Yesterday, I had my follow-up appointment with my neurosurgeon. A little background first though. I started taking the steroid pack on Friday, by Saturday, I felt invincible–no pain. By Sunday night I had a couple twinges again. Yesterday a couple more, and today a little more. I need to clarify that I am still well below the pain level that I felt last week and that pain was only intermittent whereas pre-surgery pain was severe and constant.
The Docs listened to all this and judged that the nerve is inflamed and hopefully the steroids will do there thing. They were also very clear that if the pain worsened I should call them. An MRI would be the next step. He said they didn’t want to subject me to another MRI until they gave the steroids a chance to work. Since I am not claustrophobic, I don’t think an MRI is much to be subjected to. As far as I know they are harmless. They cause know pain and don’t even take that long. There is no recovery period. What exactly would I be subjected to? I think it is the insurance company that would be subjected to payment.
Don’t get me wrong, i am not opposed to saving some money and waiting and seeing, but I’d rather be up front about it.
That having been said, I do still trust my doctors. Hmm, is that because the deserve it or because of some need to believe that these people who suddenly have this prominent and powerful role in my life are trustworthy?
I honestly can’t say.
In the meantime, I do my best to follow the doctors’ directions, which means not bending over and not lifting anything over 10 pounds. I haven’t weighed the video equipment yet, so I am not knowingly breaking the rule by carrying it around, but between you and me–it probably weighs more than the allowable amount.
Regardless, working on everything is ten times easier and I find myself counting the hours less as I work on projects. So hooray for back surgery even if the relief is temporary.
