RE: Another new person from England
Lindstrom, Ann (annlindstrom(AT)lucent.com)
Thu, 31 Dec 1998 10:48:39 -0800
Renee - Wow - I am in much the same situation. I too had a biopsy since
they thought the lesion was a tumor - in my case metastized breast cancer.
The biopsy caused different symptoms from the original lesion - though
similar symptoms to others on the list. I figure SCI is SCI. I have no
pain at the surgical site (C1-2), just numbness and tingling in both
legs/feet and the right arm and hand. My left hand is OK though........LOL.
Its good to know that I am not the only one who went through this process.
Just sorry that you guys did too......Ann
> ----------
> From: R Bennett[SMTP:rjbennet(AT)ix.netcom.com]
> Sent: Tuesday, December 29, 1998 8:51 AM
> To: hawkins family
> Cc: tmic
> Subject: Re: Another new person from England
>
> You asked how the Dr's were able to tell the difference between damage
> caused by TM or by the biopsy. When I went into surgery, my left leg was
> the
> major one affected. My right leg did have some symptoms, but they were
> minor compared to the left. I just love all those wonderful tests where
> the
> Dr's scratch the soles of my feet to see whether there is feeling or not
> :( After the surgery the right leg became the weakest.
>
> The Dr did warn me prior to surgery that they could not guarantee the
> extent of the damage caused by the biopsy. But looking back, I'd probably
> do it
> again. At the time, the first diagnosis was a spinal tumor. And by
> having the surgery, they were immediately able to rule this out without
> having
> to wait to see if it grew larger. It was great news to come out of
> surgery and be told that I did not have a tumor. The diagnosis was
> changed to MS
> and later to TM.
>
> I too have back pain at the site of the surgery. I wonder if this will
> ever go away?
>
> Renee in San Diego where the nights have been cool but the days are almost
> like summer.
>
> hawkins family wrote:
>
> > Thanks for your message.
> > I am not aware of any damage caused by the biopsy but do not think that
> my
> > doctors would have admitted to this anyway. How do they tell the
> difference
> > between biopsy damage and tm symptoms? My surgeon did say that when
> they
> > opened me up and saw what looked like a healthy spine they took a very
> small
> > sample. I was also told that 90% of neurosurgeons would have looked at
> my
> > scan and diagnosed a tumour!
> > The surgery certainly affected my rehab as I had a lot of pain around
> the
> > biopsy site(T7&T8)
> > particularly when attempting to walk or sitting unsupported. I still
> get
> > backache in this area by the evening but it has improved.
> > I had a relapse/second attack 2 weeks after the biopsy and I often
> wonder
> > if the interference with my spinal cord was the cause of it ,
> particularly
> > as I was so much worse after the relapse.
> > The irony is that as soon as I saw the right doctor (an expert in MS) he
> > knew immediately what was wrong.
> > I have come to terms with the myelitis but sometimes find it hard to
> come
> > to terms with the fact that I had unnecessary surgery in such a
> vulnerable
> > area.
> >
> > Angela Hawkins
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: R Bennett <rjbennet(AT)ix.netcom.com>
> > To: hawkins family <hawkinsfamily(AT)clara.co.uk>
> > Date: 26 December 1998 16:46
> > Subject: Re: Another new person from England
> >
> > >Angela:
> > >
> > >I'm really interested in the fact that you had a spinal biopsy. There
> are
> > not many of us on the list who have had this. My doctor thought that I
> had
> > >a spinal tumor as well, and did a biopsy.
> > >
> > >Before he did the surgery, he said that the part of the spine where
> they
> > took the biopsy would be damaged forever. So, I have one leg that the
> Dr's
> > >say is related to TM and the problems with the other leg are related to
> the
> > biopsy. This was done almost 2 years ago.
> > >
> > >Have you had any symptoms that are related to the biopsy?
> > >
>
>
>