The Current Situation. 

05.06.04

To live with constant pain in this day and age is unacceptable. My last check up with my surgeon showed that the fusion in my spine where I was operated on was successful. I never doubted that it would anything less than perfect given who the surgeon is.

However repeated requests by myself and my physical therapist to examine and test the disc situated at C7/T1 have fell on deaf ears. I know longer have any faith in my surgeon. As great as he may be he simply will not listen to the patient.

After 52 hours of Physical Therapy over 14 weeks there was zero improvement in my condition and my pain levels are rising. The term 'suck it up' by one of my so called specialists is totally unacceptable.

My physical therapist has identified that without any doubt my pain, numbness and weakness from my neck through my left shoulder, down my left arm to my hand is coming from the damage at C7/T1. Last year a discogram showed that this disc was torn open and pressing on my nerve root. But as yet no one in my medical team will address that.

I cannot live in a world where simple things like dressing myself is a task, where I cannot sit up for more than four hours because of pain. Where I cannot do the simple things like take a walk because of pain and where I have to think of everything in my life in the terms of 'how long can I do this for today?'

I am loosing faith in doctors who's egos are as big as the luxury cars they drive. They all need to take a lesson in listening to the patient and their needs; something they have seemed to forgot from all those years ago in Med School 101.

Its time to find a new doctor, a new perspective and get the help I am crying out for so that I can try to rebuild a new life. I may be classed and partially disabled now, but, I don't accept that I should 'suck up the pain'.

03.21.04

Six months after surgery and I am still in pain. Three times weekly physical therapy, nothing helps. It seems my surgeon has an ego problem in that he says there is nothing wrong with me. To add insult to injury he is merely looking at x-rays and MRI's. Since the surgery he has not actually checked me myself. So its a case of treating the x-ray not the patient.

My physical therapist has identified that the pain associated in my neck and arm actually come from a disc in my spine two vertebrae below the one that was removed and yet my doctor has not approached that for me. He is supposed to be one of the finest in New York, and he is a great surgeon, unfortunately he has little people skills.

I have come to a major decision in treatment of this injury. No more injections, hospitals, for one more year. I am going to suck up the pain and treat it with medication. If in a years time I am still in pain I will find a doctor that I feel comfortable with.

01.21.04

Happy New Year! Rest, rest and more rest. That's the doctors orders and three months of physical therapy is the next step; starting any day now. Meanwhile my pain management doctor has told me that if the physical therapy does not help a new step is needed to relieve the same symptoms I always had before and after the surgery. He has told me that a possible myelogram will help show any further problems that may be taking place with the nerve roots on the spine feeding the left arm. I still have pain and discomfort. What I would not do for a full nights sleep without waking up each time I turn for bolts of shooting pain.

Just another twist in the tale of a never ending story!

12.10.03

I have not been able to update this for so long. The surgery was tough and the first two weeks after was a blur due to the onslaught of some hard hitting medications. As yet I am not seeing as much relief as I thought I would. I still have a lot of pain in my neck, shoulders and arms. The surgeon says I have to give it time. I am not happy with his recent attitude, but he is a great surgeon and may not have the best social skills. Time is what I will give it and then let's see what happens; that's my attitude.

My appeal to the Victims Compensation Fund has been successful and now I wait to see if the two year battle was worth it. At least now I have proved that I was indeed hurt that day. If anyone out there is thinking about applying or feels they have fallen outside of the guidelines I have one piece of advice; time is ruining out to apply. Do it today! DO NOT put it off as the doors are beginning to close. If you don't apply you will never know.

10.01.03

Tomorrow I shall undergo cervical spinal fusion of the C5-6 area and have a titanium cage fitted around the vertebrae. What else can I say? Put my faith in the doctors and look forward to be able to feel like myself once again.

09.07.03

Suddenly the pain levels have jump a notch or two and yesterday I had to rush back to my pain management doctor to see what could be done.

