NEUROLOGIST CONSULTATION

Big day today! My neurologist appointment is at 2:00.

This appointment is like hiking a trail I have never been on before. I will not know what is up ahead until I get there. I am prepared and very anxious. Just another switchback closer to the summit.

Once I am at that switchback...

On to the next.

POST EPIDURAL

I was in jovial spirits when I arrived at surgical center.

They were expecting me as usual. Walked right up to the front desk and Chris had my patient ID band ready to go.

Around 1:00 p.m., the doctor summons me to the surgical bay to get started. I go into the changing room and I told him that I knew the whole routine.

Instead of Susan attending to my pre-op, I had Deidra, who had some sort of attitude about her. She had a hard time trying to stick the IV in my arm. Don’t know why because I am vascular enough as it is and my veins protrude for the entire world to see.

The epidural procedure was uneventful. They told me to sit up on the side of the bed. I asked the doctor if they gave me the "cocktail" because I wasn't feeling funny. They said they did.

I felt the pressure as the doctor stuck me with the needle.

There was one time when I was warned that a cold solution would be sprayed on my back and they told me not to flinch. Now, whenever something cold touches my back you are damn right I am going to flinch. I flinched a little. Deidra kept telling me to breathe. I told her I was and that “you told me not to move so I am doing deep rhythmic breathing so there!”

After the epidural, she took my blood pressure. 170/110! Why so high? I don’t like hospitals or any clinic for that matter. In fact, when Deidra asked me if I were allergic to any medications I replied, “Nothing, just hospitals.”

My last two visits they took my vitals before the procedure. Why after?

Deidra she put the heart rate monitor on my right forefinger. Then she told me to "bend my arm straight."

Eh deh what? Bend my arm straight? I look at Deidra and said, "Where I come from we bend our arms and we STRAIGHTEN our arms out." She gave me that "smart *ss" look. Better than being a dumb one. I am not a member of that gene pool.

Then Deidra started asking me questions:
When was the last time you ate? 10:30.
What did you have? I ate a banana and an apple and a chewy granola bar.
You need to eat a big lunch. I wasn’t hungry.
When was the last time you drank any fluids? Around 11:30 a big tall glass.
Oh, so we are on the dry side. I didn’t want my bladder full in case I couldn’t control the flow during the procedure.
Any alcohol last night? Yes, I had a seven course meal – a cold pizza and a six pack.
When? Eight o’clock I guess because the beer and pizza started to make me sleepy.
Would you like something to drink like water or juice? Got any JD?
Juice or water? Juice.

I was waiting for other questions like "When was your last bowel movement?" or "When was the last time you had sex?" Those questions were never asked. I did have the answers if they were asked.

After the interrogation, I was given two packages of Capri Sun Wild Cherry. I guess I was rewarded with two due to my good behavior. No wonder the cost of medical care is skyrocketing.

Then Susan, my “clinic wife,” came over and noticed the IV was halfway out. I whispered to her and said, “Because you didn’t do it.” I gave her a wink and she smiled back. I am such a flirt.

It was time to get dressed and plop myself down in the wheelchair for my final ride to Kindra’s car. Did I say final? I sure as hell hope so.

About 2:05 p.m., Kindra drops me off and as I got out of her vehicle I could feel my legs are wobbly and my mind is groggy.

I am fighting the urge to sleep, but it looks like my brain is misfiring because I am having a hard time blogging right now. My entire right leg is numb right now. I am sure it has something to do with the epidural. I can still feel the tingling sensation in my right toes. My left leg is fine. I will watch some golf to lull me into a deep sleep.

I just hope I do not have a repeat performance like I did two weeks ago. March 11 was not my best of days.

Another trek and another trail under my belt.

Have a great weekend everyone!

EPIDURAL NO. 3

Today I go for the third and final epidural shot. I shall miss these shots, because it was my ticket to an early weekend. It sure was great "crashing" on the Fridays of my shots.

