My health care needs: Three Surgeries in my Future

Dear friends,

I wanted to let you know about the results of my tests (and a CT scan to go).

I met with the neurosurgeon today in Lexington and Dr S. reported:

1. What is happening is the result of degenerative scoliosis/osteoarthritis.

2. The good news-your right hip is not ready for a transplant yet “orthopedists wouldn’t be interested” but is probably the source of some pain you are feeling. Has some “deterioration on the femur head.”



3. The bad news- “I recommend surgery to fuse your L2, 3, 4 vertebrae together and do some improvement in the scoliosis”

So…here I am at almost 68 facing a major medical decision that will impact on the rest of my life.

The CT is scheduled for the end of September. For some reason Dr. S did not find all the info he wants via the MRI, so…

I will seek a 2nd opinion.

Gather information about pros/cons of this surgery, lasting effects of the surgery.

Dr S said, “When you can’t stand the pain, you will schedule surgery or you are thinking of your back 24/7 or you are limited in what you can do.”

But the extent of the deterioration has him ready to do the surgery now.

Sure didn’t look good on the MRI.



Of course, nothing a surgeon can do will stop the continual degeneration due to arthritis.

The surgery will repair what it can, it is not a cure.

I ask you prayers, good thoughts, healing light and wisdom to discern the way forward in my medical care.

Send me any resources about such surgery or contact for folks who have undergone it.