Saturday, May 09, 2015

Health Update


The red hexagon marks what is on my spine that shouldn't be there.  I am resting for a few days at home in anticipation of having this addressed.  As promised the medication has given significant if temporary symptom relief. It is are also having the warned about digestive impact, don't get between me and a bathroom 20 minutes after a meal. I am moving better than I have in at least six months, and have less tingling in my legs and feet.  Not 100%, but if we can preserve this level of sensation I will be a very happy man.  Waiting to hear back from the doctors is a pain, but they want to do it right rather than rush, it is urgent, but not an emergency at this point.  I tire more quickly then expected, but it has taken all of my strength for the past few weeks to drag myself through the commute to work and back and I did spend most of three days in a hospital bed this week.

In anticipation of being home for couple of weeks post surgery, I put a TV in my bedroom for the first time since I moved to DC.  Between Jay and I we have sorted out some housekeeping that I have been unable to do for several months as my mobility had declined.

How does this impact travel?  Well I was scheduled to go to Austin Texas on Wednesday to speak at a conference and from there to Orlando this evening.  I was going to spend a little time with family and attend a conference in Orlando later this week. Five fewer hotel nights for the year.  Florida is always nice, but I was not looking forward to Austin, not my favorite city in Texas.  But this is not how I wanted to get out of that trip.  I submitted two really so-so workshop proposals because I am obligated to do so and hoped that they would be rejected.  They were both accepted.  But when the doctors said, if you go, you might not be able to walk when you get back, I got the hint.  Travel can sometimes wait.  

8 comments:

  1. That is some cord compression......i'll email you

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    1. Thanks, and thanks for the email

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  2. yep, everything can wait while you get healthy.

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    1. A seeing eye dog could diagnose, something is just not quite right there

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  3. Wow. That is amazing! Put it all on hold until you have recuperated. That is what sick leave is for! You'll feel better overall if you take it easy, get the surgery, and then REST A LOT while you recover.

    Still praying for you, and sending positive energy your way!!!

    Peace <3
    Jay

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    1. I filed for indefinite paid medical leave on Friday (24.4 weeks available if needed.) I emailed the surgeon that I most trust and said, i can't go back to work until you say I can, I trust his judgement on this better then my own.

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  4. I want to join the conga line wishing you well and speedy recovery.

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    1. Thanks, I am ready to move forward as soon as all the docs are lined up in a row and ready to move (docs- ducks.) They wanted to take a couple of days for the drugs to do as much as they can, and the nice ODC tumor surgeon wanted to schedule it so that EVERYTHING he might need is there ready to go before we start step one. That might take a few days, there are three surgeons, two operating rooms and a ton of equipment that he wants.

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