In January 1996, I was diagnosed with Lumbar Radiculapathy due to what my doctors felt was a pinched nerve. One EMG, Two MRIs, six epidural injections, one Myelogram, one CAT Scan and countless hours of physical therapy and two back surgeries later, I am facing a lifetime of pain and disability.
Some days are better that others but the depression is overwhelming.
As bad as it may seem, I am luckier that most because I have a loving family and many friends who care and support me during this difficult time. Cheryl, it is important that you not take anything for granted, medically I am speaking. Make sure that you have a neurologist that you trust implicitly, one who will work with you and will listen to you like my doctor. His name is Marc Scholsberg, MD, and he always believed me even when I thought I was going out of my mind. Now, I am home from work, laying in bed and hoping that eventually I will be able to have my life back to some form of normalcy.