more questions...

[Guest guest]

Hello! Yes, I think you should ask your Dr. to do

an MRI on you. They aren't perfect though! I had an

MRI done on my knee and it showed everything was

normal except a little bit of fluid. I ended up having a

meniscus tear and chondral defect, plus inflammed plica.

Because PT didn't help, they went ahead and did surgery

to see what was wrong and the doctor was very

shocked to see the amout of damage that was in my knee

that didn't show up on the MRI. I really think you

should request an MRI and if your doctor doesn't agree

that one should be done, then I would go find a dr.

that would listen better to you! There is a reason

behind all the grinding and popping! Good luck and take

care! <br><br>~Abby

[Guest guest]

Hi Kristi<br><br>Yes insist on an an MRI. MRI's

are certainly not infallible, but are much better

than X-rays. MRI's do show cartilage quite well and

will give you a MUCH better indication of what's wrong

than an X-ray. Also, MRI's are taken for multiple

slices through your knee at various different angles.

(Mine consist of about 20 different slices from about 5

different angles I think)<br><br>I must stress though that

even MRI's can miss cartilage damage though...

although the likelyhood of " missing " damage reduces the

greater the damage. What I mean by this is mild CP may be

missed. Severe CP should show up???? <br><br>I'm not an

OS though and I'm willing to be corrected on

this!!<br>Joe

[Guest guest]

you might have the os scope your knee,the

mri<br>can't see the back of the knee cap,that how

they<br>found the extent of the knee damage before i had<br>my

major surgery they scopped my knee it takes a <br>hour

or so same day surgery scars are about one<br>eight

of an inch. Darski1us

[Guest guest]

forgot to mention up and around in a week or

so<br>you might need a little p/t after no big

deal<br><br>not much pain after,but my scope surgery was<br>a

little More major had a lateral realease to help<br>my

knee to track better,them 1997 had

reallinement<br>surgery ouch ! !<br><br>darski1us best of luck,hang In

there were all to<br>around for advise and and to help

:--)

[Guest guest]

Thanks Darski for this info! If I don't improve

much I guess I'll have to get scoped just to have a

look inside. <br><br>My MRI's look more or less

normal, and this is comforting, but I've seen too many

posts from people who's MRI's were " normal " but when

they got scoped, the doc was surprised to find a load

of damage.<br><br>I know that even the simplest

knee-bending excercise causes me sharp pains and burning pains

within a couple of hours. So I can't help feeling my

MRI's are lying....<br><br>Try telling an OS that the

MRI's are lying though... they don't believe

you...<br><br>Joe

[Guest guest]

in some cases they can repair the knee by

scope<br>remove loose bodies.resurface the underside of<br>the

knee cap and do a lateral realease for me<br>so my

tracking was better was done in 1994<br><br>1997

patefemeral reallinement surgery to buy me<br>some-time till

my replacement surgery down

the<br>road.<br><br>darski1us any more questions just ask

[Guest guest]

<<Is protein powder and myoplex deluxe the same thing? I basically

need the vanilla protein powder for alot of the recpies I want to

try. I assumed myoplex was differnt than the protein powder, but went

to gnc and the person working there said they were the same>>

Goes to show you never to listen to anyone who works at GNC as they

dont know what they are talking about!

Myoplex Deluxe is known as a 'meal replacement powder' or MRP for

short..these are designed to completely REPLACE a meal and they not

only have protein in them but carbs & fats as well. Refer here for

info on varieties available & example comparisons:

http://www11.netrition.com/lowfat_mrp_page.html

Protein powders are just that..protein and not much else..they are

typically used to add to recipes & shakes where you need a protein

boost ~ again some useful info and comparisons here:

http://www11.netrition.com/whey_protein.html

<<joni>>

*never shop at GNC unless its an emergency situation* ;-)

[Guest guest]

<<Is protein powder and myoplex deluxe the same thing? I basically

need the vanilla protein powder for alot of the recpies I want to

try. I assumed myoplex was differnt than the protein powder, but went

to gnc and the person working there said they were the same>>

Goes to show you never to listen to anyone who works at GNC as they

dont know what they are talking about!

