August 4, 2009
Ever since we got back from Botswana my neck has been killing me, I have a constant headache, my arms are getting weaker every day, and my fingers are going numb. RD arranged for me to get an MRI and X-rays. Not good news. My lower neck is pretty much shot.
August 5, 2009
The radiologist ordered a CT-Scan because he didn’t like something he saw on the MRI, turned out to be nothing more than what we already knew. I saw one of the orthopedic surgeons at the hospital and he agreed with my desire to have artificial discs instead of fusions. Mostly because of my “youth” and high activity level.
August 6, 2009
After doing more research on the internet it turns out I need more X-rays than those that were originally done (different views) so back to the hospital again today. I was also supposed to get a blood test today but that turned out to be a no go. The woman got the needle in my arm OK (I am prone to passing out at the time or soon after the needle enters my arm) then made the mistake of saying “Oops”. I said “what oops?” and looked at the needle…big mistake…I broke into a sweat and was rapidly sliding toward darkness when she got the needle out of my arm just in time. She thought I was kidding when I said I’d come back…”no, no, I can just use the other arm”. ”No, you don’t understand, we’re done here for today”…
On the up side today is Bar-B-Q day at the hospital so I enjoyed a great lunch with RD.
After lunch I saw the Podiatrist who wanted to see my feet to see if he can make a pair of foot othotics that will help my peroneous longus muscle heal so that I can walk without my ankle swelling which eventually causes me to limp. He was great, even validating what I already knew…when it comes to my feet I am like the princess and the pea. He said with my feet there is no room for error on the orthotics, they must be precise or I will not tolerate them.
On the down side apparently there was an attempted coup:
http://arabic.x10hosting.com/2009/08/06/u-s-military-downplays-qatar-coup-rumors/
August 9, 2009
117° today, we now have to let the shower run for 5-10 minutes before the “chiller” on the roof kicks in….otherwise the “cold” water comes out at the ambient temperature!
RD has been amazing helping to sort through the options and the insurance process. I don’t think I could have done this without him. I find that I don’t seem to have the emotional strength to handle the “details” and prepare mentally for surgery at the same time.
August 10, 2009
Today it hit 119° (that’s 321 Kelvin in case anyone is interested…I think that’s the temperature they use in hell). As we were waiting at DHL to send reports and CD’s of my MRI and X-rays to Belgium and Germany (at a cost of $140 each!), RD received a phone call with approval from the insurance company! Yeah! Since it would’ve been 28,000€ ($40,118) if they didn’t…and since it is an “urgent” issue they will even pay for my airfare!
August 12, 2009
Got an e-mail today from Manta Dive on Gili Trawangan wondering when I would be arriving because they are so busy and really need me to work as a divemaster for the next 6 weeks. I am so bummed! I totally forgot to e-mail them! I think it is a clear case of denial. To add insult to injury one of RD’s patients stopped by tonight to get the inside scoop on the Gili Islands since he is going to be there in a few weeks…I am so jealous!
August 13, 2009
Spoke with a woman in Michigan who is the American liaison for Stenum Hospital in Bremen, Germany (where I will probably be getting my surgery). It was great talking to someone who has had 3 disc replacements (lumbar) and rides horses and snow ski’s. I’d love to say it put my mind at ease but that would be an exaggeration, it did help however. We had a good laugh over my fear that my head will pop off like one of those plastic dolls (turns out I’m not the first to have this fear).
This is what they will be putting in my neck: http://www.spinalkinetics.com/m6overview.html
August 15, 2009
We put our smuggled prosciutto and pepperoni to good use last night, we invited the ten people who are left in Doha (all the other’s have fled due to heat prostration and the impending monotony of Ramadan) and had a pizza party. I’m not sure which one was my favorite, the smoked salmon and brie with sliced red onions or the prosciutto, kalamata olive, artichoke and feta. Yummy…
It was a bit of a struggle for me; while slicing the pepperoni my arms died and I had to recruit RD to finish, and sitting with my head turned to one side to talk to someone finally was my downfall. I was up most of the night with neck pain and a headache…now that’s pathetic when you get wiped out throwing a pizza party!
August 18, 2009
We have finally hit that point in August when not only is it over 105 every day but the humidity is +75%...ick. The second you walk outside your glasses fog up.
My surgery is scheduled for September 5th at Stenum Hospital in Bremen, Germany. We’ve made our airline reservations and the hospital is working on the hotel reservations. RD can only stay until the 11th because of work so my friend Kathleen (yes, the same one who had the hip replacement in July) is flying over and will stay with me until the 18th. With our “bionic” parts we ought to set off every alarm in the Bremen Airport when we leave…
August 21, 2009
Ramadan starts tonight so we thought it only fitting to invite friends over for a pork loin dinner…I think I‘ve been here too long…
August 23, 2009
OK, I’m counting the days until surgery now, my right Teres Major muscle has been twitching for a week and it’s driving me nuts.
We went to the mall yesterday to take a walk. To darn hot to do anything outside, I was in a sweat even just walking from the car to the door. We got there a little before 4:00 and the stores were still closed. This place is boring on a good day…during Ramadan it is dead.
August 24, 2009
Mom is having a total knee replacement today. Spoke with her last night and she sounded well prepared, although a bit unrealistic…I don’t think TKR is considered a day surgery…her goal was to be home tonight. I tried several times to reach Dad by cell phone to no avail…that 10 hour time differential can be problematic at times. Stay tuned ‘til tomorrow to see if Mom got her wish!
August 25, 2009
Eleven days and counting for me…it’s 10:00 in the morning and its already 111°.
Apparently Mom was telling everyone she was going home right up until late afternoon yesterday (the nurses giggled every time she said it…I think they thought she was “high” on pain meds). She finally gave up the fight and settled in for the night. She has been up and out of bed and says weight-bearing is pain free. Smart cookie that she is she asked them to inject her other knee while she was under sedation so she would have a little pain relief on that side as well. I wonder what I can ask them to do while I am under sedation?
Eventually hit 123° today…
August 26, 2009
Talked to Mom tonight, she got discharged on the 25th and is home and doing great. She is using a walker to get around but not doing a whole lot of walking at this point. As she says she “get’s a little sweaty”, but is not having much pain.
August 27, 2009
I went in this morning and saw the Podiatrist at the hospital for my second appointment. He re-evaluated my feet, made a computer generated representation of my foot/arch and said he would have my foot orthotics ready for me next week before I leave for Germany. He also said there were six trigger points in my calf that need to be injected but thankfully he didn’t want to do it right then. Good thing because that’s something I need to prepare myself for...I hate being such a wimp.
I must be in the middle of my 50 year overhaul.
August 28, 2009
Apparently RD’s brother Steve is in the middle of his 50 year overhaul as well…turns out he’s going to need a total hip replacement this winter! With our aging population it must be a good time to be an Orthopedic surgeon!
I packed my suitcase today in preparation for my “surgery vacation”. I think I like packing for scuba vacations better…
August 30, 2009
Another scorcher…124° today. Surgery in 6 days.
Lauri, one of the other hospitalists is house-sitting in our compound and has invited us over for cocktails at 4:00…she’s in the opposite corner of the compound so if it doesn’t cool down a bit I’m going to drive. It’s easy to see why the locals get so lazy around here…
It’s 4:04 and RD just informed me that they are coming over here instead, typical, I’m always the last to know.
August 31, 2009
It’s noticeably cooler today…only 109°! 
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