I want to thank Kindra, my "hiking wife," for providing transportation during these last five weeks. She has had the same kind of treatment herself, so I guess you can call her my "mentor" as well. Kindra, I owe you big time and I am good for it! I know, "What comes around, goes around!"

I also want to thank Dean, who works in the MIS Department, for providing me a ride to work on two of the three Fridays. It was very nice of him to offer a ride. Dean gave me a ride to work on March 10. He wasn't feeling well yet he still showed up at my apartment complex and drove me to work and then he went home. Above and beyond the call of duty. Dean also stopped by last Saturday to fix my computer woes!

I have been pain-free for 11 days today. It has been amazing I have lasted this long without any discomfort aside from the tingling sensation in my right toes.

That concludes the hiking on this trail. Time to head back to base camp to rest and recover.

One more down and many more to go.

WORLD'S EASIEST QUIZ ANSWERS

Here are the answers to the "World's Easiest Quiz"...

1) How long did the Hundred Years War last?

116 years



2) Which country makes Panama hats?

Ecuador



3) From which animal do we get catgut?

Sheep and horses



4) In which month do Russians celebrate the October Revolution?

November



5) What is a camel’s hair brush made of?

Squirrel fur



6) The Canary Islands in the Pacific are named after what animal?

Dogs



7) What was King George VI's first name?

Albert



8) What color is a purple finch?

Crimson



9) Where are Chinese gooseberries from?

New Zealand

TINGLING

I awaken with a severe tingling sensation in my right foot. No pain, just an amplified tingling sensation. Concerns? Yes.

The more I walk the better it gets. Sitting while blogging is no problem.

I also feel a slight twinge in my lower left back. That has subsided. It wasn't a shooting pain. It was like, "Hello, I am still down here."

I have been eating an apple during lunch since March 13 and the right leg pain has subsided and disappeared on March 14. It could be a placebo kind of thing. Maybe an apple a day does keep the doctor away!

I have to find a little humor in all this. Laughter IS the best medicine.

WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC

After 38 games it comes down to just one. Game #39. Japan versus Cuba. Who would have thought?

Congratulations to Japan for defeating Cuba, 10-6, at Petco Park in San Diego. Congratulations to Cuba for being allowed to play in this inaugural classic and for their sportsmanship following the game.

Baseball at its finest, at its purest. National pride on and off the field. You would have sworn you were at a football or soccer game.

Too bad it is all over. Thank you to all teams that participated.

"SCRATCHED"

This was some of the gear I was going to take with me: parka, goggles, mountaineer helmet, ice axe, snowshoes, crampons, cap, gaiters, and hiking boots.

I cancelled my hike to Mt. Baldy. Not the kind of "scratch" I had in mind.

I kept thinking about what people have been telling me over the past couple of months, "Get well, Gary, the mountains will always be there."

With my third epidural on March 24 and my neurologist consultation on March 31, it would be wise to lay off the strenuous physical activity until I get the green light.

While on the topic of getting well I am still pain free. I am ever so careful how I pick up things off the floor or how I turn around or how I lie down or get back up. I know there is a fine line between agony and ectasy.

I want to enjoy the ectasy part.

MOUNTAIN LION SAFETY TIPS

With spring less than a week away, many people are heading out into wilderness areas. Remember, you are in their "yard." Nature is unpredictable.

Report any mountain lion sightings to the California Department of Fish and Game.


MOUNTAIN LION SAFETY TIPS
Orange County Register
Source: California Department of Fish and Game
Compiled by: News Researcher Michael Doss


DO NOT HIKE ALONE; go in groups with adults supervising children.


DO NOT RUN; that might stimulate a lion’s instinct to chase.


Stand and face the animal; make eye contact.


Pick up young children, without bending or turning from the lion if possible.


DO NOT crouch down or bend over; you might appear like ordinary four-legged prey to the lion instead of a human.


DO all you can to appear larger -- raise your arms, open your jacket, throw stones, branches.


Fight back if attacked.


