Where IS everyone??

I'll be the first to admit that I've been MIA.
Our sweet little forum has nearly come to be a ghost town. Thank you for the faithful ones who've kept the gate open

Slow seasons come and that's what we're in. I know some are still lurking....

It would sure be nice to hear from everyone and get an update on what's goin on in our lives.

I really do feel bad for not being on here regularly this past year.
It's been a very challenging year that's for sure. I am happy to share that my SCS is still doin good. However, I've been having some pretty bad issues with my spine. The back spasms have all but sent my sanity somewhere and I'm still looking for it. I recently found out that I've been walking around with 2 (maybe 3) ruptured discs for the past few yrs. Was led to believe that I had degenerating discs and nothing was done about it.
I will find out soon if I need surgery or what other options there may be.

Anyway, that's my update.
I hope everyone is doing ok......let us hear from you!

Rae

I've been here and there as well. But...Rae,you're right; we need to do a little less lurking and come up with some ideas; especially getting thru some of those "awful" days.

Just responded to Saffy. She's having ups and downs too!!!!


Gerry

Hi there, I'm guilty as charged of lurking and offering occasional fluff. Maybe it's the cycle of all things, we come together in bursts and at times of need and drop off again for a bit as things in our lives wax and wane. I am forever grateful to NT'rs who continue to get me and remain a constant in my unsettled life. I'm having the 2nd lead implanted this Wednesday under my new pain mgt doctor. He seems very nice and was completely understanding of my pain. I'm feeling quite nervous about the procedure given the last attempt was a failure with a 1hr procedure becoming 3 hours and the struggle to get the lead inserted in the spinal canal due to floating bone fragments blocking its passage. I worry the dura could be pierced again or worse, damage caused to the spinal cord itself. My husband has been seriously ill with Legionnaires disease (again) and it's been a tough 6 weeks. He will not cope well if something happens to me. So much to worry about!!

Please let us know how all works out with the surgery. Prayer are with you for both you and hubby.


Gerry

I am lurking also, don't want to burden the room with my "stuff" things pretty much remain the same

Not a burden. I really go out of my way to look if you have posted. I am amazed at the service you perform for so many when you yourself are dealing with so much pain.

I'm going back many, many, many years ago when I was in labor and was brought into the delivery room early. One of the nurses comforting me was herself pretty far along with her pregnancy. I remember thinking at the time she is watching me having some pretty nasty contractions knowing soon she herself would be enduring the same thing. It's something how certain things stay in your mind. I had so admired her for being with me.

Your posts, at times, have brought me back to that night/a.m. so long ago.


Gerry

Well I managed to survive my first week back at work, but was thankful it wasn't a full week and followed by a long weekend. Have had numerous phone calls chasing me to do overtime on my long weekend, but have avoided it as I'm trying to ease back into things and follow the PM's instructions.

Did my work medical last Monday, and they have allowed me to keep working with a few provisos, pending a further review in three months and with reports to come from the PM & GP. I think the problem is more that they know nothing about the SCS than it being a question of being able to do my job.

Other than that I am enjoying getting back to normality and it was an absolute joy to spend some time playing with my grandkids again. That on its own makes it all worthwhile.

Phil

I, too, am guilty of lurking . . . such a weird, good, bad, fun, stressful season of life that I find myself in.

Our 22 year old daughter, who has two children (our amazing grandkids), ages 2 and 4, is in the middle of a separation with her husband who is in the military. She and the grandkids moved in with us this past week. I am thrilled to have them, as they have lived so far away for so long, but life with toddlers is an adjustment.

Also this past week, in the midst of trying to reorganize our little, already filled-to-the-brim-house, to fit in three extra people and all of their stuff, we had to have our 14 year old MinPin dog put down. Excruciating decision, unbearable heartache.

In addition of that, my husband's company was just bought by a bigger company, and that is bringing huge changes - like changes in insurance, which messes with the deductibles we had already met from my surgeries, and the fact that instead of working from home - like he has done for the last 10 years - he may now have to go into their office, which will mean about 2 1/2 hours on the road each day. So that is a stressor.

But in the midst of all of that, I am happy to say that my stim is doing a pretty good job since the paddle/laminectomy revision surgery in June. I'm getting good coverage in my lower back, as well as my legs. They are still trying to figure out why I lose coverage when I lie down at night, but having good coverage during the day is a HUGE blessing!

Even though I've been mostly reading - with an odd comment thrown in here and there - please know that you each hold a very special place in my heart - the support and encouragement you have all provided means so much to me, and I wish we all lived closer together so that we could have more than just a virtual reunion. But, this works, too!

Blessings to you all!

=Becky

The fact that you are getting pretty good coverage during the day with the new stim is good news. With the hectic changes in your life; less pain is a big plus.


Gerry

Yup I'm here too. Lurking!!! Occasionally I do drop in and give my tuppence worth but mostly just read.

All going well with my SCS and life is pretty good. Thank God

I will keep on lurking and try to post more