Recently had an EMG test done on my arms to see if Dr. Riew's prediction of the cause of my numb hands was accurate. He was spot on as the results show ulnar neuropathy. The ulnar nerve is being pinched in my elbows. Thank God the issue isn't in the thoracic; no rib removal required! :) The treatment will be PT and splinting of my elbows. I'm quite happy to know the source of the hand issue; especially that I don't need more surgery!
Some other updates, I tested positive for:
Jaw Jerk - I need to get clarification on this.
Hoffman's Sign - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoffmann%27s_sign
Romberg's Test - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romberg's_test
This means my balance issues now have a name.
I'm still waiting to get an EMG on my legs to see if, once again, Dr. Riew's prediction of the cause of numbness in my feet and right leg are being caused by a pinched nerve in my lumbar.
How strange that my neuro has yet to respond to Dr. Riew's report that shows none of her (neuro's) predictions that all my issues are directly tied to my cervical are accurate.
Looking forward to closing the chapter on all this stuff.
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Friday, July 12, 2013
Saddle for Sale
Lizzie is raising funds for her trip as a US Delegate with the People to People program traveling to 7 countries next summer.
Below are pix of her English saddle which is in good condition with just a few scrapes on the back of the cantle. It measures 17" and comes with a fleece pad. Saddle is located near Atlanta. Shipping/insurance within continental US extra. Email me if you are interested dlikness@gmail.com
Below are pix of her English saddle which is in good condition with just a few scrapes on the back of the cantle. It measures 17" and comes with a fleece pad. Saddle is located near Atlanta. Shipping/insurance within continental US extra. Email me if you are interested dlikness@gmail.com
Thursday, July 4, 2013
STL Updates
The last batch of tests showed no auto immune diseases and now both rheumatologist and neuro insist all issues stem from cervical condition. Well, that's not the case.
Dr. Riew is one of the best cervical doc's in the country which is why I came to STL to get his expert opinion. Dr. Riew said that based on the numb areas I am experiencing, the source is either my elbows or a pinched nerve in my thoracic area. He said with a smile that I don't need cervical surgery because there is sufficient space around my spinal cord and the collapsing disc is not at the surgical stage right now. Praise God! Doc explain that I have two tests to do at home which will determine which area is the source of the numbness. The elbow situation is like carpal tunnel but in the elbows. I need to get a copy of his report because I don't remember the technical terms he used. There is a slight chance I might need elbow surgery or, if the thoracic is the source, might need surgery to remove one rib.
Doc was shocked that the local cervical doc said I needed a four level fusion. It amazes me how one doctor can say something inaccurate and scare the bejezuz outta someone. I felt totally confident in what Dr. Riew told me. As far as the numbness in my leg and foot, I'll have a lumbar MRI to see if something is being pinched.
I wonder what my neuro and rheumatologist will say when I explain to them their theories of all my issues are coming from my cervical are not valid. I sense these two doc's were maybe looking for an easy explanation by blaming everything on the cervical. Dr. Riew asked me if my neuro was good. I told him I don't know; she's the only one I've seen. Sounds like I need to seek a new neuro.
In any event, I'm thrilled I don't need surgery and look forward to getting these tests done.
Dr. Riew is one of the best cervical doc's in the country which is why I came to STL to get his expert opinion. Dr. Riew said that based on the numb areas I am experiencing, the source is either my elbows or a pinched nerve in my thoracic area. He said with a smile that I don't need cervical surgery because there is sufficient space around my spinal cord and the collapsing disc is not at the surgical stage right now. Praise God! Doc explain that I have two tests to do at home which will determine which area is the source of the numbness. The elbow situation is like carpal tunnel but in the elbows. I need to get a copy of his report because I don't remember the technical terms he used. There is a slight chance I might need elbow surgery or, if the thoracic is the source, might need surgery to remove one rib.
Doc was shocked that the local cervical doc said I needed a four level fusion. It amazes me how one doctor can say something inaccurate and scare the bejezuz outta someone. I felt totally confident in what Dr. Riew told me. As far as the numbness in my leg and foot, I'll have a lumbar MRI to see if something is being pinched.
I wonder what my neuro and rheumatologist will say when I explain to them their theories of all my issues are coming from my cervical are not valid. I sense these two doc's were maybe looking for an easy explanation by blaming everything on the cervical. Dr. Riew asked me if my neuro was good. I told him I don't know; she's the only one I've seen. Sounds like I need to seek a new neuro.
