Got some good news an' we got some not so good news. I'll insert each was we have our little talk this morn'n. Speak'n of morn'n, what the hell, my left shoulder is got a crick in it.....hurts like hell.
It didn't take me but a second to take a like'n to this doctor feller. He walk through the door with a smile on his face, reaches out his hand an' says "Mr. Piepmeier, I'm doctor so 'n so". We look over a MRI image an' he splain to me where my aches an' pains is com'n from.
Ok, now where was we? Son Billy came by for a visit....just check'n on his daddy ya know.
If'n I decide, I will have a laminectomy. The only option I was given. That's removing part of the bone thingys (lamina) that run up your spine to make more room in the spinal canal....not pinch no nerves no more. You can see in 2 or 3 places where, the doctor says is arthritis, an' needs to be removed. Chainsaw, grinders an' a big ol' hatchet. In case ya may want a better look at what he gonna do, here is a link. Laminectomy Video.
Now, let's take a look at the down sides of this operation. First an' probly most important, is I can have me a heart attack right there on the operat'n table. Because I take Plavix, and my age, the doc has some concerns. Will be off of Plavix for 2 to 3 weeks after the operation. Doctor Fronkerstine in Deming will be consulted if I can be off Plavix for that length of time. No aspirin for pain like I take now.
The next big concern is that the odds ain't all that good. 75/25%. The 75 being good results an the 25 being no relief at all. Old age is a factor in these numbers. Decisions decisions.
Of course "smok'n" was mentioned, as it slows down recovery time. So HE says.
Research on laminectomy shows that there could possibly be no relief from the pains in my lower back. That is what I have. Right hip an' lower back pain all the time. But, the lower extremities, both legs an' both feet, I should gain tremendous relief. Pains, swelling of feet, numbness of feet, both regular an' backards leg cramps, tingles an' shoot'n leg pains (sciatica). On top of that, the ability to take a "normal" whizzz. Oh shoot....just Google "laminectomy" an' see for yourself.
Then we come to a surgery date. Five weeks after I sign the papers. Then 3 or 4 days in hospital. Then wear a brace for 6 weeks. That puts me in the "peach state" up into November. An' it gets cold in November. As it does for the rest of the country. That makes total time to remain in Georgia right at 4 more months. That sucks.
Ok, on the bright side, I builded me a brand spank'n new drawer front. Looks much better than the other one. A little sand'n an' a couple coats of polyurathane, I can install this sucker on the drawer. But....the drawer ain't yet finished. Ya see, when we raised the refrigerator, we raised it too far. Ain't no way in hell anybody can remove it for repair 'cause it's jam up tight to the top framework. Gotta drop it 1/4 inch, then install the drawer guides. I love my projects.
Holy cows....here come "ya mama" for a visit. She's walk'n this soon after her operation.
See ya laters.
It didn't take me but a second to take a like'n to this doctor feller. He walk through the door with a smile on his face, reaches out his hand an' says "Mr. Piepmeier, I'm doctor so 'n so". We look over a MRI image an' he splain to me where my aches an' pains is com'n from.
Ok, now where was we? Son Billy came by for a visit....just check'n on his daddy ya know.
If'n I decide, I will have a laminectomy. The only option I was given. That's removing part of the bone thingys (lamina) that run up your spine to make more room in the spinal canal....not pinch no nerves no more. You can see in 2 or 3 places where, the doctor says is arthritis, an' needs to be removed. Chainsaw, grinders an' a big ol' hatchet. In case ya may want a better look at what he gonna do, here is a link. Laminectomy Video.
Now, let's take a look at the down sides of this operation. First an' probly most important, is I can have me a heart attack right there on the operat'n table. Because I take Plavix, and my age, the doc has some concerns. Will be off of Plavix for 2 to 3 weeks after the operation. Doctor Fronkerstine in Deming will be consulted if I can be off Plavix for that length of time. No aspirin for pain like I take now.
The next big concern is that the odds ain't all that good. 75/25%. The 75 being good results an the 25 being no relief at all. Old age is a factor in these numbers. Decisions decisions.
Of course "smok'n" was mentioned, as it slows down recovery time. So HE says.
Research on laminectomy shows that there could possibly be no relief from the pains in my lower back. That is what I have. Right hip an' lower back pain all the time. But, the lower extremities, both legs an' both feet, I should gain tremendous relief. Pains, swelling of feet, numbness of feet, both regular an' backards leg cramps, tingles an' shoot'n leg pains (sciatica). On top of that, the ability to take a "normal" whizzz. Oh shoot....just Google "laminectomy" an' see for yourself.
