Back Log
This page is a continuation of the original back page. Because I have had to endure this since October of 2002, I feel it will haunt me for much longer. I decided I should add this page to feed people with more information who really want it. I will try to update this page as often as possible. I hope to include reports on my condition and new information when I get it. Maybe you will get something out of this, or maybe you won't, but either way it is a means for me to vent my frustration and put it where people can see what I am going through.
08 April 2004
Well, after a year and a half of not knowing what is wrong with my back I have finally found out. My latest doctor in Nashville had me get a Myelogram. From this he decided that my problem is a vertebrae that has moved forward. This is L-4. What is causing all the pain? It seems that the facet of L-4 when it moved forward irritaes a nerve. This isn't a "pinched nerve", or a "slipped disc". I was informed that there are two options left that i have not tried. The first is a back brace. Not one of the cute ones with suspenders the Pepsi guy wears when he delivers the soda, but the big ol' plastic, full chest, can't move, hot as hell kind. I am actually going tomorrow, (Apr 09) to get fitted for it. If this doesn't work, then my next and final option is kind of scarey. The Doc told me that "regular" surgery would not correct the problem. I have a Spinal Fusion to look forward to if the brace doesn't work. Needless to say, I am hoping like hell the brace does the trick. JSC
If you have any thoughts, comments, words-of-wisdom, or anything else that may help me through this, jump back to the BACK page, and leave me a message. I could use anything right now. Thanks for looking at my page, and I hope it didn't drag you down too much. I'll be happy to put some good news on this page when I get some. Wish me luck!
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12 April 2004
Well, I went to nashville and was fitted for my brace. It's not pleasant at all! This big plastic thing is like being squeezed in a bear hug. I've been wearing it for 4 days now, and I'm about to go nuts! I hope this thing works. I'll try and get a picture of this lovely contraption on here soon. It really rubs me in all the wrong places in more than one sense. I'll get back and let everyone know more when I've had it on for a while. JSC
Click here to go to Dr. McCombs Website!
* Special Thanks Below*
12 May 2004
Well, it's finally here. The doctor has informed me that I will have a Spinal Fusion. The brace, along with everything else has done no good. As soon as I get my effects in order, I'll set the appointment. it looks like it'll be in the next month. As soon as I know I'll update this page. Check out the link above for  my Neurosurgeons website to see what I am having done. JSC
07 June 2004
Dr. McCombs wanted to do the ?Spinal Fusion surgery ASAP. (I had made up my mind to do it months ago) The problem I have run into is Worker's Compensation. Go figure! They have denied my claim, and are refusing to pay for the surgery. I am trying to get it approved through my health insurance right now. I can't believe that after all of this, they are going to deny me the surgery. My luck has been piss poor for the past couple of years. I'm beginning to wonder what I did to deserve this. I've been a law-abiding, hardworking, veteran, and this is the thanks I get? Also, my Unemployment has run out, and I have NO INCOME! I am struggling to say the least. I'll post more when I know more. Until then, I hope everyone has a great day! JSC
24 June 2004
It just keeps getting better! I have now been informed that my COBRA insurance is not covering my surgery either. As my lawyer tries to work this all out in the courts, I just get to sit here in pain. This fight is starting to wear me thin. Every time I get knocked down I get back up, but you can only do that so many times before you just have to stay down. I'm trying to understand all this. A woman burns herself on hot coffee at McDonalds and she gets millions; I on the other hand am injured on the job, in a car wreck, and I can't get my surgery paid for? HUH?? Makes no sense to me. I guess I'll just turn up the TENS unit, take some more Lortabs and call it another crappy day. I'll give y'all an update when i know more. Until then, have a better day than me! JSC
14 July 2004
Not much new to post, but it's been a while since I updated this page. I am waiting for my COBRA insurance provider to get back with me on whether they will approve the surgery, since LIBERTY MUTUAL has denied my claim. Once I get the approval, (if I get it) then I will have the surgery. I have been informed by the doctor's office that even if my insurance pre-appoves the surgery, it is not a binding agreement they will actually PAY for it. Nice to know I'm screwed no matter which way I turn. I'll let everyone know when I get the word. I'm hoping it's soon. I'm still sucking off of my parents and they aren't going to be able to do this forever! JSC
30 July 2004
