Progress

Monday was a day of progress for Sue.  As you may recall, we were concerned that the insurance company would not approve the MRI that we believe Sue needs to figure out what is going on in her back.  Yesterday we got a call from MSU Radiology to schedule the MRI, and we confirmed that the insurance company did approve it, so that is a go on Friday.

We also got a call from the neurosurgeon we saw in the hospital, and he was not willing to take Sue on as a patient, because no surgery was indicated.  We found out from Sue's sister that there are neurosurgeons and there are neurologists, and that helped us understand why he was turning us away.  We need a neurologist.

We also saw our family doc yesterday, and he refilled the pain meds for Sue, so she can stay comfortable for the next couple of weeks while we are getting our imaging and other stuff taken care of.  He also gave us a referral to a neurologist, whom we expect to hear from in the next day or two.  So overall, the medical side of things seem to be falling into place, which we are thankful for.

We also learned a new latin biology term: cauda equina.  This is a group of nerves in the low back that look like a horse's tail, thus, cauda (tail) equina (horse).  This is where the family doc believes the irritation is in Sue's back.  We shall see.

The kids and I continue to adjust to our current life of caring for mom, rather than the other way around.  Lauren told Sue yesterday that she has a new appreciation of what mom does for the family.  That's progress!  She has really been pitching in, and has made dinner the last couple of nights, as well as cleaning bathrooms and helping me with laundry.

I think Sue would appreciate visitors, but she is also a little embarassed by her somewhat dishevelled appearance (which, of course, is normal when you can't get your regular bathing schedule in because someone has shoved a fencepost in your sacrum and it hurts to do anything but lie on your back!).  Even phone calls help her to feel like she is maintaining contact with the outside world.  Please call our home phone rather than her cell - and call or email me if you need that number and don't have it.

We would also like to thank you for your continued prayers for our family, and for the cards that some of you have sent.  They are all very much appreciated.