The IDEA of Blogging sounded so good....

The REALITY of blogging has turned out somewhat differently than I expected!

IT'S DONE. The surger(ies) are over. Here is what I can promise to my "blogging people" out there (Thanks for your interest, by the way!...)

Since sitting up at the computer and typing takes quite a bit out of me, and the ordeal at the hospital took a LOT out of me, then what I'll do is stop by for short, sweet blasts until I feel like I'm caught up, OK?

For now, leave it well enough to say that #1 I'm ALIVE. #2 Everything WORKS. #3 I have a deeper love and appreciation for my family than ever before! They have been there, step by (sometimes very PAINFUL step) and I love and respect them now more than ever!

Stop by again soon for more to come!

Testing, 1, 2, 3, ....4.....5....?

Tests, tests, and more tests. That's what you'll run into when you get ready for big-time major surgery! I have had at least 5 different tests so far: myelogram, discogram, bone density, echo cardiogram, cardio-pulmonary test, and blood work.

First, the myelogram: A myelogram uses a special dye and X-rays to make pictures of the bones and the fluid-filled space (subarachnoid space) between the bones in your spine (spinal canal). While there was no pain from the needles used to inject the dye, it was quite intense when the dye entered my spinal canal. It was like a 500 pound guy was standing on my butt cheeks! Very uncomfortable! Also, it was cold as a meat locker in the room! The table tilts, head down, while gravity pulls the liquid down the canal. After about 20 minutes of twisting, and turning, nearly sliding off the table onto my head, the pressure finally eased. Then, once that was complete, they wheeled me right across the hall and into the CT machine - that was easy! You just lay there while the table slides in and out of what looks like a giant donut.

The next test was a discogram, or disc-gram. For this test, thank God for anesthesia! They lay you out on a table on your left side, on a pillow to prop up your hip. Then you bend your legs one straight, and one bent, in order to position the body properly. Next, they conk you out with some light-duty anesthesia, while they insert the needles into the discs in between your vertebrae. Once the needles are in, they wait for you to wake up so they can talk to you while they inject the dye, once again. This time, the needle goes right into the center of the disc, and when they pump in the dye, the disc swells up and down, replicating the pain you might be having. Once again, as soon as possible, they wheel you in to another CT scan, and take detailed pictures of the discs. The purpose for this test for me was to determine if my two lowest discs are OK to stay, or if they'll have to be replaced with the newer technology artificial discs. The issue is whether or not they can stand the pressure from now on. The idea here is to only do this ONE MORE TIME, and never again have any more problems!

On to the next test!

The cardio-pulmonary function test (CPF) is designed to analyze your lung capacity, and to see how well your lungs are functioning, and how well they absorb oxygen as you breathe. You sit inside a little glass box, that looks like a phone booth with a door on it (see photo.) With your mouth over a mouthpiece, the technician coaches you to breathe in and out, sometimes fast, sometimes slow. When it's over, they can tell how well your lungs perform!

Next!

For me, the next test was a bone density scan. This one was a piece of cake, and took all of 10 minutes. While lying on your back, they pass a machine that looks like something out of War of the Worlds, over your hip. It's a laser type x-ray, that measure the density of your bones, making sure you can stand the surgery, and that your bones will heal properly.

Finally (at least for now...) the last test I had was an Echo cardiogram Stress test. This is the one where they hook up about a dozen leads to your chest, and abdomen, and then you get on the treadmill, and go, go, go, until you can't go no mo! I lasted 7 minutes, and 35 seconds! Before you start, they take a sonogram of your heart (just like the sonogram they give expecting moms, except of your heart.) Then, as soon as you finish the stress test, they take another sonogram, this time with your heart beating fast. They compare the 2 tests, and look for any signs of heart disease or prior heart attacks, etc.

The best news about all of this, is that, once I'm done, I'll know exactly how healthy I am overall, and so far, so good! The ticker is in good shape, lungs are strong, and blood work came back all good!

As soon as I can figure out how to post more than 1 picture at a time, I'll come back and do that!