Well, I finally have some news. But I thought I'd let you know about my knee first. It's still swollen, but doesn't hurt as bad. It's really weak though. It wobbles and jiggles around. I just have the crappiest luck! As far as the news, here we go... Unfortunately it's not a YES on my surgery, But I got a call from UNUM Provident. (That's my Long Term Disability Insurance from my old job) They told me that I DO qualify for LTD, but they will have to subtract whatever I have or will receive from Liberty Mutual, plus Unemployment. That means that some day I will have income, but who knows when. they need paperwork showing what I have received from Unemployment and Worker's Compensation. My problem is, I have no paperwork from Worker's Compensatuion. They never saw fit to let me know what was going on with my own case. So this means I have to wait. You'd think I was use to the waiting game, but it still sucks. So now I wait... and wait some more... I'm also waiting for approval of my surgery. I guess it's no skin off their nose to take their time. It does however make a big difference to me. The longer I wait, the worse I feel. I'm just hoping that it will happen soon. JSC
BIG NEWS! 23 July 2004
This past Tuesday I decided I needed to do something constructive. I couldn't take any more time in the house. I was going to prune the tree in front of the house. There were some branches that I kept hitting with the truck. These were just small branches, no bigger than dime in diameter, but I was shutting them in the car door. Instead of stretching up to cut the branches back, I decided to step up into the back of my truck to make it a little less painful on my back. In the process of stepping into the back of my truck...CRUNCH!! My right knee dislocated! Yep, it hurts like hell. After about 30 seconds it popped back in. It started swelling right away. I had a softball for a knee. The only explanation was I had weakened the knee by favoring my leg because of the numbness for so long. Anyway, I have to wear a brace that impedes me even more. This makes me walk funny, which hurts my back even more, which makes my ankle hurt like hell on my left leg. IT'S A WONDERFULL LIFE I LEAD! Anyway, now I'm in more pain. It just keeps getting worse! I'll keep y'all up to date on my situation. I'd say it can't get any worse, but I know it can! JSC
10 September 2004
Latest News!! My attorney for Worker's Compensation filed a motion to compel medical treatment earlier this summer. We had our day in court on September 8th (my sister's birthday). After the opening arguments my attorney put me on the stand. ?I answered questions from my lawyer and Liberty Mutual's lawyer. After I finally broke down into tears it was time to wait for the judges decision. This was only a hearing to make them pay for treatment. No money was to be awarded or anything else. The judge can back and ordered Liberty Mutual to PAY FOR MY SURGERY! I am now waiting for the paperwork shuffle to get moving so I can set up the appointment to have the Spinal Fusion. Thanks to everyone for their prayers, and support. I have finally had some good news!
7 January 2005
It's been a long while since i added to this log. It may have something to do with my surgery! On October 5th 2004 I went in for my PLIF. What a long 6 days that was. ?The surgery went well, but as the doctor thought, it was hard to keep my pain level under control. I had  been on prescription painkillers and muscle relaxers for almost 2 years. That kind of increased my tolerance for drugs. I ended up on a morphine drip for a few days to keep me from screaming. After my 6 day stay, I headed home for 6 weeks of NOTHING. I wasn't allowed to pick up anything heavier than a coffee cup. I couldn't bend over, and wasn't allowed to sit upright for more than 45 minutes a day. It was hard. ?I ditched the walker and went to a cane after a few weeks. Now I am walking without any help. ?I can lift up to 15 lbs. I know it doesn't sound like much, but it's an improvement over a coffee cup. I'm still in pain, but it's a different kind of pain and it's getting better. I just have to make sure I don't do too much. The rain and the cold make for some bad days, but I'll manage. I'll try and keep this updated more now that i can sit here for a little longer. Thanks to all my friends and family!
02 August 2005
It's been a long while since i have updated this page. I thought I would come in and let folks know what is going on. The good news is Kim and I are having a baby! The other news is that after surgery, I recovered fairly well. The surgery didn't heal me miraculously, but it did stop the progression of pain. The problem is that about 5 weeks ago I had a real relapse with the pain and all. My level went from a 3-4 to a 5-6. That may not sound like much, but it's enough to cause muscle spasms to start again, and sleeping problems. I'm still getting around, but the added pain level, plus the stress of school and my worker's compensation trial have me all worked up. I had another MRI when the pain flared up, Now I am waiting for W/C again to approve a Discogram. Look it up, it's not fun. My eurosurgeon is worried that my L-3 or L-5 disc may be causing problems, or worse yet, my fusion could be causing the problem. We'll just have to wait and see how it all turns out. Thanks for stopping by, and I'll do my best to update this site more often.