August 13. 2008

A short summary of this journey that started July 13: Weird numbing feelings below the belt -- blamed it on too much Thai food (ha) or a bug bit, that week I dealt with the "pain" waiting for it to go away. July 21: These dates get mixed up but basically I wasn't getting any better and what I was experiencing became painful. I went to a ER room where the doctor ordered an MRI. The results showed two cysts, one on the ovaries (simple and benign - no worries, just a coincidence) and a cyst at the end of my spin. Fine I thought -- remove it. HOWEVER, the neurosurgeon could not put the location of the cyst to the existing pain. Hmm....second opinion. Now at the Bumrungrad International Hospital, new neurologist, finds new stuff. The protective liquid that covers the spine is MIA through L2 - L4. He orders another MRI. The new MRI is a mystery, not sure what it is, he suggests a biopsy. By this time in the game I'm scheduled to fly home on the 28th so I'm pick this all up when I get home. The flight home was horribly long and uncomfortable. I had wheel chair assistance between flights, thank you! I overheard a man comment to his children, perhaps grandchildren, that next time they fly they will get someone in a wheelchair so they wont have to wait in line. As to which I replied (although not invited into the conversation - the level of his voice I perceived as an invitation), "I'd rather be walking and waiting then in this wheelchair.". He disagreed. I was in shock. Dan and Jon met me at O'Hare, rolled up to them with my United wheels and wanted it all to look different. I wanted the pain to go away but it persisted. ER at Delnor on the 28th, transfer to Loyola. More MRI's on Tuesday, 4.5 surgery on Wednesday. ICU Thursday, transfer out later that day (or was that Friday?). The mystery mass has metastasized melanoma leisons and a leison was also found on the brain. Chemo or something is recommended for my future but for now we're working on getting my strength back. Leave for Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital the next Friday.