Neurologist just called with my Neurosurgeon appt!

My Neurologist just called and told me she was able to get me into the Neurosurgeon on the 22nd of June.  I have to have a new MRI of my cervical spine before my appt, then he will decide what order we will be doing the surgeries in.  They are going to have to do at least 2 because of the severity of my neck, but my lumbar is what is causing my legs to go out from under me.  So, from the sound of it,

I will begin my surgeries the 1st or 2nd week of July!  Talk about slapping someone in the face!!!!!  I was just starting to accept the outcome from the Neurologist, thinking I had some time to get mentalluy ready, but they put me on the emergency call list, so if they have a cancellation, I will be going sooner than later..Talk about a whirlwind!!!  lol

Finally, I am sorry to hear about how fast things are moving along. But, please, please get a 2nd opinion on surgery, anyone here that has had surgery will tell you its always best to get another opinion. You owe it to yourself and your family. Take care.

Thanks for all the input. The Neurosurgeon I have an appt with is just a consult. He wants to see the MRI's and read them himself, to make sure that they were read correctly and that surgery is really necessary. From the information I have gotten from people around here, the Neurosurgeon I have been referred to is supposed to be one of the best and he is going to do another complete neurological evaluation. After I meet with him, then I will be able to make a better educated decision. I guess I just have to be patient (not one of my better qualities) and see what he thinks. In the mean time, I am going to see the Neurologist to get more trigger point injections, they seem to help more than anything else right not. I think my problem with starting over with another neurologist, is that it will take so long, that I will end up waiting too long. If the neurosurgeon has the same opinion that the neurologist does, then I will seriously consider the surgery, if they have different opinions, then I am goiing to try to get into the spine center in Oklahoma City. The only thing is I really like the hospital that all this started at. So, for the time being, I am just going to sit in limbo....and do my best to be patient.....it's gonna be a long few weeks!

I don't know what that is.....I will google it, but none of my docs have mentioned it

No it's a different one. The one that came by to see me at the hospital does not have surgery priveledges to that hospital and I insist on being in that hospital. I was treated so well that I just feel more comfortable there. Come to find out, the new neurosurgeon I have is well known to be excellent in his field. He is supposed to be one of the better ones around here. And as politically incorrect as this may be.....I can understand what he says. He doesn't have a thick accent like the others do. I am however on his emergency cancellation list, so if anyone cancelles, they will call me so I can get in faster. Even as it is now, I feel like I am in a whirlwind. To me everything seems to be going so fast. I guess in the medical world tho is isn't that fast. I am still really aprehensive about even having any of this done...Not really ready to have to do it....

I am really trying to be patient, but that is just not an easy thing. I found out that i will have to be off ALL anti-inflamatories for 2 weeks prior to my surgery. That would be my muscle relaxer and some of my pain meds. The bad part is that after 2 weeks without thoses meds, I will be in bed in tears....hopefully they can replace them with something....I really don't think I will survive 2 weeks without them. I may be in the hospital WAY before the surgery....just to get help controlling the pain. I am hoping that my neurologist will give me more trigger point injections on the 7th, and then HOPEFULLY the neurosurgeon will be able to answer all my questions on the 22nd. I have a lot of support at home, and obviously on here, so I feel like it will all work out for the best. Trying so hard to be positive, and stay positive, but I do have my weak moments. Then I fight the depression even more. Don't ya know its either depression or panic attacks....one extreme or the other!

I hope so too!... It would give me less time to dwell on the "what if's"!! Thats for sure! Then I would know for sure if I am looking at one or two surgeries this summer...Kind of a bummer for family plans, but maybe I will feel better for the end of summer...I don't know how long the recovery time is on either of the surgeries they are talking about, but if I feel better it will end up being worth it. I am working on a list of questions for the Neurosurgeon....I am thinking he isn't going to like it very much will all the questions I am coming up with. One of my biggest questions is are they actually going to give me something for pain control? The last 2 surgeries I have had, the surgeons have told me that I am already taking more pain medication than they would prescribe, so they send me home with nothing!! I understand that I take alot of medication, but there is such a thing as building up a tolerance. That kinda worries me, what if they don't think I need anything different than what I have. What I have works for the pain I have on a daily basis, but additional pain, I don't think it will cut it.....I hope he understands that....most of them don't!