Mountains lions have been repelled with rocks, sticks, garden tools and bare hands.


Remove dense and low-lying vegetation that provide good hiding places for mountain lions.


Install motion-sensitive outdoor lighting.


Keep pets from roaming and don’t feed pets outside.

AND ALL THROUGH THE NIGHT

I awaken without any problems. A full 24 hours! Imagine that!

I heave a sigh of relief in recognition of reaching a long awaited milestone.

I feel like jumping up and down for joy. On second thought, I think I will pass on the jumping up and down.

Wouldn't be prudent.

ALL THROUGH THE DAY...

I lasted a whole work day without any pain or problems.

When I came home...nothing.

I went to bed...nothing.

For the first time since February 4, I was pain-free!

IT'S A MIRACLE!

NEUROLOGIST

Last night, my doctor called as a follow-up to the message I left him yesterday. I told him about my visit to the ER Saturday night and I gave him a rundown on my current condition.

I had told him that the nurse from the neurologist's office had called and left a message for me to schedule an appointment. My doctor strongly recommended that I make that appointment now and not wait until the epidurals end. He told me there could up to a two-week wait.

I will call that neurologist first thing this morning. I told my doctor that once I make that appointment I will call him and leave a message that I did so.

I have a feeling I may require surgery. Another switchback in my life. Overcoming another switchback means I am getting closer to the summit.

My doctor is a very good doctor. He tells things the way they are without holding anything back. You have to respect a person like that.

I slept well last night. No pain, no problems. All systems are fine in regards to other bodily functions. I did not take any meds before retiring last night. I slept like a big baby.

I awake without any pain. On the pain scale of 0-10 with 10 being THE worst, I am around a 1. I attribute that "1" to the tingling sensation still in my right toes. The time now is 5:49 a.m. There is still a lot of day left today.

I will blog with any latest developments.

Thank you for reading.

TINGLING SENSATION

There is a tingling sensation in the toes of my right foot. I do not know if this is a good or bad.

The pain comes and goes now whenever I walk or sit. It feels like a really bad cramp in my hip area. After a while, the pain subsides and I am able to carry on about my work. Sometimes the pain returns just to put me in check.

Standing seems to be a new "painful" problem. Guess I will either have to keep moving or keep sitting. I stand it hurts, but not sitting, moving or lying down. I sit it hurts, but not standing, moving, or lying down. I move it hurts, but not sitting, standing, or lying down. I lie down it hurts, but not sitting, standing or moving. Trend? Cycle? What is up with that?!

I have not taken any Vicodin today. My main objective is to go through the entire day without taking a single pill even before I go to bed.

I have called my doctor and left a message about my visit to the ER on Saturday night.

LAPTOP

I purchased my very first laptop, an HP Pavilion notebook, from Circuit City.

My trusty 8-year-old Gateway PC has seen its last days. I am going to have one of the MIS guys at work perform "CPR" on it this weekend to see if it is worth it to keep it.

Now I have an electronic companion to occupy my idle time in the wee hours of the morning. Guess I can say I have an "e-wife." I can hop on the I-net to get the latest news, sports and weather.

Did I just say hop on?

PAIN

The following entry is a recounting of the day's events on Saturday, March 11, 2006. The entries are out of synch in regards to the timeline:

I awaken to an unbearable pain in my right leg at 3:30 a.m. today. Check that, EXCRUCIATING!

I popped two Vicodin at 6:30 a.m. to alleviate the pain. No results. I am reminded what Brydon had told me. I keep his words alive every time I pop those pills. I wound up taking five of those pills with my last pill taken at 6:00 p.m. No results. No relief. Why don't these pills do what they are supposed to do?

When I urinate, it is only a trickle. The pain is too intense. I try to stand. I try to sit. Nothing but a trickle if I am lucky. I have the urge, but I cannot purge. Yes, it sounds funny by saying that but it is not a good sign as far as I am concerned.

