The Down Range Forum
Member Section => Prayer Requests => Topic started by: santahog on February 04, 2013, 12:56:38 AM
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I'm headed into surgery on my back on Valentines Day down at the VA. The help there isn't very comforting, I have to admit.. The lady doing my interview for this one was writing my info in a file belonging to a 150 lb lady sitting across the room. She realized it and rolled across to swap them, and came back with the same one.. Anytime I tried to point something out to her, she looked at me like I was being rude..
I guess if I come out better looking, there was a mix up somewhere along the line..
Being honest about it, I'm not healthy enough for the procedure. I'm about out of dodges on this one though. I can't move..
I'm not sure I even see the point in it as the procedure isn't even intended to help my back, but just make a little more room in my spine for the nerves headed southward..
This will be the first time in 25 years that I'm headed into the OR with nobody there waiting for me.. I think that one weighs more on me than anything else.. At least the last time I was in a bay full of soldiers with interesting stories, and a young, inexperienced nurse to tease..
"Grunt".. Not much else to say about it, I guess..
Pray for whatever, I guess.. I dont' even know what I'm supposed to be asking for, other than His will be done, and (very) adequate pain meds to last as long as I need them to, and being able to reach my butt, if I wake up and the pneumonia doesn't get me..
Anyway.. That's it..
Thank you.. I do appreciate it alot.
A friend nearby is better than a brother far away.. Some of you are closer friends than you know..
Thank you..
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Prayers going your way.
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Added!!!!!
God Bless,
Richard
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SH -
Prayers for you and will continue. Ask someone to go with you, drinking buddy, someone from church, ask for their help. It's hard for guys to do that, but it will help. And if you ain't a church-goer, find out which one someone you respect goes to, and go talk with their pastor.
In the meantime, keep your prayers going too, and know that your brothers here are helping out best we can as well. You have the right idea, God's will be done.
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Added also.
Sent you a PM!
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It's going to work out, my friend. I don't know how, but I know it is going to work out.
A lot of people complain about the VA, but when it comes to surgeries, I am convinced that the docs who get the most practice are probably the best surgeons. And those docs at the VA get an awful lot of practice.
VA docs cut on me a couple of times to install some after-market hips, and I have no complaints about the skill levels demonstrated. Of course, I will never be a butt model, but that career choice wasn't too high on the "likelihood scale" anyway.
Just know your buddies here have your back and that you are firmly ensconced in God's comforting hands. And remember that sometimes God's miracles come at the hands of a skilled surgeon.
Be at peace, my friend. God remains in total control.
Crusader
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You're in our thoughts and prayers for sure. Just hand it over to God... He's going to take care of you just like He has always done before. Everything unfolds according to His plan and take comfort in knowing that His love for you is greater than we can comprehend. And you are not alone, my friend, for He is with you every step of the way.
John
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Thanks guys. I appreciate it alot..
Maybe being by myself will allow me to get mad enough to push myself out of the bed without the well-meaning but unhelpful folks who are only trying to help.. I don't really like an audience when I'm dealing with this kind of stuff anyway..
A new hip!! That's one of my requests I'm going to lobby for (again) to have done "while I'm out anyway". I already asked for the hemorrhoid thing as was flatly refused.. I get it, but I had to ask.. Maybe I can get the guy to at least put a shot of cortisone in one (or both!!) at least.. Those things hurt like hell!! I'd rather be asleep for that if it's all the same..
Worst he can say is "no"..
The VA "surgeons" are fine. This one is at UAB and takes patients from VA. He's got a record that's better than 95% of the rest of the country for this procedure. It's "the help", and the Drs at the CBOCs that give me the headaches..
Down here, and I know this sounds like somebody I'm not, but the Affirmative Action hires are the concern. I came into the VA system via New England, where for better or worse, folks can at least read and understand normal conversation and instructions without defensive pride and insecurity..
My "assigned" GP informed me right up front that what I'm taking now for pain, she "doesn't give", nor does anybody else here. Well, that's a comfort.. She continued what I already had, just because a more qualified Dr had already signed off on it, "and I persisted"..
This GP doesn't do anything for herself. Anything I bring up, she automatically refers me to Birmingham. It's STREP!! It's a SINUS INFECTION!! It doesn't require me to spend a bunch of gas money to deal with this! Shes useless..
On top o that, if you voice an objection too strongly down here, they tell you they call the Cops, and if you press it, they do..
One more tool to permanently queer a NICS check for somebody..
I've ranted too much here..
