Well, it seems that I have a bit of tumore in the space over my spinal cord at the waist - good news is that radiation easily kills it to relieve the pressure. I started last Thursday and have completed 3 (of 10) treatments and already things are better.
Once I can get in and out of bed onto a chair without the aid of big men, I will home - stay tuned.
Bill
BTW - Thank you for not send flowers! They block the vents of the air conditioning.
Schnapps - now ur talking.
Monday, June 18, 2007
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Down but not out........
As things were not improving, I checked myself into St. Agnes Hospital. I am now finding myself in need of treatment for paralysis. More than likely this treatment will be in the form of radiation therapy. I expect to be here for one week before I am back on my feet. Please no flowers.....but I do enjoy pithy (or obscene!) get well cards. And, if you are up to it....smuggled liquor. Stay tuned.
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Goin to Work
The doctoring continues: Dr Weins would like me to see Dr Davidian for steroid or anesthetic injections where the spinal nerves are being pinched.
I returned to work at the Dept of Rehab and had no problem getting around. Once the medical issues get settled, I hope to go back top my usual workload.
Tomorrow we drive to the City for a Thursday appointment.
Cya
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Sopranos
Sunday Thoughts
A blog reader, after looking at my abdominal CT scan commented "That liver looks like it's been ridden hard and put away wet a few times. :)". In actual fact, the radiologist who interpreted the scan commented on seeing 'fatty infiltration of the liver'. I don't think my liver got fat eating an extra serving of broccoli; I will have to take better care of it - anyway, fat is not such a bad thing.
My Vitamin B-12 level was low so I got a B-12 shot Friday - so far --> nothing seems to be changing but how did I get low on B-12???, especially with my gluttonous eating behavior on the cruise.
Last night Dave and Laura came out and helped prepare dinner: perfect night for a patio dinner but probably not the best of nights for the liver. Tonight we are having a mini-last-Soprano-episode dinner. Should be a hoot.
Of course the big news is the arrival of Sarah Cassidy Kennedy in Santa Barbara - Mommy and baby are doing fine (come on Steve- start firing pictures my way).
As to health issues, things are going along pretty good, mainly because of my caretaker.
Also, my primary care doctor has, as Emeril says, "kicked it up a notch" and I have much more pain free episodes.
In the next couple of days I should be able to get my hands on a motorized wheelchair or scooter and that will simplify things.
Anyway, goodbye to Tony Soprano.
Oh, BTW, a very food friend (Ed Pierce)had the honor and duty of throwing out the first pitch at Dodger Stadium the other night - they tell me it was a strike.
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My Vitamin B-12 level was low so I got a B-12 shot Friday - so far --> nothing seems to be changing but how did I get low on B-12???, especially with my gluttonous eating behavior on the cruise.
Last night Dave and Laura came out and helped prepare dinner: perfect night for a patio dinner but probably not the best of nights for the liver. Tonight we are having a mini-last-Soprano-episode dinner. Should be a hoot.
Of course the big news is the arrival of Sarah Cassidy Kennedy in Santa Barbara - Mommy and baby are doing fine (come on Steve- start firing pictures my way).
As to health issues, things are going along pretty good, mainly because of my caretaker.
Also, my primary care doctor has, as Emeril says, "kicked it up a notch" and I have much more pain free episodes.
In the next couple of days I should be able to get my hands on a motorized wheelchair or scooter and that will simplify things.
Anyway, goodbye to Tony Soprano.
Oh, BTW, a very food friend (Ed Pierce)had the honor and duty of throwing out the first pitch at Dodger Stadium the other night - they tell me it was a strike.
If you would like to automatically receive a copy of my posts within 24 hours of posting, please submit your e-mail below
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
Scan-O-Rama
Well, early to rise and off to Physician's Imaging for some more scans. There were multiple scans today - CT Scan of the Thoracic Spine, CT of the Lumbar Spine, CT of the Abdomen and CT of the Pelvis. To prepare you must drink a Barium - Raspberry flavored contrast liquid and then wait.