In any event, I'm thrilled I don't need surgery and look forward to getting these tests done.
Saturday, June 8, 2013
On Again, Off Again, On Again - Enough Already!
Since my last update, I received results from my neuropsychology test which was a 3 hour test involving several components: memorization, math, puzzles, pattern identification, etc. The first thing the doc said was, "You are the mysterious woman." I didn't like the sound of that. He explained that his results show exactly what I've explained as the symptoms I've been experiencing. He said that while he is unable to definitively say I have this or that, he said he thinks it is MS. Really? We're back to that? I thought MS was off my radar since the neuro did not find any MS lesions in the MRI. The NP (neuropsychology) doc explained that a lot of my results show I process information the same way as a person with MS does.
For instance, there were two areas where I bombed the test, so bad that the NP doc said I scored worse than a person with Alzheimer's. I thought for sure it would have been the math portion but it was a memorization section instead. Doc explained that I got 3% correct; however, when the same test was reintroduced later in the session, I got almost 100% correct. He said people with MS typically have a hard time processing new information/data/situations at first, but when the dust settles, they are able to process very well.
NP doc said that while he cannot say 100% for sure that I have MS (because I am showing indications of other things), he said, "I can say you definitely have some sort of autoimmune disease. We just need to figure out which one." After I brought him up to speed on the cervical issue (needing surgery), he said that he would call my neuro and let her know that the cervical is a red herring, a lot of my symptoms are from an autoimmune disease based on my results with his test.
So now I'm confused, how can this doc think I might have MS when I had a normal MRI result. NP doc explained that 10% of people with MS have normal MRIs. Sometimes the lesions (if there are some) are located in an area of the brain that the MRI cannot detect. Doc said my neuro may change her mind about MS after seeing his report.
Since my last update, the numb areas are increasing: right foot constantly feels as if it is buried in sand, numbness has started below the knee on my right leg, the top of my left foot is going numb, half of my left hand is now numb as of this week, etc. I'm waiting to hear back from neuro's nurse as to when she can schedule me to see neuro to get her feedback from the new NP results.
Met with rheumatologist doc yesterday for follow up visit, and the arthritis meds have not helped with joint pain. I updated her on need for cervical surgery. Before I even told her about NP doc saying he feels strongly I have an autoimmune disease, she said, "I want to do bloodwork looking for connective tissue autoimmune diseases." I updated her on NP doc's conversation about his results. So I have two docs that are in agreement that an autoimmune disease is involved, but which one?
I've been scrambling to get all these results and feedback so I can take the information with me to STL. We'll leave soon. My dad said recently, "It's a shame we don't have any medical information about your birth parents." Indeed, just a sliver of information would shed a lot of light for my doctors.
Priority is to address cervical issue which may or may not be the root of the numbness. Regardless, my neck is collapsing and it needs to be fixed. As with any surgery, current symptoms may or may not get better and could get worse. As with my spine surgery, I'm going into the cervical surgery not with the intent of restoring feeling to numb areas, but to stop the collapsing. If feeling is restored, that will be gravy! :)
Yesterday, I started feeling overwhelmed. So much is happening so fast, but I know God will only give me what He knows I can handle. I found out there is a local one-day archery tournament after we get back from STL and I was seriously considering do it. Then I remembered that Dr. Riew might want me to have the spinal tap while we are in STL and now that my left hand is going numb, it's not the right time to compete. I'm still shooting in my yard and weight training, just very carefully. Shooting is still a great outlet for me to take my mind off things.
I should have blood work results at the end of next week. Until then...
For instance, there were two areas where I bombed the test, so bad that the NP doc said I scored worse than a person with Alzheimer's. I thought for sure it would have been the math portion but it was a memorization section instead. Doc explained that I got 3% correct; however, when the same test was reintroduced later in the session, I got almost 100% correct. He said people with MS typically have a hard time processing new information/data/situations at first, but when the dust settles, they are able to process very well.
NP doc said that while he cannot say 100% for sure that I have MS (because I am showing indications of other things), he said, "I can say you definitely have some sort of autoimmune disease. We just need to figure out which one." After I brought him up to speed on the cervical issue (needing surgery), he said that he would call my neuro and let her know that the cervical is a red herring, a lot of my symptoms are from an autoimmune disease based on my results with his test.
