news about Michael....

Here's a brief history:  In 2009, my husband, Michael, ruptured a disc in his back.  He had a laminectomy (where they surgically push the ruptured stuff back into the disc, scrape out the excess) but this didn't work.  The disc re-ruptured in 2010.  He had a second surgery in 2010 to fuse the L5/S1 discs in his lower back.  Even with the surgical repair, Michael continually had pain due to permanent nerve damage from the ruptured disc that compressed nerves.  He had a third surgery to insert a spinal cord stimulator.  He's got a lead inserted in his spine and a battery in his hip that keeps the lead charged.  This lead sends electric impulses down his spine and those impulses are supposed to block the signals from the damaged nerves from reaching his brain.  Meaning, the nerves can't be repaired but if the brain doesn't receive the pain signals from those damaged nerves, he should have less pain. 

A side note:  Michael is in law enforcement.  He's been a cop for going on 14 years.  In March, he got into an altercation with a jail inmate and instantly started experiencing severe pain.  He's been on light duty for a month and switched to the night shift since that was the only light duty spot available. 

Michael went to the doctor on Monday - and it wasn't a great visit.  He's going to need more surgery due to a "failed fusion."  The L5/S1 disc is bulging as a result of the altercation.  The doctor confirmed that if the fusion was either done correctly or healed correctly, the disc would not have been able to bulge - or move - because it would have been anchored by another disc.  The surgery is going to be pretty harsh.  It will mean an incision in his back to remove the rods and screws from the first fusion.  Then, he'll get flipped over and an incision will be made in his abdomen.  Then, from the front, the fused disc will be removed and bone grafts will be inserted to create a new fusion.  He'll be flipped back over so new rods, pins, and screws can be inserted to hold the new fusion in place.  He's looking at a 3-6 month recovery period.  He probably will not be able to return to law enforcement - the risk of injury is just too great.

For those reading this that know Michael, you know that he's a good guy.  He is quiet and somewhat introverted when he first meets you, but once he gets to know you, you're family.  And there's nothing that Michael will not do for his family.  He will give you the shirt off his back if he thought that you needed it.  He's been my biggest cheerleader since I made the decision to go back to school.  He is a great husband and father.  So, in trying to find things to be happy about.... I'm happy that Michael has answers about his pain.  I'm happy that a resolution is in sight.  I'm happy that he has some hope for a pain-free life, which is something that he hasn't had in quite a while.  I'm happy that this too shall pass....  I know it's my profile picture, but here's Michael and me during our 15th wedding anniversary trip.