I wasn't gonna but I have to... I'm scared!

so, do you want to start the interest or shall I? I sure can understand being worried and even your non-dominate hand is important - as my roomie's mom discovered when she sprained her right wrist - she's also a south paw... In fact, BOTH of my roomies are south paws...

Hi Elic. I'm so glad I'm not the only member! Maybe we should start a new category called The Whiner's Club. You know, I had just about the same thing happen to me. I had cervical cancer when I was 19. It was in the beginning stages so they operated and removed the bad part. I hemorrhaged from that surgery and had to have a second one 6 days later. When I was recovering from that one, they told me I'd have to come back in 6 weeks for a hysterectomy because I had huge cysts on both ovaries, one was the size of an orange and the other a grapefruit. I came back 6 weeks later, they put me under in the operating room and I woke up feeling absolutely no pain. Actually, I was hungry! I called the nurse who stuck her head in and asked if I wanted something for pain. I said no, I wanted food. Then, I asked her what they did because I couldn't even feel a bandage. She looked and, sure enough, nothing was there. The doctor came in and explained that they did an exploratory through my, uhh, you know, and saw that the cysts were shrinking so they decided to watch them. Eventually, they both disappeared. I lucked out that time! What worries me is, if this pain and numbness is caused by a bone spur pressing on the nerve, they'll have to remove the spur, which means they'll be touching the nerve. Well, at least this nerve is to my right arm, not my legs or even both arms. I'm left-handed so, if anything went wrong, I could still use my good arm. Good! I'm glad I wrote this discussion. I'm starting to feel better about this. THANKS!!!!!

I've known quite a lot of south paws. My husband is one. My ex was one. My sister was one. Both of my sons are right-handed, though. My mother and father were right-handed. Maybe it's something that skips a generation? I have no idea. And, yes, having both hands does make life a lot easier! You can start it if you want. I'm a bit sleepy at the moment and just want to lie down for awhile. It's 8 p.m. here right now so, who knows, I may just sleep all night. Besides, I've never created a new category. I remember reading about it when I first joined but I forgot how. So, should it be "The Whiner's Club" or "Whiner's Corner" or "That Whiney Place" or something else? Do you have any suggestions? Hey! This may just placate those who complain about people venting or who have to talk about their problems in the general population. We can just tell them to stay FAR away from our little corner.

Thank you for such kind and understanding words, gurl. I wish I had family/friends to confide in. My family consists of my sons and my husband. My closest friend lives 110 miles away and has her own health problems: three strokes, pancreatis and diabetes, so I don't want her to worry about me. I don't want my sons to worry so I've been downplaying my problem to them. They're just starting their own lives and don't need to be worrying needlessly about their old mom. Of course, I'll tell them if I need surgery but only when I'm told I need it. My husband seems to be worried about me but he doesn't say much. I do let him know when it gets to be too much and he is being supportive which is suprising in itself because he's normally a very self-consumed person. He usually jokes about anything that worries me but he hasn't about this and I'm very thankful for that. I did find out today that the orthopedic surgeon's office has sent my records over to the brain and spine specialist's office so I should be hearing soon (I hope!) of my appointment time. I think it's the not knowing part that scares me the most. What is this thing that shouldn't be there? What caused it? Can it hurt me? IS it hurting me? Can it be fixed? The biggest, of course, is, is it cancer? These are the questions I have with no one to ask... yet. I'm normally one of the most patient people you'd ever know but not now. This feeling is so foreign to me that I just don't know how to handle it. That's why I had to post this discussion. Your words have comforted me and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

You are very welcome, and as OceanTiara stated we are here for you, just say and shall help. I know the waiting seems like you sitting on your hands and there is nothing can be done. But please let us know if there is any research we can do for you as well. We are all avid cyber users and anything to assist a myLot friend. As hear we do not question we do not judge we lend a hand where ever we can. Please seek us when you need to or we will hunt you down and squeeze it out of you....

Will do!