Speaking of that part of a man's anatomy, I now have erectile dysfunction due to my sciatica. It's not working. Viagra? Not in my lifetime! Either I can do it naturally(?) or not at all. Figures.

One of the side effects of Vicodin is constipation. I have not had a "#2" today. This concerns me. I am contemplating Ex-Lax or any other over the counter stool softener. If it ain't one thing it is another!

All I had to eat today was a plain wheat bagel from Brueggers that I bought last Saturday, March 4. NO RICE!

I couldn't take a catnap in fear of awakening in a different kind of "water bed."

I "walk" to the closet to get out my Thermalite mattress pad that I use for my camping trips. Blowing it up only intensifies my agony. I lie on it on the livingroom floor. I prop my legs on either the chair or the ottoman trying to find a comfortable position. No relief.

Every breath is accompanied with a moan of pain. Check that, groan.

Evening comes. I am in my bed around 8:00 p.m. I am writhing in pain. The heating pad does not provide relief.

I am contemplating calling 911 for an ambulance ride to the nearest ER. I pack some clothes in my athletic duffel bag. I crawl to the door to unlock it. I put my cellphone, glasses, bottle of Vicodin, wallet and apartment keys in my fleece jacket with zippered pockets. So if the paramedics have any questions, I have the answers in my jacket pocket. If the ER staff asks if I there is anyone to contact, my cellphone has the answers. I am lying on the floor with my land line phone. All I have to do is hit 9-1-1.

I had called Kindra this morning to tell her I am in pain. I called her because she had the same epidural procedures I am going through. I leave a voicemail message telling her of my symptoms. I need self-assurance. I call her again around 8:30 p.m. I don't remember. She offers to take me to emergency. She tells me to call the on-call nurse at my hospital.

She arrives to pick me up and we drive up Bristol to locate the hospital. We drive to the entrance and she drops me off while she finds a place to park.

I report to the window and I am handed paperwork to fill out. I stand. Sitting is not an option. Besides, there are a lot of people in the waiting area.

There is a small Hispanic boy crying in pain from his elbow. I wish I could cry with him. I could but it will be lace with profanity.

I am summoned for triage. Blood pressure, temperature, what the hell if bothering me. I am asked to return to the lounge are until a space in the ER becomes available.

Dr. Choi is my attending physician. Good doctor. He prescribes Flexeril and Dilaudid. The nurse administers the pill and the shot in the arm. Whoa. This stuff is potent! The doctor returns to check up on me after the shot takes effect. I am feeling no pain at this stage.

Kindra and I leave the hospital around 11:30 p.m. She drops me off and I ask her to call me when she returns home safely. She calls and then I retire for the evening. Check that! For the morning. It is 1:30 when I finally fall asleep. I have been awake for 22 hours.

To all you bloggers out there: If you have a friend like Kindra consider yourselves very lucky that there a few good people out there willing to go above and beyond. I owe her big time. She has been there for me in my time of need and now it is my duty to reciprocate.

EPIDURAL NO. 2

The second of three the epidurals. Here are just a few of my thoughts. This blog entry has been in the making for the past two weeks. Sorry, there are no pictures.

I have been in excruciating pain in my right buttock and groin area whenever I stand or sit.

My doctor upgraded my Vicodin prescription to "extra strength" at my request. Even this provides only "temporary" relief. My tolerance for pain is very high, but such is not the case right now.

My desert trip to Agua Caliente with Kindra was a relief to get out of the house. The small hike did wonders for my mental well-being. It was nice to get outdoors again. I was ever so careful not to stumble or slip. The pain haunted my weekend. The ride down and back was uneventul for some reason. I did not experience any discomfort.

My parents call to check up on me daily. My father had a herniated disc when he was in the Army. He has metal pins in his back and the scars to prove it. My father's surgery was in 1968 and I know there has been great strides in treatment of herniated discs since then. He knows my pain. My mother worries to the point of aggravating me. "Mom, I am an adult...I will be just fine...I will be careful...Mom, please, don't worry about me!" I have the greatest parents in the world. I love them both.

