I Need Your Opinion (Very Serious)

[duckman]

Just recently, I injured my neck while helping out my aunt with her yard. I brought over my lawnmower because hers was broken. While lifting the mower from out of my trunk, I felt something "popped" in my neck. Since then, I've dealt with periods of numbness and loss of fine motor skills in my right arm for the past five weeks.

Yesterday, I went in and finally had an MRI done on my neck after scheduling for one back in May. I called the hospital yesterday to get an appointment and was told I could see my doctor next week.

Well, I just received a call from the hospital telling me that my doctor needs to see me first thing in morning. I asked about the results, but the person on the phone said I would need to see the doctor for the results. I've never had an appointment moved up over a test result, so I really don't know how to guage this. Is my neck injury that serious?

I'm worried about it because I'm enrolled for the summer semester and I don't want my education delayed by surgery and a possible long recovery period. So I'm wondering what you guys think?

[Draft Dodger]

I think you need to see the doctor in the morning, and hold off your worrying until you know for sure you have something to worry about

[JeeberD]

Exactly, your appointment is just around the corner. There's no use in getting all worked up until you know what you're facing, bud.

P.S.

I see you.

[terpkristin]

Ditto what DD and JeeberD have said...don't get yourself worked up until there's a reason to be worked up.

That said, if you DO need some sort of surgery, better to get it out of the way and start recovering now than later. I understand the dilemna--most of my surgeries have interfered with school, forcing me to either a) withdraw from a class or b) play serious catch up. You sound like you're serious about school, though, so if "b" is the case, you should be just fine (motivation goes a long way).

That said, here are some things to keep in mind when talking to the doc if he recommends surgery:
1. Ask how long you'll have to be off of school/work.
2. Ask how long you'll be uncomfortable and/or on narcotic pain medication.
3. Ask how long you'll have to rely on others (especially for things like driving, which is usually important for school)

After you know these answers, you can make a decision about school. For summer classes, it IS admittedly difficult to play catch up...at least at UMD they're quite a bit shorter than regular semester classes and thus much more material is covered per week. If you think you can swing it, though, and surgery is the way you have to go, talk to your profs AS SOON AS YOU KNOW. Explain the surgery (briefly), how long you'll be out, and ask them if the can help you make a plan to either a) still manage in the class or b) postpone taking it (perhaps an advisor can help here, too, especially if money is involved and the class has already been paid for). Be honest and open, and where possible, flexible. Profs don't usually mind helping out if they can, especially if they know in advance what's going on. I've had to do this 3 different times for various surgeries, and it's worked for me.

But, if you need surgery, now is the time to deal with it. The more ou put it off, the worse things will be (from my experience anyway). And either way, good luck. Let us know how things turn out.

/tk

[duckman]

I'm probably more worried about this because it's my third injury to the neck.

[albionmoonlight]

Good luck. Maybe the doctor just wants to go on vacation a week early and moved up all his appointments.

[Franklinnoble]

Cowboy up.








... just kidding. I hope everything's OK. Keep us posted.

[Lorena]

Sending some positive thoughts your way, hope everything is okay.

[Flasch186]

good luck...popping = bad, usually

[Eaglesfan27]

Originally Posted by albionmoonlight

Good luck. Maybe the doctor just wants to go on vacation a week early and moved up all his appointments.

I've done that before.

I'm not going to speculate what this might be, but like others have said there is no use in worrying about it until you see the doctor. Of course, I know how hard it can be to control anxiety. Try to do something relaxing tonight. You know it isn't anything VERY serious since they didn't ask you to come in immediately. Good luck tomorrow.

[cthomer5000]

Lake Monsters fans are wimps.


Seriously though, if you're going to think about this at all tonight just think about what you'll need to do (from a technical standpoint) if you do in fact have to pull out of those summer classes - those may at least be constructive thoughts. But personally, I'd do something else to try to get my mind off it until I spoke with the doctor. Just don't sit arround worrying all night, it won't help in the least.

Best of luck and keep us posted.

[Rizon]

Sounds like herpes to me.

[Draft Dodger]

Originally Posted by Rizon

Sounds like herpes to me.

doesn't everything

[Suicane75]

Originally Posted by Rizon

Sounds like herpes to me.

Taste it and find out.

[duckman]

Thanks everybody for the advice.

I just got back in from mowing the yard (with my rider, of course). It really helped with the anxiety about seeing the doctor tomorrow. I think I will play some games to keep me occupied for the next few hours before heading to bed.

[duckman]

Originally Posted by Suicane75

Taste it and find out.

You go first, stud muffin.

[jamesUMD]

Try to limit worry to things that you have control over. That's how I have always tried to manage stress. Good luck @ the doc's office.

[MizzouRah]

I hope everything goes well duckman.


Todd

[Cuckoo]

I wish you the best as well, duckman. Hope all goes okay and the worrying is all for nothing.

[ThunderingHERD]

"But you haven't heard anything yet, so... don't you think your negativity is a little premature?"

[duckman]

Okay, I went to the doctor this morning. I asked him if my MRI was normal. He said that on the contrary it was "very abnormal." It seems I have a "growth" along my spinal column putting pressure on it.

I asked him if it was cancer and he replied that the report says it's likely "trauma related" and not cancer. He also said it wasn't swelling, so "conservative measures" would not relieve my symptoms. He told me it's imperative that I get an appointment with the neurosurgeon as soon as possible.

