Since 2004 I have been suffering with increasingly bad back pains. At one point, just moving my head left or right would bring up that familiar sound of twigs being stepped on in the woods. Occasionally, the noise would be so loud that another member of the family might call out, "what's that?" I would quietly answer, "me".
Ignorance is surely bliss. I let it go just a little too far and it is leading to surgery of the spine. Two specialists I have consulted called it a variety of 'stenosis'. The two dollar explanation is that through years of use, the spine gets worn down. To some people it is earlier. To some it is later. And to some lucky few it never happens at all. I fall into the first group.
There are three three discs in the uper spine below the skull which are causing the unbelievable back aches, cracking sound, and just all around PAIN. Shortly, after my wife and I meet with the first specialist tomorrow, we will decide on a plan of action. I believe that I can have the procedure done in the coming two weeks, count two days at a local hospital, and then home again home again....etc. etc. ....
The three discs will have their walls sheared off, the interior cleaned, and a piece of somebody elses' bone attached to the outside of each with a Titanium strap screwed in place to hold it all together. In the end, there will be more room again for my spinal chord, less chafing, and consequently lots less pain. This is all done through incisions made through the front near the left or right side of the throat. Cameras and surgical instruments wiggle their way behind the throat and the surgeon goes to work. Both medical men, one an O.D. and the other an M.D., have predicted twenty-four to forty-eight hours in the hospital and then home with a neck brace. Thankfully, the brace can come off at night to sleep. I guess balancing teacups on my head is out of the question; at least for now.
On a lighter note.....
I finished my son's new computer. It is the latest upgrade I have done since I built my 'ammo-box' right in front of me in 2008. We were to have traveled out of Florida to see him in Tennessee earlier this year, but a sick grandma, and a sick cat nixed all that. I'll be able to travel after the operation. More to come
By this time last year we had already been to Tennessee three times. C'est la vie.
Are you following the exploits of the winner and runner-up of the American Idol show of last year. This year's group is so lame. They may have to give away mini-cd's of their music in Captain Crunch pachages!
Crystal Bowersox continues to appear at radio stations, opening for larger groups, and also on the Grand 'Ol Opry stage as a special guest to do one of her songs. She is appearing in Nashville at an out-door concert in June; a venue to which I had hoped to go. Never mind. She has a long road to hoe and she is doing it with grace and a lot of style. DeWise on the other hand appears at grocery store openings. It's a sure bet that someday soon he'll get the paint store he always wanted. Just remember to shoot low and graze the target from time to time.
Well......That's all from GRUMPY here in Hell-Lando. We couldn't get through the whole of May before the temperature ran back up to the high nineties. Do you want to retire here? Services of all kind are being cut back. Do you have a lot of money? Don't bring it to Florida. Governor Snot has a place for it in his pocket. After all, he forked out 89 million of his own money to "win" the election. He has to get it out of someone's hide.
'nuff said'