Thank you.. Sorry.. I appreciate the prayers and thoughts.
The only one offering to hang out with me is a sister who makes a clumsy art of stealing pain pills from family members at every opportunity.. Pass..
Thanks guys.. I'll let you know how it came out.. Thank you..
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I saw what you described through dealing with the VA hospital with my f-i-l. He had some good docs, but was surrounded by what may be described as the "lowest common denominator" for caretakers. My wife and I usually did more for him when he was there several times a year than the staff (and actually aided several other patients in the same room also).
Prayers and best wishes for you, SH.
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santahog,
My prayers for a smooth and swift recovery are with you.
God Bless.
tw
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Thank you, guys.. I appreciate it..
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"This time tomorrow"...
I woke up this morning with a smell in my nose that I haven't smelled since "life was new"..
I lived 5 years in KS. If you've had the opportunity to notice, out that way has a different smell than Back East does.
I can't describe it other than to maybe call it a little musty, maybe. Flowers don't really have a smell out there, compared to places that have a higher humidity, (and maybe a lower altitude??)..
Anyway, I came of age out there. The Lord called me down south, but I "grew up" out that way..
When I left KS, I forgot that smell in a couple of years I guess.
I woke up with that smell in my head/nose this morning..
Life was new back then. More fragrant & tactile.. Funnier & less predictable..
A sunrise and a cup of coffee was an ideal moment, given to a proper examination of life and thankfulness..
Blessings were like water to silt. They just carried me along the way, to ever broader, more interesting places..
Lately, I seem to have become part of the sand bar at the mouth of the river, where folks trying to go along their way get stuck on. It seems to take a hurricane or flood to move me.. Seems like the only ones inviting me to come along are going someplace I've already been or have no intention of going.. I've never liked going backwards. It's never what it was when I was there before.. I'm pretty sure that's a good summary for why I don't like being where I am now..
("A prophet is not without honor except in his own country".)
Folks here expect me to either be a easily led, sweet little kid or a (now matured) pothead.. I'm neither. Those first two incarnations of "me" died a very long time ago. May they rest in peace..
I'm here, and as long as I'm able, I'll fight for the things that I know are right, true and just, as far as I can see, and to the best if my ability, but it isn't much fun anymore..
I liked it better when life was new..
Thanks for listening..
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My prayers for you today are that God will guide the hands of your surgeon, that your recovery is rapid and complete, and that the newness of life envelopes you in comfort, peace and contentment.
By the time you read this, I'm sure you will be well on your way to no more back pain. Now, your job is to do what the doc says, follow the therapist's instructions, and know the cutting is done and the healing begun.
May the blessings of our Lord be with you, now and in the days to come, my friend.
Crusader Rabbit
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Hope everything went well today and you're on your way home soon. Thought of you several times.
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Just got back in a few minutes ago. Can't really walk or type or dress myself or anything else, (until the drugs kick in..)
They gave me a walker. I named it Walker, Texas Ranger, because I don't drink scotch..
This is what they did..
http://www.understandspinesurgery.com/Videos/Watch/Decompressive-Lumbar-Laminectomy
L-3 to S-1, 4 vertebrae. They leave the damn thing open!! The Dr spoke of that part of the bone as "superfluous"!! I'm not convinced of that, and I don't know if the bone grows back, but done this way, it's probably not good if it does..
They put a cath in me.. After it came out, those kidney stones that nobody can seem to find are much more noticeable. I farted through my penis.. :o That was "new"... Not something I want to repeat.. I happened to be curled up in a ball anyway and actually watched it happen..
Don't you just love going to the hospital?!..
I'm here. I hurt.
Thank you for your prayers!!!!
I'll be on the sidelines for a while..
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Prayers for you brother. I just picked up on this post.
I might have missed it, but which VA hospital in which town?
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Hang in there Santa. Sometimes, well usually, the recovery takes more out of you, short term, than the problem did.
It is not good if you aren't sure you trust what the Dr. says. I've had Dr.s become quite peeved when I mentioned I thought I'd get another opinion. I didn't feel very comfortable knowing the man who was likely gonna cut on me was ticked at me.
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Time (and some good drugs) is your friend, brother.
Each hour, each day, each week you will hurt less until the pain is mostly gone--even without the painkillers.
And, you will discover that the absence of constant pain is like a huge weight has been taken from your shoulders.
It will change your entire outlook on life.
You will rediscover somethings that have long been missing: joy; happiness; pleasure.
May God speed your healing, my friend.
Crusader Rabbit