Update

[Guest guest]

Hi all!

I figured that I would give everyone an update as to my progress. I

recently went to TCI. My appointment at TCI consisted of a meeting with a

nurse, a neurologist and a neurosurgeon, Dr. Bolognese. I was there from

8:45am to 6:15pm and spent most of the time with either the nurse or the

neurologist taking my history and performing tests on me (reflexes and

measuring my cognitive reflexes). During my time with Dr. Bolognese, I

found out that in addition to my pre-existing CM and SM, there are three

additional issues going on:

First, all the testimonials are true, TCI is as good as people portray it to

be AND they know what they are doing, which is a TREMENDOUS plus! If you

have any doubts of your current situation or a loved one's, do not hesitate

- run, crawl, fly, drive, however possible - to call and make an appointment

to see TCI!!! J

1. Cranial Instability - Dr. Bolognese indicated that the Cranial

Instability could be a result from an accident that I had 8 months after my

decompression surgery in March 2004. He described that the whiplash action

could have allowed the neck muscles to hyperextend, which would cause the

bond that the muscles make with the bone of the skull and the spinal cord to

become unstable. Dr. Bolognese has ordered invasive cranial traction (ICT),

which will be performed on September 3, 2008. The ICT will allow them to

measure exactly how unstable my neck and skull are.

2. CSF Leak - Dr. Bolognese indicated that the CSF Leak could be a

result from the accident. He described that the whiplash action could have

allowed the neck muscles to hyperextend, which could have made a small hole

in the scar tissue. The hole over time allowed the CSF to collect between

the dura and the neck muscles. The collection of fluid has caused me a

great deal of pain over the years with muscle spasms and headaches. Since

the VP Shunt was put in this past May, the collection of fluid has

decreased, but has not been entirely drained. Dr. Bolognese said that if

the fluid doesn't fix itself based on the shunt, I would need an additional

surgery to fix the leak.

3. Tethered Cord.

So, I am still out of work and will be on STD for a while longer.

I have informed my current NSG of my current circumstances and they will

send the necessary information to me that was requested by TCI. I was

advised that if I am treating with TCI, he will no longer treat me.

Not that I blame him, but it does make me wonder why he didn't pick up on

the Cranial Instability and the CSF Leak?????????????????

I guess no one is perfect!

Cheers,

Marc