Let The Frustration Set In

My update from yesterday's post isn't exactly what I was wanting to write...

My afternoon ended in pain, frustration and a few tears. While the new Neurosurgeon was nice, promptly on time and helpful to get me into tests the same day, she had no new news to report and no conclusive findings. Shocker? I think not. I've had so many tests run and so many tests come back saying there is nothing wrong, yet as soon as a surgeon operates on me, they clearly see the issue and are baffled that it never showed up on tests before.

Again, for the I don't know how many times, I had an EMG Nerve test done. This test is painful and I'd be willing to say the worst of the bunch I've had. While I was in the room, I snapped a few shots to show you what I mean.

The mean machine

This machine monitors the waves of your nerve system. They can see and track the response they get from shocking and making the nerves twitch as well as when they do the second and more painful part of the test, the needle sticking.

the spots they shocked me at...well some of them at least

Once you are hooked up to the machine, they measure out different points on your arm to test the nerve. All the dots you can see here are places that they shocked me at to test the nerve's reaction. They also did some shocking on my elbow, which I'll admit hurt so bad I wanted to scream.

The second part of the test is worse than the shocking. They stick these needles into your hand/arm/wherever and measure the sound wave/activity of the nerve. This is beyond painful as once the needle is in, they move it around. They only did 2 pricks this time (versus the 8-9 I had before). The first one in the fatty part by my thumb hurt the worst...and still hurts!

needle pick 1

needle prick 2

Needless to say, the doctor again, came up with a confused look and said I needed to go back to my previous surgeon who did my first rib resection. At this point I'm frustrated, annoyed and confused. I just wish someone could find the answer.

I think maybe after the wedding, God willing I can hang on and not be in too much pain before then, maybe I'll try alternative medicine (aka: acupuncture, chiropractor, etc) and see how that works.

So thanks for your thoughts, prayers and well wishes, I wish I had better news to report! For now, I'll just have to grin and bear the pain some more until we can get an answer or try some new things.


**All photos are personal photos taken with my blackberry