I was taking 200mg of celebrex per day which we have increased to 600mg a day. Also neurontin at 900mg which has now doubled. Can you believe that even percoset and darvocet, two narcotic pain medications would not cut it. He prescribed oral morphine tablets at 2 every eight hours as needed. Right now the morphine is helping me. The problem as I see it is that I have no clue as to my real condition unless I stop taking all the medications for 48 hours. However I would take this non pain regime over everything. The morphine does make me a little light headed but I can live with that.

It just upsets me that simple things like typing this is hard to do. If you could see me now I look like a novice two fingered typist. Not the keyboard champ I used to be.

08-08-03

After the last two months of various painful test; all originating with needles through my neck. The decision has been made to fuse the C5/6 section of my cervical spine. This type of surgery is something that's common these days although with the same risks of any surgery. I have to wait now until October 2nd 2003 and then three months after surgery until the fuse is complete and the bones grow as one. Hopefully I can finally close the book on this whole experience.

02-06-03

The verve block injection was hell. After the needle was placed through my neck and into the nerve roots under x-ray, the pain was too much. As the needle touched the nerve and  pierced through the pain was shooting down my arm. My doctor advised me that once he started adding a steroid into the nerve that I would really feel it. He was not wrong. I have never experienced something that bad!. In fact the pain was so unbearable I was screaming out. But no pain no gain?

Eventually after being discharged from the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan the pain would not subside and I have to honestly say that the injection made no difference possibly making it worse. Next week I have to go through it all again. After all that I cannot imagine in being in a better medical than the Hospital For Special Surgery. Incredible professionals that actually do care for the patients. Everyone is treated as a person not a number, something that we seem to loose a lot of these days.

05-19-03

To move forward my doctor and I have decided that I should have a discogram done. This is not the best or procedures to put yourself through but at least it will determine what the level of damage is. It can be outlined as follows:

This is a diagnostic procedure to determine if you have any damaged discs. Discs are "cushions" between the bones of the back. If they are damaged or torn they may cause pain by causing inflammation or pressing on nerves. The MRI is a very sensitive test but sometimes does not show a torn disc. A discogram will show which disc or discs are causing you pain and this knowledge will help  decide about future therapies.

The procedure is done in a room called Special Procedures. You will lie on your back, the RN will start an IV and monitor your heart and blood pressure. She will give you pain and sedating medicine, as well as an antibiotic to decrease the risk of getting an infection. The technologist will paint your neck with an antiseptic solution and drape your neck with sterile linen. After you have been sedated (but not put to sleep), the radiologist will use local anesthetic to numb your skin. He will then insert a very thin needle through the skin and muscle tissue of your neck and advance it into each disc that needs to be studied.

After all the needles are in place, the radiologist will inject x-ray dye (an iodine solution) into the

discs. At this time the doctor will ask if this causes pain, if the pain matches the usual site of you

pain or if the pain is in an area in which you usually do not feel pain.

After the discogram is completed and the needles are removed, you will have a CT scan through each disc studied. This gives very detailed pictures of the tears in the discs. Following this CT scan, you will be able to be discharged from the hospital.

My discogram showed a possible crushed disc as one of them did not fill with dye and one that was torn. Later on I discussed with my doctor that a surgical method is needed but he still wants to complete two nerve block injections in two weeks.

05-02-2003

I know doctors are busy people. But for the life of me I cannot understand why it takes weeks and weeks to get their written consult on my visit.  Ninety nine percent of the time I have been waiting has been down to getting the actual written verdict. Frustrating!

05-01-2003

Still playing the waiting game, but next week I have to see the insurers doctor. The mind boggles as to his conclusion, being that he represents the insurers. However I am confident that he will remain impartial, right?  They have already expressed that wish to withdraw cover on this. My latest consult from a top city, and possibly world surgeon, states that this injury would  interfere with my work if I was employed, the injury has caused permanent damage and disability.

