, Mark56 Noway........ :eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek: Hurtin something fierce in this right arm. Many big thank yous for the prayers! |
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I do believe Mark has lost it! :winky: |
It
Well Dee, in order to have lost IT, one must first have had IT, and since I do not know what IT is, perhaps I cannot lose IT.:D
Nah, I kinda went Canadian on Rae there for a bit. Scarring in. It is natural for the human body to scar. Pretty hard not to know how you scar if you have lived very long, for you may have met a nail, a knife, a piece of paper, or you may have known a scalpel cut on your skin from surgery. All produce scars. The notion of scarring in with the SCS is the reality of the hardware becoming secure within the body because the body will generate scar tissue enabling patients to ultimately be allowed more vigorous exercise and work; kinda like KZL_Rogue and her golfing and Tae Kwon Do after surgery. Yup, Mark56:grouphug: |
Ah yes, our dear Mark......Eh....what can one say, eh?
He is so endowed with a sense of humor that I firmly believe we ALL would be lost out in orbit somewhere west of Neptune if it weren't for the laughter and lightheartedness he brings to this forum. Gotta love it, eh??:D:D Now, back to logistics, in keeping the fine balance necessary for functioning on a realistic level.... You indeed ask a very good question. 'Scarring In' is the process necessary for a successful outcome, as it keeps the leads safely secured to the dura within the dorsal column of the spine. Yes, it surely does sound a bit 'creepy', dunnit? No fear, however. It's simply part of the process of healing. You will be lovingly nagged at by all of our caring members here, as well as your doctor to strictly follow the no bending, lifting, stretching, etc until your leads do have a chance to scar in. Take if from moi....as I somehow presumed I was exempt from such restrictions :o..... yes? I mean hey. These things happen to other people....not me! Well, I was back in the doctor's office with a migrated lead and it was at that point that I had the great revelation that these restrictions are for everybody and they are for a reason! :rolleyes: Now, scar tissue can be, and sometimes IS an entity which can work NOT in our favor. 'Revisions' become necessary in many cases, meaning 'tweak' sessions. The scar tissue can grow and press ever so lightly on a lead, which can change the stimulation. This would be a good thing to bring up to your doctor so he can explain these possibilities. The unfortunate thing about scar tissue is that it is very unpredictable and it will have it's own way. Thank you for bringing this up, as it is a very important issue to be aware of. Try not to let it cause undo anxiety tho. Scars are a necessary part of healing wounds, as we all know from a minor injury or scraped knee. But when it comes to forming on the interior part of us, well... it's kind of a 'wait and see' thing. One would certainly think that with our modern day high-tech modalities in the medical field, there would be SOMEthing that would keep scar tissue from becoming a nuisance. We'll be right by your side every step of the way on your venture to a better form of pain management! No doubt we will learn from YOU along the way as well! Rae :hug: |
Picture Perfect in Every Way
Not going to add one bit to Rae's post except.........
APPLAUSE!!!!!!! Yup, Mark56:grouphug: |
So looking forward to 15 June
Tomorrow!! See my pain management specialist to learn What was the discovery from the surgery two weeks ago today, then How he has in his mind it can be treated, because two weeks ago he told me the problem in my C7 space was definite, viewed absolutely, and treatable.
I am excited to learn. I want to leave this pain of the right arm behind. I thank God for helping us to this point, and look every forward to the blessing of the means to address this debilitating pain..... because Ger, I do not desire at all to be seen as easy pickins by the deceiver. Such a path I depend on faith in the Father, the Son, the Spirit, and the blessing of she who bore Him to forever close such a path to me. I am God's. Praying, on knees, Mark56:grouphug: |
Things are really looking up for you Mark. In just a short time you have gone from fearing you had CRPS and being told that additional surgeries would be of no benefit to your arm to real hope!!!!! What a relief that you don't have CRPS and that you now have options.