Then we come to a surgery date. Five weeks after I sign the papers. Then 3 or 4 days in hospital. Then wear a brace for 6 weeks. That puts me in the "peach state" up into November. An' it gets cold in November. As it does for the rest of the country. That makes total time to remain in Georgia right at 4 more months. That sucks.
Ok, on the bright side, I builded me a brand spank'n new drawer front. Looks much better than the other one. A little sand'n an' a couple coats of polyurathane, I can install this sucker on the drawer. But....the drawer ain't yet finished. Ya see, when we raised the refrigerator, we raised it too far. Ain't no way in hell anybody can remove it for repair 'cause it's jam up tight to the top framework. Gotta drop it 1/4 inch, then install the drawer guides. I love my projects.
Holy cows....here come "ya mama" for a visit. She's walk'n this soon after her operation.
See ya laters.
I am glad you have some firm information now.
ReplyDeleteNow what do I do??? I'm [this] close, but still a bit skeered.
DeleteMy advice on what to do is read carefully as to what the real expectations are if the surgery goes totally right. Phrases like "some relief" and "usually" were used a lot in what I read. In other words a 5% relief would make it 100% successful surgery! I also would need to know how much taking that large chunk of bone out of my vertical support member (spine) will effect my living. Also per your statement the area of least success is in the area of your worst trouble. There is a lot of ????? left in my mind from what I read in the link provided. That is my opinion as asked about.
DeleteThese decisions are awfully hard to make. Don't let the weather be too much of a hinderance though. Only you can decide what would be best for you.
ReplyDeleteGet er done BB. You can always buy your nephew a one way ticket on grayhound to come and drive DA house back to Stint on for the winter. That yay you and Sadi can lay in bed and read them cowboy books.
ReplyDeleteThe last I heard, a round-trip ticket was cheaper than a one-way ticket. Check it out. Then, just don't use half the ticket, the return part. That is, if you decide to get him to drive you back.
DeleteVada in Dublin,Tx.I kept checking for an update with a huge dread that the surgeon would tell you he could do nothing for you.At least he gave you a reasonable option to the horrific pain that you knew from experience would only get worse.Having that amount of control should make you feel better no matter what you decide.You have kids to do your Walmart runs and to bring you tacos as long as you are in Georgia so it getting cold shouldn't be all that bad.There are worse things than having to cover with quilts and read...and their hugs will help heal what ails you.
ReplyDeleteScared is a good human emotion if we don't let it stop us. We exercise caution, instead. By any chance did Doc So'n'so give you a guesstimate on what NOT having surgery will mean in future.
ReplyDeleteI know the medical community is all about separating us from ciggybutts and seegars these days, but they have known for a long time now about the impact of smoking upon healing. Might not be a tipping point but you seem like a fella who wants to know all sides of the situation. So, by the numbers, you have a 3 outta 4 chance of seeing some improvement. Better odds of survival than when I had open-heart surgery. A 1 in 4 shot of making things worse. A wildcat's chance of dying on the table from complications ... but that's to be expected, even when having a tooth filled under anaesthesia. In for a penny - in for a pound, the risk remains the same. Then again, there's always the chance some duffer like me lets fly a dimpled white bullet to your temple on the golf course. Same difference, dead is dead. You have to decide what is right for you -- we're just the Peanut Gallery. Good luck with whatever you choose.
Did you say a 75% chance of 'no more leg cramps' and all you have to do is were thermal long johns for November?
ReplyDeleteI'd do a lot not to wake up in the middle of the night with leg cramps....
I had to go off Plavix for several weeks before my gall bladder surgery. I loved it because I had no bruises and bleeding once I got off that stuff. (I never went back to it, and only take 2 or 3 baby aspirins a week now.)
ReplyDeleteNobody but you can say what you should do, but you know the pain you are in now - the possibility of elimination much of that pain is appealing. The best part is that you like the doctor!
It's a great situation to be in. You have an option. Your appointment could have gone in the other direction. You are alive and now have the choice of which road you want to travel. Give yourself a few days to think it over.
ReplyDeleteBillyBob - quite possibly with this surgery you would feel better than your recent comments, and, these are just a few.
ReplyDelete"Damn I hope I make it to 2015.
On the down side....I cain't play golf. Robert mentioned a round a couple times, but my back hurted too much to even think bout it.
For the last 3 or 4 days, I have gotten up hurt'n like hell an' don't care one way or the other. I know, I know....I'm whinn'n again. Boo Hoo Billy Bob.
Hurt all day long, don't give a crap....bout to give slap up on everthing."