Oh Marti I hope it all goes well please let me know when you are due to have it done you willbe in my thoughts and my Heart It is not exactly good News with my Lungs I will find out on 23 September if I need to have Lung Surgery to remove some of my Lungs, as my Lungs do not have the room to expand so it is now time to remove some I have been dreading this, but like I said nothing certain till I see my Consultant on 23rd September, that is why I am keeping quiet about it till I know for certain Back to you, I really hope they do the Op soon and you will certainly be in my thoughts always Big Hugs to you

So it's bone spurs and a squished spine? I wonder what they can do for that. I hope you find out today. So a brain and rain from all that you explain (I think she's got it)... Dawn walks off humming...

Yes, by jove, I think I've got it! Or you've got it. SOMEBODY'S got it. Now, how do we get rid of it? Guess what? It's still raining!!! Well, okay, sprinkling. We've had a grand total of .4 inches of rain since yesterday! Guess I should start building an ark, huh? Here's my neck. My poor, poor neck. I'm seeing the surgeon at 4 p.m. today so I still have to wait a bit more to know what he plans to do with it.

Surgery, "as soon as possible." The doc said I have a severely herniated disc that has almost totally pinched off the nerve to my arm. So, I'm going to have a cervical discectomy, then have a plate put in to hold the two vertebrae apart. He said that the very large bone spur is actually holding the two vertebrae below the herniation apart and keeping them from pinching off that nerve, too, so he's leaving that in. Who'da thunk?

Well, I had the MRI on Thursday, then saw the surgeon on Friday. He said, "I have bad news." You really don't want to hear a surgeon saying that, right? He just made my day. I have a severely herniated disc in my neck. He told me that the very large bone spur that is connecting two vertebrae is actually keeping that disc from herniating, so he's going to leave the spur alone. That's just under the herniated disc. I have lost quite a bit of strength in that arm so he wants to do the surgery as soon as possible to prevent more damage. I need to see my primary care physician for a pre-surgical workup so I can have the surgery and that should take place early next week. Life, what an adventure, huh? Oh! I scanned one of the MRI films. It shows a lot of impingement in my neck but it also shows part of my brain, proving that I do, indeed, have one. Here's my neck:

Wouldn't it be just your luck that you and your husband have your surgeries on the same day...wind up in recovery together (side by side), and then are both placed in a private room with beds next to each other? Seriously though, I hope that each of you both, fair well at the hospital. My thoughts are with yooze. cdrxo

Hi Angelgirl. I'm sorry it took me so long to get back to you but things have been happening so fast that I've been trying to wait to see what the outcome would be. I got an appointment last Friday to see the spine surgeon. He looked at my X-rays and ordered an MRI. The X-rays showed some very large bone spurs. I had the MRI yesterday, then went back to see the surgeon today (Friday). The first words out of his mouth were, "I have bad news." He told me he's normally a very conservative surgeon and only operates as a last resort but, with my problem, he wants to operate as soon as possible. I have a severely herniated disc that is almost cutting off the nerve to my arm. I have very noticeable weakness in that arm and he told me that is a sign of permanent nerve damage so he wants to operate as soon as possible to prevent further damage. He said that, if it's caught now, I MIGHT gain back some strength in that arm but he can't guarantee that. I know that he really is conservative because it's the same doctor my husband is going to for spinal stenosis of his lower spine. He has two bulging discs but they haven't herniated and he's being treated very conservatively. Cortisone injections and physical therapy. It figures that, between the two of us, I'd be the one having surgery. Yeah, a sense of humor is an essential tool in handling any bad situation. I think it really does help to keep laughing. It helps us get through the worse of it and also helps to speed up the healing process. There have been very few instances in my life when I lost my sense of humor. I'll probably be joking with the anesthesiologist in the operating room just before the surgery.

Hi Lady, It just seem to be inappropriate to call you, "mentalward." I think your are one couragous Lady. I am so very sorry that your news wasn't better news. Please let me know when your surgery is scheduled. I will be praying for you everyday and I truly wish you good health and a speedy recovery, so that you can get back to writing. This is not news that you hear everyday, and yet you have taken the time to communicated with all of your friends here on Mylot's site. I noticed that you didn't write one or two lines, you took your time and exlplained, very clearly, what is going on with your condition. I appreciate that quality in you. You and the anesthesiologist will probably become good buddies just before you start counting backward. Your good sense of humor is priceless at this point. You could feel torn, but you have decided to roll with the punches. That takes a real woman, and that you are my dear. May God Bless and Keep You from Hurt, Harm, or Danger. Amen!

