John,About our wife having a degenerative disc - my husband had this surgery back in 1980 at Baptist Hospital, Memphis, TN done by a neurosurgeon from Semmes-Murphey Clinic when these surgeries were uncommon. Back then they said if you wait too long it will damage your disc permanently where it cannot be fixed. I would suggest you keep this in mind...In the meantime I suggest you make this a matter of prayer keeping James 5:14-16 in mind.BTW, my husband tried the chiropractor route to no avail. God bless. ginnyrose
_________________Sandra Miller
GinnyroseMy wife will have hers done through an orthopedic doctor. She also saw a neurosurgeon because she wanted to see what both of them would say. They both agree on surgery. The Neuro wanted surgery within a few months while the Ortho told her she will know when it is time.She has been to 3 chiros(plus one for 2 days when we took a trip out of state), accupuncture, 4 physical therapies, Pain management, another specialist ( forget the name of the position) who gave her steroid shots in her hip because it was thought to be bursitis. Then she said an Ortho who dealt with the hip. He said it was not bursitis. Her gyno sent her to see a doctor who specializes in pregnancies solely because something was found on her ovary and figured she needed surgery this specialist could do it. She got that surgery and turns out it was not the issue.So then she saw the Neurosurgeon and Orthopedic and went went with the Ortho. She got 3 shots in her back which helped but did not stay. The Neuro suggested disc fusion while the Ortho said disc replacement. My wife's supervisor had a back operation by this Ortho and has had no problems since then. This has been going on since Oct 2010. She has been very limited in what she can do and so much so we have to be very choosy in where to go for vacation. No long walking, no stairways only elevators includes steps for a bus and steps up for a theater.How has your husbands back been since his surgery?
_________________John
GreetingsI have been thinking on this topic for a few days now. I think if I understand correctly that making a "new year resolution" is kind of like setting a goal for yourself, or making a promise to yourself to follow through on something and make it a new habit that you keep. With this definition in mind I began praying about this and feel the LORD leading me to be seeking HIM in areas of my life and walk where I pray for strength and growth in HIM. I have some areas that have been pressing on my heart, fist I am asking the LORD to help me die to the fear that often wells up inside of me. Fear and worry is something I have struggled with for many years and I pray this be the year HE will use to help me overcome in HIM. I also am seeking the LORD for opportunities to extend myself to others, to really seek to be a servant and put others before myself. I know GOD is faithful and all things will be accomplished in HIS good and perfect time so I just am seeking to be faithful to HIM in these things as HE gives me strength to :)I know they are not exactly resolutions in the traditional sense but it is what the LORD has placed on my heart. Thank you Matthew for asking.God blessmj
Mary Jane, That is a real good approach to new year resolutions that you have taken. Since we all need to change in some area, seek the Lord as to what He would have you change, and then rely on Him, claiming the promises of God concerning whatever needs to be changed. Mike
_________________Mike
John,My husband also went to an orthopedic surgeon who gave him a steroid injection which had limited value. I do not recall what he recommend DH would do to cure his problem except he acted real afraid of the surgical procedure. We quit going to him.The reason we ended up in Memphis is because of the results of others who had gone there and were treated successfully. The surgeon there (this clinic had 30 neurologists with most being surgeons), Dr. Engelburg, did not order a battery of tests to discern what needed to be done. My husband filled out a sheet detailing all he had done and he concluded all that is to be done is surgery. He did that, removed the disc, did not fuse it saying convalescence would take longer and the discs would fuse on their own anyways.My husband's surgery was done 32 years ago and has never regretted it - remember this was long before it became commonplace. When people heard we were going there, you wouldn't believe the people that came by to discourage us from doing so. The only person among family and friends was his brother who was working on a Ph.D in biological sciences! But my husband's pain was so bad he could not walk upright - had to crawl on hands and knees. He sustained an injury by riding a horse barebacked. In the years since he has had stiffness in that place, but he has been able to work like as though he never had the problem. During this time a friend of ours in our church developed a similar problem and he did what popular opinion advised - no surgery, go to chiropractors and take their advice. It was not too many years since then he became disabled and still is. The contrast between these two men is striking.Anyhow, it was 32 years ago when Rollin had his surgery and he had excellent results. But have learned since then not all who have the procedure done can say the same. Since this is the case, I would highly recommend you find a surgeon with an excellent tract record. Dr. Engelburg said his' were 90% successful, others said 50% or less back then. Just be careful ....God bless.ginnyrose
