Ted Campanelli wrote:

> Ted shuffled out of his cave and grunted these great (and sometimes not
> so great) words of knowledge:
>
>> Ok I have eluded a couple of times to some of the problems I'm having
>> and without going into detail if anyone out there is dealing with
>> physical problems when cooking, would you please mind sharing them and
>> your ways of dealing with them. Here's mine - I need a step stool in
>> the kitchen. Reaching for anything is not an option. I get very
>> frustrated but that's the way it is for now at least. I need things
>> consistently in their right place otherwise it is just too difficult.
>> I do a lot of canning as everyone knows here. I get DH to put the
>> canning pots on the counter as I can't lift them at the moment but I
>> can add water and I can get jars out. Freezers are a royal pain in
>> the butt for me. I can get into the sbs but the chest freezers are
>> really a pain! DH for the most part has to get that stuff out. I cook
>> in bulk as much as possible to compensate for those days I can't cook.
>
>
> I don't know the exact nature of your problem, however, from you saying
> a neurosurgeon, I presume it concerns your back.

Cervical - MRI results - C3/C4 mildly affected, C4/C5 worse, C5/C6
significantly affecting spinal cord, C6/C7 worse than C3/C4 but not as
bad as C4/C5 - all due to an accident. I have marked left side
weakness, tingling sensation or numbness and pain. The weakness is bad
enough that I cannot pick up a filled coffe cup with my left hand and my
left leg is rather lazy giving a bit of a limp. The left side weakness
has created a lot of problems. So far I have been able to compensate a
lot with my right side. I'm finding it more difficult to do things but
that doesn't stop me from trying. My gp gave me strict order of what I
can and can't do because of C5/C6 and the symptoms I'm having. She said
this is necessary until I see the neurosurgeon. She is very concerned
that C5/C6 will get a lot worse. Sitting for longer than about 10
minutes or standing is a problem Reaching and lifting are not allowed
right now. I do a lot of moving around mainly to get comfortable.
Sleeping is a problem.

>
> If you are not aware, there is a back surgery that is being done on a
> "trial basis" for "ONE DISK ONLY" (gotta love the FDA and AMA). This
> procedure has been used in Europe for over 15 years, for MULTIPLE disks
> and has a 97%+ success rate. Basically, they separate the vertebra,
> imbed a metal plate in each vertebra and the put a cushion between the
> two plates. The "normal" back surgery here (fusing of the vertebra) has
> the following rates: 25% are better, 50% are the same and 25% are
> worse. While recovery time for back surgery done here is about 6
> months, this procedure from Europe has an average recovery time of about
> 6 - 8 weeks.
>

Is this the laser surgery? Someone mentioned that last night as well as
some type of machine to help with the pain. I can't do anything without
my doctor's consent. I've had physio, traction, and deep muscle therapy.
Everything is on hold until I see the neurosurgeon. That makes me a
little nervous that things are worse than she said. I don't like taking
high powered pain killers so I do imagery and seed filled hot packs.
I've done yoga for years but can't right now. I find I'm more
comfortable if I'm moving around then sitting or laying.

> The reason I know about this is that I have degenerative arthritus of
> the spine. It is disolving my disks. At present I have 2 disks
> completely gone (bone on bone) and 2 more with less than 10% of the disk
> left. Fortunately, between the pain killers, a cane and gritting my
> teeth, I can still get around somewhat (no wheel chair YET )

I feel your pain and thanks for sharing.