About my epidural
In the consultation I was very clear that my symptoms were on both sides, but mostly the right. At the end of the consult she said, bilateral, but concentrate on the right to herself as she wrote notes. When I got to the OR they ask me which side, I replied, both sides, but mostly the right this happened a couple of times. They repeated to each other many times the right side. They wrote yes on my right side and asked me if that was correct. I have kicked myself a million times since, because I said yes.
Well, I got treated for my right side. When I got up they asked how I felt and I said, good, but my left side really hurts. They laughed!? I dont know how that could have been construed as a joke. My Mom and I walked back to the car and the left side hurt so bad I couldnt get in the car. I lost it (again). We stormed back in through the authorized personnel only doors and caused a scene. I had nurses flying in all directions, some were grabbing blankets to put over me and finding a chair. I was crying and speaking very loudly demanding to speak to the doctor. One nurse came over and said in a very soothing voice, you do realize you may not get immediate results from the epidural and I almost screamed back THATS NOT THE PROBLEM, SHE ONLY TREATED ONE SIDE. I must say though, before this scene, I was the perfect patient saying please and thank you and not complaining about the one hour and 45 minute delay from when the procedure was supposed to take place. That is partly why my left side hurt so bad, we sat in bad chairs for almost 2 hours prior to the procedure.
They finally got her on the phone and put me on with her. She was asking all sorts of technical medical questions and I finally said I dont know what youre talking about at which point she said Sunny?, oh, I thought I was talking to a nurse. (How many nurses cry hysterically on the phone?????????) After a rather argumentative 5 minutes in which I kept saying, I told you it was on both sides and you acknowledged that she said I can only treat one side at a time, we can do the left side but we have to wait one month. But she didnt make that statement right from the start so I really question its validity. She is either lying, or she is in gross negligence of not preparing me for what to expect. The diagram she had me fill out has my xs and ox and dashes, etc all over the right and left side signifying burning, stabbing, tingling, etc.
So her advice by the end of the conversation was for me to keep taking my percocet. I was so in hopes that I was going to be done with that after the shot. I havent spoken with her again yet (this all took place late Friday afternoon). But Im pretty sure this means I can only get three shots in total, not three shots on each side. (Lynne, Mel, correct me if Im wrong).
Anyway, the shot is helping significantly on the right side. The pain is not gone, but its manageable. Im being totally diligent about my PT in hopes to make it last. Now I have to call about the left side.
Sara-- your concerns of my Goofy plans are valid. I am having serious second thoughts. I've gone from hoping to be able to run again to just hoping I can take care of my kids and maybe do an occasional load of laundry...
Dave-- I'm glad I got you out there last week. Keep getting out there!
Matt-- great photos of you and DW's 10K.
I'll catch up more later.
Sunny