Hi momma. I've already had 28 surgeries in my lifetime. Some were small, others were major. I had one C-section so I know what you went through. Mine was an emergency, since my son decided he didn't want to come out and parked his butt where his head should have been. I've seen the surgeon and he sent me for an MRI, which I had yesterday (Thursday). Today, I saw him again and he told me he wants to operate as soon as possible because I have a severely herniated disc that is pinching the nerve to my arm and has already caused weakness in that arm. He said the weakness may be permanent and he wants to operate to prevent further damage. But, I'm not too worried anymore. Posting this discussion has helped a lot. I've been able to joke about it some and that has actually helped. So, I'll try to keep laughing!

I'm glad you can put it off, Pam. Your problem sounds like what my husband is going through. He has spinal stenosis in the lumbar spine. He's had cortisone shots and is going to physical therapy. He said it's better but he still has pain and numbness sometimes. His issue is bulging discs. Mine is really large bone spurs. I just saw the spine specialist today and he showed me exactly what's going on. One spur is actually connecting two vertebrae. He's put me on steroids but I have to go in for an MRI next Thursday, then see him again on Friday to see what the next step is. Yeah, this is a constant pain and my fingers are constantly numb. I'm at the point now where I really don't care how it's done, just as long as they get rid of this pain. I'm such a pain weenie! Oh, along with the steroids, he's given me Percocet for the pain. I haven't taken any yet and only plan on taking them at bedtime but I should be able to sleep like a baby!

The news is bad. The surgeon sent me for an MRI, after which I saw him again. Actually, the first words out of his mouth were "I have bad news." I need surgery as soon as possible. They are actually going to reschedule someone else so I can have the surgery first. I have an extremely herniated disc in my neck which is pinching the nerve to my right arm. It has already caused permanent damage and the surgeon wants to operate before any more damage is caused by this disc. The damage so far is that I have pretty bad weakness in that arm, which the surgeon said is most likely permanent. I do not have a date for the surgery yet but should hear about that very soon.

Hi Leenie. I've decided to go with my husband's doctor. He (my husband) is being treated for spinal stenosis of the lumbar spine. From the treatment he's received so far, I'd have to say that doctor knows what he's doing. Besides, I called the spine specialist's office and was told it could take up to a week for them to even call me with an appointment time. Considering that my hand and arm are getting worse, even though I'm now wearing a cervical collar, I just can't wait that long. Unfortunately, the earliest I could get an appointment with my husband's doctor is next Tuesday, a week from today. They said they would call me if there was a cancellation to get me in there sooner, which I really appreciated. It looks like I have cervical stenosis but that's just my opinion, based on my symptoms. It makes sense. Of course, I'll most likely end up having surgery. That part doesn't scare me at all since I've had so many already but I don't like the thought of being operated on so close to my spinal cord. Still, I have faith in medical science. It's getting better all the time. I had bone spurs removed from my heels when I was 16 and I made it through that. I'm sure they've improved things a lot in the last 42 years. (Man! That hurts saying that! LOL)

I lucked out and was able to see the surgeon last Friday. He looked at the X-rays and sent me for an MRI, which I had done yesterday. Today at 4 p.m. I'm seeing the surgeon again. I have the films from the MRI and, of course, I had to peek. There's quite a lot of impingement in there! The majority of my problem, according to what the surgeon said after looking at the X-rays, is bone spurs... great big bone spurs. The thing that "shouldn't even be there" is a huge bone spur that is actually connecting two vertebrae. Another one is just below that but not quite as large, plus there are smaller ones. I took a photo of one of the films and pointed out where the impingement starts and ends. It's about half the length of my entire neck! I'm a bit concerned but not as scared as I was earlier. Talking about it here has helped tremendously. Plus, knowing about all the terrific advances in medical science, I'm sure everything will go fine if I do need surgery. Here's my neck:

You know, my youngest son had a similar thing happen to him. He had a very large lump on one side of his neck. When I took him to see his doctor, I was told that he had strep throat, of all things! He didn't have a sore throat or even a fever, just a lump on his neck. He, too, was put on antibiotics and the lump was gone about a week later. I just saw the spine specialist today and he's sending me to have an MRI next week. I go back to see him the next day so I should know what's going to happen then. From what the doctor told me about the X-rays, I will need surgery but it won't be too complicated, I hope.

