At first I thought the best way to get the word out about my medical diagnosis to everyone was through a lengthy email. But then I thought, why not make this an article for The Aqulia Report!!

About 6 weeks ago the orthopedic doctor treating my shoulder problems told me that the tingling, numbness and pain in my right arm was not from my shoulder but rather from my neck. So he scheduled an MRI of my neck and an appointment with the spine specialists at the Roanoke Orthopedic Clinic (home of the guy who gave me my two knees a few years back).

Had the first appointment today; as per their standard, a thorough intake (45 minutes) with a Physician’s Assistant. That way you get more time (his hourly rate is less) and can ask all your questions. Here’s the diagnosis.

Not only do I have serious arthritis in my neck (duh!) but I also have 4 badly bulging discs that have resulted in the early stages of Myelopathy brought on by serious cervical stenosis. Which is to say the discs are rubbing up on the spinal cord; and if that weren’t enough, they are blocking the needed flow of spinal fluid. The arm troubles were the first sign, as are my inability to walk as fast as I used to (those that know me well can understand how bad that is); some fine motor skills (I’ve had to stop wearing button down collars because I can’t do the small buttons); a slightly unstable gait (I have to pay attention when I walk) and occasional dropping of objects.

Needless to say, action is required. I’ll get some steroid shots for the arthritis pain starting in a week or so but beyond that I will need surgery. The PA went ahead and put me on the surgery schedule list (I’ll try to do it over Christmas since I won’t be able to work or drive for a couple of weeks post-op) even before I see the surgeon in 4 weeks. I figured out the bright side of this – I’ll have a lot of football games to watch during my recovery!!!

The surgery is called Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion. Fancy words for more or less removing the problem discs (two have already dissolved on their own, two others need a lot of work); putting spacers between the discs (using cadaver bones – Yuk!); and then ‘fusing’ them. Dude says it is one of the most common surgeries that spine doctors do these days and the hope of stopping the Myelopathy is excellent and even of getting back to the place before the Myelopathy started is good. I might even gain back some of the inch or so of height I’ve lost in recent years!!

Of course, I could say ‘no thanks’ to the surgery, but his bet is that in less than a year I’d be in a wheelchair, so that’s not really a choice.

I’ll be able to keep up with my Metokos Ministry churches since most of them don’t schedule much over the holidays anyway. I’ll have to pull out of my supply work at Middlesboro, Kentucky in early December (missing a month with them). But I had already planned to step down as Stated Clerk of Blue Ridge Presbytery on January 1st so that works out well. I should be able to resume work by mid-January.

As for my work on The Aquila Report, we may cut back the number of daily stories during the holidays, but I should be able to do some browsing and Dominic and I (and perhaps another temporary volunteer) can keep something new up each day during this down time.

All in all this is good news, in that we’ve found it at a relatively early stage and I wasn’t stubborn about not seeing a doctor about my arm!

Those of you I see regularly, I’ll keep seeing you until the surgery; those of you out of town, I probably won’t be making too many extra trips for a while (granddaughters in Dayton not included in that!). As always, your prayers will be greatly appreciated.

In the Lamb,

Don