Long overdue update: 09-12

Thank you Jay for you extremely fine words.

I am hardly a hero, not to myself or anyone else. Just as I say, another smuck with PC and some bad luck hanging around.

I can best articulate my feelings through writing. Its easier for me to communicate that way. For those that know me up close, I have terrible phone skills and manners, best not to get into a phone call with me.

On the serious side, I know how I feel at all times - physically, mentally, and emotionally. So if someone asks how I am doing, I assume they really want to know and have no problems being an open book in blinding detail. Sorry, that's the OCD side of me at work. Plus I have the annoying habit of seeing and looking at everything in the most literal sense, which isn't always a plus.

I freely admit that I have no special skills or knowledge or advice on the nuances of PC or its treatments. I only know what I have experienced first hand.

As far as the chronic pain facet, I agree with most in the CP community would say, unless you live the CP life, an outside will never truly understand what we endure. The average person, while understand pain in general, we all get hurt, can't comprehend how any one can be in severe pain 24/7 for weeks, months, and even years on end, despite being on heavy doses of opioids and other pain meds. But its simply true. People think you are faking, or a drug seeker, or worse. I would challenge anyone to spend 24 hours in my body, just one day, and then come back to me and tell me what they experienced.

It would be an eye opener. Then tell them that its never going to heal or get better for the rest of your natural life. Then tell me how joyful and happy you would feel.

Hero? No way. Survivor, yes, but what's the alternative?

So do we all David. Your cheer squad are behind you 100%, wishing, hoping and praying you will find the relief you so badly need (and deserve).
We will keep everything crossed for a promising update after what sounds like an absolutely exhausting round of appointments. I hope you have a good diary secretary!!!

Aimzee,

Was sorry to read of Paul's latest troubles and woes. He just keeps getting hit too, feel bad for him, and for you. Hope he's still on the mend. Will be watching your posts.

about to head out the door to see the new Neurologist. It's got to go well, I have been waiting for months for an appointment as the problems worsen.

In the end, they had a satellite office that can't be more than 8 blocks from my house, at least that is a plus.

No telling what tests or scans may be ordered, just anxious to get this properly dxd, and then hopefully some kind of treatment plan in place. Be nice to at least knock off a problem or two.

If this bombs out, my only alternative is to push it on the VA, but that would involve even more months of waiting, and it would take me a 160 miles round trip every time I would see a doctor at the regional VA hospital.

Got my fingers crossed, that I will be seeing a quality Neuro in a few minutes. Will post update later.