Not looking good

[otto]

Just a few days ago the wife was diagnosed for her back & leg pain. Degenerative discs and a couple are herniated. This will bring on some big hospital bills even after the surgery. As much as I want to come to the convention and my wife also, we can not go into any more debt. I know we don't have the funds for the hospital bills and doctor visits that will start to accumulate soon, on top of the ones we already have. So payment plans will probably consume all of my income for the rest of the year.

You never know, maybe some lower than expected bills and a good summer season will allow me to attend but, as for now the forecast looks bleak.:(

We're still in good spirits and I'm sure we'll be fine. It's good to know what has been bothering her and Tuesday she has a consultation to see where we go from here.

[Diceman]

I have the same thing going on, for months, hurts like hell. Hard to even walk sometimes.
Good luck.

[jpb2]

Good luck Otto hope everything goes well.

[spotts]

I hope all comes out well. I have had back pain for years. Really dread ever going under the knife.

[dan wong]

I have lower back pain for several years, my doctor (surgon) say he can do a fusion and make the pain go away. he also suggest I should retire.

He also mention, there is a spinal study being conducted by some medical group, if your insurance don't cover it. The study group will. you might wanted to check it out. (the study mentioned here was two yeas ago.)

I did not do the surgery, I meet this accupressure expert, His name is Lawerance Li, from China. He said, he had help many people with the same problem when he work at Canton Hospital (Gonzhou,China). He charge me $50.00 per sesson, after about 8 sesson, sure enough, my back pain went away. (he is suggesting, the bone some how grow back some, not fully, but enough). I still walk with a limp, because the sciatica nerve affect my leg. definately no pain on my back. i sleep well.

There are two type of message. one is to make you feel good, very common in America - no healing. The other is design to heal you (approximately equal to chiropractor). You might want to check this out. Look for a good accupressure specialist. They normally don't have a medical degree, accupressure happen to be their specialty. Many of them operate in the shadow for fear they might be proscuted "practing medician with out a License". You might need someone to introduce you. As for me. I don't care if he have a medical license. I am more interested " Can you make my problem go away" . My back pain is definately gone away.

[otto]

She goes Tuesday to see the orthopedic specialist and we'll see where we go from there. I just want her to be OK and not in pain any more. We have considered seeing a chiropractor and/or acupuncture. We'll have to wait and see what the prognosis is. Thanks for all the well wishes.

Again, as for the convention, I have to place priorities over fun, even if it's only for a weekend. The airline tickets just seem out of reach for now. So far it looks to be a promising summer so you never know. I keep my head up knowing that this is not a permanent situation.

Work has been steady. I have lots of irons in the fire waiting for estimated repairs on maintenances already done and many more PM's still to do. I work tomorrow installing a new capacity control system on a 200 ton Bohn chiller, just finished a preliminary PM with some repairs on 3 50 ton Carrier chillers, bid on some starters and control work there. And we haven't even had steady heat yet!

Robin is in good spirits with better days and worse days. She has learned to avoid any lifting work. She misses working in the yard but, that is not necessary work.

[jpb2]

Family first always. Hope a magic trick happens as far as the convention goes. That said the most important thing is your bride's health. I will keep you both in thought and prayer. Chicago is only 5-6 hours away for me tell her to heal up or I'll be up for a visit:eek:. Take care, Jeff

[Diceman]

Forget the chrioquacker.

[jpb2]

Chiropractic has worked fot the last 10-12 years for me Ed. To dismiss the practice as bs is just wrong. Now run along and get to your Obama rally:D



Just kiddin about the rally.

[otto]

Maybe if someone is driving and passing through Chicago I can share the driving and gas, problem with that is, late August we are very busy and getting the time off will be difficult. Just going to have to wait and see.

As far as chiropractic....this seems a bit too far progressed to have just an adjustment. I'm sure that the doctor will not recommend it and have neither the time nor the money to be getting all the different opinions.

[Diceman]

I went to a chrioquacker and it did nothing, they can make it worse.
Now they can help with some things but the problem with them is that even if they can't help or you need surgery or whatever they still tell you they can help and to come back for the rest of your life for "adjustments." Which only adjust their back account, and that is BS.
What other doctor calls YOU up to come and see them??:rolleyes:

[otto]

Actually we do have an account all the way over in Oak Park, an Orthopaedic Surgeon. That's who fixed up my knee, it's doing fine so far. I would have her go over there but, it's a long way away and Robin doesn't drive. For me to take off work and drive her there would just cost more money. We'll have to just see if this doctor is OK.

So enough about this, it's more depressing to post about it. We'll be OK, just wanted to let y'all know that we might not make it to the convention. It's one of the few things that I have to look forward to and it pains me to miss it. I'll still try to make it but, I have to keep my priorities in focus.

Thanks for all the kind words and polities.

[horsewhipp]

wanna discuss a r22 charging prob

[acmanko]

I had my back operated on 6-29-07. evidently the surgery failed . I have the same symptoms now that I had before the surgery I take 4 different pills 4 times a tay and the are not much help and the doctor doesnt want me to get addicted, so he keeps reducing the strength. try to get her to hold on, if the stem cell research is successful , they can just grow you a new back

[midhvac]

I've got degenerative disc disease too. It sux, especially for people in our bus.

A chiropractor crippled my mom years ago. Not a good idea for EVERYTHING that ails you. I know lots of people who swear by them though. But I'd obviously never go see one after what happened to mom.

[johnnybgood]

Im so sorry Otto, Robbin. Im boinking a broad that has had the fusion surgery and so has her sister, I also witnessed my neighbor go threw it. Its no small surgery, I feel for her man I really do. It's gonna **** her up for more than a year and its going to be a lot of pain before it gets better. My mechanic buddy had 2 disks fused in his back, he had no choice either,,. ther was no disk left. He had the surgery and was outa work for long time, more than few months but he recoverd and is a lift truck mechanic still. My gf had 4 back surgeries all together and finally had them fused, she had chronic pain for a while but is taking Leerika SP? and that helps her function but she had to do a pill merry go round before she found one that worked, but she was able to jog again after more than a year. There is hope for a full recovery and normal quality of life after. I was told I had degenerative disk disease too and had bad pain for years,. but surprissingly, once my wife left, it all went away, no ****,.. never know Otto,.maybe all she needs to do is get rid of you and all her back pain will go away. lol,.. just joking,..

[oroy54]

wanna discuss a r22 charging prob

r22 charging problems is as easy as charging air. Otto I will call you soon. I still have your camera. Should I down load the pictures??? Or is there some kinky stuff in there?? :rolleyes:
Cheryl will mail it tomorrow. Tell Robin hi and we love her. Take care of my girl. ;)

[RoBoTeq]

Damn Otto, I was really looking forward to finally meeting Robin. I too have back problems, so I can certainly relate. I was laid up for two days in a hotel room after last years convention.

Chiropractors have done well for me in the past, but when things get too far, chiropractors can do more harm then good. It was a good chiropractor who told me not to keep going to chiropractors for my back or shoulder. Accupuncture did work on my shoulder when it got unbearable a few years back.