It all begins..

2013...

This all lays vividly in my mind.  Phil is having back problems, we take him to my Orthopedic Surgeon.  He is planned to have surgery, the date is tentative at the moment.  I have a family emergency in Michigan and travel to see my Uncle in his last days on Hospice with a 48 hour turn-around trip.  When I return home I have a day to prepare for my husbands 40th birthday party at our home with 40 guests expected.  I am at my best those days, the food is mostly homemade, baking and decorating is one of my forte's. A day later,  I feel my spine swelling, bone pain re-occuring, maybe I did too much or sympathy pains for Phil?  As a couple weeks go on, the pain is becoming more severe, I start with my PCP asking if there is any way that crazy bone can grow back?  His response is "sure, bone is like hair or nails, it can re-grow".  He suggests for me to also schedule an appointment with OUR Orthopedic Surgeon.  Phil and I schedule on the same day, Phil is scheduling surgery, I am discussing my current or re-current back pain.  Phil's surgery is scheduled September 9, 2013.  I mention the possibility of the bone re-growth as I am feeling "deja vu" symptoms.  The surgeon immediately discounts my theory, although orders an xray that is done at his facility.  We wait, and wait, which seems like an eternity, as I sit in pain that is all too familiar.  He returns with the results..."I am so sorry Mrs. Duchaine, yes, the bone growth has returned and it seems to be worse than before".  In the meantime he would like to develop a plan for surgical options for me.  He plans to schedule a facet joint injection into the SI joint to buy me some time through Phil's surgery to keep my  inflammation down. My head is spinning at this time about how are we going to manage the two of us being under the weather (little do I know what storm lies ahead).  I go in for my injection the following week on a Friday 9-4-13.  Phil is scheduled soon for surgery.  I ask the surgeon what is the backup plan for me as I am having some trouble walking.  He tells me to go straight to the ER if any further symptoms arise and that they will call him and we will figure it out from there...well...if you can guess what happens from here?    Went out shopping with Phil to gather our groceries and prepare for Phil's surgery.  Went home to take a bath and there it all began, the rest of my life, changed forever.  I was unable to get out of the bathtub without help.  Had to go to the ER, unable to walk, pain unbearable.  They contacted the Orthopedic Surgeon and he admitted me while he figured out a surgical option.  5 days before my husbands surgery.  This could not be what was happening.  Boswell Hospital was informed of the situation they made accommodations to save the bed space in my room for my incoming husband who would be having surgery.  A co-workers generosity immediately flew my daughter in-law from Texas to Arizona to assist in caregiving after our surgeries.  I was no longer co-herent due to medications, and my Husband was now my decision maker.  Surgical options were discussed and September 11.2013 would be the day that changed my life forever.

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