Myoplex Deluxe is known as a 'meal replacement powder' or MRP for

short..these are designed to completely REPLACE a meal and they not

only have protein in them but carbs & fats as well. Refer here for

info on varieties available & example comparisons:

http://www11.netrition.com/lowfat_mrp_page.html

Protein powders are just that..protein and not much else..they are

typically used to add to recipes & shakes where you need a protein

boost ~ again some useful info and comparisons here:

http://www11.netrition.com/whey_protein.html

<<joni>>

*never shop at GNC unless its an emergency situation* ;-)

[Guest guest]

Sara wrote: " 3. I've heard theories before that diseases come from our

bodies

being too acidic, which is cause by our diets being overly acidic,

and that the key to health is to make our bodies more alkaline.

Does anyone have more insight into this theory? And if so, how does

drinking kombucha, which we're told here is acidic, help our bodies

be healthy? "

My understanding is that acidic foods, for the most part, turn alkaline in

our bodies while alkaline foods turn acidic. I don't know where the idea

came from originally because I was told that as a child and I am now in my

60s LOL! But if acidic becomes alkaline, that is what happens to things like

KT.

I drink at least a quart of KT a day. My skin looks better and more

youthful; I have more energy; and I feel better over all.

Joyce

Dallas TX

--

Jubilee Airedales www.jubileeaires.com

Dear Jubilee: The Animal Connection Workshops & Consultations

DWAA , IACP #P-1834, MDSA, AKC Canine Ambassador & CGC Evaluator

[Guest guest]

ah... Sara. so you've shed a little light on the acidic verses

alkaline theory for me. if acidic turns to alkaline in our body and

alkaline turns to acidic in our body - then maybe it's o k for me to

drink the yeast that comes at the bottom of a filled kombuka bottle.

i was a bit scared to do this as i cannot consume any sort of wheat

product and figure that might be inside the yeast? oh i am so

confused. i dont think i should be consuming the yeast cause i have

a bad case of candida and wouldn't that make it worse? even though

kombuka is supposed to be Real Good for candida.

well - just my thoughts. any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

and have a nice day. Arielle

- In kombucha tea , " Joyce "

<jmillerwolfe@...> wrote:

>

> Sara wrote: " 3. I've heard theories before that diseases come from

our

> bodies

> being too acidic, which is cause by our diets being overly acidic,

> and that the key to health is to make our bodies more alkaline.

> Does anyone have more insight into this theory? And if so, how does

> drinking kombucha, which we're told here is acidic, help our bodies

> be healthy? "

>

> My understanding is that acidic foods, for the most part, turn

alkaline in

> our bodies while alkaline foods turn acidic. I don't know where the

idea

> came from originally because I was told that as a child and I am

now in my

> 60s LOL! But if acidic becomes alkaline, that is what happens to

things like

> KT.

>

> I drink at least a quart of KT a day. My skin looks better and more

> youthful; I have more energy; and I feel better over all.

>

> Joyce

> Dallas TX

>

> --

> Jubilee Airedales www.jubileeaires.com

> Dear Jubilee: The Animal Connection Workshops & Consultations

> DWAA , IACP #P-1834, MDSA, AKC Canine Ambassador & CGC Evaluator

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

In message <evsa20+ts6qeGroups> you wrote:

> 1. I'm definately having intestinal reactions to drinking my new

> tea. Is this normal, what does it mean, and how long will it last?

Sara, if you mean wind, and going to the toilet more often than you

normally do, that is to be expected. Nothing to be worried about!

> 2. Can you drink kombucha when pregnant or nursing?

I did, as I have always believed that Kombucha is a balancing food

and good for every life situation. It is very important, though,

to have a good plain water intake at the same time, as KT is diuretic =

draws water out of the body, just like tea and coffee.

> 3. I've heard theories before that diseases come from our bodies

> being too acidic, which is cause by our diets being overly acidic,

> and that the key to health is to make our bodies more alkaline.

> Does anyone have more insight into this theory? And if so, how does

> drinking kombucha, which we're told here is acidic, help our bodies

> be healthy?

Kombucha, although it contains acids, alcalizes the body!

