You do mention a reality that is fundamental to my lifeline and that is yielding all of my stuff up to God in prayer. It is through that I came to the conclusion bringing all matters to the docs was the best way a good path would be shown. Goodness, there were 5, count them FIVE surgeons who at first did not want to treat me........

What did it come down to? Their realization that I was a lawyer involved in litigation [and fairly good at what I did even if I do say so myself]. Well, I became so outraged at the last refusal to treat, I demanded my complete file from the doc. He gave it AFTER dictating a letter to file proclaiming to anyone else who would see it that I am a lawyer. Now, I do realize lawyers are among the least trusted most foul creatures on the face of the earth, that is next to people who intentionally drive aircraft into buildings, but to refuse to treat on the basis of one's career. That was just too much.

It was at this point in my story God led us to a young neurosurgeon who said he was absolutely willing to help, and we had set up a followup meeting to discuss making ready. In the meantime, though, my body gave out-- it is referred to as cauda equina syndrome and meant that I no longer had control over the lower half of my body...... that and the fact that I was screaming into a pillow because it hurt SO BADLY. I would scream until finally I would black out from the pain. Surprise, my willing doc said this was an emergency case, and he got me into the first hospital in which he found a bed with which he had privileges. Not his hospital of choice, but a very good one nevertheless.

Did I tell him everything? Sure, even showed him the letter from Dr. Ding Dong in a VERY prominent practice hereabouts who dared to write the letter to file. My precious doc was beside himself why anyone would do that. With my wife that made three of us.

Prayin you appointment goes well,
Mark56
P.S. Take your wife with you to the appointment. She is an important part of your life and can fill in gaps you might not recall. I always did, and my wife has been indispensable. She has truly lived up to the vow- for better, for worse, in sickness, and in health= One of the great blessings God brought into my life almost 38 years ago.

I want to say thanks not for anything but for everything.
I have a good friend that is a lawyer and he still has God very much in his life , and in his practice ,he does the best he can and will be one of the first to say others in his field there are some on a path of destruction.
My records confuse me cause doctors contradict themselves,in one part they say opioid dependence and misuse , and then in the next line he says, I will continue to prescribe dilaudid to him because we have no other treatment medications that work for him?? I mean what?In another, Depression chronic and then, seems to have a very good concept of things and very pleasant personality. I mean for real,it seems like he is talking about two different people.
I will have my daughter with me she has been a big part in helping with the doctors , she is working to become a lawyer-wants to work with the military JAG--my wife wont be able to make this trip she has a new employee starting and must oversee the transition of that.

I want to apologize I just cant sleep been this way for about 2 months pain just wont let me and I seem to ramble on sometimes.

WDT- Pain puts us in a place where existing is difficult itself, rest interrupted, not always the best at communication because of rest deprivation and the very pain itself. This is a safe place in which to allow your feelings come into expression and your exploration of questions, just as you are, to occur. No apologies necessaryl

Praying for you come Monday,
Mark56

Thanks ,
It has been a day today, I watched my kids wash and wax the truck and wow I forgot how much work went into it,I couldn't believe that they even cleaned the inside and windows said they are getting it ready for the trip haha funny , I really have a great family.
Talk about sore though just sitting and watching them made pain flare up so I went and laid down for a long time.Anyway with the post you made this scs and reading about pain pumps do make me worried not real sure for what reasons but most likely will talk with the church in the morning about it.I know that a lot of answers will likely get answered at the consult.I really want to give the hand shake to you.I hope you had a great day.

Went and meet the pain management doctor Monday and before I got there my back felt like someone had been punching it, found out that I have got kidney stones ughh, anyway the doctor advised that he was unsure if the scs would even be possible due to my second surgery had been in the rear of my neck and there was a good chance scare tissue wouldn't let the needles pass through it, he was going to have to call the Boston Scientific team and see if any good results with this type of scs surgery and that he hasn't preformed this on someone that has had surgery in front of the neck and the rear.He also advised due to the government being so involved that I was pretty much going to have to live with the pain because I chooses to stop taking the meds that now all doctors will have to say I could live with out them even if I cant drive or go very far, no matter how many or how long the hospitals kept me that ,that would probably be the only way I would get help for the pain, so I guess I am making some very stupid decisions.So I am unsure what now.
On the other note I have never had kidney problems so I have to wait till its taken care of before any further attempts , and have to be off all meds 17 days before we were ever to consider it.I dont know what now just day by day.

Never had them myself, but WDT, learning you are also dealing with this complication to your situation sounds extra awful!!! I hope they are able to pass and the situation does not involve invasiveness of surgery! You might want to take a look at Tchr012 who has had complications of stones and SCS although her SCS is lumbar I think and not cervical as you are describing. Finonab also has cervical SCS, well actually she had both cervical and lumbar, so I am not sure whether her situation would be a close fit for you, but you could look up her threads on the Search function on the Task Bar above.

You mention Government, and I am not sure how Government is involved in your situation, but I have had Government involvement in my case as it started as Workmen's Compensation for an on the job injury and then Social Security became a factor, so I retained a lawyer to help me with the ins and outs because I needed an advocate who WAS NOT ME to take care of the battle to get me my due. If you are military, then I have not a clue about who advocates for you with the VA. But KZLRogue is former military and may have thoughts if that is your issue. She now has SCS and is golfing again and thinking of returning to Karate carefully.

I know the whole thing of considering SCS can be frightening, especially with the scarring compounding the situation. I have been there and felt the fears when I was considering it, but.... well.... for me it was more of the same old, same old, meds and more meds or this, and I am glad I prayerfully considered the approach. All I can do for you is pile on the prayers. Doin it!

You take care, and listen to your docs, ask questions without fear they will not respond, and God will weigh in,
Prayin,
Mark56