Multiple images are then rendered for review by the mucky mucks.
Upon close inspection there appears to be bone spurs, calcium and sundry gunk irritating the spinal nerves, enough to cause a serious back ache.
So, following the scans, it is off to see my doctor (Dr Jones) who spent a couple of hours with me and came up with a treatment plan that should keep me busy counting pills.
Another glitch - my insurance company has not 'approved' the medication and the pharmacy does not stock it - so it will be another 48 hours with the Gin and Juice and then I can get going into twenty first century pain management.
Anyway - rejoice - the culprit seems to have been uncovered, help is on the way, and no more scans for awhile.
If you would like to automatically receive a copy of my posts within 24 hours of posting, please submit your e-mail below
Multiple images are then rendered for review by the mucky mucks.
Upon close inspection there appears to be bone spurs, calcium and sundry gunk irritating the spinal nerves, enough to cause a serious back ache.
So, following the scans, it is off to see my doctor (Dr Jones) who spent a couple of hours with me and came up with a treatment plan that should keep me busy counting pills.
Another glitch - my insurance company has not 'approved' the medication and the pharmacy does not stock it - so it will be another 48 hours with the Gin and Juice and then I can get going into twenty first century pain management.
Anyway - rejoice - the culprit seems to have been uncovered, help is on the way, and no more scans for awhile.
If you would like to automatically receive a copy of my posts within 24 hours of posting, please submit your e-mail below
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
Short Blog
I went to visit the Bone Doctor today
To see if there is a better way
...To reduce the pain
...and keep me sane
He ordered more scans...we'll see what they say.
More tomorrow
(Could you pass the gin over this way pleaz)
To see if there is a better way
...To reduce the pain
...and keep me sane
He ordered more scans...we'll see what they say.
More tomorrow
(Could you pass the gin over this way pleaz)
Friday, June 01, 2007
New Directions
Well, no more doctor visits for a while - have to deal with being loopy and getting on with he rest of my life - imagine - I was snorkeling in French Polynesia two weeks ago and now I need help getting out of the tub - yikes.
So I decided to go back to work and visited my favorite patients -- those in long term care at Wish-I-Ah. Margret is a dear dear soul who has spent most of her adult life in some custodial situation but all agree she gives the best hugs. I had the nurse snap a pic of us yesterday and Margaret was pleased (she is 86) and gave permission to publish (HIPPA be damned)!
Today, I went to a Health Faire at the Oncology Clinic.
- vendors and food and hooked up with Andrew - the guy who get can get me into a chair - the technology has produced some screaming action - so I tried it on and am making an application with my Insurance Company to get one - mostly to prevent falls and increase home mobility. Check it out.
Carole is a bit skeptical.
I am not so sure about the balloons but I like the look!
Dave and Sylvia came out and we barbecued some delicious Bentley's kabobs and pounded through a couple of pitchers of Dave's Famous Margaritas, and then a couple more.
All is well
So I decided to go back to work and visited my favorite patients -- those in long term care at Wish-I-Ah. Margret is a dear dear soul who has spent most of her adult life in some custodial situation but all agree she gives the best hugs. I had the nurse snap a pic of us yesterday and Margaret was pleased (she is 86) and gave permission to publish (HIPPA be damned)!
Today, I went to a Health Faire at the Oncology Clinic.
- vendors and food and hooked up with Andrew - the guy who get can get me into a chair - the technology has produced some screaming action - so I tried it on and am making an application with my Insurance Company to get one - mostly to prevent falls and increase home mobility. Check it out.
Carole is a bit skeptical.
I am not so sure about the balloons but I like the look!
Dave and Sylvia came out and we barbecued some delicious Bentley's kabobs and pounded through a couple of pitchers of Dave's Famous Margaritas, and then a couple more.
All is well
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