[Cody Dawg]

Hey Everyone:

This is just a little hello. I haven't been here much lately because, quite frankly, I've been feeling terrible. This is not a pity party thread, just a hello and a head's up where health is concerned.

For years I have had a recurring pain in my lower spine. It came and went. It began to get worse about a year ago with the pain migrating around to the lower right-hand side of my abdomen. Sometimes it was terrible. I went to the ER twice for suspected appendicitis. Tests were negative for an inflamed appendix.

About two months ago I began to have terrible numbness in my lower legs - but only when I stood up. It was strange because the numbness migrated. Sometimes it was on the front of my lower legs, other times it felt like I had socks on my ankles. I called my family care physician about two weeks ago and told him it was worse than ever and he told me to go to the ER again and get a CT scan, MRI, bloodwork, physical exam, EKG, and x-rays of my chest, lungs, and heart. I was there overnight. Everything was negative. But I still had the numbness and the pain.

Two days ago I had terrible pain. I went back to my doctor and told him that I needed a closer examination of the lower right-hand side of my body because *something*was*wrong* and it was not getting better.

Well, yesterday they sent me for a regular ultrasound and they found out what is probably the cause of the pain: A mass in my lower spine. Today I have to go and get a more sophisticated ultrasound that is digitally enhanced so that they can see it more clearly and try to determine what type of mass it is and try to see the blood supply to it. Monday I have surgery bright and early.

I know this is a kind of blog post (Hey, Randman!), but I think it's important to tell everyone this: If you have some vague pain or chronic problem pursue the cause until you have an answer.

I have always had regular check-ups, live a healthy lifestyle, exercise, drink in moderation, etc., yet I had a problem and one doctor after another said, "It must be a pinched nerve or from a joint inflammation. We cannot find anything wrong with you."

It's a bummer to find out something like this but at least now I know the cause and can do something about it, finally.

Have a good one, everyone!

Oh, and yeah, Darvocet is helping a LOT.

[von Wrangell]

Hope everything goes fine Cody.

Get well soon.

[E's Lil Theorem]

Originally Posted by Cody Dawg

... Monday I have surgery bright and early.

...

Godspeed, lady.

[Ω]

Chin up, all will be fine.

[budster101]

I hope it's nothing they can't take care of right away.

[Ω]

Originally Posted by budster101

I hope it's nothing they can't take care of right away.

Hey Mr Doom and Gloom, turn that frown upside-down!

Sounds to me that Cody is getting some "relief", and that a long standing problem is about to be resolved.

No doubt Cody will keep us informed.

[Big Mac]

Keep after those doctors and get well soon, CD.

[ghporter]

Take care and get well soon.

You're 100% right that something bothering you should be looked at until it's resolved. Carpal tunnel syndrome starts that way, as do several other nerve-related problems. Don't just blow stuff off, and if he/she can't find out what's the problem right away, make sure your doctor understands that it is a REAL concern. You did right, Cody, even with intermittent symptoms. (Intermittent problems are the hardest to track down in ANY situation!)

Now listen to the docs when they say do this and don't do that. It WILL help you recover faster.

[- - e r i k - -]

We'll make sure to put you on perpetual life-support should you slip into a coma.

Get well

[wdlove]

Hello Cody, have wondered about your absence. Just happened to be wrong. Thought that you had been on well deserved vacation.

Very sorry to hear about you pain in your lower back. Do they know if the mass if benign yet? Planing a biopsy prior to surgery or during surgery? It's just the nurse of me thinking like that. The mass certainly explains the pain and numbness in your legs. My pryers are with you Cody. Wish you all the best, may your physician have wisdom. Will look forward to updates.

[wolfen]

Good luck with everything. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

[KeriVit]

Good luck Cody- hope all goes well. Thanks for the advice and let us know how it turns out.

[Cody Dawg]

What nice posts - NO LIFE SUPPORT FOR ME...PULL THE FEEDING TUBE!



Thanks everyone.

WDLove, they are going to try to do that today at the ultrasound at 4:00 PM. However, because it's in my spine it's a difficult thing. Today they are trying to determine what type of tissue it is.

It bums me out but life goes on, you know?

I do appreciate, very much, the kindness all of you are expressing.

[RAILhead]

Hope all goes fine. If they yank it out, ask if you can keep it -- or at least have them take a pic so you can post it for us.

Maury

[finboy]

Originally Posted by Cody Dawg

A mass in my lower spine.

I hope it's something simple like a pilonidal cyst. Same symptoms - I've got one, my brother's got one, dad had one removed. Causes all kinds of odd feelings if it gets inflamed.

Good luck CD. I know we'll all be thinking about you.

[budster101]

Sell it on ebay!

[lavar78]

I was also wondering about your absence. Good luck.

[deomacius]

I kinda missed your blog posts!

Get well soon!

[historylme]

Hope all goes really well.

[Railroader]

I wondered where you had been. Was hoping no one scared you off or you were on vacation. Your posts have been missed.

I'll pray.

[James L]

Cody,

When you post, there is almost a 100% chance I will disagree with you. Having said that, I hope all goes well and you feel better soon!

[Cody Dawg]

Thanks, James L.!

Well, I'm trying to have a positive attitude, but sometimes it's hard.

Had an ultrasound done today (a fancy digitally enhanced 3D ultrasound) and when I came out of the room my doctor was in a consultation with the surgeon and the radiologist - didn't expect to see any of them there. When I walked out my doctor said, "Hey, kiddo, how you feeling?" Then he came over and gave me a hug and tried to show me what they were looking at.