I to have been blessed with hope. I hope to be back to work in the near future. I have been spending just about eight hours a day conditioning myself. Now that tDCS has eliminated some of the symptoms that landed me in the wheelchair I have been building up my strength and tolerance for activity. I never would have believed this last January, but now I am tending a vegetable garden!!!!!!!!! Last week I transplanted some sun flowers that I had started in small pots. About 75 of them. I have planted them everywhere I find a space. Sunflowers are so cheerful and tenacious, and start out small but persistently quickly grow despite the heat and scorching sun. They represent my journey from recovering from the devastation cause in my body by the Boston Scientific spinal cord stimulator. Most people do not recover from spinal cord stimulator induced spreads of neuropathic pain and in fact, they become worse over time, losing more function. Although I would not recommend a spinal cord stimulator to anyone who suffers from CRPS due to the high risk of spread tDCS may be an effective treatment for those CRPS folks who have had developed spreads from stimulators. My family thinks I am a little nuts. At a family cookout I was being quizzed about why I didn't just plant four or five sunflowers. Didn't want to go there with the whole family so I just said, "because that is how many seeds were in the packets, pass the potato salad please." Everybody here knows why I did it. Right???????? |
Dear James
I understand exactly regarding the press toward challenge with your crop of Sunflowers..... HOPE and REALIZATION of a dewam to conquer what CRPS brought to your life. My return full bore to my profession has been the manifestation of God's Great Blessing coupled with a huge heap of determination on my part!
Last night after interviewing a new pro bono client whose home is at risk, my wife and I returned home from the grocer....... I was at end of my tolerance. All walls crumbled and I began sobbing from the relentless right arm pain. Both my wife and our daughter began to sob along with me as they wrapped arms around me. I had lost my resolution to BE STEEL.... pain won last night..this morning I am between 8 or 9. Gotta go to office, some thin steel back in my emotions, but the pain is SO present. Doc sees me in three hours time. Hard to wait. Typing lefty right now. Right arm gone in full pain mode. I feel blessed, and looking forward to the appt, but my emotional strength to keep up the game face/the war face is ebbed. So tired. Ache so badly. Gonna make this and do my job. God carry me to the finish line today!!!! James!!! You hold on to that steel and grow rhose sunflowers!!! God is present and holding our arms all of the way..... all of the way! Praying for all of you today! Mark56:grouphug: |
Mark,
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I depend on my Faith in the Holy Trinity and to Mother Mary to close this path for me as well. I know only too well how "he" has tempted me; deceiving me how easy it would be to never feel pain and suffering again. We are all being tested; even the "devil" tested Jesus on the mountain. I pray daily God will guard and keep safe all those suffering from despair, despondency, depression and hopelesness. Also, Praying your appointment today will bring you good news and the beginning of treatment for this awful pain your arm is causing you.:hug: Gerry |
Humble Gratitude
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Gifting your prayers to me along with ALL of the many coming by way of many more found fruition in yesterday's Doc appointment. Sure, the night before I had, as Cleo described it to Doc, suffered pain of the arm at a 20 on the 10 scale. Pain is so subjective, that is all by which Docs have to learn how the pain report may be. That night before, I had to increase meds, including relaxation meds to be able to drift to sleep so the arms of Christ could receive me in rest to salve my wound, calm my crying. Next week according to Doc's plan, an early week cervical spine CT scan to zero in specifically on the area to treat, then meet Thursday to set the course for remediation through surgery we believe. Treatment is in sight. How glad am I and blessed to have my Boston Scientific Precision Plus SCS to handle all of the lower body pain, else, with this arm I should have gone purley mad by now. So blessed am I, and to have my dear Cleo alongside to hold me as I sobbed along with our daughter. I felt so bad my sobs made them cry as well. Even so, love poured over me as a wash meant to convey care and hope for a brighter future beyond this, hopefully, last obstacle on the near horizon of that undulating road we know as life spiced with pain. Oh My God, how I feel so blessed, Mark56:grouphug: |
Tears.....
Mark, it truly saddens me to know that you were in such a state the other night. I am so sorry.
Your most precious women were there for you, sharing in your tears. Your faith remains strong and you continue to confess your blessings, which keeps clear the channel between you and God's healing touch. He will wipe away those tears. Your day will come via any means necessary. If your healing comes with surgery, then so be it, but please God let it come SOON. May your Father's Day be Blessed to the Fullest measure! Rae :hug: |
Praying for you, my friend...
Oh Mark, I'm so sorry that the pain has been off the charts for you lately! It's hard to stay strong when your body is rebelling against all your positive thinking, hope, and desire to just be able to function reasonably well. Praise the Lord for your loving family there, holding you through the agony....I'm sure that you have been the strong one there for them so many times, and they are more than glad to be able to just hold you through this rough time. Lately I've made a list of those here amongst us and their respective prayer needs, and bringing each to the throne of God in prayer. You are certainly on the list! I don't know if prayer always changes "things" but I know that it changes "people". If nothing else, it changes the way we perceive our situations, and I also believe that prayer unleashes the grace of God in our lives, as we exercise our faith by believing that He is in control and trusting Him for the outcome. There's not much else I can do, but I can always pray, and you can be sure that I am praying for you (and for each of us) daily.