Choices - surgery, or future nh
Sometimes a person uses the blog to think out loud and look at possible options, as well as to exaggerate and also to understate problems. I do this a lot, and some folks take my post word for word what I think or what I'm going to do. I'm sometimes just trying to figure out what I do think, and I believe Billy Bob does this too.
DeleteSleep on it, BillyBob, discuss with son Robert and the others, then make your own decision. Wil, Rob, and Gypsy seem to have good advice, but it's on your plate. We'll be behing you whatever.
ReplyDeleteGlad you liked the doctorin' fella, and glad this step is behind you.
Thanks for letting us know! Now i can get off this pins & needles cushion I been sittin' on ~
Billy Bob, you "fix" things. So, back up to a mirror and with your pocket knife, a putty knife, a screwdriver, a pair of channel locks, and some bailing wire and duct tape, I bet you could fix it yourself.
ReplyDeleteYou have a decision to make. By the figures, if you have the operation you have a 75% chance of feeling better, how much better is unclear. If you do nothing, you have a 0% chance of feeling better and life will continue as is. There is a chance of a catastrophe but he was careful not to say how much of a chance. This is something they have to warn you about no matter what they open you up for.
ReplyDeleteYour smoking will slow down recovery time and we know that laying around longer than necessary brings other dangers. But you always knew that smoking had no good benefits, it has increased risks ever since you started.
I think it just boils down to whether you feel the possible (probable) improvement in your quality of life is worth the sizable risks involved. That is a decision only you can make and like Contessa says, you are lucky to have options. I will be watching. Good luck!
hi B.B. i would not ever try telling you what you should do . i can only share how i feel if i had a choice to take way the pain or not . the way i see it , there is only one guarantee in life . no it is not taxes . it is that the sad truth is every one will die . we can chose how to life in between being born and dieing . if I had a choice to live with out pain or to reduce or get rid of the pain i would , i am pretty sure that if i die on the operating table i will be rid of pain . thus accomplishing my goal one way or the other.
ReplyDeletehi B.B. now if you go and decide to get your operation i can come and get you and drive your motor home hooked up with your beautiful white jeep cherokee and bring you back to sinton tx . maybe in sept. your when your read to travel .
ReplyDeleteor in october ,when ever your ready to travel , you can always come an other 175 miles straight south of sinton and stay where it is 175 miles warmer down here in the rio grande valley . it is still only $275 per month including electricity ,water ,sewer , garbage , mail box ect... . do not laugh , 175 miles south makes a lot of difference in temperature ,in winter it's approx. 1 degree per 50 miles south warmer .
ReplyDeleteB.B. did i ever tell you that the rio grande valley is a big play gound for the rich ,retired , old widow ladys winter texans , it is a smorgage board of rich old ladys wanting to have fun and meet some one just like you . there are so many things for you older peoples to do here .
ReplyDelete175 miles due south of Sinton is well into Mexico.
ReplyDeleteI think the odds of improvement are in your favor at 75/25; it would be a much harder decision for me it they were 50/50. Oh, do you know that your going to hurt some after he get through cutting? But, do you also know it is not going to get any better by doing nothing?
ReplyDeleteWhat I want to know is what the Doc thought about you sleeping with a bar of soap under your sheet, eating bananas, washing them down with Gatoraid and eating a packet of mustard when you get them forward and back'ard leg cramps? If his fix will do more to stop them than all those remedies then I say "Go For It".
Thinking any relief is better that what you are going through right now. The odds are in your favor.
ReplyDeleteThen there is the possibility of not having the operation and things getting worse. Or much worse.
ReplyDeleteGary
Only you can make the decision that you feel is the right one for you. You are fortunate in that you have an option and a family standing by your side willing to help out.
ReplyDeleteThank you for posting...I was worried.
I think you are lucky to have those odds and people around you that care AND a doctor you like. I must have surgery or lose my ability to walk--yep that bad. And will lose all control of bowels and bladder. my pain is tremendous, but I have no leg cramps. My only fear is being alone and getting some infection in my spinal column. But, I will take my chances...sigh.
ReplyDeleteDid you put the bar of soap under the sheet like I suggested? I never heard one way or another.
see dad, every body is like me... That is what I told you yesterday. I think that everyone has said what I said, and they are just as concerned with ur health as we are. If u are here into November so what. I have a 17000 BTU heater, we can load it up with Diesel Fuel of Good ole JP5 and blow you so heat. LOL
ReplyDeleteThank all of Daddy's supporters, I do appreciate it
Thanks
Billy
Billy, your Dad is a special man leading an interesting life and loved by many. We will all continue to support him in whatever he decides. Thank you for being there for him.
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