Pray for wisdom and discernment in decision making!
At our visit with the plastic surgeon last week in Chicago, he recommended that I consult with two other surgeons.
1. Neurosurgeon & plastic surgeon at Johns Hopkins University (Baltimore)
2. Plastic and nerve surgeon w/Barnes with Washington University
I will share more about this later but on Monday, I was able to contact the neurosurgeon in Baltimore (while he was in Greece) and get an appointment scheduled to see him on July 10th. He believes that I need to have two sensory nerves removed or re-routed at the top of my foot, which he feels are causing pain. Doors opened incredibly on Monday and I felt like I needed to proceed with going to see him. I will tell you the entire story later, but details fell into place like they never had before.
On Tuesday, my orthopedic surgeon set up an appointment for me to see another doctor in her office - pain management guy - on Friday, July 6th. He would likely advise either an injection or some medication.
Today I met with the surgeon at Barnes and she had a totally different (conflicting) option from the Baltimore doctor. She did not feel that it was worth trying what he suggested.
Needless to say, I left her office feeling more confused than ever and very frustrated with what I thought was a new, big gleam of hope with the Baltimore doctor. It is very difficult to know what medical advice to trust. Emotionally I am at a point of clinging onto anything that sounds reasonable and will potentially provide pain relief. If I proceed with going to Baltimore, the expense is massive. I would need to pay for everything up front and then file with insurance.
It has been a very long week with camp. I have been exhausted and emotionally drained all week. It is not the best week for me to be making a big decision. I have a call into my orthopedic surgeon & the plastic surgeon that I've been working with in Chicago .... pray that they both call me back on Thursday. Obviously, I'm willing to travel to Baltimore if it is the best way to proceed, although I am struggling to know how best to move forward. Pray that it will be clear and obvious as to short-term treatment.
je
1 comment:
Hey, girl...it was good to hear your voice last night. Prayed for you at bedtime and thinking about you today as I tote my hand-written note around in my pocket awaiting a call on my cell from my orthopedic guy for his opinion about all of this. I'm seeing my podiatrist this afternoon, too,...I'll ask him as well. Thought I might ask the guy next to me at the gas station...but he probably wouldn't be of much help. Do you think? Praying for relief from pain, patience and longsuffering (but not too much suffering), continued grace from your parents to serve you as you camp out at their place--Mi Casa Su Casa time seems extended, I know, but thank heavens for loving 'rents (short for parents)...it's a nicer term than the raisins or the prunes (referring to wrinkles). Did you know that my niece Brittany sat on my Mom's lap and studied her very seriously (she was about 2 or 3 at the time) and said in a horrified tone, "Grandma, you're CRACKING!" Hmmmm. Note to self: use more moisturizer around your eyes to avoid "cracking." Chin up, dear! I'll be in touch! Jobacks out!
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