> 4. I didn't strain my tea, just siphoned it out. There are dark

> floaties and sinkies, and they seem to be growing. From what I've

> read, this is ok, right?

Ah yes, the famous ooglies! KT wouldn't be KT without them at one time or

another :-)

> If I do decide to strain them out, should I add them to the

> tea I have brewing?

You can if you want to, but it doesn't matter. I usually strain them out.

They will grow again, as Kombucha is a very active beastie! ;-0

Blessings,

Margret:-)

--

+------------------ Minstrel@... --------------------+

<)))<>< http://www.therpc.f9.co.uk <)))<><

http://www.AnswersInGenesis.com

+----------------- http://www.Gotquestions.org ------------------+

Nobody feels loving all the time,

but we can always do the loving thing if we so choose

[Guest guest]

I can obviously only speak for myself, but I for one am very

grateful that my state has the diversion program or the probation

program, no matter how flawed they may be. The bottom line is, I did

this to myself, no one asked me to provide patient care while

impaired, no one made me use the substances I did, and now I must

assume responsibility for my actions. I am sure glad that I will

have the chance to practice again rather than just having my license

taken away. Whether one wants to look at it as punsishment or not is

up to the individual, but when I did the things that I did, I knew

they were wrong. I made that choice. I for one am glad that my state

is at least trying to insure that I am safe to practice before

putting me back out there. God only knows that my decisions haven't

been good ones.

>

> I'm wondering what the point is to having an investigation if

> everyone is given 3 years in probation? Sure would save us alot of

> money. If a person was in diversion, and is now going into

probation

> they should just assign 3 years to eveyone. What's up with that!

> Also, if an attorney doesn't do any good for people, what the heck

> are they doing? It looks like it did the nurse in Pennsylvania

some

> good to have an attorney. She got her license back, amd doesn't

have

> to test anymore. Maybe it's the right attorney. Whatever, your

guess

> is as good as mine. Also, when we're in probation do we have to go

to

> nursing support groups, and AA/NA meetings like diversion? Fill

out a

> monthly report, and all that stuff that i've been doing for 4 1/2

> years. Can't wait to get to do it another three years! And here's

the

> BIGGIE!!! What the HECK are we going to do about being tested with

> the same " fair " and " flawless " test?????????????? Everyone says,

> well, maybe by then some change would have taken place. Ya know

what?

> I don't think it's going down the pipe anytime soon. Hey, this is

> what I want to do with the rest of my life. Test, test, test. Have

> elevations. Be yelled at, and punished. Is this America? The home

of

> the free, and the land of the BRAVE. I think we all should go

public

> with this. Put it in the paper. Go on on television. Other people

who

> have gone before us with their issue have changed their world. Why

> not us!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Well, it appears to me that we will

> continue to live in FEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

> I hope i got somebody's attention. Regards,n2bf

>

[Guest guest]

,

It is admirable that you take responsibility for your actions. It is

time that the boards take some responsibility and deal us a fair

program. After all, we PAY for the lab tests and (in many cases) the

program administration fees for these programs. Just because we did

something wrong in the past does not give them the right to use a

sub-standard lab test on us. By those standards, I suppose it would be

OK to test experimental drugs on prisoners or feed them food that was

not FDA inspected. The fact is, , we are citizens who DESERVE the

same protections as EVERY citizen does. Do not let anyone guilt and

shame you into believing you are inferior or deserve anything less than

anyone else in this country.

Lorie

> >

> > I'm wondering what the point is to having an investigation if

> > everyone is given 3 years in probation? Sure would save us alot of

> > money. If a person was in diversion, and is now going into

> probation

> > they should just assign 3 years to eveyone. What's up with that!

> > Also, if an attorney doesn't do any good for people, what the heck

> > are they doing? It looks like it did the nurse in Pennsylvania

> some

> > good to have an attorney. She got her license back, amd doesn't

> have

> > to test anymore. Maybe it's the right attorney. Whatever, your

> guess

> > is as good as mine. Also, when we're in probation do we have to go

> to

> > nursing support groups, and AA/NA meetings like diversion? Fill

> out a

> > monthly report, and all that stuff that i've been doing for 4 1/2

> > years. Can't wait to get to do it another three years! And here's

> the

> > BIGGIE!!! What the HECK are we going to do about being tested with

> > the same " fair " and " flawless " test?????????????? Everyone says,

> > well, maybe by then some change would have taken place. Ya know

> what?

