Wednesday, June 5, 2013

I suppose I should say something...

Seattle rejected me because my herniation was too small. This, coming from the surgeon who believes in a "Chiari 0" - symptomatic with zero herniation. Needless to say I felt my world unravel.

I've spent the last few months fighting severe depression and anxiety. Seattle was The Plan. I couldn't process the thought that I would have to start all over again.

Through some therapy, pouring myself into art projects, and a medication adjustment I'm... well, I guess I'm better. If by "better" you mean "not on the verge of a major meltdown most days." I'm still in pain. I've resigned myself to using a wheelchair when needed, although I fought that decision tooth and nail. I have at least one doctor on my side and he's promised to help me find the care I deserve. We're sending my information to Dr. Oro in Colorado next. I spoke to the receptionist there and she said, "Even if he determines you're not eligible for surgery, we will still put you on a care plan. We won't leave you drifting out in limbo." That's what I need. Someone who knows this disease helping to get me on a path to healing.

In three weeks it will have been one year since my diagnosis. I look back and wonder at how naive I was. Truly, I believed I would find a neurosurgeon immediately, have the decompression surgery I need to get back on my feet, spend a few months recovering and then get back in the game. As the weeks and then months rolled by, my hope and positive attitude were whittled away. I miss my old life. I miss being active in my community. I miss having friends. I miss driving my car.

There's still some hope left in me, I guess. It's hard to see some days. All I can do is put my head down and hope this misery ends sooner rather than later.