Relaxing at home...
Dang, that flash is bright...
11/26/2004
11/18/2004
Operation...
Now I really don't know how many people will read this but it is the easiest way to get the information out there...
Some may have known that we were in T.O. this last weekend, and while it was also to visit Lian's family, the main objective was my consultation with an Orthopedic Surgeon this past Monday.
After looking over my latest X-rays, CT scans and some basic pain threshold testing on movement, It was decided that my condition warrants surgery...
I won't explain what spondolylithesis is again, but the bottom line is that my L5 disc has shifted 50% over the S1 vertebrae and this is causing pressure on the L5 nerve. Basically I can walk about two hundred yards, I then have pain radiating from the lower back through my buttocks and then down my entire leg. The further I walk the longer I have to stop and recover, and then the process starts all over again. This will not get better over time, only worse...the exact timetable cannot be projected.
I played golf close to 35 times this past summer because of this and at one point did not play for 3 consecutive weeks, and less than 7 times after the long weekend in August (this is about 20% of my normal summer activity)...I was taking vioxx and was feeling better, but after it was pulled from the market I started on celebrex...it's not really working for me, and I had the ok to try a couple in one day, but it really upset my stomach and caused other lower problems as well.
The doctor I saw in Toronto, Dr. Chapman, originally a North Bay boy...was recommended by my regular Doctor as one of the best. I waited almost three months to get in for this consultation and will have to wait until May 4th for the operation. They were able to get me in a week earlier, but Lian is in her cousin's wedding that weekend and since I have to wait that long, what's another week...besides, a free bar is too good of a thing to pass up...
I will have to head down again for blood work, ECG monitoring and other small tests before the surgery. Now from what was discussed it will take anywhere from 3-4 hours and then I will be in the hospital for a minimum of 5 days, at which time I can come home by car, with the odd stop to get up and move. I will be off work for anywhere from 6 to 12 weeks. This of course depends on how well I recover, manage pain and basically as the Doctor put it, "Get off your ass and walk".
I have a large percentage of my wage covered by sick leave and extended benefits...but we will have to tighten our belts...I guess the Hummer is out for now...lol...
So that's it, it's things as usual for now...I am going to try to take off another 20 lbs. in the next couple of months to help in the recovery process. I want to do this now so I will not be in a walker by the time I'm 40, or in enough pain that I have to resort to popping percocets like they are Tic Tacs (by the way, percocets is basically Tylonol and Oxycodone, they call it 'Hillbilly Crack', the stuff Jack Osbourne was adicted to)...the main goal is to get back to as close to normal as possible. It wasn't trauma or living life to excess that did this, just the way I was put together by the good Lord...he missed a couple of soldering connections in the back...
I plan on sticking around for a long time, not only for Lilly and Lian but to finally see the return of NHL hockey in 2022........
Wallace out.
Some may have known that we were in T.O. this last weekend, and while it was also to visit Lian's family, the main objective was my consultation with an Orthopedic Surgeon this past Monday.
After looking over my latest X-rays, CT scans and some basic pain threshold testing on movement, It was decided that my condition warrants surgery...
I won't explain what spondolylithesis is again, but the bottom line is that my L5 disc has shifted 50% over the S1 vertebrae and this is causing pressure on the L5 nerve. Basically I can walk about two hundred yards, I then have pain radiating from the lower back through my buttocks and then down my entire leg. The further I walk the longer I have to stop and recover, and then the process starts all over again. This will not get better over time, only worse...the exact timetable cannot be projected.
I played golf close to 35 times this past summer because of this and at one point did not play for 3 consecutive weeks, and less than 7 times after the long weekend in August (this is about 20% of my normal summer activity)...I was taking vioxx and was feeling better, but after it was pulled from the market I started on celebrex...it's not really working for me, and I had the ok to try a couple in one day, but it really upset my stomach and caused other lower problems as well.
The doctor I saw in Toronto, Dr. Chapman, originally a North Bay boy...was recommended by my regular Doctor as one of the best. I waited almost three months to get in for this consultation and will have to wait until May 4th for the operation. They were able to get me in a week earlier, but Lian is in her cousin's wedding that weekend and since I have to wait that long, what's another week...besides, a free bar is too good of a thing to pass up...
I will have to head down again for blood work, ECG monitoring and other small tests before the surgery. Now from what was discussed it will take anywhere from 3-4 hours and then I will be in the hospital for a minimum of 5 days, at which time I can come home by car, with the odd stop to get up and move. I will be off work for anywhere from 6 to 12 weeks. This of course depends on how well I recover, manage pain and basically as the Doctor put it, "Get off your ass and walk".
