Calling in Sick

I may not post anything later today because in two hours I'll be getting spinal injections from my pain doctor.  Like attending the funeral of a casual acquaintance who despised me, this is an experience I would rather avoid.  There will be long needles and x-rays and anesthesia and recovery rooms and callous nurses and mountains of paperwork to fill out.  Honestly, I'd rather walk barefoot through glass shards.

So anyway.  While I'm writhing in agony on a cold metal slab at the out-patient facility this morning, here's an old photo of Rowdy and Jellyfish to amuse you.  I'll try to resume posting tomorrow - unless of course the needle slips and I end up paralyzed for life.  In that case, I will be back on Sunday.  (Okay okay, I'm making light of the situation - but that's because I'm nervous about having the procedure.)

 
Below is a picture of the medical clinic I'll be going to.  It's the only one in our area that accepts my health insurance.

Comments

[Dianne]

Sending good thoughts your way..hang in there.

[madfloridian]

Lots of concerned thoughts going your way from hubby and me, Max. Maybe the reality will not be as awful as the anticipation. Best to you.

[Bee Girl]

Are you talking about steriod injections for back pain? My sister had those and it helped her a lot!

GET BETTER SOON!

[Trent]

Take care of yourself Max - and keep us posted!

[Amanda]

Oh God I HATE needles. And in the back? Forget it. Max, please leave a comment on this thread and let us know what happened.

P.S. I love that pic of your "clinic" It's a painting of hell, right? LOL

[Aggie, Fair Haven, Vt.]

Yeah, feel better, Max. You do such good work.

[Heather]

you're hilarious! I hope you feel better soon, Max!!

[Carol]

Oh Max! Please let us know how you're doing! I can't miss a day without my Progressive Puppy fix.

[Max]

Thanks for your kind words of support. I don't really like to talk about health issues. This blog is about animals, politics, and current affairs, not me bellyaching about chronic pain - although truth be known, writing Progressive Puppy helps to distract me from my misery. (Ha ha.) Okay, here's the the deal. I have Degenerative Disc Disease. It's not as awful as it sounds but it's awful enough. DDD isn't a life-threatening illness. It's not contagious or crippling or disfiguring. (Really, I look and act quite normal. Well, maybe not "act.") But it is very painful. What happens with DDD is, gelatinous material inside the discs in my back leaks out and then the bones in my spinal cord, robbed of this cushion, rub together and press against raw nerves. Ouch. In the procedure I had yesterday, steroids were injected into two of my cervical discs, to bring down the inflammation. I had been given local anesthesia, so I didn't feel anything - until I woke up. The discomfort was so severe - even in the afterglow of twilight sleep - that the nurse (after much begging on my part) gave me a morphine injection before I left the clinic. My doctor tells me I will probably need two more of these epidural steroid injections before I see any significant results. Again, thanks for your concern. I am truly touched.

[Dianne]

Glad your back..one down two to go..you'll be dancin' soon.

[Philip]

Great to hear the needle didn't slip, Max! :]

Seriously though, I know what kind of hurt you're talking about because my Mom has DDD and she had to go through those back injections too. Everybody reacts differently. With her, the first injection made the pain worse for a coupla days, then she started feeling relief. The second round of injections was easier and she got a lot better. She never had to have the third session. Good luck and keep up the great work!

[Amanda]

I bet you're glad that's over. Don't overdo it while you recuperate!

[madfloridian]

Thanks for posting about it. I have heard those treatments do work. Hang in there. Thoughts are with you.

[Discount Pharmacy]

Good luck! I hope you can surpass it!