> > I don't think it's going down the pipe anytime soon. Hey, this is

> > what I want to do with the rest of my life. Test, test, test. Have

> > elevations. Be yelled at, and punished. Is this America? The home

> of

> > the free, and the land of the BRAVE. I think we all should go

> public

> > with this. Put it in the paper. Go on on television. Other people

> who

> > have gone before us with their issue have changed their world. Why

> > not us!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Well, it appears to me that we will

> > continue to live in FEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

> > I hope i got somebody's attention. Regards,n2bf

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Sometimes on probation, you may also get 5yrs., it's not always

three. Yes, you do still have to do nurse support, AA/NA mtgs., call

the pee test number M-F and send in a quarterly report. At work my

nurse manager also has to send in a quarterly report, as well as my

sponsor. Hope that answers some of your questions.

>

> I'm wondering what the point is to having an investigation if

> everyone is given 3 years in probation? Sure would save us alot of

> money. If a person was in diversion, and is now going into

probation

> they should just assign 3 years to eveyone. What's up with that!

> Also, if an attorney doesn't do any good for people, what the heck

> are they doing? It looks like it did the nurse in Pennsylvania some

> good to have an attorney. She got her license back, amd doesn't

have

> to test anymore. Maybe it's the right attorney. Whatever, your

guess

> is as good as mine. Also, when we're in probation do we have to go

to

> nursing support groups, and AA/NA meetings like diversion? Fill out

a

> monthly report, and all that stuff that i've been doing for 4 1/2

> years. Can't wait to get to do it another three years! And here's

the

> BIGGIE!!! What the HECK are we going to do about being tested with

> the same " fair " and " flawless " test?????????????? Everyone says,

> well, maybe by then some change would have taken place. Ya know

what?

> I don't think it's going down the pipe anytime soon. Hey, this is

> what I want to do with the rest of my life. Test, test, test. Have

> elevations. Be yelled at, and punished. Is this America? The home

of

> the free, and the land of the BRAVE. I think we all should go

public

> with this. Put it in the paper. Go on on television. Other people

who

> have gone before us with their issue have changed their world. Why

> not us!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Well, it appears to me that we will

> continue to live in FEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

> I hope i got somebody's attention. Regards,n2bf

>

[Guest guest]

Yes, we did this to ourselves that is why we ended up in these

programs, but to say that some of us aren't fit to practice is an

assumption..an assumption based on a poorly researched test. I don't

think you will find one person here who doesn't believe that they

belong in these programs or denies the fact that they have made a bad

choice in life and that is why they are here. I do know that everyone

here has lived up to the standard of contract that they signed and

that is the issue..how do you continue to what is right and still be

punidhed?? How long are you supposed to live in this type of

stressful enviornment??

We all take responsibility for our actions now it's time for the

boards to take responsibility for thier action of using a faulty

test!!!

> >

> > I'm wondering what the point is to having an investigation if

> > everyone is given 3 years in probation? Sure would save us alot

of

> > money. If a person was in diversion, and is now going into

> probation

> > they should just assign 3 years to eveyone. What's up with that!

> > Also, if an attorney doesn't do any good for people, what the

heck

> > are they doing? It looks like it did the nurse in Pennsylvania

> some

> > good to have an attorney. She got her license back, amd doesn't

> have

> > to test anymore. Maybe it's the right attorney. Whatever, your

> guess

> > is as good as mine. Also, when we're in probation do we have to

go

> to

> > nursing support groups, and AA/NA meetings like diversion? Fill

> out a

> > monthly report, and all that stuff that i've been doing for 4 1/2

> > years. Can't wait to get to do it another three years! And here's

> the

> > BIGGIE!!! What the HECK are we going to do about being tested

with

> > the same " fair " and " flawless " test?????????????? Everyone says,

> > well, maybe by then some change would have taken place. Ya know

> what?

