Life in Mexico.

[Tetge]

There are a lot of factors to consider as having elective major surgery is never an easy decision. I also neglected to note that I really liked the discussions that I had with the surgeon who did my hip replacement. He instilled confidence in me, and, even though, mainly because of fear of the entire replacement process, I delayed as long as I could, I asked for him when I finally pulled the plug and decided that I could wait no longer. He still had the same character and approach after 8 years in the trenches, and he also did a good job. It really helped me work up my courage that I felt that he would be as competent as he said he was, as he told me multiple times that he was really good at what he did. And, the first thing that he said to me when I regained consciousness, as he was present at that point, was that it went really well and he was extremely pleased with the job he did. Some would say he was arrogant, but, he did not come across as arrogant to me. Just a person who knew that he was skilled at his craft, which, by the way, he compared to being a carpenter.

So, your evaluation of the accuracy of the medical advice that you have received, and your feelings about the competence of the surgeon, and their team, can play a major role in making a final decision. Sometimes, they scare you, partially for effect, but, sometimes what they say is actually the truth.

[jhwalker]

"sometimes what they say is actually the truth." I hadto re-read and make sure you were talking about someone else

[Tetge]

"sometimes what they say is actually the truth." I hadto re-read and make sure you were talking about someone else

I was talking about doctors, who definitely tend to say scary things. Such as, knock off the booze or it will send you to an early grave. And, while you are at it, give up eating basically all your favorite foods as they are too fatty or too salty or they have too much mercury, or they are processed, or, all of the above. And, here, take all these pills. And, don't ask me why since I am a doctor god, and you could not possibly understand. Just take them and we'll do blood tests every three months to monitor the levels so that we can get it right. They will add years to your life.

As I indicated, doctors certainly come in handy at times, but they almost never tell me anything that I want to hear. So, if I break my leg, or if I get to the point that I can't walk, etc., I will go see them. But, all the rest comes down to quality of life versus quantity of life. And, scares, based upon statistics, still can't sway me to allow the doctors to dictate the quality of my life.

Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow you die.

[jhwalker]

"sometimes what they say is actually the truth." I hadto re-read and make sure you were talking about someone else

I was talking about doctors, who definitely tend to say scary things. Such as, knock off the booze or it will send you to an early grave. And, while you are at it, give up eating basically all your favorite foods as they are too fatty or too salty or they have too much mercury, or they are processed, or, all of the above. And, here, take all these pills. And, don't ask me why since I am a doctor god, and you could not possibly understand. Just take them and we'll do blood tests every three months to monitor the levels so that we can get it right. They will add years to your life.

As I indicated, doctors certainly come in handy at times, but they almost never tell me anything that I want to hear. So, if I break my leg, or if I get to the point that I can't walk, etc., I will go see them. But, all the rest comes down to quality of life versus quantity of life. And, scares, based upon statistics, still can't sway me to allow the doctors to dictate the quality of my life.

Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow you die.

I am less cavalier about doctors since these 2, Jan 3 strokes kicked my ass (good thing they weren't 4 strokes ) -- the quick effective treatment at the Leon hospital may have saved my life, and now the docs are leaving me alone. My physical therapist basically tries to push me beyond my limits, poopoohing my protests and my whining about pain.

[xbacksideslider]

This a copy of one cut of the MRIs of my neck, I am on my back, head right, feet left.

Count right to left, the first cervical vertebrae being #2. You can see how the black discs push into my spinal canal at C6-C7, another bad one at C5-C6, and so on. My symptoms however are not terrible - I have pins and needles and weakness in both hands/arms, especially my left arm/hand, and some discomfort in my neck. Both came on within the last couple of years. They tell me it is "progressive," damn liberals!, and that my loss of function is only 40% likely reversible if I act soon after loss, and that I could suffer a sudden and serious loss of function, paralysis for example, at any time.

The MRIs also show (not in this pic) that almost all of the nerves where they exit my spine at each junction between C3 and C7 are more or less impinged.

[Tetge]

"sometimes what they say is actually the truth." I hadto re-read and make sure you were talking about someone else

I was talking about doctors, who definitely tend to say scary things. Such as, knock off the booze or it will send you to an early grave. And, while you are at it, give up eating basically all your favorite foods as they are too fatty or too salty or they have too much mercury, or they are processed, or, all of the above. And, here, take all these pills. And, don't ask me why since I am a doctor god, and you could not possibly understand. Just take them and we'll do blood tests every three months to monitor the levels so that we can get it right. They will add years to your life.

As I indicated, doctors certainly come in handy at times, but they almost never tell me anything that I want to hear. So, if I break my leg, or if I get to the point that I can't walk, etc., I will go see them. But, all the rest comes down to quality of life versus quantity of life. And, scares, based upon statistics, still can't sway me to allow the doctors to dictate the quality of my life.

Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow you die.

I am less cavalier about doctors since these 2, Jan 3 strokes kicked my ass (good thing they weren't 4 strokes ) -- the quick effective treatment at the Leon hospital may have saved my life, and now the docs are leaving me alone. My physical therapist basically tries to push me beyond my limits, poopoohing my protests and my whining about pain.

I am not at all cavalier about doctors. If I had not had effective treatment for cancer I would have been dead years ago, and, my hip replacement went very well, in spite of my fears. I went to the dentist yesterday and he bonded a chipped tooth. So, doctors have a lot of usefulness. However, they still try to push life styles that contrast with the way I wish live my life. No booze, no red meat, no butter, no overweight body, exercise on a regular basis, etc. They also generally dislike motorcycle riding and love to tell stories about why it is so risky. And, if one has some test results that are not in what they consider an acceptable range, such as elevated cholesterol (see above list of foods), their current solution is to put that person on drugs, as they know that the person can't reform and that the numbers are signs of sure doom. And, the drugs all have a nice list of potential side effects that sometimes introduce restrictions on a person and which sometimes lead to the commercials that start off "If you, or a loved one every used X, and died, or suffered X side effects, you may be due $$$$$$$$".

Again, I am not saying that considered treatment for a specific condition that has been identified is a bad thing. Doctors can do wondrous things these days, as you know. But, in spite of your attention to your health, you had to have an obvious stroke before they began to treat for the condition. And, as far as I ever observed, you were doing most of the things that the doctors love to see. So, sometimes, it seems, fate is going to call the shots, and one really never knows. Ask any extreme risk taker, and they will basically all say that life is short and they have to live it fully. Then, they say, now light the fuse on the rocket pack strapped to my back and let's see if I can clear the Grand Canyon this time.

[Tetge]

This a copy of one cut of the MRIs of my neck, I am on my back, head right, feet left.

Count right to left, the first cervical vertebrae being #2. You can see how the black discs push into my spinal canal at C6-C7, another bad one at C5-C6, and so on. My symptoms however are not terrible - I have pins and needles and weakness in both hands/arms, especially my left arm/hand, and some discomfort in my neck. Both came on within the last couple of years. They tell me it is "progressive," damn liberals!, and that my loss of function is only 40% likely reversible if I act soon after loss, and that I could suffer a sudden and serious loss of function, paralysis for example, at any time.

The MRIs also show (not in this pic) that almost all of the nerves where they exit my spine at each junction between C3 and C7 are more or less impinged.

Funny. I went to my dentist to get a tooth bonded yesterday. Although I am not a good customer we have some friends in common, he rides a Harley, and I have used his services for quite a few years. He told me that he will very soon be going in to address a problem that sounds almost exactly like yours. He finally went to see a specialist as he noted that while climbing grades on is bicycle (he is a nutty bicyclists) that he was not making power. He also had some tingling in his arms and legs and stuff. They gave him the same, you better take care of it now, advice, and, he said that although the surgeon told him that he customarily gives 12 weeks off work for recovery, he knew that the dentist would be back to his practice in only two weeks. Of course, two weeks seems really short, compared to twelve weeks, but, surgeons say what they want since they are gods.

I am not sure if this condition is super common, or if it is just chance that led the dentist to tell me about his impending surgery, But, the proposed solution and the long term potential consequences for delaying were almost exactly the same for both of you. Of course, there is still a chance that this is more cookie cutter medicine with one cure fits all, but your pictures don't look too good. But, then again, what do I know about reading pictures?

I do know that if you still have the surgery scheduled, you are running out of time. And, it is true that if it will need to be done sooner or later, it is best to attend to it earlier than to wait. But, wait! Although I alleged knowing stuff, I actually know nothing. So, you are completely on your own here. But, you aren't getting any younger (or faster on your motorcycle). So, why not get it taken care of? Not that I have ever provided any sound advice.

[jhwalker]

yep, those pics look scary to me. I just stepped away from exercising my back, and am getting ready to spin for an hour on the stationary bike.
I am thinking about restraining my left hand and armwith a strap. They seem to drawn to whacking everything I get near.
like PeterSeller's hand in Dr Strangelove. no buen0 when walking in town

[xbacksideslider]

Re-scheduled to Thursday.

[jhwalker]

Terri and I are back in Leon staying in a moteltonight, flying early tomorrow to SoCal. Terri needed to be at some meetings, we have a charity event to attend, and Melinda is in town with Theo (our grandson). I should have stayed home but noooooo way was Terri buying that. She has taken control...