Back to Back

Michael left at dawn on Wednesday to drive my mom back to a Stanford satellite facility near our home. I met them there. We arrived on time for the consult for her back.

They were amazing and we never waited for a moment. We were escorted to and from x-ray. The people were marvelous and I loved being there.

They showed great respect when they spoke with my mom and listened to everything she described to them. I loved them even more for those considerations.

After reviewing the November MRI and the x-rays taken minutes earlier, the doctor announced that he knew the cause her pain. The first thing he said was that she would not die from this or losing any feeling in her arms or legs. She was so relieved.

He said, “You have a broken spine.”

What?!?

Yes, in two places.

He showed us where it appeared at L1 and L2 on the November MRI. Right where she has been complaining about pain. All of mom’s doctors said there was nothing wrong. No one spotted it.

He showed us where they were on the new x-rays and the dramatic difference in the curvature of her spine since November.

Then he said, ”If you want the surgery to repair it, I can do it. I do it all the time to people your age. What you need to consider is it’s a 15-18 hours surgery and there are always complications ranging from a UTI to death. One out of three people develop serious complications such as heart attack or stroke following the surgery. Also, there is a six month recovery period.”

Well, nothing worried mom except the six-month recovery. She said it would drive her crazy.

He then said, “Another option is rehab three days a week for six months. We will then take another x-ray to compare the muscles and see if there is a difference in the level of your pain. The rehab will strengthen the muscles around those vertebrae, offer relief and will allow you to stand longer and straighter. You are bent over from muscle fatigue.”

Bingo.

So, we left with the prescription for rehab near her home, which begins next Thursday. Three days a week. Six months.

That night, she ate a huge dinner and said she felt great knowing the cause of the pain but also knowing that she could do something about it: Exercise! Rehab!

She is so hopeful.