Hi Guys.

Had my consult with the Specialist.

My original appliances are in place. As is typical of fused vertebrate, the joint above the fused ones has weakened. It has developed a bunch of bone spurs. And there's arthritis in the joint. The joint has reduced nerve exit clearance, on both sides, but it DOES still have sufficient clearance for the nerves to exit.

So; that's good, on the relative scale. Sort of like the Car for sale has 179,000 miles on it, but it's not leaking much oil. And the review mirror still works.

Regarding why it hurts like "that hot place", it's the arthritis and - some unknown unknown. Why is there this permanent painful lump on the back of my neck? "Dont know".

They are going to do an epidural injection. Right now, I'm not having hand numbness, but I did - severely, when this entire Tragic Stage-play began 16 years ago. Remember the date when some may feel the need to remind me of the passage of time. The first Standing Stone was around 2000. I came home beat to near pulp. Neck pain. Numbing hands. And the fun began, as we found I had two collapsed discs in my neck. (The nerves that exit the spine at the base of the neck feed the arms and hands). Enough history.

So; we try an injection. The neck is going to be painful because of bone spurs and arthritis. And then you die.

Thanks for those of you who expressed concern (other than over delivery schedules)

I appreciate it. Thanks for your friendship.

Now, back to work.

Gary



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 07/27/2016 02:20PM by barnespneumatic.

Gary

I'm not quite sure..is that good news? It sounds like a mixed bag to me. I can't believe it's been so long since Standing Stone 1. Man, has time gotten away from me.
I wish you luck with the injections, I don't know how you keep going.....

Karl

Thanks Karl,

Well, it's good news that there isn't an immediate need to open my neck. I've had this pain for about 4 years or more. It's been growing and growing. Anything that hurts that bad and increases in pain level, to my thoughts; is a big worry. The nerves that exit my spine thru those areas with plates and screws, are "BALL GAME" to an engraver. So; I was glad they wanted to have a look inside.

The plates and screws are in place. The Radiologist specifically noted that. The bone spurs and Arthritis are debris in the path of the nerve bundles. They narrow the openings and pinch the nerves. But, since I do not now yet have finger numbness (as I did in 2001) then there is not an immediate need to go in there. The injection contains Steriod. Now, honestly; I'm not sure how that might help. It's the opinion of two Pain Center though. So we will do that. There must be tissue involved somewhere, with inflammation that can be reduced.

Actually, the glow from the neck pain makes a nice little night light. Always try to find good in things .... right???

Thanks Karl!
Here working.
Gary

Karl,

You attended SSI? I looked at my pictures of the event and didn't see you in any of them. For sure I can't rely on my memory.

Do you have any crowd pictures that you're in?

Lon

Lon,

No, but I followed the various events on line. I wish I could have attended but never had the opportunity to go ... and then they stopped. My first time was at Cuppa Joe....good times.

Karl

Gary,

I sort of agree with Karl, it does sound like a mixed bag, just more items in your favor. The injections might help and I hope they provide the relief you need. I'll keep my fingers crossed and mumble a few words for you.

Keith

Hi Keith,

You got it right. No knife yet. Debris in joints not yet at critical mass. It's a party.

I appreciate your well wish and I'll take the mumbled words. Please be specific. It's Gary L, Barnes. Florida. Etc.

Gary

Typically when a doc declines surgery in favor of less invasive treatments, it's probably a good thing. Right? I'm always suspicious of the surgeons who see everything in terms of what they can start cutting on, sort of like the "handyman" whose only tool is a hammer.

Best wishes for a good outcome.

Sean

Gary
Like Sean said, no knife is a good day . I hope the injections help somewhat . Out of all the injuries and pain I've had , my neck has never been a problem . I can't imagine having the shooting pain down the arms . I'm no stranger to the lumbar disc and leg pain , numbness , tingling . Strange enough but my big toes have both been numb for a number of years but the nerves are very much like electricity . Problem location is sometimes far from the pain too .

Good luck bud

Thanks
Kurt

Thanks Kurt,

I've had a bunch of things to tend to. Would take forever to outline.

As I clear my plate, things fill it again.

The shop had reached critical mass with dust and grit. I did a marathon session on the abrasive room. That all encompassing dust vaccum system somehow hasn't gotten installed. One big 2 hp collector has been in the box for two years while I've tread water. But I had to vacuum the room and equipment all out again. As I need to do every project and do so every five or more. I wear a dust mask often, but you just can't suit up for every time you need to do a short operation. Those accumulate and get you. Making these beautiful items that you want to hold with white cotton gloves, is an incredibly dirty process.

The intentions/excitement/inspiration, and the physical energy; just will not coincide anymore. I'll clear time. I'll lay out the work. Then I'll get a lousy headache. I try to make up time when I can. So I was in the shop til 1am Wednesday night.

We did get invited to an event one evening. You know that Sea Turtle Rescue place where we placed Jewelry? Well they finally jumped thru all the government hoops and waited out the beuracrates. They got there long term Rescue Resident Sea Turtle. 200 pound sea turtle rescued about 1998 and She's been at Sea World since. So "Gigi" has a new home and benefactors and those other big wigs like Kelly and I were invited to a Catered Dinner and Showing. Gigi is blind, and so she cannot be released into the wild. She was found in a horrible condition, but is now quite healthy. We get invited to something every decade or so .... so we went. I wore my High School Graduation Suit. (Kelly sat .... Elsewhere).

I'm into a couple of Gun projects. I just haven't gotten to the picture publishing phase. I will. (Please don't everybody write at once).

Thanks for checking on me
Gary



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/30/2016 06:45PM by barnespneumatic.

Hey Gary,
I can finally respond again... Don't know what went wrong, but it appears to have fixed itself. Trouble is I forgot all of those other responses I had in my head while I was waiting. Anyway, hang in there.
Jeff

I could easily fit into my high school graduation outfit...since I wore cutoff jeans and a t-shirt under that gown. Summertime in New Mexico doesn't really inspire lots of hot clothing traditions.

Now, as to whether or not I could still fit into the same sized pair of cutoffs, well that ship sailed away a LONG time ago.