Surgery Scheduled

[queenofhearts]

My 3-level foraminotomy is scheduled for January 12. My NS said it would be an over-night stay in the hospital. I'll have about 21 days off work to recover before going back on patrol.

I'm going with the original NS who will preserve as much bone as possible for future cervical ADRs. Nothing much has changed with my symptoms even after 2-1/2 months of PT, traction, ice, heat and anti-inflams. Hopefully my bicep reflex and muscle will come back after the pressure is relieved. I had an EMG done a couple weeks ago that shows abnormal nerve function at C6-7 and C7-8.

And to top it all off, early Saturday morning, something happened to my "bad" arm but I still can't figure out what.....large red circular patch on my forearm right below the elbow in the big part of the muscle - swollen with a large hard raised lump directly in the center. No itching or mark in the center to indicate a spider bite. I don't even recall smacking my arm on anything to cause this - I'm sure I would have felt something.... I just don't have a clue. If its not better by Monday morning, I'll be calling the doc. The only other thing I can think of is maybe an infection - the swollen area is right where one of the EMG probes was placed, but that was a couple weeks ago.

If anyone has any ideas, please let me know.

[Harrison]

Doreen, this is all very troubling news. But like before, I can only offer you words of encouragement and support. You must be going crazy not knowing the cause of forearm patch. Why wait -- call your doctor or go to the ER...just in case?!

Rich

[Justin]

Doreen,

I am glad your surgery is scheduled. However, I wish you weren't in this situation to begin with. Anyway, I hope the foraminotomy will give you much needed relief.

I will be thinking of you on the 12th. Oh...about the arm, I would get it checked out to be safe.

Have a great holiday season "superwoman!"

Justin

[Poncho]

Hi Doreen ( aka Wonder Woman)

I have been thinking of you a lot here lately and I just hope this surgery works out for you. As for the patchy area - hummmmmm.....I'll send you a PM.

[Alastair]

Hi Doreen,
I can only wish you the "Very Best of Luck" with this in the world.

My word you have been through the "Mill" and been such a lady of Courage.

Even an "Old Brit" like me cannot but admire your courage and tenacity.

I`m thinking about you

Best wishes
Alastair

[ReachtheSummit]

Doreen,
I am both saddened and amazed at this news. You are an incredible inspiration with your never quit attitude. When I am crying in my wheaties over all the obstacles I have had to deal with. I often think of you and your own challenges which helps me keep to going. I will keep you in my prayers for a speedy and complete recovery! Please call anytime you need support or just to vent. I know how it is in this profession of ours where emotions aren't welcome and crying is taboo...just remember you deserve to have any feelings you want and hopefully there are people in your life to support you through them. Including those of this forum who "got your back"
as they say. (thought I'd throw in some spiney humor)
Jenny

[queenofhearts]

Thanks for the thoughts Jenny - I appreciate it. I'd like to cry or throw some sort of tantrum about this, but it won't make it go away. But I've about had enough.

I saw my primary doc today. He said it appears to be a nasty infection, most likely started with the EMG - nothing else to explain it at this point - and he's not sure what kind of infection. I'm on some heavy-duty oral antibiotics right now and see him again on Thursday. If it gets worse in the meantime, I'm to call day or night. If it hasn't improved any by Thursday, I'll be on IV antibiotics for a couple of days. My doc might also try and "culture" it, which will mean cutting into my arm. He wants this gone....and soon (me too). Oh...I'm also running a fever....and like an idiot, I'm working tonight - outside - in the rain...at least I've got central heating with the fever.

Hopefully the anti-b's will start working.

[Mariaa]

Hey Doreen,
Was surprised to read you're having more surgery tho I gather it's cervical this time. Hopefully once you get this arm infection under control, you'll move on to a successful cervical surgery and back into the swing of things.. as you seem to be a very hearty healthy type of person~
Best wishes for as great results as you had w/the low back and prayers also~ Maria

[queenofhearts]

Thanks Maria - I'd always thought I was pretty healthy, outdoors most of my life doing whatever activities sound fun. Now I feel like I'm falling apart from the inside out.

[queenofhearts]

Update: The 3 docs who worked on my arm yesterday all pretty much agreed the infection was from the EMG needle placement. I guess no matter how clean and sterile everything is, it can still happen - it is one of the listed side effects, but is considered rare.

The infection is in my left forearm muscle - and possibly in the bone just below my elbow. My arm was numbed and cut into with a scalpel yesterday - OUCH! Infected material was expelled from the incision, but not enough to make the docs happy. I have to keep the wound open with hot compresses through Saturday so it can continue to drain. Some type of infectious disease doc will be seeing me on Saturday.

My doc thinks the infection is compartmentalized and they can't cut deep enough in an "office" setting to get it open. If its not getting better by Saturday, a couple things might happen. One would be the IV antibiotics, and the other would be surgical debridement (not looking forward to THAT!). My arm would be cut into, cleaned and then left open to be treated further - meaning a hospital stay while its open. The docs are worried about the infection getting to the bone.

I guess I won't be buying any lotto tickets this week with my luck.