I left the doctors office with tears of joy. No surgery---it's only a bulging disk---Yea! And we discussed the pain pump, after I researched more about it and I don't like the idea of morphine being used. He asked me if the trigger point injections he had given me helped, but he had only given them to me in my belly for the scar tissue. He apologized and then starting pressing on my spine until he hit the point and I jumped off the chair. He then wanted to bet me $20 that I would feel relief, but I told him, no bets. The injections were very painful, but the relief was good. The numbness has worn off and I hurt really bad again, but in a couple of days, the injections should start working. He is really a great guy and he turned his back and said I needed to punch him because he deserved it. The pain pump can cause infection, and since I have already had 3 bouts with staph, that will be a last resort. He did suggest that we get a table that flips and stretches the spine and do it about 8 minutes each day. So now I will go every 8 weeks for injections until there is a need for the surgery. If any of you have ever had 14 surgeries in 5 years, you would know how I feel right now. It was a good cry that I had, but it was tears of joy. I still won't be able to do the things I used to do, but at least I will find some relief and do some crafting again. Thank you all so much for the prayers and thoughts that you said and sent me. It has helped me so much that words are just not enough.
It's only forward now and what could be better. God is so great. Love and Hugs, Pat
