Finally Some Answers To My Health Issues!

Well, if you've read my blog recently you now that I've been sharing about some issues I've had with my left leg/foot since last November.   I started out going to my orthopedic surgeon who took a foot x-ray and stated I didn't seem to have a stress fracture and that he didn't see any need for an MRI at the time.   I didn't argue with him as I HATE MRI's and thought "he's the doctor and he knows best".    I ended up going to him twice, after which he referred me back to my general doctor....from there I went to a neurologist for nerve testing (showing negative results), another trip to my doctor for blood work (normal), and then a vascular surgeon for an ultrasound for deep vein thrombosis testing...negative for that as well.   Based on all the tests and doctor visits over a seven month period, according to them I was "normal" but I was getting worse and to the point I could hardly walk.   A simple trip to the grocery store put me in excruciating pain and I had to spread out my errands over several days as I simply could not walk comfortably.

After getting some great suggestions from comments on my blog, I went back to my GP and insisted on an MRI.   He knows how claustraphobic I am and said I could take 3 Xanax for my anxiety.    Let me tell ya'll, that did the trick!    I climbed up on that thing, put a washcloth over my face, requested classical music and my husband sat next to me rubbing my shoulder and talking to me.  

The results are that I have a bulging disk(disc?) at L4-5 and spinal stenosis.    I had that same diagnosis several years ago but didn't have this kind of pain.    Why didn't someone (doctor) even suspect that and why did it take 7 months and me having to demand an MRI to get to this point?   All those co-pays and prescriptions!  

Anyway, I decided to go to my chiropractor who has treated me in the past for this problem before going to the orthopedic.    I believe all he'll do is send me for PT and to me that's just a legal form of torture!     As of today, I've had three "adjustments" and my chiropractor has given me more information than all those other doctors combined.    I do feel some relief and realize I didn't get this way overnight and it won't be a quick fix.    One of the issues is a calcium build up around the vertabrae which of course causes the nerve to be compressed and the pain ensues down my leg.    I'm going to go this route for at least a month and then maybe will go to the ortho to see what he suggests.

Thank you all for your comments, concerns, thoughts and prayers!    I know they have helped me.

On a lighter note, this past weekend we celebrated my mom's 96th birthday!   What a milestone.    She is amazing....reads her Kindle (just ordered her a 2nd one) and is very involved in activities at her nursing home....especially bingo.   They call her the bingo queen because she wins a lot!    Other than loss of her most of her hearing, she is quite the steel magnolia.    Is up to date on the news and follows the current election antics!  

Here's a little collage I made of my kids and grandkids at the birthday party....I can't believe I couldn't find the one with my mama in it!   They brought her some ice creme (her favorite) and she wore a Mexican sombrero while they sang Happy Birthday!  

I'm sure most everyone has big plans for the 4th of July weekend.   We normally go to my sister's lake place and have a big cookout but this year we're going to our son's house and my sister and her family are going to the mountains.

Hope you all have a wonderful and safe 4th!