So now I'm confused, how can this doc think I might have MS when I had a normal MRI result. NP doc explained that 10% of people with MS have normal MRIs. Sometimes the lesions (if there are some) are located in an area of the brain that the MRI cannot detect. Doc said my neuro may change her mind about MS after seeing his report.
Since my last update, the numb areas are increasing: right foot constantly feels as if it is buried in sand, numbness has started below the knee on my right leg, the top of my left foot is going numb, half of my left hand is now numb as of this week, etc. I'm waiting to hear back from neuro's nurse as to when she can schedule me to see neuro to get her feedback from the new NP results.
Met with rheumatologist doc yesterday for follow up visit, and the arthritis meds have not helped with joint pain. I updated her on need for cervical surgery. Before I even told her about NP doc saying he feels strongly I have an autoimmune disease, she said, "I want to do bloodwork looking for connective tissue autoimmune diseases." I updated her on NP doc's conversation about his results. So I have two docs that are in agreement that an autoimmune disease is involved, but which one?
I've been scrambling to get all these results and feedback so I can take the information with me to STL. We'll leave soon. My dad said recently, "It's a shame we don't have any medical information about your birth parents." Indeed, just a sliver of information would shed a lot of light for my doctors.
Priority is to address cervical issue which may or may not be the root of the numbness. Regardless, my neck is collapsing and it needs to be fixed. As with any surgery, current symptoms may or may not get better and could get worse. As with my spine surgery, I'm going into the cervical surgery not with the intent of restoring feeling to numb areas, but to stop the collapsing. If feeling is restored, that will be gravy! :)
Yesterday, I started feeling overwhelmed. So much is happening so fast, but I know God will only give me what He knows I can handle. I found out there is a local one-day archery tournament after we get back from STL and I was seriously considering do it. Then I remembered that Dr. Riew might want me to have the spinal tap while we are in STL and now that my left hand is going numb, it's not the right time to compete. I'm still shooting in my yard and weight training, just very carefully. Shooting is still a great outlet for me to take my mind off things.
I should have blood work results at the end of next week. Until then...
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Back to STL for Cervical Surgery
I've made my decision not to compete at the Ohio event simply because I found out yesterday I need cervical surgery. After meeting with a local cervical doc, he said there are 4 levels that are compromised. He was shocked at how bad my neck is and said I am way too young to be having this type of deterioration. He's never done a 4 level fusion which is fine because I'll be on the road again for STL soon to meet with Dr. Riew (my spine surgeon's partner for cervical issues). The local doc said my clock is ticking and to get to STL asap.
We decided to make the trip into a vacation since we've always been pressed for time with prior visits to STL. Since Dr. Riew has better availability to schedule surgeries (within 6 weeks) compared to Dr. Lenke (12+ months), I'm hoping to schedule a late July/early August surgery.
It will be interesting to see what Dr. Riew recommends for the procedure: anterior only, posterior only, or a combination of both. Dr. Riew's nurse said that depending on how many levels need to be corrected, surgery can take anywhere from 1 hour - 5 hours with one night in the hospital. Big difference to what I've already been through. Total time in STL will be one week. Out of state patients are encouraged to stay in the STL area for a few days after discharge from hospital.
Depending on which levels will be corrected, my movement limitations could be minimal to severe. It will be nice if I can still turn my head to the left so I can continue shooting! :)
Am I surprised that I need surgery? No. I find a tremendous amount of comfort knowing that I'm in great hands with Dr. Lenke's colleague.
We decided to make the trip into a vacation since we've always been pressed for time with prior visits to STL. Since Dr. Riew has better availability to schedule surgeries (within 6 weeks) compared to Dr. Lenke (12+ months), I'm hoping to schedule a late July/early August surgery.
It will be interesting to see what Dr. Riew recommends for the procedure: anterior only, posterior only, or a combination of both. Dr. Riew's nurse said that depending on how many levels need to be corrected, surgery can take anywhere from 1 hour - 5 hours with one night in the hospital. Big difference to what I've already been through. Total time in STL will be one week. Out of state patients are encouraged to stay in the STL area for a few days after discharge from hospital.
Depending on which levels will be corrected, my movement limitations could be minimal to severe. It will be nice if I can still turn my head to the left so I can continue shooting! :)
Am I surprised that I need surgery? No. I find a tremendous amount of comfort knowing that I'm in great hands with Dr. Lenke's colleague.
