Report on the Lumbar Puncture and Results

Hello. This will be the first in a series of several rapid-fire posts that I will be doing over the next few hours to bring you all up to speed on the latest in personal and Church news. First is this post regarding personal news.

As many of you who regularly follow this blog know, I have been having some physical symptoms that I suspected may have been the result of a problem with my shunt, the device used to regulate the flow of my cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). After a lengthy debate with my neurosurgeon's nurse, we finally got a procedure scheduled for me to be checked out. Though not a new procedure by any means, it was new to me. My doctor recommended a lumbar puncture.

I spent the days prior to the procedure not being able to do much of consequence. We had several doctor's appointments this week. On Tuesday, we met with my allergist, who told me that as long as I was sick, we needed to hold off on allergy shots. Not a big surprise. She also mentioned that, because I had not received treatment from my ENT, the infection or virus was likely to linger until it either left on its own or was driven out by some form of treatment. She recommended that I schedule a visit with my ENT to follow-up on this matter. Fortunately, my ENT had an appointment available the next day. So, on Wednesday, we met with her. She gave me further recommendations for treatment, including approving an antibiotic. I have taken that for the latst several days and am feeling a little improved.

Finally, the day of the lumbar puncture arrived. I had to get up several hours earlier than I have been accustomed to for a while, and it didn't help that my apprehension, concern, and worry about having the procedure done, I only got a very limited amount of sleep. We got up, got ready, and headed out. It was a stormy day. While I was offering a prayer on our trip, someone brought to Amy's attention that we had a flat tire and needed to get it fixed. So Amy had to get out in the cold during the next rest stop and change it. Because I had never learned how to do that myself, I had to stand helplessly and watch her tend to it on her own. It was the hardest thing I ever had to do.

Then, we resumed our journey. We got to Salt Lake in plenty of time for our appointment. They prepared me for the procedure by briefing me fully on what they were doing and what to expect as a result of having the procedure done. Then, all too soon, it was time for me to have the proceudre done. Due to my startle reflex in my muscles, I had some difficulty with the preparation process. I was glad when I heard that they were using something I use daily for pain to numb the injection site. It must have been done very effectively, because when the needle went in, I barely felt it. All through the procedure, the caring professionals with Huntsman Cancer Institute made sure that I was comfortable and that they were explaining every part of what they were doing. We made plenty of small talk and found a surprising connection because they knew Dr. Weinstein, my neurologist that works at that same facility, at least by reputation. So we were able to talk about that common connection. All too soon, the examination was over. They had me lying on a bed in the hallway for half an hour after the procedure. They then said we were free to go.

We were able to find a good lunch at a restaurant that we had never before heard of or tried. The food was very good. All too soon, it was time to go to my follow-up appointment with my neurosurgeon's nurse, Joan.

When we were ushered back to see her and she came into the room, she was delighted to tell me that there seemed to be no apparent problems with my shunt. We also asked for confirmation that the setting had been confirmed and was correct, and she assured us on this point. She then took great care to take down a complete list of my symptoms, and her recommendation to us was to either ask Dr. Weinstein if these physical complaints could be medication-related, or to follow up with as many doctors with as many specialties as we have on board to find out fi any of these symptoms might be related to another yet-to-be-diagnosed problem with me. We were happy to eliminate a problem with my shunt, but feel frustrated that we are no closer to answers about what is ailing me than we were before the exam was done. So now the real fun begins.

In the meantime, I did feel a little better physically after the examination, and that lasted most of the day Thursday. But I have spent the last two days in absolute misery because the pain and swelling around the injection site is horrendous, and I have had a sharp, dramatic, and extreme increase in my head pain and neurological symptoms.

My physical status is why I have, with some small exceptions, been off the radar as far as blogging or doing anything normal for the last couple of days. I feel utterly helpless and hopeless because I don't know how long this intense pain will last, and because we are no closer to figuring out what's wrong with me. I have been doing everything I can to treat my pain. Last night was another night in which I got little or no sleep, and, having been inactive since coming home on Thursday, I doubt we will be able to resume completely normal conditions until sometime next week.

Through all that I have been experiencing, I have to say that my best confort has come from my wife's presence and willingness to do even simple things I am not currently able to do post-exam. This absolute commitment and support is not something foreign to me. She has always been there and gone the extra mile for me without complaint. She constantly has put aside her own comfort and well-being to drop everything and help me with whatever I might need.

Because she has been so supportive of me throughout all our marriage, and especially after this exam, and because I have not reciprocated well at all, I have felt incredibly guilty and down on myself about all I have to burden her with, especially now in having to do things for me I would ordinarily handle myself. But she has hugged me tightly as many times as that has happened, and she has never ceased to let me know that she doesn't blame me, either for my present condition, or my past failings, which have been many and very grievous in nature.

But that's who Amy is. Without my even having to ask her, she has willingly picked me up time and time again and has done many things that I could not or would not do myself. Time and again, she has selflessly put her own concerns aside to deal with my needs and concerns. I could not ask for a more amazing or more worthy and wonderful companion. It is my hope that, once we get my physical health squared away, I can be even 10% as compassionate and helpful to her as she has been to me. I I will, always and forever, be eternally grateful and irredeemably indebted to her for all she has done for me.

Now the waiting game begins. As soon as I recover from the present ordeal, I will have to expend a great deal of time and effort to get to the bottom of whatever else might be wrong with me. So the fun and games continue.

Thanks for your interest and concern. Please let me know if you have any feedback for me. Thanks, and stay tuned for the next post coming up in just a few minutes.