> > I don't think it's going down the pipe anytime soon. Hey, this is

> > what I want to do with the rest of my life. Test, test, test.

Have

> > elevations. Be yelled at, and punished. Is this America? The home

> of

> > the free, and the land of the BRAVE. I think we all should go

> public

> > with this. Put it in the paper. Go on on television. Other people

> who

> > have gone before us with their issue have changed their world.

Why

> > not us!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Well, it appears to me that we will

> > continue to live in FEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

> > I hope i got somebody's attention. Regards,n2bf

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Jill,

I was asking the same questions last fall, when my pain had just

begun and I was controlling it with shots, meds, etc. Someone from

this group told me that when the time was right I would know. I can

tell you that 10 months later, I understand what she meant. I am at

the point now where my pain is progressing and I am tired of living

on medications and having my mobility limited. I found a surgeon I

trust and for me I now know that surgery is probably my only option

because this is not going to get better and it is not going away. I

am trying to figure out when I can take 3-4 months out of my life to

do this and I am looking at possibly February, but there are days

when I don't know if I can wait that long because of the pain.

When you are ready, you will know.

Donna

>

> At what point did you all finally go to a qualified surgeon and get

some revision done on your

> backs? How long did you go, knowing that you had Flatback, before

you considered this

> surgery? I know that everyone is different and results probably

vary, but is the surgery worth

> it, I wonder? I am trying to just control the pain and keep

working at this point. Travelling all

> over in search of doctors and opinions doesn't seem feasible for me

right now. But at some

> point, I may have to. So what is your threshold? That's what I'm

curious about right now.

>

> Also, what pain relief procedures/meds worked well for you? I am

currently waiting to see if

> my facet joint procedure works, plus I'm on Morphine daily in order

to work.

>

> Thanks,

> Jill in Florida

>

[Guest guest]

Jill,

I think those are really good questions. And for everyone, the

threshold is different. I can answer for myself though. I have had

problems going for at least 10 years with my back where I have been

suspicious of things not being quite right. But then I was

diagnosed with multiple sclerosis 5 years ago, and that seemed to be

the culprit of many of my symptoms. In actuality, while MS was

causing most of my problems, flatback was contributing to some as

well.

I kept joining various scoliosis groups, then unsubscribing when

life got busy, and then especially when I got the MS diagnosis (I

thought for sure that all of the back stuff was able to be blamed on

that). A little over a year ago, I decided to look into the back

stuff again and found these flatback lists. I just lurked for a

while, but then I kept hearing symptoms and descriptions that

sounded exactly like what I was going thru. Like I said before,

many of my symptoms can be blamed on my MS. But some of them (like

the inability to stand upright without bending my knees) didn't mesh

with MS.

After mulling things over for a while, I decided to see a flatback

expert in my area just to see if I had it or not. This past

December, I faxed my stuff to him on a Friday afternoon. His office

called me on that Monday and I had an appointment for the following

Tuesday! They confirmed that I had flatback, explained what

surgical procedures they might try to do, and talked about the

risk/benefits of even doing the surgery with my MS. They told me &

my hubby to go home and talk my neurologist, and think things over

before making a decision.

With my neuro's blessing, I decided to go ahead with the surgery

just for the CHANCE that it might help my mobility (I was using a

walker & a wheelchair before the surgery, and the walker was very

difficult by the end of the day because I was so bent over and in

pain).

This summer seemed like the perfect time for the surgery for several

reasons:

I had chemo treatments last year and so my MS had stabilized very

well for the first time in years (don't want to go into a major

surgery with the MS out of control!)

My husband's health insurance is insanely excellent at the moment,

but will be changing as of Jan 1st next year. For example, I've

been getting in-home PT 3x/wk since January and they cover it 100%,

there is no lifetime maximum on coverage, there is a $100 co-pay for

surgery and they cover the rest at 100%, I got a $45,000 powerchair

last summer and they covered it 100%, etc.

My mom was able to take the summer off (with no pay!) to watch our

kids (ages 2 & 3) while I was in the hospital and rehab.