He called the neurology clinic while I was sitting in his office. He told the woman that my condition is "urgent" and I need to get in to see a surgeon by next week. After the call, he told me I should hear something about an appointment with the clinic by next week. He also gave me the number to the clinic in case I don't hear from them by the middle of next week.

He also told me to come in if the conditions worsen. Not very good news.

[judicial clerk]

Duckman, your condition could be urgent because something putting pressure on the spinal column can cause irreversible nerve damage. If you are not suffering the symptoms of nerve damage currently or if the symptoms are new, then maybe you are actually in good shape and they are acting quickly to help alleviate or avoid those symptoms from occuring.

I had surgery to fix an abnormal condition causing pressure on my spinal column. In my case, I had a herniated disk that was putting pressure on my spinal column caused by going heads up with too many punk defensive ends and linebackers and trying to squat more wieght than I could handle while keeping proper form. My doctors also treated my condition with urgency even though I had the injury for years.

[KevinNU7]

Not terrible news either. When I read the first two sentences I was horrified for you. Atleast it was cancer. Good luck with everything in the approaching weeks and beyond.

[terpkristin]

As weird as it sounds, I'm glad it's not something "more serious" like cancer.
I'm sure that the urgency with which they're treating this will mean a quicker and better recovery for you. While surgery is never fun and is always inherently risky, this one doesn't sound like it could be that bad...a quick in and out.

Either way, we're with you. Good luck!!!

/tk

[JeeberD]

[MizzouRah]

Everything will be fine duckman.. spinal column issues are always urgent I would assume.


Todd

[Raiders Army]

Hope you'll be okay. Have you tried to get a second opinion?

[duckman]

Originally Posted by Raiders Army

Hope you'll be okay. Have you tried to get a second opinion?

That's what the neurologist will do. He will reevaluate the MRI and give his/her diagnosis.

[Grid Iron]

Given your current symptoms, I'd say that was a relatively good diagnosis.

As long as it isn't cancer, it seems likely they will be able to remove and/or fix the problem.

Hang in there, dude! You're going to be just fine.

[Eaglesfan27]

Good luck with everything.

[duckman]

I wouldn't rule out cancer, yet. This was a general practitioner who was reading the report of the MRI. I would bet that the neurosurgeon will want to look at the MRI before ruling out cancer. Hopefully, it is something benign and can be taken care quickly with little trouble.

The biggest concern is money. I'm getting paid by the VA to go to school through a stipend and a work-study position at the unemployment office. If I have to drop out due to this problem, I will lose over 60% in income. That would put me in a serious bind because I barely was making it on my current income.

Hopefully, I can wait until the summer semester is over to get treatment, recover during the break, and return to school by the time the fall semester comes around.

[Draft Dodger]

good luck man

[Flasch186]

you're going to be just fine....good luck

[duckman]

I got some good news this morning. I got a call from the hospital to tell me that I got my neurology at 1pm on Monday. The VA healthcare system is notorious for long waiting periods for appointments, so I'm glad I can get in quickly.

By the way, thanks everyone for the well wishes. They do mean a lot to me.

[Fonzie]

Hang in there duckman. I'll be sending some happy thoughts your way.

[Kodos]

I hope this is something they can take care of and you can move on from relatively soon. The Lake Monsters need their fans!

[CHEMICAL SOLDIER]

I hope it's nothing too serious. Hang Tough Dude!

[Tara]

Good luck man. I hope everything will be fine. BTW is good to know you can get your appointment so quickly. Keep us informed.
Good luck again.

[Chas in Cinti]

Good Luck Duck... I echo the thoughts of everyone else that ALL spinal column issues are urgent... Sounds like your diagnosis was the "best" of the "worst" in some respects... Keep us updated and relax this weekend...

[MIJB#19]

Keeping my fingers crossed for ya, Duckman.

[condors]

good luck

[CamEdwards]

you're in my prayers duckie.

[duckman]

I just returned from a four hour apointment in the neurosurgeon clinic.

Basically, I have a bony growth (possibly a tumor) on the outside of the C1 disc that's putting pressure on my spinal cord. He's concern because my symptoms have gotten worst and will probably continue to get worse. I'm now having tingling and numbness in my right leg. He wants to do the surgery on the 28th. He told me I would be in the hospital for three to five days.

I will be getting a CAT scan done on my neck for a better look of the growth. I will also have to get a copy of the MRI on my neck from last year for him to compare to this current one.

I've been told I can't drive my car until I've been cleared by the doctor. I'm also to avoid turning my head because one wrong turn could enough pressure to stop my breathing. If my condition worsens over the next eight days, I am supposed to call him directly, so I can get into the operating room as soon as possible.

I let you guys know any new information when I get it.

[Suicane75]

Stay strong man, we're all having good thoughts for ya.

[Franklinnoble]

I'm going to hell...

[korme]

ducky, you will pull through this. good luck buddy.

[JeeberD]

Take care, duckman. Even though you're an Okie you're a good guy and I don't want to see anything bad happen to you...

[terpkristin]

Good luck duckman!
You'll get through this just fine, I'm sure!!!

We're all here for you.

/tk

[Glengoyne]

Originally Posted by duckman

I just returned from a four hour apointment in the neurosurgeon clinic.

Basically, I have a bony growth (possibly a tumor) on the outside of the C1 disc...

Oh my cousing had one of those bony growth/tumor things removed once....it was actually his dead twin brother that he'd been carrying around inside him since before he was born. Wouldn't that be cool?

[Honolulu_Blue]

Good luck with all this, mate.