Gentle hugs, Jan :hug: |
God Changes
Thus it is so Holy a moment to witness when God brings change in a person. I, too, believe this is penultimate JOY!
Doc placed me on a stiff course of Decadron, then we agreed mutually I should take Vicodin, a mild approach to pain management until, AND ONLY UNTIL, Doc Sacha can bring the plan for relief to fruition after our consult next Thursday. He has arranged a CT Cervical Spine for early in the week to get this rolling, as neither he nor I wish to see a permanent nerve injury in this right arm. Until then, life is more manageable with both the strong steroid and pain med in the system. We will work to find God's answer, and humbly take His presence as a JOY in our lives. Stim still a Big Wow in the lower half of the body, and we are fast nearing my two year anniversary of its implant, 30 June!! We will have to gather at Pooh's for one great BBQ!!!! Thank you to all for many prayers, and I am so glad to be receiving them!! Humbly grateful, Mark56:grouphug: |
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Thanks so much to those who responded to my question about SCS "scarring-in"!! I feel more at ease now. I had so many questions regarding spinal cord stimulation but most have been answered in the many pages of this wonderful forum. Last week was a whirl wind of doctor appointments ending with a long dicussion with my pain management doctor, "Dr. B". Our dicussion started by his total understanding of my condition and laying out what he and my neurosurgen, "Dr Mac" had tried so far. Earlier this year, after complaining with pain in my lower extremities, while undergoing injections and planning for radiofrequency for pain in my neck and arms, pain management did a lower exam and sent me for a lumbar mri. The radiologists sent me right back over to Dr B and Dr Mac to discuss the results. I was diagnosed with a intradural/Extramedullary Primary schannoma tumor at level L1-L2. On March 31st, it was removed completely but the tumor had damaged a couple of nerves that it was attached to. Later, scar tissue formed causing involvment of more nerves. I have back, butt and leg pain, numbness in toes, burning heels, and some bathroom problems. Pain management tried blocks and sympathetic nerve blocks to no avail. My next step was to do a trial with the spinal cord stimulator. About a month ago, I underwent a physiological evaluation and waited on approval from our insurance. Last week began with a call from pain management. I will never forget that happy little voice on the other end that relayed the message..... Approved!!!!!!! My response.... Happy Dance!!!!!!!! My SCS Trial begins tomorrow (Monday) and ends Thursday. I am hoping that it will work as well as it has for most of you!!!! Thanks again for this wonderful forum and the people that make it so!!!!!!:grouphug: |
Dee!
That is WONDERFUL news! And you get to start the trial TOMORROW!!
This is very very exciting! Your doctor's are moving you right along and it sounds like they are working as a good team to see that you have this chance at better pain control. SCS is notorious for helping lower extremity pain. I am one of the lucky ones who gets the stimulation to reach my lower back also and I hope this will be the case for YOU. Remember, the MOST important thing about the trial procedure is good communication! Even tho you will be in a twilight daze from the anesthesia, you will still be able to think straight enough to tell him clearly where you feel the stimulation. Don't let them tape you up until they get it where it needs to be. The Rep will work with you as long as it takes. Also remember that since this is only the trial, the leads won't be sutured in very well. They will put alot of tape on your back. When I got home, I secured the wires with tape to another part of my back in addition to what they had done so that if I caught the wires on something around the house, such as a doorknob (and you probably will! :p), it wouldn't pull directly on the point of entrance. Lessens the chance of actually pulling the leads. make sense? You'll no doubt be sore the first day or two, so don't let that frustrate your trial time, that's to be expected. By day 3 on, you'll enjoy playing with the settings. Be sure to take note of how well the stimulation is covering your original pain - that's what's really important. The settings can always be adjusted and changed. Get a good nite rest and we'll anxiously be awaiting an update!! Rae :hug: |
Thanks Rae! I will have to get my hubby to pick up some extra tape! ;). Thanks again for such good advice!
I shouldn't have started my diet because i sure could use some chocolate right now!!!!! ;) |
Dee
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Rae is right on about the communication during the procedure. I believe a good part of my unsuccessful trial was due to my wanting to get the procedure over with. Didn't do enough to really continue until I was sure I had really felt the area most needed was being felt. Gerry |
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