I have a large percentage of my wage covered by sick leave and extended benefits...but we will have to tighten our belts...I guess the Hummer is out for now...lol...
So that's it, it's things as usual for now...I am going to try to take off another 20 lbs. in the next couple of months to help in the recovery process. I want to do this now so I will not be in a walker by the time I'm 40, or in enough pain that I have to resort to popping percocets like they are Tic Tacs (by the way, percocets is basically Tylonol and Oxycodone, they call it 'Hillbilly Crack', the stuff Jack Osbourne was adicted to)...the main goal is to get back to as close to normal as possible. It wasn't trauma or living life to excess that did this, just the way I was put together by the good Lord...he missed a couple of soldering connections in the back...
I plan on sticking around for a long time, not only for Lilly and Lian but to finally see the return of NHL hockey in 2022........
Wallace out.
3 months!
Lilly the Leaf picture we took the other day is the most recent of her. She is mostly sitting up on her own but falls back every once in awhile. Her new trick, much to my dismay, is trying to shove both her fists in her mouth at the same time. Yes, a lot of people have said "Just like her Mother...double fisting..." but that is besides the point. Lilly likes to open her fists while they are inside her mouth so she gags.....Lovely noise to listen to....She is also a lot more vocal....but they are mostly grunts and giggles....awww thats my girl!!!
Happy Birthday to Andrea. Today is her birthday. Look for the "Gong Show" in the Toronto area this weekend...she will be the loudest, tallest one there!
Lilly and I are heading to MacTier this weekend. Got a baby shower for my friend Lyndsey, who is expecting in January. Who knows, after the baby shower, there may be a "Gong Show" with all the "Snapperheads" in MacTier!
Cheers
Leelee
Happy Birthday to Andrea. Today is her birthday. Look for the "Gong Show" in the Toronto area this weekend...she will be the loudest, tallest one there!
Lilly and I are heading to MacTier this weekend. Got a baby shower for my friend Lyndsey, who is expecting in January. Who knows, after the baby shower, there may be a "Gong Show" with all the "Snapperheads" in MacTier!
Cheers
Leelee
11/16/2004
11/04/2004
Weekly recap
What a night! Lilly slept for over 9 hours!! I wish she would let me know when she plans on doing this so I can at least try to sleep as well! Actually I had to wake her up cause I didn't think sleeping in a wet diaper for that long would be fun. I guess she needed a big sleep.
Lilly still is feeding her fists into her mouth...sometimes both at the same time. She is also a lot more vocal about feedings and if she is being ignored. Must be growing up! At Mommy and Me class this week, the new instructor thought she was 5 months old...since she is so alert. I almost choked! I told her no...try 11 weeks. Then after we started singing and playing she said she could tell. Please don't rush her age just yet!!!
Aunt Laura, Aunt Jodi and Uncle Brad came for a visit last weekend. Of course when the three of them are here...we always have a great time. Lilly really liked listening and playing with her Aunt Laura. Of course she had no choice but to listen to Aunt Jodi when we were playing board games.....2 coolers will do that to Jode :0) Uncle Brad and Craig played each other's guitars through out the weekend too and Lilly loved listening to that.
This weekend Grandma and Poppa Lemkay and Great Aunt Cathy and Great Uncle Lorne are visiting....I wish I could say they will be here to visit Craig and I...but that just ain't true.
Our friends Pete and Diane lost a member of their family this week. Their 4 year old boxer "Cassie" had to be to sleep, after finding out she was very sick. I know how hard it is to lose someone that is a part of your family and our hearts go out to them.
Cheers
Leelee
Lilly still is feeding her fists into her mouth...sometimes both at the same time. She is also a lot more vocal about feedings and if she is being ignored. Must be growing up! At Mommy and Me class this week, the new instructor thought she was 5 months old...since she is so alert. I almost choked! I told her no...try 11 weeks. Then after we started singing and playing she said she could tell. Please don't rush her age just yet!!!
Aunt Laura, Aunt Jodi and Uncle Brad came for a visit last weekend. Of course when the three of them are here...we always have a great time. Lilly really liked listening and playing with her Aunt Laura. Of course she had no choice but to listen to Aunt Jodi when we were playing board games.....2 coolers will do that to Jode :0) Uncle Brad and Craig played each other's guitars through out the weekend too and Lilly loved listening to that.
This weekend Grandma and Poppa Lemkay and Great Aunt Cathy and Great Uncle Lorne are visiting....I wish I could say they will be here to visit Craig and I...but that just ain't true.
Our friends Pete and Diane lost a member of their family this week. Their 4 year old boxer "Cassie" had to be to sleep, after finding out she was very sick. I know how hard it is to lose someone that is a part of your family and our hearts go out to them.
Cheers
Leelee
