RE: Update - No neck surgery

Lindstrom, Ann (annlindstrom(AT)lucent.com)
Wed, 9 Sep 1998 11:25:03 -0700

Pat - Its never easy, is it. About the biopsy - mine was of the spinal
cord itself, not the disk. If your biopsy is of the disc, it should be
alot better. They can not biopsy the spinal cord without causing some
permanent damage, so I hope it is just the disc. A neurosurgeon should
be able to pinpoint what damage could result from a biopsy on the cord
based on where the biospy is taken. Mine was amazingly accurate.

I hope that the blood/dizzyness is nothing more than a really bad
urinary tract or bladder infection. Had those too, a bother, but very
curable!

Keep us posted on what's happening - Ann

> ----------
> From: W2SMITH(AT)aol.com[SMTP:W2SMITH(AT)aol.com]
> Sent: Tuesday, September 08, 1998 8:12 AM
> To: annlindstrom(AT)lucent.com RevAdelle(AT)aol.com
> eamjwhite(AT)bigpond.com
> Cc: tmic-list(AT)eskimo.com
> Subject: Re: Update - No neck surgery
>
> Ann:-
>
> I am quite interested in your recent posting about your C5-6 disc
> problem and
> biopsy to rule out cancer.
>
> I have been going through a miserable mess the last three months with
> a
> possible similar problem. I had an MRI three months ago because of
> neck pain
> which was causing headaches, back pain, and numbness in my arm and
> fingers.
> The MRI showed four herniated disc--C4, C5, C6, and C7. It also was
> read by
> the radiologist as possibly metastatic disease. Needless to say, I've
> had
> many more tests since then. What keeps showing up is a darkened area
> on C5.
> They are not sure if this is possibly lymphoma, arthritis,
> degenerative
> disease, or a marrow problem.
>
> I've met with two different surgeons at Jefferson who feel I can't
> ignore
> this. A biopsy is recommended where they will enter through the front
> of my
> neck and go to my vertebrae to take a sample of the C5 disc.
>
> I'm set tomorrow to go in for pre-admission testing at Jefferson
> Hospital.
> One appt is with an Internist to verify me capable of withstanding the
> surgery; one appt with the Ear, Nose and Throat Specialist (who will
> asst);
> and the other pre-admission stuff--EKG, x-rays, blood, urine tests.
> As of
> today, the biopsy is set for September 22.
>
> Another consideration here is the surgery itself. I was told nine
> years ago
> that any surgery has the possibility of triggering another attack of
> TM. Both
> of the surgeons I met with last week also told me this. So, I'm once
> again
> going back on steroids before and after the surgery to help avoid this
> from
> happening.
>
> Now if all this on top of TM weren't enough, on Saturday I started
> having
> blood in my urine along with severe dizzy spells. I've called my
> primary care
> doctor this morning and I'm waiting for her to call back. What next!
>
> I would greatly appreciate any info you can give me on what was done
> to you
> during your ordeal. In a way, they seem similar. Thanks.
>
> PatS
>
>