3/6/01-M.R.I don't know.

I took Monica to the neurosurgeon today.

The doctor was great, he sent Monica throught he rigors of an examination, and then spent about 30 minutes goinig over every MRI cross section of her lower back. The conclusion was, that Monica has the spine of a normal 33 year old. No crushed or bulging disks, no pinched nerves.... anatomically speaking; she appears to be fine.

When I heard the doctor's conclusion, I let out a sigh of relief. Relief that Monica didn't require surgery, and relief that I could release a little of the potential guilt I had built up. For a week now, I have been asking myself, "...but what if she really is hurt?"
If the MRI images would have looked more like a train-wreck than a spine, I would have kicked myself for all of the negative thoughts.
But now they can remain simple thoughts.

I was also relieved, because there was nothing there to further validate the way she acts, or the medicine she takes.
(but nothing has diminshed it either.)

So what's next?.
A Mylogram (sp?), which is dye injected directly into the spinal column. A CAT scan. Then finally a nerve conduction test. If all of those come back normal... then... Monica's spinal ailment is beyond modern medical diagnosis.

In the meantime, she is still bed-ridden.

"the list is getting smaller."

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