04-23-2003

Yet another doctor! I saw a neurologist (name omitted) who proceeded with a nerve sensory tests which meant having minor electrical shocks to the nerves which is somewhat uncomfortable and then a needle in the nerves. Very uncomfortable! But I sat there as its for my own good. I am still waiting for the results but in the meantime two more 'hi-definition 'MRI of my spine and nerves has been ordered. The doctor feels the bulging discs are rubbing their way against the nerves endings. Just like any doctor he will not jump the gun and tell me for definite until he has the answers to hand.

Meanwhile as the sun came out this weekend in New York and spring has arrived I spend it lying down in a neck collar and my daily medication. I surely hope I get to enjoy the summer.

04-11-2003

Seen by a pain management specialist that has told me that my Thoracic Outlet Nerve has also been damaged and causing the loss of sensation in my left hand. He has ordered me to see a neurologist and ordered MRI's, and yes, you've guessed it, more medications....more to come

04-07-2003

Now that the insurers for workers compensation has 'voluntarily' removed their cover I have been left without any medication or health care benefits. Last night I was taken to NYU Emergency room and administered three sets or morphine by IV to combat the pain that I was experiencing. The pain was so severe I had to be wheeled out of my home and into and ambulance. Where's the justice in that?

04-05-2003

An attorney told me that I have no case concerning the Victims Compensation Fund. The statute has been written and I did not do what the statute asked. We all know what the main ruling was; appearing at hospital. So what? When was the statute written? Three, Four, Five days after 9/11. How are ordinary citizens, or should I say taxpayers supposed to know what statutes are written each day in this country. Why didn't they place a one page advert in the newspapers.

9/11 was a shock to the city, the country and the world. So wake up and start treating people as people. Case by case.

On Friday 4th of April I was once again seated in  the New York Workman's State Board's Hearing Office. Along with me sat the judge, the insurers attorney, my attorney and the stenographer. I raised my right hand and swore to give the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

First matter of order was the insurers who has been handling my case wanted to 'voluntarily withdraw' that is' cut me off. They say there is not enough evidence to say that this injury had cost my job and that they need testimony from my en-employers. Ask yourself one question? If you were the employer and wanted to 'get rid' of someone because of an illness/injury, how would you do it? Fire them? I don't think so, you would end up with a huge law suit. So you push and push and eventually lay that person off. Welcome to corporate America . 

They even told me that I had refused to see there doctors for evaluation. When I told them that 'their' doctor cancelled on me seemed to make the slightest difference.

I would have done anything for the company that I was with on 9/11. Even when the enforced a 10% pay cut I did not mind, for me it was a career not a paycheck. But as pain took over my life something had to give. Even with my body full of a cocktail of medication and not able to physically get out of bed I would lie there for the day, laptop and phone in hand, and do my job. In hindsight I would have gone into that office each day is agony if I had to. I needed to work and I have worked for everything I have my whole life.

On June 27th we have yet another hearing, where I am sure the web will be spun. 'Dennis could not do his job, hid performance and so forth was lacking so we canned him!' But I know the story.

Since the hearing I have no prescription coverage. For nearly one year now I have been using a drug called Fentanyl. A narcotic painkiller in the form of a patch that is worn on the skin for three days. When I was first prescribed this 'miracle' drug my life changed. It left me pain free and I was able to get about. What I was not told was that it is a narcotic and users become dependable. It's now gone, I don't have the $300 per month for it and I am  spending the week experiencing withdrawal.

I have not been able to get out of bed for 36 hours, I write this while lying here. I have hot and cold flushes and my emotions are messed up. But what's worse is that the chronic pain it took away is back.

Is it so hard to believe in people these days? Have we become a nation afraid of the cheaters so much that the real people are walked over? I did not ask for this, all I ask for is some help. But that's like asking for blood from a stone.

So many people told me when all this began, shortly after I was transferred to San Antonio to come back to New York for help. From experience, the doctors here give me the impression they don't give a damn. I got more respect and care in San Antonio than I could have imagined. And if New Yorkers don't like what I say, tough! The truth hurts!

                                  Dennis