So, these are the reasons of why and when I decided to go ahead with

the surgery. Some people know they have flatback and know that they

eventually will need revision, but they choose to wait for a while

before taking the plunge. I myself thought why should I wait for

things to get worse before going thru with it? Other people might

no be ready emotionally for it, or they don't have adequate

insurance coverage, or they aren't in a good place career-wise,

family-wise, etc to get it done. It's a very individual decision,

and I think that when you reach the point of being ready for it, you

will know.

This was just my experience, others may feel quite differently about

how/when they did things! Hope this helps!

>

> At what point did you all finally go to a qualified surgeon and

get some revision done on your

> backs? How long did you go, knowing that you had Flatback, before

you considered this

> surgery? I know that everyone is different and results probably

vary, but is the surgery worth

> it, I wonder? I am trying to just control the pain and keep

working at this point. Travelling all

> over in search of doctors and opinions doesn't seem feasible for

me right now. But at some

> point, I may have to. So what is your threshold? That's what I'm

curious about right now.

>

> Also, what pain relief procedures/meds worked well for you? I am

currently waiting to see if

> my facet joint procedure works, plus I'm on Morphine daily in

order to work.

>

> Thanks,

> Jill in Florida

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks to all who responded. I have little doubt that when I go back to Dr.

O'Brien, he will

look at me and my x-rays and come to the conclusion that it is Flatback at work

here. I am

still coming to terms with the fact that this is me, that I will no longer enjoy

the kind of

mobility I once did. For years, my grandmother would ask me,'How's your back?

You don't

have ANY problems? " And the answer was no for so long. It was amazing. The

pain crept up

on me and now it's 24/7. No escape. I wake up in pain during the night because

I've

accidentally lain on my back. For the first hour in the morning, I almost look

" normal " , then

within an hour or two, I'm stooping. If I don't take a Morphine, I'm in tears

by noon. This is

my new reality and I'm having a hard time accepting it. It has taken over my

life, all my

thoughts are concentrated on my pain, how to relieve my pain and trying to find

someone

who can help or at least understand. Someone who won't tell me to find the

right

chiropractor! Anyway, thanks for your help, everyone.

Jill

[Guest guest]

My story about how I reached the decision to have my flatback surgery

is this....

I ruptured A DISC (One) in 1992 during cheerleading while I was

coaching (a girl fell on me) I had been a cheerleader my whole life

and a gymnast so this was just a freak accident....I did everything

to help this pain from this one disc and two years later it got so

bad that I couldnt' even walk. So I had another MRI and CT scan and

found out it had progressed up my back to 6 discs. So in 1994 I had

the anterior surgery and 6 days later I had the posterior surgery

fusion to fuse my entire lumbar with titanium cages and rods and

screws. I had great pain relief and had 3 perfect pregnancies and

babies soon after. But years later I began to have problems with my

discs above and once again did everything in the world to help it. I

went to a neurosurgeon who (after much thought and prayer) did

surgery to fuse my T10 -T12 area)(Sept 2005) Well....it didn't fuse

and I was like " what in the world I fused so easily last time " Soooo

she re-did it because the screws were loose from not fusing. so in

July 2006 she re-fused it and STILL I did NOT fuse!! She sent me

away to a more specialized doctor because she said she didn't do the

next step (going through the front - Thorocotomy through the chest

cavity) So I found Dr. Small at Florida ORtho. and HE WASN'T EVEN

CONCERNED ABOUT MY DISCS NOT FUSING He said the issue was much deeper

than that with me and that is when he did Xrays and said I had

flatback!! I had never heard of that before but it all made sense!

He said because I had NO lordosis from my original fusion - that it

caused me to bend forward (I thought that was just something I was

supposed to do after a what I had gone through and just accepted it)

I was VERY bent forward.... and that all of my movement was now in

those two discs that they were trying to fuse and that they would

never fuse if I was constantly moving them - even with a brace I bent

forward and put pressure on those. He asked me if my bending forward

had gotton worse over the years and I said " yes " especially in the

last 4 years or so----and I ached in my shoulders and upper back all

the time and was exhausted after standing 3 minutes or walking to the

mailbox! Then he explained the surgery to me and explained how they

would bend cut triangle notches at L2 and L4 and bend me back up and

once I was straight up and down again - that it wouldn't put pressure

on those discs and they may not become an issue anymore. So, there

was NO question and NO waiting for me because I almost feel I had no

choice - I would just continue to bend forward more and more and MORE

discs would begin to go bad and I would end up in a wheel chair. I

have a VERY high pain tolerence and I am not big on pain meds because

I have 3 boys to keep after. I fought through my pain for years and

even accepted that it was part of the life I had been given - BUT

never in my wildest dreams did I ever think that I would be able to

get my arch back and be able to stand back up and THUS help my pain!