Monday, May 27, 2013
If I Had Told You... 6 Week Sprint Results
I've truly had a remarkable 6 week sprint that included many surprises. So let's see which goals were hit, which ones were missed and lessons learned along the way.
Goal #1 - Shoot 75 arrows on shooting days, 288 arrows per week
Actual - Shot on average 88 arrows on shooting days, 328 arrows per week
Goal #2 - Shoot 6 days a week
Actual - Shot on average 4 days a week
Goal #3 - Shoot 50 arrows blank bale as warm up
Actual - Shot 30 arrows blank bale as warm up.
Coach Randi recommended 30 as a good number until I work up to shooting a lot more arrows per day.
Goal #4 - Weight train x3 days a week @ 25#
Actual - Trained x3 days a week @ 30#
As you can see, the goal that I didn't quite hit was goal #2. After the fall, I had to stop shooting for a few days until x-ray results came in, in addition to a few days of not being able to shoot because I simply had too many errands to do.
When I started shooting with my bow in Feb, I told myself that my first tourney would probably be in December 2013 so I could give myself sufficient time to build strength and muscle over the year. So, the MOST EXCITING update was after learning all x-rays did not show fractures, I thought long and hard about the Georgia Cup tourney on May 25 & 26, 2013. I didn't want to fall into the "getting ready to get ready" mindset where people actually don't take action on their goals. What better way to close out the last week of my sprint than by competing!!!!
It was a glorious weekend, perfect weather and even had a flock of geese do a morning fly-by over the field each morning. The Georgia Cup was a two day event that concluded with Olympic Rounds on Sunday: short, fast rounds, head-to-head, winner advances to next bracket. Practice began at 8a and the competition started at 9a. I was so nervous with excitement that it was a bit comical how my bow arm was shaking. I thought we would wrap up day #1 about 12p and was feeling really good after shooting 72 arrows which I thought was the total amount needed to shoot on Saturday.
Well, let me tell ya, I was more than shocked when I found out that the total amount of arrows needed to shoot on Saturday was 144, not 72!!!! Slight miscalculation, eh? The tourney was only half way done at 1p. What wha??!! I'd never shot that many arrows on one day before so I immediately turned my concern over to God and asked for Him to keep me strong and healthy and to keep my groupings tight. Well, not all of my groupings were tight, but the important part of my prayer was answered (stay strong and healthy). I immediately set a goal of finishing Saturday with a score of 1,000 (a perfect score is 1,440). I came close to hitting the goal at a score of 951. :) We finished shooting at 4p on Saturday. I shot a total of 156 arrows (including x2 practice ends) for over 7 hours with one 30 minute break!!!
When we arrived on Sunday, for a split second I thought I wouldn't make it past the first elimination round. Again, I submitted to Him and asked for strength and good health and that whenever my time was done on the field, so be it. Again, I was totally shocked when I won the first elimination round! Advancing to the next bracket, I was paired with Griv (who happens to be a pro shooter and our buddy where Lizzie and I bought our bows). Although I didn't win, it was really fun shooting next to him. :) I told Coach Jim that I was amazed that I survived the tourney. He explained that full FITA (this was the type of competition) tourneys are normally split up between two days, so the 144 arrows are shot 72 on day 1 and 72 on day 2. I didn't realize I had just finished a full FITA and that is when Coach said, "If I had told you it was a full FITA, you would have talked yourself out of it." I smiled and said, "You're a smart coach!"
We headed home at 11a and had a celebratory lunch at my favorite Mexican restaurant that included a most tasty margarita! Later that afternoon, Griv sent me a message saying that I received an award and that Coach Jim brought it home for me which I'll pick up from him in a few days. Turns out I took 2nd place female compound division. Not only did I place in my first tourney, I placed in an able bodied tourney too! Not all tourneys have para-archer divisions. There were two other para-archers competing this weekend shooting recurve bows: Paralympian Lee Ford-Faherty and Kinga Kiss.
When I started my sprint 6 weeks ago, I had no intentions of competing, but I'm very thankful plans shifted and unfolded in a different way.
Next goal: need to decide pretty quick if I want to compete at the Easton Nationals in Ohio with Lizzie. I'll need to shoot at two new distances, 60m and 70m.
I want to thank everyone who has helped me on this journey! The tourney directors and judges were incredibly kind and helpful: Mechell Pruitte, Kenny Compton and Kenny Withrow. Big thanks to my agents who helped me pull arrows and helped me score: Jim Pruitte and Scott. Coach Jim, yer da best! My loving team Bionica: Jeremy and Lizzie, everyone else!