Hi jennyze. I was in a car accident with similar results, except it was my neck that was hurting, not my arm. I went to a chiropractor and he fixed me right up. The X-rays confirmed that the problem is in my neck, not my shoulder. I WISH it was my shoulder. I could deal with that much better. I don't like knowing that I could possibly have neck surgery, so close to my spinal cord. It looks like I have cervical stenosis, caused by aging and bone spurs. A chiropractor can't fix that. Plus, I need to find out what this "unknown" thing on my spine is. I finally got an appointment with a spine specialist for next week. In the meantime, I have to wear this stupid collar. I hate it.

Thank you, charmlenile. I try not to worry and be positive but it is very hard to do when I have constant reminders like this cervical collar that is VERY uncomfortable and also when picking something up with my bad hand and I can't feel it. My entire hand is numb. Also, certain ways I turn, which is very limited with this collar on, makes tingling and pain shoot down my arm. I try to keep my mind occupied but I have always been a very active person and I just want to get up and do things. I'm an avid gardener and love to go fishing. I live on a lake and love going fishing any time I want but now that is impossible. Also, I do a lot of craftwork but most of that is impossible with this collar on. So, I'm stuck with very little to do except watch TV or do things online but I can't sit for too long without it becoming more painful. I'm basically stuck between a rock and a hard place right now. Also, I've had 28 surgeries in my life, to date. Apparently, I was born with a defective body. I'm actually used to having surgeries. I won't be surprised to hear that I need another one, I just don't like the idea of it being on my spine this time. That's what really scares me. But, the well wishes and prayers coming from the good people in myLot have given me what I needed, a shot in the arm of positivity and humor. I'm actually feeling much better now.

Hi Wonderful and thank you. Unfortunately, I was just told by the surgeon today that I need surgery as soon as possible. I have a severely herniated disc that is pinching the nerve in my arm and may be causing permanent nerve damage. So, I'll probably be scheduled for surgery in the next week or so. I'll be fine, though, I'm sure. I'm not as worried as I was, probably from posting this discussion and being able to laugh more about it. Laughter is great medicine! Oh, by the way, welcome to myLot!

Hi dragon. I'm POSITIVE that I'm scared! How's that? Normally, I'm the first person to say "don't worry", even if it pertains to myself. I've tried to rationalize this by thinking that it could be nothing and whatever is making my arm hurt and my hand to go numb can be fixed easily, maybe with a cortisone shot and/or exercises. Of course, bone spurs are bone spurs and there aren't many options for getting rid of them. I had bone spurs in my heels when I was 16 and they had to chop them off surgically. Of course, that WAS 42 years ago ( OUCH!!!). My husband may still have to have surgery on his lumbar spine. He's been getting cortisone shots and he's been through physical therapy but his leg is still going numb. I've been sympathetic but also reassuring him that surgery has very little risk these days. I should listen to my own words, huh? At first, I thought I was just having sympathy pains for him but that isn't like me. When my fingers went numb, I knew it was time to see the orthopedic surgeon. If I had known this was originating from my neck and not my shoulder, I would have chosen a doctor who specialized in the spine from the start. The biggest issue is that this is progressing. At first, my fingers were tingling. Then, the tips went numb and stayed numb. Then, my hand went numb. It's now climbing up my arm. It's getting worse. I'm just glad I can still use that hand. It's definitely weaker than the other (and thankfully not my dominant hand) but I can still type! I'll try not to worry too much. I'll try telling myself what I normally tell anyone else when they're worried. I'm not sure if I'll listen to myself, though. I'm kinda stubborn that way.