I know I never will be perfect and this was a HUGE and VERY difficult

surgery and I know I am only 7 weeks post - op but I have a lot of

confidence and a great attitude that this will help me and benefit me

in the long run. It was 12 hours and I lost a lot of blood and I was

in ICU for a few days and I was in a lot of pain - but I am really

doing well now.

Everyone has to make the decision for themselves because every case

is different. Your attitude goes a long way I beleive with this kind

of surgery.

So, that is my story - I hope this helped you some....

Debbie Warren

>

> At what point did you all finally go to a qualified surgeon and get

some revision done on your

> backs? How long did you go, knowing that you had Flatback, before

you considered this

> surgery? I know that everyone is different and results probably

vary, but is the surgery worth

> it, I wonder? I am trying to just control the pain and keep

working at this point. Travelling all

> over in search of doctors and opinions doesn't seem feasible for me

right now. But at some

> point, I may have to. So what is your threshold? That's what I'm

curious about right now.

>

> Also, what pain relief procedures/meds worked well for you? I am

currently waiting to see if

> my facet joint procedure works, plus I'm on Morphine daily in order

to work.

>

> Thanks,

> Jill in Florida

>

[Guest guest]

Debbie--Where exactly is Dr. Small in Florida?

[Guest guest]

Dr. Small is at Florida Orhopaedic Institute in Tampa.

813-978-9700

>

> Debbie--Where exactly is Dr. Small in Florida?

>

[Guest guest]

i have never known anyone else who had a cholesteatoma before so as i

am reading your blogs, etc. i see that many of you only had one surgery...

i have had 8, however my mom tells me that the first two were to

'clean' my ear. i was 6 years old during my first two surgeries so i

dont remember them. Also, how is it possible to have a c-toma only in

one ear, especially when the other deaf people in my family are deaf

in both ears.

Do you all consider yourself hearing or hard of hearing or deaf or

something else? i have always felt like not having a right place in

the hearing world because i have so many problems with my hearing but

the more surgeries and appointments i have to hear better the less i

feel apart of the deaf community. Does anyone else have this kind of

feeling?

[Guest guest]

Hey cverdos,

I have recently had three surgeries, but I have seen some people on

here who have had up to 13 surgeries. Which is totally crazy. And wow,

dude, you had 8!! I am not sure how it's possible to be deaf of both

sides. Though after my first two surgeries I figured out I had another

ctoma in my other ear. And my doctor is waiting to see if he can fix my

hearing in the left ear, before he does the other ear. if he does the

other ear first I just might not have any hearing. So, right now I am

just really, really hard of hearing(maybe). NO PUNT intended. lol But I

have taken some steps to help myself with these problems so if I do

become deaf it is a little easier. There isn't really a class for me

for sign language(asl-american sign language), because I am older. So,

I found used books on the subject to help me, so I can teach myself.

thanks hippy

sorry for the essay

>

> i have never known anyone else who had a cholesteatoma before so as i

> am reading your blogs, etc. i see that many of you only had one

surgery...

> i have had 8, however my mom tells me that the first two were to

> 'clean' my ear. i was 6 years old during my first two surgeries so i

> dont remember them. Also, how is it possible to have a c-toma only in

> one ear, especially when the other deaf people in my family are deaf

> in both ears.

> Do you all consider yourself hearing or hard of hearing or deaf or

> something else? i have always felt like not having a right place in

> the hearing world because i have so many problems with my hearing but

> the more surgeries and appointments i have to hear better the less i

> feel apart of the deaf community. Does anyone else have this kind of

> feeling?

>