Goal #1 - Shoot 75 arrows on shooting days, 288 arrows per week
Actual - Shot on average 88 arrows on shooting days, 328 arrows per week
Goal #2 - Shoot 6 days a week
Actual - Shot on average 4 days a week
Goal #3 - Shoot 50 arrows blank bale as warm up
Actual - Shot 30 arrows blank bale as warm up.
Coach Randi recommended 30 as a good number until I work up to shooting a lot more arrows per day.
Goal #4 - Weight train x3 days a week @ 25#
Actual - Trained x3 days a week @ 30#
As you can see, the goal that I didn't quite hit was goal #2. After the fall, I had to stop shooting for a few days until x-ray results came in, in addition to a few days of not being able to shoot because I simply had too many errands to do.
When I started shooting with my bow in Feb, I told myself that my first tourney would probably be in December 2013 so I could give myself sufficient time to build strength and muscle over the year. So, the MOST EXCITING update was after learning all x-rays did not show fractures, I thought long and hard about the Georgia Cup tourney on May 25 & 26, 2013. I didn't want to fall into the "getting ready to get ready" mindset where people actually don't take action on their goals. What better way to close out the last week of my sprint than by competing!!!!
It was a glorious weekend, perfect weather and even had a flock of geese do a morning fly-by over the field each morning. The Georgia Cup was a two day event that concluded with Olympic Rounds on Sunday: short, fast rounds, head-to-head, winner advances to next bracket. Practice began at 8a and the competition started at 9a. I was so nervous with excitement that it was a bit comical how my bow arm was shaking. I thought we would wrap up day #1 about 12p and was feeling really good after shooting 72 arrows which I thought was the total amount needed to shoot on Saturday.
Well, let me tell ya, I was more than shocked when I found out that the total amount of arrows needed to shoot on Saturday was 144, not 72!!!! Slight miscalculation, eh? The tourney was only half way done at 1p. What wha??!! I'd never shot that many arrows on one day before so I immediately turned my concern over to God and asked for Him to keep me strong and healthy and to keep my groupings tight. Well, not all of my groupings were tight, but the important part of my prayer was answered (stay strong and healthy). I immediately set a goal of finishing Saturday with a score of 1,000 (a perfect score is 1,440). I came close to hitting the goal at a score of 951. :) We finished shooting at 4p on Saturday. I shot a total of 156 arrows (including x2 practice ends) for over 7 hours with one 30 minute break!!!
When we arrived on Sunday, for a split second I thought I wouldn't make it past the first elimination round. Again, I submitted to Him and asked for strength and good health and that whenever my time was done on the field, so be it. Again, I was totally shocked when I won the first elimination round! Advancing to the next bracket, I was paired with Griv (who happens to be a pro shooter and our buddy where Lizzie and I bought our bows). Although I didn't win, it was really fun shooting next to him. :) I told Coach Jim that I was amazed that I survived the tourney. He explained that full FITA (this was the type of competition) tourneys are normally split up between two days, so the 144 arrows are shot 72 on day 1 and 72 on day 2. I didn't realize I had just finished a full FITA and that is when Coach said, "If I had told you it was a full FITA, you would have talked yourself out of it." I smiled and said, "You're a smart coach!"
 |
| 1st elimination round |
 |
| 2nd elimination round with Griv |
We headed home at 11a and had a celebratory lunch at my favorite Mexican restaurant that included a most tasty margarita! Later that afternoon, Griv sent me a message saying that I received an award and that Coach Jim brought it home for me which I'll pick up from him in a few days. Turns out I took 2nd place female compound division. Not only did I place in my first tourney, I placed in an able bodied tourney too! Not all tourneys have para-archer divisions. There were two other para-archers competing this weekend shooting recurve bows: Paralympian Lee Ford-Faherty and Kinga Kiss.
When I started my sprint 6 weeks ago, I had no intentions of competing, but I'm very thankful plans shifted and unfolded in a different way.
Next goal: need to decide pretty quick if I want to compete at the Easton Nationals in Ohio with Lizzie. I'll need to shoot at two new distances, 60m and 70m.
