Day 9 10/24/08 First Spinal
October 25th, 2008
I would like to extend my sincerest respect and sympathy to the millions of mothers (including my beautiful bride, happy 15th anniversary, honey) who have had epidurals.
I had my first spinal today. The average procedure lasts approximately 15 minutes. Mine lasted 2 hours. I got stuck about 25 times, my back feels like they installed a sprinkler system in it.
It’s my guess that the valium drip administered is calibrated for a 150 pound person. Unfortunately, I haven’t weighed 150 pounds since 5th grade. Next time, I want a triple dose of valium, and a double Jack on the rocks.
Seriously, the doctor who began the procedure did his best, and felt terrible (although not as terrible as I did) about the whole thing. They said the problem was I had a muscular back. They finally brought in the boss man, and he got it in on the first shot, home run. Needless to say, I’m requesting/demanding the boss for the next one along with the triple and the double (that way I’ll only be a single away from the cycle.)
After the Inquisition, I had to lie on my side for the next 4-6 hours, so if there was any benefit to this, I doubt if I’ll know until Monday.
My new PT, Jason, is tough. I think he was surprised I kept up. And I was mistaken about Wendy, she is not just a translator, but the patient co-ordinator. Sorry, Wendy.
Anyway, I’m off Saturday and Sunday. This is definitely good.
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7 Comments Add your own
1. susan | October 25th, 2008 at 2:01 am
Happy aniversary pin cushion,
I’m sorry I wasn’t home this morning. I finally went back to yoga, Jen’s workout has gotten harder since I’ve been gone. I can’t believe they stuck you that many times before calling the big guns. I guess they’re not use to dealing with elephant hide and why don’t pregnant women get valium? I could have use it with Eliza, I could still use it with Eliza. As I was writing this the doorbell rang, someone sent me flowers for my anniversary. Thank you honey, your present is this comment. you know how I hate communicating by computer. I hope you got a good nights sleep after your ordeal and start to feel some positive effects. Take it easy today and I talk to you tonight. Happy anniversary love, susan
2. sylvia | October 25th, 2008 at 3:49 am
Firstly…HAPPY ANNIVERSARY to M and S! I have such fond memories of that event…*sigh.
Eeeeek! Epidurals can be prickly! I had one for the knee surgery. I remember they turned up the juice for me on the 3rd try…ugh. It was difficult, but was MUCH preferable to the retching I had from the general anesthesia I got for the hip.
Looking forward to reading more tomorrow. Hoping to hear some sign that all the torture from today has provided some benefits. If not…demand they give you a baby.
3. Al Vergona | October 25th, 2008 at 6:42 am
Yikes, I’ll be in Qingdao next month. Not looking forward to the epidural. I hope they get better at it by the time I arrive. Mike, I also have late onset Ataxia so I hope you have good results.
4. Christine Gray | October 25th, 2008 at 8:51 am
Hi Mike,
What a horrible experience with the spinal-glad they’ll customize it for you in the future. I guess it’s really one of those “whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger” moments. I’m more of a lightweight so I sailed through all of them ( I loved the drugs they gave me, to be honest, I don’t “partake” of ANY substances usually , so it was a surreal experience for me !)Super you’re noticing improvements. Yeah, I’m glad I didn’t seriously listen to the “specialists” either. So much of it is plain ignorance because the Chinese doctors really know what they’re doing. I’m in the process of spreading the word of your blog to others…The awareness of this treatment is spreading , I’ll send material to your e-mail F.Y.I. ,hope you can read it. Take care,
Cheers,
Christine
5. warren | October 26th, 2008 at 12:07 am
Hey Mongo, glad to hear you aren getting better even with the pain. You are afunny writer your blog reads like a short story Im pulling for you and hope a full recovery. Do you think they can do anything about oyur funny looks while your there? (ha ha) love ya man Warren
6. melissa tantillo | October 26th, 2008 at 12:27 am
Greetings~ You already know how I feel about being a human pin cushion, I won’t beat it to death! Just know that you had the worst, and now you will have the best. Don’t let the fatigue get you down, it is fatigue and nothing else. All of those people fly from all over the world to get the treatment you are getting for a reason, it’s going to work. It’s just your turn to suffer through it. Just think, if women gave up because labor and delivery were so bad, everyone would onlly have one kid, and look at the rewards we all get from that!!!
Gloomy and gross here in NY, enjoy the warm weather and go outside. Breathe deeply the fresh air and be grateful that you can!!!!
I love you and I’m cheering from the sidelines (always the cheerleader!)
Melissa
7. aunt zaghig | October 26th, 2008 at 4:57 am
Mike, Aunt Sandy is walking me through the computer experience. She has the patience of a saint. Anyhow, I read your blog and am amazed by all this technology. Hang in there, Michael. Events seem to be going your way, and I pray that they continue to do so.Rots a rov!! Aunt Zaghig
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