Have You Heard???

That 30 (well, 31, actually) is the new 50?

No, not really, but lately that's how some of us have been feeling. It seems like all the cool kids are being diagnosed with back issues. My friend Kelly and her mom are both dealing with back issues, and Murphey's been having worsening neck pain on and off since August. (Remember this?) Well, we are thinking that when he hit his head on the light (he hit it hard) that he seriously injured his neck. He had an MRI done on Monday and his PCP called on Tuesday with the results. According to the radiologist, he has 2 protruding discs and severe canal stenosis (narrowing of the path where the spinal cord travels, caused by the disc bulging into the canal). His PCP prescribed more heavy duty painkillers (he's in a ton of pain) and recommended he see a spine specialist asap. He was able to get an appointment with a neurosurgeon yesterday and an appointment with an ortho doc next Friday.

We were expecting to go in and see the neuro guy and have him recommend steroid injections or something. Unfortunately we got not so good news. One disc is actually herniated and has caused some minor spinal cord damage (does not impair his function, thankfully, but it is causing his reflexes in his legs and left arm to be "jumpy"). While his condition is not "life-threatening" it is dangerous, because one fall could land him with a spinal cord injury because of the precarious position of the disc and his spinal cord. (Thank GOODNESS he skipped out on the several snowboarding opportunites he had this year!!!!) So the doctor was recommending surgery, soon. If we were comfortable and wanted it, he would have tried to fit it in yesterday or today. We were not comfortable with that (wanted to let all the info sink in before whisking him off to surgery), so we scheduled it for May 6. Why the wait? Well, the doctor performing the surgery will be here all next week, and he is presenting, so we have to wait for him to get back. We are also getting the second opinion this week and will consider all options after that (possibly even going with her for surgery). The surgery (done outpatient, believe it or not) will involve removing the disc, placing a bone graft (cadaver) in the disc space and then connecting C5 and C6 with a plate and screws.

So whatever you do, don't have a neurological crisis next week. And if you do, plan on doing it in Chicago, because I hear all the best docs are going to be there. :)

I know I can't make another post without some pictures of Nora. So here are a few. Also, a little story. Her conversation skills have taken off. She does not hesitate to engage people when we're out and about, just telling them all about what we're doing. It really is sweet, but now I have a newfound sympathy for my mom putting up with me, as a 3 year old, telling perfect strangers, while pointing to my mother's pregnant belly, that my baby brother was in there. Another thing she's doing is talking to people on the phone and leading of her sentences with "So... Levi is coming over today" or "So... I did not ride the horse today." I guess I say "So... " a lot?

On to the pics. Her fear of the battery operated moving/dancing/speaking toys is diminishing! Yay!! She ran over and grabbed tickle me Elmo today, sat down on the floor and asked me to take her picture! I had to oblige...

But don't think she's getting to comfy-cozy with him... She accidently "activated" him and jumped back faster than a charging giraffe (inside joke) and started sucking her thumb as he danced away. :)