To make a long story short they have now moved the surgery up to tomorrow morning from Monday morning;

I'll see if I can give my doctor my digital camera to take a picture of the "thing" they are removing in order to post a picture here (as some suggested), but the truth is that it kind of makes me queasy to think about seeing it and maybe it wouldn't be very nice to look at.

Well, have to go. I'm feeling kind of tired and sick, but thanks for the well wishes everyone!

Hugs all around!

Night.

XOXO

[ghporter]

Post as soon as you can after surgery...we're going to be waiting.

And you're right-the sort of thing surgeons remove because it ain't supposed to be there is not pretty. Now a description of WHAT it is (in medicalese, of course) would be very interesting.

Take care!

[KeriVit]

Oh CodyDawg... good luck.

[f1000]

It sounds like you're in good hands, Codette. I look forward to hearing a positive prognosis from you.

[Kerrigan]

she's making this up, pm me if you want to know why

[Cody Dawg]

Yeah, I'm really making it up.



I happen to be friend's with someone here (who posted in this thread) and that person has specific details about my issue(s). That person is budster. He would be able to confirm that I don't make things up as I go along.

I'm sorry that you feel the need to suggest that I go around making up stories about illnesses, Kerrigan.

Have a nice night.

[olePigeon]

DON'T see a chiropractor. Hope you get well.

[Captain Obvious]

Originally Posted by Cody Dawg

Y
I'm sorry that you feel the need to suggest that I go around making up stories about illnesses,

Because it is so out of character for you to make sh!t up? Pff............

[budster101]

I believe her.

When has she made anything up before?

[SimpleLife]

Quick recovery wishes from Canada!



Get healthy soon!

[Athens]

Originally Posted by Cody Dawg

What nice posts - NO LIFE SUPPORT FOR ME...PULL THE FEEDING TUBE!



Thanks everyone.

WDLove, they are going to try to do that today at the ultrasound at 4:00 PM. However, because it's in my spine it's a difficult thing. Today they are trying to determine what type of tissue it is.

It bums me out but life goes on, you know?

I do appreciate, very much, the kindness all of you are expressing.

Start learning how to use OS X speach system so if you are in major pain you can just talk your way around the forums.

Example, "Budster you are wrong wrong OUCH OUCH CRAP DAM wrong Bush is not OUCH OUCH DAM DAM a moron lol"

[dav]

get well soon

[wdlove]

Hi Cody,

Thanks for the update. Reading it makes me a little teary. Being a nurse, it's just a little reading between the lines. Also that your doctor gave you a hug. Glad that the surgery has been moved. Just goes to show how precious is our health, don't miss it until illness. My prayers are with you and your surgeon. I pray that the Lord will give him wisdom and courage to plan and carry out the surgery. May you have a speedy recovery, will look forward to an update.

For some reason, sorry.

A virtual hug and kiss your way.

[Cody Dawg]

Hi Everyone:

I'm feeling woozy and have a fair amount of pain (meds are on the way ), but I'm out and done and guess what?

I snapped a couple of pictures of the culprit (the mass - in the speciman jar to go to pathology) with the help of the nurse so I can show everyone. It's actually not much to look at, but is interesting.

When I feel up to it I'll get those uploaded.

Thanks for the well wishes, everyone!

Big hugs!

XOXO

[Cody Dawg]

By the way, WDLove? You're just wonderful, you know that? I feel your kindness and love. You're awesome.

[RAILhead]

Sweet -- I like pictures of stuff pulled out of human bodies.

Glad you're okay, CD.

Maury

[PacHead]

Get well soon Cody Dawg !

Best wishes.

[budster101]

Ditto.

[Cody Dawg]

As requested, pictures! The nurse snuck this out and held it while I took pictures of it. Hope you aren't squeamish - it's kind of yucko!

[Apple Pro Underwear]

thats super nasty

[Cody Dawg]

Yeah, it's gross.

If the mods don't like it they can remove it. I think I'll remove it myself later on. It makes me queasy looking at it. Blegh.

[Zenbone]

I had sushi like that once.

Glad you're OK.

Look at your little dog sig looking up at it.

[Cody Dawg]

I had sushi like that once.

Glad you're OK.

Look at your little dog sig looking up at it.

You made me laugh - ouch! It hurts!

[ghporter]

Good for you! I hope the wonderful chemicals start working and you feel less "discomfort" fast!

That does look nasty, though since it's fairly smooth and regular it is less likely to be a Real Problem. Sometimes stuff just happens and you get tissue growth that you're not supposed to have. This seems to have been one of those times. Enjoy getting back in touch with your lower extremities!

[Cody Dawg]

YOU are SMART, ghporter.

Really smart.

That's EXACTLY what the surgeon said...are YOU a physician?



Because you sure seem like one!

Thank you very much. I'm feeling better now, actually. I'm relieved it's out and over with.

Ciao!

[ghporter]

No, Cody, I'm not a physician, and I don't want to be one. I've been interested in medicine forever (and that's a long time for me!), my wife is a nurse, and I'm in school to become an Occupational Therapist. I've also had my share of "geeze, doc, what's THAT" issues, so the basic logic has been presented to me before.

I'm just glad that it was indeed so simple and regular, and that you're pretty much back on your feet.

[DeathMan]

I have a friend who works in a pathology lab, and she has told me about some pretty nasty stuff.

Glad they got that thing out.

[FulcrumPilot]

Man, I dig those fingernails! Those have to belong to a pretty lady it appears...

[dreilly1]

Glad to hear you're doing better....