At the start of the year I weighed 183 pounds. I am now down to 173. I attribute my weight loss to muscular atrophy due to inactivity. My leg muscles are not as firm and strong. I haven't ridden in more than a month. This time last year I rode for over 870 miles. This year? Only 124. I haven't ridden my bike since January 27.

I haven't hiked as much either. This time last year I hiked over 180 miles and this year I have hiked 29 miles.

The news about going to hike Mt. Whitney again has given me hope. First things first. First I must get better, then I will proceed with the training. I have five months to prepare. I can only imagine the jubilation I will experience while at the top of that 14,497 foot piece of 60 million year-old granite outcropping in the eastern Sierra Nevada.

I can accept the fact that I may not make it to the top. Getting to the top is optional and getting down is mandatory. I do not want to be a burden on my friends. I have been to the summit three times, but I want my friends to experience their chance of a lifetime. They worry about my well-being. I tell them not to worry. I will help them get to the top.

I have paid my $15 to hike Whitney to secure my spot on the team and I am going to do it! I have made camping reservations at Lone Pine Campground and hotel reservations at the one of the hotels.

Showers and dressing up to go to work are discomforting. It is very difficult just to put on my right sock and clip my toenails. It just sucks the wind right out of me and there is a groan with a few profane words. It hurts to cough or sneeze.

Ice and heat therapy provide only temporary relief, too. However, it is part of my daily regimen. An ounce of prevention...

Coming to work seems to agonize my condition. (Who doesn't experience this whenever they come to work!) Sitting down is not good. I have to constantly stand and move around ever so gently. Driving can be a challenge during the accelerating and braking with the right leg. I only live three miles from work, but they are the longest three miles.

I hear stories from my co-workers and friends who view this blog who have also had to endure what I am enduring right now. Steroid shots, surgery, acupuncture, orthopedists, neurologists, physical therapy are some of the many their suggestions and experiences. They feel my pain. They can see my pain.

I see people jogging, riding and hiking. Oh I wish. Someday I will again.

I must say that this "pain" is more tolerable than the "wretching" over the last couple of years.

What if I don't get better? What if I do need surgery? So be it.

What if I am confined to a wheelchair for the rest of my life? So be it. I get to park in those blue spaces with a blue placard dangling from my rearview mirror! My wheelchair will be narrower and lighter with with knobby tires! I may be limited due to terrain features, but that ain't gonna stop me from trying to "hike" the trails! I know I am not the only one who has these same ideas! I believe there is already a wheelchair designed just for offroading! Imagine that!

To Mom and Dad, MJ, Kindra, Joe, Garv, Kandy, Amy, Bruin Dave and Jane, Kathy and Brydon, Rhonda, Daphne, Horacio, Jonathan, Karen, Bob, Mariana: I want thank you for the support and advice. PMA - positive mental attitude.

I did not request permission to give up.

WORLD'S EASIEST QUIZ

Passing requires 4 correct answers. The answers are not as obvious as they seem. These are not trick questions. Answers to follow in a later blog. Have fun finding the answers!


1) How long did the Hundred Years War last?


2) Which country makes Panama hats?


3) From which animal do we get catgut?


4) In which month do Russians celebrate the October Revolution?


5) What is a camel’s hair brush made of?


6) The Canary Islands in the Pacific are named after what animal?


7) What was King George VI’s first name?


8) What color is a purple finch?


9) Where are Chinese gooseberries from?

IN MEMORY OF PAUL DONALDSON

It has been one month since my very good friend Paul passed away.

I am sure God has been convinced to go 1040EZ this tax season.

I am sure God has given Paul a lot of pointers about golf.

I am sure God has plenty of Tums, Rolaids, and Pepto-Bismol after eating Paul's infamous chili.

I am sure they have one hell of a softball team, too!

I am sure they will all be watching the Chino Air Show from a very advantageous position.