Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Fortunately, we dont have to bring our own dead body

We just returned from TJ doctor visit concerning her back and leg pain. The news is that a piece of one of her disks is in the wrong place and needs to be removed. That is the simple surgery option. It is a one hour procedure, which may or may not require an overnight stay in the hospital. It is like the surgery done 6 months ago.

The second option is fusion. The idea is to remove the disk and fuse the disks on both sides (over simplification.) DR Harry told us all about the procure including drawing pictures to show us what was to be done. It is a good thing he is a better surgeon than artist. One on the funniest moments was in response to a question by TJ. Doc kept telling us they would remove a disk and pack the area densely with bone. Then her body would heal over this and create the fusion of the spine. After he alluded to this bone packing several times, TJ asked him where all this bone was coming from. As deadpan as any good comedian, he replied, "Well, some of the bone we will get from you. The rest we will get from some dead guy. You do not have to bring your own dead guy."

I kid you not. It was hilarious, even though we both thought of a couple folks we might like to volunteer for the dead part.

We really like this doctor. He is very informative. He explains everything. He listens to you. He believes you when you say something hurts. He accepts that his best source of information is actually the patient. His Physicians Assistant has the personality of a old rock. He doesn't even have the personality of a new rock. He is a nice guy, but very dry. If he visited the Sahara Desert, it would say the same thing. "Nice guy, but kind of dry."

The less invasive, less risky, less nerve touching, less likely to cause a permanent burning sensation in your leg, surgery is scheduled for December 30.

Fortunately, we do not have to bring our own dead body.

4 comments:

K and/or K said...

This doc rocks my funny bone!

I hope the surgery goes well.

WILLOW TREE said...

Ha!

My mom has chronic pain, so I know how refreshing it is to find a doctor that actually listens to you and doesn't blow you off. I'll be praying!

Blessings, Carolynn

Retro Girl said...

At least the doc makes ya laugh and smile. There are so many that could use lessons on bedside manner! :-)

Will be praying for Tammy...hope all goes well, recovery is fast, and she's back to her old beautiful self very soon!

Debbie said...

I will be praying for Tammy too. Let's all hope this surgery is the only one she will ever need.
But, if there is ever a need to BYODB, can we all nominate people?