I want to thank everyone who has helped me on this journey! The tourney directors and judges were incredibly kind and helpful: Mechell Pruitte, Kenny Compton and Kenny Withrow. Big thanks to my agents who helped me pull arrows and helped me score: Jim Pruitte and Scott. Coach Jim, yer da best! My loving team Bionica: Jeremy and Lizzie, everyone else!
Sunday, May 19, 2013
Week #5 Progress
Shot well this week:
Mon - 84 arrows, weight training
Tues - 84 arrows
Wed - 114 arrows, weight training
Thu & Fri - too much running around, no time to train
Sat - 78 arrows
I decided to compete at the Georgia Cup tourney May 25 & 26, excited! I'm shooting from a stool now because of increased numbness in right foot and persistent heel pain.
After looking at old MRI from July 2011 and recent MRI, things that said mild/moderate on the old report now say moderate/severe. It looks things are moving in the wrong direction and my neck is collapsing. I have an appt with a local cervical doc to find out how fast things are deteriorating and then I plan to get a second opinion from Dr. Lenke's colleague, a cervical specialist, in St. Louis. Quite honestly, if I need surgery, I only want someone that Dr. Lenke recommends doing the procedure.
I talked with Dr. Riew's nurse in STL and was trying to make an appt to see him at the same time I see Dr. Lenke in October. Unfortunately, Dr. Riew will be gone the entire week that I will be in town. The nurse was very nice and asked a lot of questions about where my numb areas area, balance issues, etc. She said that I probably want to come in sooner than later because of the increasing numbness. She explained that if the damaged nerves are left too long, they may result in permanent numbness.
There are 7 bones in the cervical spine and discs are the spongy areas between each bone. Healthy discs are plump and have a whiter appearance in the middle area. Unhealthy discs loose their height and the middle areas turn solid dark in color due to the watery gel deteriorating.
You can see the upper discs have lost their height and lost the healthy white core (you can see the whitish core in the healthy bottom two discs). The upper vertebrae are shifting into the spinal fluid area (white areas on each side of the dark gray spinal cord) and there are three levels that have bone spurs caused by cervical degenerative disc disease.
Sheesh!
Archery has been a nice distraction from all of this stuff. A few more test results are due soon from Neuro and she will make a diagnosis. I think it will be nice to be able to pin point all my issues to one source, possibly my neck, but who knows. Praying for God to keep me strong and at peace, to place the right doctors in my path and give them wisdom to make an accurate diagnosis.
Mon - 84 arrows, weight training
Tues - 84 arrows
Wed - 114 arrows, weight training
Thu & Fri - too much running around, no time to train
Sat - 78 arrows
I decided to compete at the Georgia Cup tourney May 25 & 26, excited! I'm shooting from a stool now because of increased numbness in right foot and persistent heel pain.
After looking at old MRI from July 2011 and recent MRI, things that said mild/moderate on the old report now say moderate/severe. It looks things are moving in the wrong direction and my neck is collapsing. I have an appt with a local cervical doc to find out how fast things are deteriorating and then I plan to get a second opinion from Dr. Lenke's colleague, a cervical specialist, in St. Louis. Quite honestly, if I need surgery, I only want someone that Dr. Lenke recommends doing the procedure.
I talked with Dr. Riew's nurse in STL and was trying to make an appt to see him at the same time I see Dr. Lenke in October. Unfortunately, Dr. Riew will be gone the entire week that I will be in town. The nurse was very nice and asked a lot of questions about where my numb areas area, balance issues, etc. She said that I probably want to come in sooner than later because of the increasing numbness. She explained that if the damaged nerves are left too long, they may result in permanent numbness.
There are 7 bones in the cervical spine and discs are the spongy areas between each bone. Healthy discs are plump and have a whiter appearance in the middle area. Unhealthy discs loose their height and the middle areas turn solid dark in color due to the watery gel deteriorating.
You can see the upper discs have lost their height and lost the healthy white core (you can see the whitish core in the healthy bottom two discs). The upper vertebrae are shifting into the spinal fluid area (white areas on each side of the dark gray spinal cord) and there are three levels that have bone spurs caused by cervical degenerative disc disease.
Sheesh!
Archery has been a nice distraction from all of this stuff. A few more test results are due soon from Neuro and she will make a diagnosis. I think it will be nice to be able to pin point all my issues to one source, possibly my neck, but who knows. Praying for God to keep me strong and at peace, to place the right doctors in my path and give them wisdom to make an accurate diagnosis.
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| July 2011 |
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| May 2013
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