MRI done!

Thank y’all so much for the support! I can’t say enough how much all the support on here and on twitter has meant. In the past week, a grad school BFF sent cookies and a Twitter friend brought red beans. The little things mean a lot right now!

I was able to get insurance approval for the MRI Monday afternoon and managed to get in for a 6 pm one that night! Thankfully my dr had given me a happy pill for those not fond of small places.

Yesterday I went and picked up the disc and my pain meds. Sadly the next appointment to see the surgeon, to go over the MRI and actually plan/schedule my surgery isn’t until Tuesday morning at 8.

The waiting in this is the hardest for me. The pain med does the job of helping me cope, but I am not fond of strong medicines for long periods. On the other hand it’s only been 2 weeks from the day the rod shifted and I’m already this far along.

Today a coworker gave me a ride and I was able to go in and work from 7:30 until 5. Completed one of two experiments I have going and now I can work from home tomorrow/rest. Coming home and lying on the futon under a fuzzy blanket felt like heaven!

So I found the MRI really cool seeing how the spine curves and rotates still. (Not that it is a good thing, but seeing inside my body is cool to me.) I am still hoping the surgery will just be rod removal as that will be a much easier recovery. I know the Dr. said that would be 1-2 days in hospital. But I have no idea of what would be the plan after that/how long until work/able to take care of myself.

Hopefully Tuesday will bring more answers again. This is what the hardware in my back looks like.

I really hope they don’t need to put anything back in. I wonder how much of my pain these hooks have caused. :( It’ll be good when it’s done.

I want this done. I hate waiting. I’m scared. I also hate that I’m whining. And that I’m wondering how long all this will last.

But I am so grateful for family and friends. For a job that is working with me. For health insurance. That I am seeing the head of spinal surgery at a major teaching hospital. That I have pain medicine. That I have a cuddly kitty for the hard days.

I don’t really know how often I’ll update. Because I worry the updates until I know anything could just be whining. But I know I feel better mentally even after this short update.

PS If anyone knows of someone who could design a cute header, that would be awesome. I have a friend who can but she is SUPER busy.