NC tourer wrote:
Just got word from the MRI's. Dr says I shouldn't be able to walk. L1 and L2 severly crushed and disk is completely 'squashed' and nerves on both side are taking a toll at deteriation and paralyzation is in the future (as I'm told). I'm only 40. Doc can't believe I haven't been in years prior due to the pain I 'should' have. I haven't gotten explaination yet to if the bike wreck a few years ago caused this. They talk like it's prior to the crash. Anyhow, looks like I will miss the ralley once again. Thanks for all the best wishes in the past. I'm going to work in the morning come hell or high water though...
Mark....I'm am really sorry to hear about your diagnosis. I've been where you are in 2006 and I had the surgery you speak of between the L3 and L4. I waited too long supposedly doing the all the right things but suffered through 6 weeks of agonizing pain. I saw chiropractors, I was in emergency twice, I was evaluated for spinal injections and rejected and then finally went to see a surgeon. In two minutes he looked at my MRI and knew exactly what to do and said it was the only thing I could do!

I had my surgery and spent 4 weeks of easy recovery. My pain was relieved, but I suffered permanent sciatic nerve damage to my left leg for waiting too long. The ruptured disk I had, had crushed the nerve too long for it to recover feelings. So my left leg is dead to feelings from the inside of my groin to around my left knee. It doesn't bother me and I can live easily with this condition. The funniest feeling is when I'm riding because I have no feelings on the inside of my left leg and so consequently I cannot feel the bike on my left side only my right.

I've learned two things from this experience. One was that I waited too long to have my surgery. But unfortuneately the medical system or maybe the medical insurance companies put me through a delayed process that was unnecessary. The second thing I learned is that since this surgery my 20 years of back problems all went away. I was undoubtedly suffering from this disk condition for many many years, because now I have never felt so good.

So I really do know what your going through. If you would like to talk some more about this or if you've got any questions, I'd be more than happy to talk with you off-line. Send me a PM if you've got any questions.

In the meantime good luck with your decision.


alepel

"Ride with the Spirit always, and in all ways"....hombldr